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Golden Saint Puppy wanted

20K views 71 replies 26 participants last post by  Gaby B  
#1 ·
Hi,
I have seen only one litter of 5 Golden Saint puppies anywhere in the past year. Does anyone know where there might be a possibility of finding one? Thanks.
 
#2 ·
If "Golden Saint" means Golden Retriever / St Bernard cross, you should find a Mutt Forum and inquire there.
 
#9 ·
Hello all and thanks for your replies,
I understand these dogs are only “oops” as first generation. That’s how I got my current Golden Saint. However, they are a recognized “designer dog” (I hate that term) being no different than a Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle or any other number of popular mixes today. While I am not a geneticist or breeder of any kind except my own kids, I think a Golden Saint bred to a Golden Saint would produce another Golden Saint of 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Saint Bernard. While these dogs are really mutts, they are no different in quality than Goldendoodles which are bred over and over. Just as a Goldendoodle is not a pedigreed dog does not mean it is any less desirable. And no, they do not come with their own little keg. That was something the painter of that famous picture decided to add to the dog because he thought it was cute and it is not based in reality at all as to what working St Bernards do. So, to clarify. What I would be looking for is a 2nd generation breeder of Golden Saints. Again, my question, does anyone know of anyone?
 
#10 ·
However, they are a recognized “designer dog” (I hate that term) being no different than a Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle or any other number of popular mixes today.
Exactly, and why are _______doodle litters bred?
 
#12 ·
Intentionally bred mixes are not considered ethical here on this forum. "Designer breed" isn't a thing, they are just mixes. It is not a supported activity on this forum for people to intentionally create mixes. Understand that this doesn't mean that folks here hate mixed dogs, that isn't the case, no one blames the dogs and many here probably have or have had a mix at some point. In short, you won't likely be getting any recommendations from the folks here on how to find a mixed breed puppy.
 
#16 ·
I wanted to address your response greasing genetics. Not even a first generation cross is guaranteed to be 50% of each breed. Because of genetic recombination, the puppy could be more St. Bernard or more Golden. If you cross two first generations, then you’re even less likely to get anything close to 50%. Some could be nearly 80%+ golden and others will be much more St. Bernard.
 
#20 ·
Food for thought...

It sounds like you love your current mix breed dog. As many of us do, we tend to want another just like our favorite or heart dog.

I am a breeder of Goldens and here is what I will say, it just doesn’t happen that way even within the stabilized traits of a breed with hundreds of years of consistency bred in. I currently have 5 dogs that I can trace back to the founder of the breed. A pair (mom and a daughter) and then trio (a grandma, mom and daughter). Even within these dogs that are not only the same throughly established breed but also family, they are far from the same dog. Yes they are all wonderfully Golden but not identical. Had I had that as the ideal (the dogs I bred would be identical), I would be sorely disappointed.

Now take two random breeds from very different backgrounds (hunting and working in this case) to make puppies and that variation will not just be in physical traits but in temperament and behavior as well.

Add to this the fact that purposeful mix breeders have to source their dogs from risky places such as back yard breeders, pet stores and commercial kennels (mills), these dogs have a high risk for health problems.

The people purposely doing this want money and rarely care about anything other than profit. They get people interested in a fake breed (creating a breed is a process that takes decades, with very specific steps) with a cute marketing name, misrepresentation of facts and usually slick websites. Take time to educate yourself through trusted sources, not random websites. AKC, National breed clubs (Golden Retriever Club of America), and OFA are a couple of good ones.

I would recommend looking at your current mix breed dog and make a list of the traits that make this dog so great for you and your family. Then compare this list to breed descriptions on AKC or National clubs for each breed like the GRCA. Once you find a match, find a responsible preservation breeder in that breed that competes the appropriate health certifications and perhaps competes in conformation, obedience, hunt or any other breed specific discipline.
 
#22 ·
Food for thought...

It sounds like you love your current mix breed dog. As many of us do, we tend to want another just like our favorite or heart dog.

I am a breeder of Goldens and here is what I will say, it just doesn’t happen that way even within the stabilized traits of a breed with hundreds of years of consistency bred in. I currently have 5 dogs that I can trace back to the founder of the breed. A pair (mom and a daughter) and then trio (a grandma, mom and daughter). Even within these dogs that are not only the same throughly established breed but also family, they are far from the same dog. Yes they are all wonderfully Golden but not identical. Had I had that as the ideal (the dogs I bred would be identical), I would be sorely disappointed.

Now take two random breeds from very different backgrounds (hunting and working in this case) to make puppies and that variation will not just be in physical traits but in temperament and behavior as well.

Add to this the fact that purposeful mix breeders have to source their dogs from risky places such as back yard breeders, pet stores and commercial kennels (mills), these dogs have a high risk for health problems.

