Does anyone know anything about St Bernards?

[missymoomoomee]

I have thought very long and hard about getting a St Bernard, I absolutely adore them, my house is big enough, have a fairly large garden, plenty time for walks etc, I just don't know anyone who has one and would like to know if there is anything I should know. I have done lots of research but haven't spoken to anyone who actually owns one. The only dogs I have previously owned have been huskys (many years ago now) and they are obviously quite different and unsuitable for a young family. Any help would be great thanks.

So do I.
exercise, I mean..
I have seen a few and they are gorgeous.
Mind you, I do have the best ever dog at the moment, so just very long term planing.

I would certainly consider a Rottweiler, Spinone, Bernese Mountain/Swiss Mountain Dog (one has a full, one a short coat), Dogue de Bordeaux, Bouvier Des Flandres, Giant Schnauzer, Leonberger, GSD.

I would lean towards Rottie, GSD, Schnauzer, if you would like to do some further training, the others if you want more of a family companion.

I don't know a huge amount about Otterhounds, except that they are gorgeous and now you have said more I think an Irish Water might be too bouncy.

I actually think a Bouvier Des Flandres would suit your situation down to the ground

coffee, what do you have atm?

It;s boring on paper, but she's the best ever.
Retriever.

If you want to know about otterhounds I can certainly help you. I would say OP that one would be perfect for you. They're incredibly affectionate. When mine was at a show a young girl in a wheelchair was desperate to pet her, she went and sat down next to the chair to be fussed. All other owners share the intuitive sense that otterhounds have. They just somehow know to be gentle with certain people.
In my experience the quality of walk was more important than the length, having lots of scents was the best thing ever. Coats don't need as much grooming as people seem to think. Just a brush to keep on top of it every few days. Like all long haired breeds there's tangle hotspots: elbows, bottom and chin.
I can't tell you how special they are, go to discover dogs. Hopefully the rescue Secretary will be there with her hounds.

I'm actually nearly in tears thinking about her, my beautiful girl. I can help with the right direction for breeders as well.

everybody you are going to set me off in a minute. I am just looking at otterhounds just now there doesn't seem to be many breeders I can only find 2 that are registered, not that I'm in a rush. Its not a breed I have heard of before but I can see why your girl meant so much to you, they really do seem like lovely dogs. Could I ask (if its ok) what are the downsides are to this breed.

Gobblers Bouvier Des Flandres is also a breed I haven't heard of before, I am going to have to stop googling names that you give me they are all just lovely. I also hadn't considered swiss mountain dogs either so I shall have a look at that too. Dh isn't keen on a rottie (an incident in childhood apparently). I am taking my cats for their boosters in a couple of weeks so I am going to seek their advice about some of these breeds while I'm there too. What dog do you have

The downsides:
You will have a hairy dog on a settee/armchair.
As they have webbed paws they can bring in quite a bit of mud.
Some have very ticklish paws, mine did so we had to take her to the vets for claw clipping, she wouldn't let me but would allow the vet nurse!
Not all of them love water, it took a while for mine to go in for a paddle.
There's a long wait for puppies and rescues are very rare.
Some can't be let off lead. An otterhound doesn't ignore you, it's just that when they pick up on a scent everything gets concentrated into their nose and so they don't hear! That's the best way to describe it. We used to watch her and would be able to tell if she was going to go, we'd call her and she'd come to us. Same as with all scent hounds. The reason their ears are long and folded is to concentrate and funnel the scent up to their nose. When they're off lead they gallop, it's beautiful. Once we took her to a new wood/parkland didn't watch her and she'd gone. We searched for about 30mins, it was going darker, no sign of her, had a young puppy that we couldn't drag around anymore because of overexercising. We'd split up and done different areas. Walked back towards the carpark discussing who would call dog warden, rspca etc when we looked at our car there was an otterhound sat with a wagging tail looking at us as if she was saying "took you long enough"! But we did let her off a lot, especially in our woods.

Which breeders have you found?

Hee hee I was coming back to ask if you had considered Otterhounds?!

I've found a Miss Lerego and a Mr Sorensen.

The downsides there don't seem to be anything I wouldn't expect. Your girl sounds like she was a character and a half. A long waiting list doesn't bother me, I would love a dog right now but I would rather wait for the right one, even if its a couple of years (or more). And I need an excuse to go to crufts next year too. Haha beancurd great minds think alike

I think they are fab, have nearly got one in the past and plan to in the future. The breed people I spoke to at the time were very helpful was just mentioning to dh that we should consider them for our next doggie.

I'll pm you tomorrow missy, am on phone so can't at the moment.

Beancurd, who did you talk to and where/when? Curious incase it was me!

Sorry that sounds rather arrogant! I did crufts and discover dogs and so talked to many people whilst they fussed up my hound.

They are on my list of breeds I am going to grill the vet about in a couple of weeks, I have never met one before but they do sound like an ideal match for my family.

Thank you everybody I really appreciate you taking the time to help me.

Could have been you! I had gone to Crufts to eye up hounds and spent a fair bit of time cuddling otterhounds:)

Beancurd was it this years crufts?

It was actually three crufts ago which was my last visit. Am going to the next one and may be perusing the otterhounds again, my last eight have been rescues and next I want a pup that might live for more than five years and might be all jolly and sociable after decent care. (eyes current crop and sighs...one dying, one neurotic, one mean)

Bouvier.....We are picking up our new little addition in a few weeks! We have had other big dogs in the past, and know of them through both family and friends having them, and having always wanted one!

Bouvs are very large but have a very beautiful temperament, and love kids! only about a dozen breeders in the UK, who don't breed constantly, which mean you may have to wait for a litter, though I do believe there are a few on their way :o)

Have a look at bouvierclub.co.uk/ and under "About Bouviers" there is a great piece of reading that most breeders tell people to read first called "Don't Buy a Bouvier". It gives you the truth about the breed, good and bad, and if you get through that and still want one then you will end up with a very special dog indeed.