Are we breeding mutts? No, we are not. We are creating a new breed, that is a Miniature version of another, existing breed. Saint Bernards have been bred from many other breeds originally. Very much in the same way as we are doing, only we are using smaller versions of the breeds that they used. We are also keeping track of pedigrees, which they did not do to begin with.
Of coarse, along the way, there are puppies that are necessary to breed, that may not be exactly perfect? But really, there is no such thing as a "perfect" dog. They are necessary to breed, in order to get the future breeding stock that we need, to reach our goal.
Why breed Miniature Saints? We have several reasons. Many people love the look and temperament of the Saint Bernard, but they simply do not have the room for such a large dog. Also, Saint Bernards have a very short life span, usually only 7 to 8 years. Our Miniature Saint Bernards have much longer life spans! Because Saint Bernards are such a large breed, and have been inbred and all, they also have many genetic health problems. Our Miniature Saints, because the breeds used to breed them do not have common health problems, any genetic problems within the breeds are bred out, from the other breeds used.
Because we are breeding minis, there may be a few differences with our puppies, from the large Saint Bernards, other then health and longevity. These include no slobber, and no double coat. We do not want to breed these things in because most of our Mini Saints will become housedog's. Who wants a housedog that sheds super bad, or slobbers all over everything? We also do not really care for real droopy eyes, which often are prone to many problems.
Obviously, breeding Miniature Saint Bernards is not an easy task! However, nothing worthwhile comes easy, and we feel this is very worthwhile!
English Shepherd Original Saint Bernard's have a lot of herding breeds in them. We choose the English Shepherd because they are very gentle, protective, and have an added plus of easy trainability. They also come is the brown/sable colors, and have a tendency to carry the typical white markings... Often having a collar, white feet & legs, white tip on the tail, and a white blaze.
Cocker Spaniel Original Saint Bernard's were bred with some Spaniel blood in them. We choose the American Cocker Spaniel because they already have a similar shaped head and muzzle, and we are lucky enough to have Cockers with good coloring, markings, and great health and temperaments! Cockers also have a great need for love.
Pekingese We did feel a need to ad our Peke, Bingo, to the bloodlines of our Mini Saints for several reasons. One was to ad bulk to the head. Overall body and leg thickness, which is also added with the Cocker Spaniel. A Peke helps shorten the ears, where the Cocker makes them too long. Also, Bingo's dam is brown with an excellent black mask, and Bingo himself has the correct white markings. The downfall is a slightly too short of a nose, the Peke & the Cocker have rather large eyes, and we do have to compensate for the short legs that Peke's have, with the English Shepherd. However, Peke's also form very strong bonds with their owners, and this is a trait that is a big plus! Long term plans will be not more then 1/16th Peke.
Hound Blood Hounds were used in breeding the original Saint Bernards. They added more loose skin, size, and the droopy eyes. It stands to reason to use a Basset Hound, as a smaller version. However, we are very worried that this could make the ears too long, legs too short, and do we really want droopy eyes? After all, not all Saint Bernards have real droopy eyes.
Saint Bernard And of coarse, actual Saint Bernards! First was the process of finding smaller purebred Saint Bernards. But that is only the beginning. The problem then is to get a female Saint Bernard pregnant, by a much smaller male! After our 4th attempt, we were very excited to finally have a litter!
Breeding Mini Saint Bernard's
We began by researching how Saint Bernard's were bred to begin with! This was pretty difficult, because the Monks did not keep very good records, and were not exactly letting it all be known. However, we did learn a lot, and got a very good idea!
An idea formed... Why not use breeds that are very similar to the breeds used in breeding Saint Bernard's to begin with, only smaller versions of them breeds? So, that is where we have been starting!
Of coarse, all this takes time, and breeding a variety of puppies in order to get there from here! We breed these litters with the intention of creating the future breeding stock necessary, to reach our goal. Meanwhile, we are getting VERY close!
Originally, Saint Bernard's were bred from herding, hunting, and watch dogs. Such as large, Mastiff type breeds, spaniels, blood hounds, ect.. Most being typical farm dogs, many being mixed breeds.
Here is the list of breeds we have used to breed our Miniature Saint Bernard's
The original, famous Barry! Highly resembling a large herding dog.
Dakota Winds Ranch
George & Karen Brausen
PO Box 647
Ipswich, SD 57451
(605) 426-6488
(605) 216-7859
Our own amazing Nehi Saint & Mini Saint breeding stock, and future plans! All are Registered Miniature Saint Bernards!
"Pip Squeak" AKA "Squeak" is 1/4 actual Saint Bernard. She is also 1/4 Ori Pei, 3/8 Cocker Spaniel, and 1/8 English Shepherd. She is a sweet little baby, and is very small! She will be bred to Motto.
