Getting a pup is a huge responsibility, Duke is our second dog and we got him when he was 10 weeks old from a reputable breeder. We had to go on a list and wait for approx 5 months. The owner made sure she had enough people ( 5 ) so that when the pups where born there would be homes already arranged for them.
Some of the conditions of getting a pup from the breeder where;
1) I had to have over 10 years experience with handling St.Bernards.
2) I must desex Duke at 6 months.
3) If there is any problems with him i could send him back within the first 5 months of owning him.
I also had to sign a contract to ensure i understood and would do all the things mentioned in the terms and conditions of getting the pup, if i broke the contract she could take the dog and re-home him. I also had to prove to her that i have owned a St.Bernard and have had experience with them - I send her video footage of our old girl who we got from a St.Bernard rescue about 11 years ago, in the video i showed that i could handle large dogs, where duke would be living, the condition of the other animals and what duke would be eating. She approved us and every 3 months she emails me asking for videos and photos of him. We got Duke about 15 months ago and she only breeds every 20 - 24 months.
if i got to choose another dog my choice would of been a ex racing greyhound but it was dads choice and he loves St.Bernards, we contacted every St.bernard Rescue in Australia and there was no St.Bernards available ( which i guess is a good thing )
But all my other animals ( Sheep, pig, cows, chooks, rabbits, ferret and cats ) are rescues