Hi found the site while i was doing research into st bernard ownership so thought i'd join and get some tips . I've never owned a st before only german sheperds and im looking for tips on food,good quaility leads etc for big dogs i don't want to waste money on rubbish thats not up to the job dispite what the label says. My wife has owned a few large breeds when she was growing up and wanted a st bernard so after a search we have found one and we get him next week age 8 weeks . So any and all tips of ownership are welcome. Thanks, Mal
Hi, cant wait to see your pics!!! food wise i feed Burns Fish and brown rice and also feed Arden grange. I would advise switching over to adult food rather than feeding puppy as puppy food is to high in protein for giant breed, Lead wise i use a dogmatic head collar and a halti double end lead (on attached to head collar the other to collar. As for dog beds ect i cant really advise as mine dont bother sleeping on them (they prefer the cool floor) also a good slicker will be handy and also try and get him used to the hoover and hair dryer from a young age so that he isnt terrified of a blaster when being groomed because it takes hours if they are. (my newf is terrified even though i did socialise him with it) any other questions i will gladly help x Welcome to Dogsey
Hi and welcome to Dogsey. I would invest in a good leather lead which looks nice and is gentle on your hands if he decides to pull. I feed barf diet and my boy does really well on it. Also, socialisation is the key with any dog but particularly so with giant breeds. Your st is going to attract a lot of attention and there are a huge number of people out there who will be terrified of your st bernard because of his size. I'm glad I socialised our leonberger with anyone and everyone, dogs, toddlers, screaming babies, bikes, scooters etc from the start and it's been invaluable. You'll find children can run up thinking he's a big bear for cuddles or they can take one look and run screaming in the opposite direction which says 'chase me' to any puppy. He'll need to be able to cope with this sort of behaviour calmly so I'd advise you to make time from the beginning to socialise him really well.
Hi and Welcome to Dogsey. I would agree with Hannah. Getting a good lead and head harness is a must. Giant breeds need to be trained not to pull on lead. Otherwise you will find yourself being dragged down the street. Also dont over exercise, as giant breeds can damage their shoulders and hips. I dont allow my girls to jump at people or go upstairs, so they dont damage their joints. I feed Burns Pork and Potato, I changed from a puppy food at 4 months to avoid feeding too much protein. Good luck with your pup, and put pictures on soon
Hi and welcome along I would second everything that has been said above. I brought my Leo out in my sons old pushchair before he was fully vaccs. so as to always start early on the socialising. Get them used to the car asap too. Also invest in a good mop and bucket!! Can't wait for pics xx
Thanks for the replys and info ive been popin in and out reading them trying not to be caught my wife dos'nt know i bought one she had wrote the the telephone number down wrong but i got the right one and went and bought the pup on friday night should hopefully get him this fri so plan is to put him in through living room door when she is watching tv so if you hear weird noises on friday you'll know what it is will prob get a pic up nxt wkend this the lead you recommend? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LARGE-HALTI-D...QQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs?hash=item4146570d46 and head collar. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dogmatic-Head...QQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs?hash=item438f02967f is size 5 about the right size? when grown are those good prices. I had kinda thought that the whole drool thing was sorta made worse by the movies but seems not by that much gonna look a right sight wearing a raincoat to feed the dog I was told yesterday to feed him on weetabix for a couple of weeks is this right ? sounds a bit suspect to me. Also he is kc reg'd microchipped and got his jabs is there anything else that should be done? is it worth taking him to our local vet for a check when we get him or not? Thanks
Ooh I'm so jealous. No advice really other than what's been said already but I look forwrad to the pictures. Here's me and my daughter with my friends young SB
Yep there the correct things. I would say fully grown will need size 7/8 as for in the next couple of months he will grow very quickly and outgrow them size wise early on prob 3 and then up ect.