The people purposely doing this want money and rarely care about anything other than profit. They get people interested in a fake breed (creating a breed is a process that takes decades, with very specific steps) with a cute marketing name, misrepresentation of facts and usually slick websites. Take time to educate yourself through trusted sources, not random websites. AKC, National breed clubs (Golden Retriever Club of America), and OFA are a couple of good ones.

I would recommend looking at your current mix breed dog and make a list of the traits that make this dog so great for you and your family. Then compare this list to breed descriptions on AKC or National clubs for each breed like the GRCA. Once you find a match, find a responsible preservation breeder in that breed that competes the appropriate health certifications and perhaps competes in conformation, obedience, hunt or any other breed specific discipline.
This was a thoughtful and informative response, thank you. I understand people's objections to purposefully breeding mixed-breeds, and the inherent problems in doing so. And I understand everyone's love of goldens. However, I thought some of the replies were unnecessarily shaming and snarky, and appreciated your reasoned approach to the question.
 
#34 ·
That was a thoughtful post and is appreciated. I have done all the things you have suggested and have decided that a Golden Retriever has the characteristics that are closest to what I like.
This is the 2nd Golden Saint I’ve had, the first being about 30 years ago when they were still “mutts”. I am very cognizant that some if not all pedigreed dogs were bred from mixes of dogs to get the desired traits and then selectively bred over time to sustain those traits, Golden Retrievers are included in this, as reported by the AKC on the history of Golden Retrievers. As in families, no two children are alike and in litters, no two dogs are alike. There are personality traits that are similar in breeds and families and environment (training) certainly is important but no two are the same. Both of my Golden Saints came from pedigreed St Bernard fathers and pedigreed Golden Retriever mothers. I don’t think any responsible pedigreed owner of these two breeds would want to breed a Golden Saint intentionally and that is why they are so rare. They only exist to my knowledge as ”oops”. That was the case with both of my dogs. The male and female lived on adjoining farms where there were pedigreed animals. The female Retriever had 7 pups and had to have a Caesarian. Neither owner was happy and I certainly understand.
But just as the Golden Retriever was bred with a Water Spaniel and then selectively bred again to create today’s version of the Golden Retriever, sometimes “oops” happen and turn out to be a good thing. The traits that I like are present in both dogs and if you read in depth about Golden Saints, the gentle and non-agressive personality is present across the board. My dog had training for 4 months with a trainer that has had grand champion Golden Retrievers and many years of showing and competing various Golden Retrievers. He had never seen a Golden Saint but he and all of his staff have been impressed with the dog. They have a kennel where I board him occasionally while I travel and every time the remarks are the same at what a special dog he is. Complete strangers stop their cars and remark how beautiful he is and people at dog parks are impressed that he plays well with all dogs and backs away from any kind of tussle. At any meeting, social gathering, restaurant or outing, he sits quietly at my feet and waits patiently until I am ready to go. I would put my dog’s behavior up to anybody’s as the quality of the dog has been appreciated over and over.
As far as the physical problems, all dogs pedigreed or not have tendencies toward certain health problems. I like big dogs and they all have a tendency to have hip dsyplasia. To think your pedigreed Golden will be immune from health problems is not realistic. Again, check the writing on the Golden’s potential health problems listed in the AKC. My other Golden Saint had a happy and health problem free life until she was 10 right up to the last days of her life when she died a natural death. She lived the normal life span of many large dogs.
My current dog has had many vet visits as I’ve traveled overseas with him and there are rigid entry requirements for other countries. All the vets everywhere have said he is a very healthy dog with a great disposition. What more could any of us want for our pet?
To disparage a Goldendoodle or any of the hybrid dogs to being not wanted by many people or inferior to a pedigreed dog is also not realistic. Many of the comments seem the same as those of racist and prejudicial people. I find this very interesting! I stated early in this post that my best alternative is a Golden Retriever. I like your dog. Why can’t you like mine?
PS: In case you can’t tell, I have done extensive reading and research from a variety of sources on virtually all large dogs. I would suggest you do the same as it is enlightening and enjoyable to learn about many kinds of dogs.
 
#35 ·
This is the 2nd Golden Saint I’ve had, the first being about 30 years ago when they were still “mutts”.
Now, 30 years later, they are still mutts. Want to guess what they will be 30 years from now?
 
#47 ·
Fyi, my “oops” is neutered and I visited the farm where I got him and the owners were adamant there would be no others. I have read about Leonbergers but the consensus on temperament is not as assuring to me as the consensus on Goldens. I do not know where the writers of info about Golden Saints got their info and it couldn’t have been that large of a pool as there are not just that many of them but however small that number is, all writings spoke about the wonderful personality and easy trainability of the Golden Saint. I’ve had only two but they both were/are exceptional dogs and it probably won’t happen but I would love to find another. “Oops” happen and if I happen upon another, I will gladly take my chances!
 
