Let's not base our choice of puppy on the "nicest" one or on which one runs to us first: the selection of a dog has to be made rationally and conscientiously. Because an amateur is never able to sense the potential development of the puppy, the best thing to do is to ask the breeder for advice. Let's explain who we are, where we live, what are our needs, who are the members of our family and so on: but never ask him to hand us over a "future champ".
  Nobody, not even the world's top expert of the breed could ever give that guarantee. As children, puppies change in unpredictible ways at times, and insisting on assurance is nothing but asking to be ballyraged.
  Let's remember that the puppy's psycho-physic characteristics greatly depend on how their parents are: so if that is true we can't ask whether the puppy will become a champion, we could (and should) inform ourselves about his mum and dad. If possible we should observe them both and try to evaluate their beauty and temperament.

  If the father does not live in the kennel (which can happen) we should ask to see a photo or a video. Try to find out if he is among those subjects who can claim appreciable show results; and above all get informed on hereditary illness (hip or elbow dysplasia, genetic malformation of the eye).
  Even if the parents have no record of those illness, the puppy can't, alas, be certain not to develop them, but have fairly good possibilities of being healthy.
  The best way to evaluate a dog's temperament is to play with him.
  


  
  Those who breed Saint Bernards select the correct psychological traits, and will have no problems to let you enter the grownups' box: in fact he will escort you in, so that you can see for yourself "who" is a Saint Bernard.
  Do not trust anyone who won't let you touch the dogs: they could bite or be shy, and have probably transmitted those traits to their puppies.
  




  This is what happens when a stranger enters (obviously "introduced" to the dog by the breeder) and remains alone in the box of a Saint Bernard of correct temperamental traits.

If we weren't in a kennel but in a private home, we could not depend on an expert's advice. It is truly impossible to "learn how to choose" a puppy by reading a book, nevertheless we'll try to offer a piece of advice to help you underestand if the puppies are healthy.
Puppies' eyes should be cheerful, lively and above all clean. An abundant lacrimal secretion is never a good sign: if it is fresh it could be a sign of irritation (conjuctivitis); if it is curdled it could be even a symptom of distemper. Be careful: if only one showed symptoms of severe contageous illness, it is not enough to let go of that one. It very likely the whole litter is infected, and that dog (perhaps because is the weakest) it is only the first to show the symptoms.
The inner part of the ear should be clean and odourless. A pungent smell could indicate the presence of mites (scab of the ear).
Mucosas should be well pigmented (black). Puppy's dentition will change at his fifth-sixth month of age. But he can already show if the incisives occlusion is correct ("scissor-bite"), tolerated ("pincer-bite") or defective ("prognathous" or "enognathous")

Puppy's coat should be soft, shiny and practically odourless (with the exception of the usual "box odour"). The presence of a flea or two should not alarm: it is almost impossible to eliminate them completely from a litter, especially in a kennel. On the contrary, a severe infestation, could cause severe health problems (anemia) and is a sign of bad conductionship of the kennel.
Articulations of the limbs should not show swelling or nodosity (symptom of rachitis). Nevertheless in breeds of massive size, the so-called "growth knobbiness" is perfectly normal.
After two months the male puppy should already have his testicles descended in the scrotum: they don't show yet, but can be felt by palpation. Lack of one testicle (monorchidism) or both (cryptorchidism) is a severe hereditary problem which excludes the dog from shows and reproduction: so if a puppy hasn't yet both testicles in the scrotum is better to postpone the purchase. It could be a matter of days, but if it didn't happen it would be best not to take that puppy: beside being a hereditary defect hence transmissable to its offspring, it is a defect that could bother the dog himself. A testicle retained in the abdomen is subjected to exceedingly high temperature and could degenerate into a tumor: the problem should be dealt with surgically.

  If you go to visit the puppies while they are still very small, the breeder won't let you touch them or enter their box: you will only be able to observe them from a "security distance", from the "nursery" window.
  The breeder would not be rude to you, the fact is that an outsider such as yourself could be a real (though unwitting) illness reservoir: walking on the city's sidewalk one could pick up enough germs to cause, entering a kennel, a true tragedy.
  It is important to know that, to avoid unpleasant situations and above all to avoid being "offended" by a perfectly reasonable request, which happens to be also a a clear sign of professional zeal. Don't you wish for a puppy who is healthy and with no problems too? Then show respect for the breeder's will to provide his puppies with the best possible hygienic conditions.

  Finally, time has come to collect our "little" (so to speak!) friend. Even if there is a lot of excitement, let's pay extra attention to what the breeder is telling us: following his instructions is basic to secure a correct upbringing of the puppy.
  Remember that the development of the dog, from this point on, is completely on us: his parent's genes already did their part, but ours is as important. Ask detailed questions about the puppy's feeding habits: the Saint Bernard is a dog that has to be monitored with extreme care as far as his alimentary habits are concerned.



  Dry food represents the ideal solution because is handy and balances perfectly various components: but not all dry food will do and for this breed is not enough just picking a quality one, because some among the most excellent dry food are not right for the Saint Bernard.
  Take the advice of the breeder on the best product, but take also with you a bag with the meal the puppy will eat once he's home, because it can't happen you couldn't find that particular food in your pet shop, and you have to think ahead.
  Whoever sells a puppy should be able to produce a copy of the pedigree (the original should be sent by ENCI after six to seven months), the copy of the A and B forms to attest the registration of the litter to ENCI and the medical card, with registration of the vaccinations and wormings already undertaken.



  Another important thing: it is very dangerous to apply attenuated vaccines to the Saint Bernard (meaning live viruses, but made harmless): these kind of vaccines, used very often on almost every canine breed, can cause severe reactions in the puppy. It is absolutely advisable to use "out" vaccines (dead viruses): so if your puppy should get a call back from the vet, remember to explain these facts to the veterinarian.
  Another document to be handed over by the breeder, but shall always need to be required from a private breeder, will certainly be a copy of the registration of the check up of the litter, performed by an ENCI controller. This document will attest the puppies' breed purity.


  Last thing about vaccines: let us remember that the puppy shouldn't leave his environment, and avoid in particular the contact with unfamiliar dogs, at least until he's finished with his entire cycle.
  If we bring him home before his last vet call back, we need to keep him isolated, unless, obviously, the encounter is with well acquainted dogs, certainly healthy and regularly vaccinated.