"Buddy Ol' Pal" AKA "Pal" is 1/4 actual Saint Bernard. He is also 1/4 Ori Pei, 3/8 Cocker Spaniel, and 1/8 English Shepherd. We just cannot say enough about Pal! He is very friendly, outgoing, gentle, fun, smart boy! Great face! Great coat! He is perfect with the females that we have chosen for him! He has a very wide head and short nose! Pal throws very cute puppies!
"Luner Of The Moon" AKA "Luna" is 1/2 actual Saint Bernard. She is also 1/2 Cocker Spaniel. She has the correct Saint Bernard coloring, with very unique markings! The one eye patch, which some Saint lovers prefer! Very gentle, sweet girl!
"Dot-To-Dot" AKA "Dot" is 1/2 actual Saint Bernard. She is also 1/2 Cocker Spaniel. What a great little girl! Small, sweet, great coloring & type! She just loves everyone!
Sam, (previously King), is pictured here at 6 months old. He is out of Wendy & Johnny. Bred & born here, at Dakota Winds!
Luna & Dot's mom.
Squeak's Granddam.
"Kallista Star" AKA "Kalli" is 1/4 actual Saint Bernard. She is also 1/8 Peke, 1/2 Cocker Spaniel, and 1/8 English Shepherd. She is a very outgoing, fun girl! Short & stocky.
Mastiff OK, not exactly. Original Saints were bred from "large Mastiff type dogs". It was much later, when actual real Mastiffs were really used, when the original Saints were becoming too inbred, and rare. But how do we find a smaller version of a Mastiff? Well.. It is not easy. We had to create one. Using a Pug, to keep size down, and a black mask, a Shar Pei, to ad wrinkles and droopiness, an English Shepherd again, in order to be able to eventually get the white markings, and a Cocker Spaniel again, to help more with the coloring, keep the size down, and ad bone. This is how our Miniature Mastiff was created! He contributed much to the Miniature Saints! He defined the black mask, he carries long haired breeds and white markings in his bloodlines. He has the wrinkles in his face and the loose flap on his neck/throat area, and he ads that very playful nature that Saint Bernards have!
"Calamity Jane" AKA "Calamity", is a Brown, Black Mask, and White Female Mini Saint Bernard out of Dot & Johnny. Born September 12th, 2009. She is a 2nd generation 1/2 Saint Bernard and 1/2 Cocker Spaniel. Very small!
Our Boys!
Pal
"Little Red Ridinghood" AKA "Red", is a Red, Darker Red Mask, and White Female Mini Saint Bernard out of Squeak & Johnny. Born November 19th, 2009. She is 37.5 actual Saint Bernard. Very small, outgoing, friendly girl! Puppies by Brutes will be 3/8, 37.5% actual Saint Bernard, with great type & size.
"Belle Of The Ball" AKA "Belle", is a Brown, Black Mask, and White Female Mini Saint Bernard out of Squeak & Johnny. Born November 19th, 2009. She is 37.5 actual Saint Bernard. Small, very sweet, loving, calmer girl! Puppies by Brutes will be 3/8, 37.5% actual Saint Bernard, with great type & size.
"Barrel O' Brandy" AKA "Brandy", is a Brown, Black Mask, and White Female Mini Saint Bernard out of Squeak & Johnny. Born November 19th, 2009. She is 37.5 actual Saint Bernard. Smallest and smoothest coat! Sweet little girl with jowls! Puppies by Brutes will be 3/8, 37.5% actual Saint Bernard, with great type & size.
Brandy
Belle
Red
Calamity
Dot
Luna
Kalli
Squeak
Our Girls!
"Coat of Many Colors" AKA "Patch", is a a very outgoing, friendly little girl! She is stocky, but small! A sister to Nick.
Patch
"Abby" is a little female Miniature Saint Berdoodle.
Abby
Buck
"Bucklee" AKA "Buck", is a Blue Merle & White male Mini Aussiedoodle. (1/2 Mini Poodle, 1/2 Australian Shepherd.) We will be breeding him to our whiter Nehi Saint Bernard girls for Mini Saint Berdoodles, to try to get more white, blue eyed puppies! His first puppies are expected in the Summer or Fall of 2011.
Pal is pictured here with sisters, Red, Belle, and Brandy!
Moto Motto is a Multi Generation male Registered Miniature Saint Bernard.
Masked Bandit is a Multi Generation male Registered Miniature Saint Bernard.
Samson is a male Saint Berdoodle!.
Mason's Rule is a Multi Generation male Registered Miniature Saint Bernard.
(Micro size and smooth coat.)
"Prairie Savannah" AKA "Savannah" or "Squeaker", is a Registered Miniature Saint Bernard! Very outgoing, friendly little girl! Spoiled!
Miniature Saint Berdoodles
"Mayflower" is a little female Miniature Saint Berdoodle.
"Mayflower" is a little female Miniature Saint Berdoodle.