#48 ·
I do not know where the writers of info about Golden Saints got their info and it couldn’t have been that large of a pool as there are not just that many of them but however small that number is, all writings spoke about the wonderful personality and easy trainability of the Golden Saint.
Based on the types of websites (I could find) this information appears on and the decided lack of ability to find credentials for the authors, it seems likely they have potentially never met one at all.

I would encourage you strongly to consider rescue if available in your are since you are drawn to mix-breed dogs. Yes they will still be health risky but the dogs need a home and you won’t be supporting irresponsible breeding practices.
 
#52 ·
My current dog is a Sanit/Great Pyrenees mix. The Pyrenees Rescue from which we had adopted 3 senior Pyrs, ages 7 1/2 to almost 10, one blind , asked me if I would be willing to foster this old gal for the rest of her life. Her previous foster had a couple of dogs that picked on her and she stayed so tense. Her vision isn't great and neither is her hearing. At some point she had been hit by a car and her lower back is fused, her tail broken so bad that it didn't heal right. She can not wag her tail nor sit down.

She is well known at the rescue, She had been adopted3times and her owner died each time. It is in the contract that if you can't keep a dog, it is to be returned to the rescue. Or family members can keep it if they are approved to do so. She was liste4das going to be 12the first ofnext month. However, due to her getting out when my grandson didn't put the lock onte4h gatecorre4tly (still now sure how it went down),and being picked up by the dog catcher, a chip was located saying she was born. 7, 2008, making her14. Her name was listed as Baily and shebelonge4d to someone in Oklahoma (I am on the Texas coast).

Without the entire story, the rescue went backs thru old records and found that the old chip was correct. She had come into the rescue 12 years ago come June 1..She did turn 14 on Feb. 6.

She is 1/4 Saint and 3/4 Pyrenees. the Pyr really comes thru. She doeshavetherequire4d double dew claws. She patrols the entire yard a couple of times, checking out everything to make sure nothing new has been here. She lays on the patio with head up, watching (as best she can), nose working. This is how Pyrs work. She is so gentle, she lets you flush ears with no trouble, clip her nails, etc. My vet and staff are very impressed with her. She is 105 pounds and I am keeping her on the thin side due to he

Now down here where there are lots of sheep, goats, free range chicken, cattle, there are a lot of Pyrs and Anatolian Shepherds, and many mixes of the two. I belong to a Pyr forum with well over 100 and I was surprised at how many have adopted golden/pyr mix. They all say the same thing--these golden/pyr mixes love kids and are so gentle, are great in the house (both breeds fit this). Still. I prefer goldens or a Pyrenees. I love Majik, my current pyr/Saint mix and she is perfecto. But I would not intentionally breed a Pyr and a saint.
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#58 ·
Greenfield puppies is one of the most BYB, commercial kennel riddled, low quality, high health risk puppy brokering sites there is.

Getting a mixbreed dog from a reputable rescue is a valid way to find one.

It is incredibly rare to find any intentional mix breeder that has quality dogs from a structural and health perspective and most of the time they charge exorbitant prices for little to no value other than praying on a buyer’s desire for a special blend. That is why money people on this forum do not support mix-breed breeders and I have never seen any thread where There has ever been a breeder recommendation from anyone in the forum who is an active long term member. Mix breeding is just not safe health-wise or ethically honest in most cases.

If you feel you can find a breeder of this mix that does all the health certifications for both breeds as listed below, then I challenge you to prove my assertions about health risky mix breeder wrong.

Golden Retrievers -
Hip DysplasiaOne of the following:
OFA Evaluation
PennHIP Evaluation
Elbow DysplasiaOFA Evaluation
ACVO Eye ExamAnnual Eye Examinations. Results registered with OFA
Cardiac EvaluationOne of the following:
Congenital Cardiac Exam at 12 months or older, with exam by cardiologist
Advanced Cardiac Exam
Basic Cardiac Exam at 12 months or older, with exam by cardiologist

Saint Bernard -
Hip Dysplasia - Min Age 24 MonthsOne of the following:
OFA Evaluation
PennHIP Evaluation (min age 24 months)
Elbow DysplasiaOFA Evaluation
ACVO Eye ExamEye Examination once 22 months old. Results registered with OFA
Cardiac Evaluation - Min Age 24 MonthsOne of the following:
Congenital Cardiac Exam by Boarded Cardiologist
Advanced Cardiac Exam
Basic Cardiac Exam by Boarded Cardiologist
Degenerative MyelopathyDM DNA Test from an approved lab
Autoimmune thyroiditis(Optional but recommended)
OFA evaluation from an approved laboratory
 
#64 ·
If you were referring to me, you would be correct.