BREEDERS

Health Tests

The Mandatory Health Tests for St Bernards as required by Dogs NZ are:

Hip Dysplasia Scoring using the Penn Hip method.

Elbow Dysplasia Scoring using the NZVA method.

Cardiac Certificate - current.

Optional Health  Checks are - Eye Certificate - current.

WE RECOMMEND YOU BUY A  PUPPY FROM A  BREEDER WHO PERFORMS THESE REQUIRED AND MANDATORY HEALTH CHECKS ON THEIR BREEDING DOGS.

BUYING A PUPPY.

Under no circumstances should a breeder rehome a puppy under 8 weeks of age.

A puppy will cost the same no matter where you buy it, or whether it is a NZKC registered pedigree or not - do your homework.

A puppy should have all necessary vaccinations for its age when you receive it.

A puppy should be microchipped when you receive it.

Your puppy should come with an information pack that includes its 4 generation pedigree, pictures of its parents, diet sheet, microchip form, vaccination booklet, copies of the worming records and copies of the parents health checks.

You should not take a puppy home that has diarrhoea, a runny nose, a cough, a bloated wormy stomach or dull eyes or that appears lethargic or scared.

A breeder will probably refuse to sell a puppy to you if you do not own your own home. Landlords are less willing to rent to people who have animals and you losing your rented home may result in your dog losing their home and family.