Mary Shafer wrote in message . ..
On 16 Nov 2003 13:30:02 -0800, (Nicolas The Great)
wrote:

I want to get a dog for my younger sister but I want to make sure that
the dog I get will do alright in the Las Vegas weather. I want what's
best for the dog and I don't want to get a dog that don't do well in
the heat.

The dog would mainly be in the house but there are time when it would
have to stay in the backyard and I'm worried about how it will do in
the heat.

Our first choice for a dog is a Saint Bernard, next would be a German
Shepard.

For years there was a St Bernard kennel, Gamby St Bernards, out on Ave
A, here in the Antelope Valley. Most of the dogs lived outdoors and
survived very nicely. Our weather is very much like that in Las
Vegas, with about the same highs and lows. We're in the same Sunset
Western Garden Book zone, 11.

There are a lot of collies and GSDs around here, too. They seem to
manage quite well outside. My collies have always lived outdoors for
part of the time, in fact.

However, there are some real conditions on this. The dogs absolutely
have to have shade, deep shade, not part shade And they have to have
abundant clean water. If your sister can't guarantee those two
things, forget it.

I really wouldn't recommend a St Bernard, if only because they are so
short-lived. What kind of dogs does your sister (not you, but her)
like? Why such big dogs?

Mary


Thanks for repying Mary (That's my sister's name Heh-heh!). We love
dogs so much there are so many great breeds it's hard to choose the
right kind. If you read what I posted in the above post that should
explain a few things. Take care.

Nick