Saint Bernard: temperament, size, care and health

About the Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is one of the biggest dogs in the world, with a huge head, a deep chest and a heavy frame covered in a dense coat of red and white. Males commonly stand 27.5 inches or more at the shoulder and weigh well over 150 pounds. There are two coat types, a smooth short coat and a longer rough coat, and the loose skin around the muzzle gives the face a drooping, kindly look.

The breed grew out of dogs kept at a hospice on the Great Saint Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps, where they helped locate and guide travelers lost in snow. Modern owners keep Saint Bernards as steady, affectionate house dogs, and the breed's reputation for patience suits family life.

Temperament and family life

A well-bred Saint Bernard is usually calm, kind and easygoing. It generally gets on with everyone: children, visitors, other dogs and cats. It wants to be close to its family and does poorly if left outside alone for long stretches. As a guard it is a deterrent by size, rather than by temperament.

The breed's size creates the main hazards, since a happy Saint Bernard can knock down a child or an elderly person by leaning or jumping. Drool can be heavy, particularly after eating or drinking, and the dogs often snore. Puppies are clumsy and destructive during their long adolescence, and an adult may take up much of the living room.

Exercise and training

Adults need a few moderate walks each day and room to move around, but not long, hard runs. Extreme exercise, particularly while the dog is growing, can damage its joints, and the breed overheats quickly in warm weather. Keep puppies lean and avoid forced stairs or jumping from vehicles.

The Saint Bernard is intelligent and usually willing, though it can be slow and stubborn. Start manners early, since the habits you tolerate in a small puppy become serious when it weighs 150 pounds. Loose-lead walking, not jumping up and a reliable recall are the priorities. Gentle, rewarding training works better than force.

Grooming and shedding

Both coat types shed, and the breed leaves a lot of hair, particularly in spring and autumn. Brush the smooth coat weekly and the rough coat two or three times a week to prevent tangles, especially behind the ears and on the feathering. Baths are infrequent but laborious.

The loose lips and heavy jowls collect drool, so keep a towel handy and wipe the face daily to prevent skin irritation. Check the drooping eyelids for debris and clean the ears. A cool, shaded space in summer is vital.

Health

The Saint Bernard's giant size brings a short lifespan, commonly 8 to 10 years. Hip and elbow dysplasia are frequent, and breeders have joints evaluated. Bloat is a significant emergency risk, and heart disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy appears in the breed. Loose eyelids can cause irritation, and bone cancer is seen in large dogs. Rapid growth should be managed under veterinary guidance. As this is only a general summary, ask a veterinarian about any particular dog.

History

The breed is generally traced to dogs kept by monks at the hospice on the Great Saint Bernard Pass between Switzerland and Italy from the seventeenth century onward. Records from the following two centuries credit the dogs with saving many lives, and a dog named Barry became the best-known of them. The popular image of a small brandy barrel on the collar is thought to come from a nineteenth-century painting rather than from practice. The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded in 1884, and a breed standard was approved in 1888.

Is the Saint Bernard right for you?

The breed suits a home with space, a cool climate and a tolerance for drool and a big food bill. It is a poor fit for small apartments, for hot regions or for people who cannot manage a dog of this weight. Those who want a similar kind nature in a somewhat less massive dog may look at the Bernese Mountain Dog, while the Newfoundland adds a love of water. The Mastiff has a shorter coat and a more guarding temperament.