BREEDERS
Health Tests
The Mandatory Health Tests for St Bernards as required by Dogs NZ are:
For all Saint Bernard litters born after 1 January 2025 as a pre-requisite to registration of any litter on
Part 1 of the New Zealand Kennel Club Register, the following shall apply:
24.*.1
The Sire AND Dam of every litter must have a DNA genotype (DNA profile) collected by an independent,
authorised sampler from an approved laboratory and results supplied to Dogs NZ.
Frozen semen collected prior to 1 January 2025 is excluded.
Frozen semen dispensations may be requested from the Canine Health and Welfare Committee.
24.*.2
The Sire AND Dam of every litter must be radiographed and assessed by a Dogs NZ approved scheme
for hip dysplasia and results supplied to Dogs NZ. Any parent whelped before 1 January 2015 may be
excluded.
Frozen semen dispensations may be requested from the Canine Health and Welfare Committee prior to mating.
24.*.3
The Sire AND Dam of every litter must be radiographed and assessed by a Dogs NZ approved scheme
for elbow dysplasia and results supplied to Dogs NZ.
Any parent whelped before 1 January 2025 may be excluded.
Frozen semen dispensations may be requested from the Canine Health and Welfare Committee prior to mating.
24.*.4
The Sire AND Dam of every litter must have a Dogs NZ Cardiac Certificate completed by any registered
veterinarian at a minimum age of 12 months old and results supplied to Dogs NZ.
Any parent whelped before 1 January 2015 may be excluded.
Frozen semen dispensations may be requested from the Canine Health and Welfare Committee prior to mating.
24.*.5
The Sire AND Dam of every litter must have a Dogs NZ Eye Lid Certificate to assess entropion and
ectropion completed by any registered veterinarian at a minimum dog age of 12 months (ideal age of
assessment 24 months old), and results supplied to Dogs NZ.
Any parent whelped before 1 January 2015 may be excluded.
Frozen semen dispensations may be requested from the Canine Health and Welfare Committee prior to mating.
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.