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Saint Bernard Dog Breed

by Long Nguyễn
Saint Bernard Dog Breed

Saint Bernard Alternate Name

Alpine Mastiff
Bauerhund (Farm Dog)
Berhardiner
Berryhund
St. Bernhardshund
Talhund (Valley Dog)

Saint Bernard Appearance

Body: Large, muscular, and powerful, with a straight, broad back, wide shoulders, deep, wide, well-arched chest, and rounded ribs.

Coat: Thick and long or short. Long-hair variety is smooth or somewhat wavy; short-haired variety is dense and flat.

Color: White with various shades of red, red with white, or brindle with white.

Ears: Medium size, somewhat high set, slightly rounded triangular flap, and hung close to the cheeks.

Eyes: Medium size, dark brown, set to the front, with drooping lower eyelids; expressively friendly.

Feet: Large, broad, compact, and strong with well-arched toes.

Head: Strong with a wide, massive skull, moderate occiput, prominent brow, short, square muzzle, pronounced stop, large, broad, black nose with wide nostrils, and a wrinkled forehead.

Neck: Long, thick, and powerful; set into broad, sloping shoulders.

Legs: Forelegs are straight and powerful. Hindquarters are well-developed, legs and thighs well-muscled, hocks well bent.

Size:
Height is 25.5 – 27.5 inches
Weight is 90 – 110 pounds

Tail: Long, heavy, carried low when at rest and upward when active.

Saint Bernard Dog and Puppies
Saint Bernard Dog and Puppies

Saint Bernard Behavior

Recommended for experienced dog handlers.
Good with children.
Most drool, slobber, and snore.

Considered to be the most famous breed in the world, a mammoth size dog with an equally big heart. The Saint Bernard is truly a good-natured, friendly dog and loyal to his family. Though they are massive in size, they are not as active as many other large dogs and can be sustained on a reasonable amount of food and exercise.

The Saint Bernard was once used by monks to help locate travelers lost in the high pass of the Alps, before the Grand Saint Bernard Tunnel was built. The brandy barrel around his neck, they are so well known for, was to sustain the travelers once found. Legend has it that a dog, called Barry, became famous in the 1800s for saving the lives of at least 40 people including a small boy. The boy somehow managed to climb on to his back and was carried to safety.

He is a family dog and requires human contact and attention. He is not well suited to being left alone for extended periods of time out on a leash or in a pen. He is well-behaved and quiet in the house but tends to drool, slobber his food and water, and snore loudly.

Because of his size and naturally independent personality, he should begin obedience training early on to prevent having an unruly adult-sized Saint Bernard. He is eager to please and will respond well to training.

A friend once owned a Saint Bernard, named Buffy, who would lie on the bottom step of the entrance to her home to keep an eye on things. One afternoon a gentleman visitor arrived and was heading up the stairs to call on my friend. As he lifted his leg to step over Buffy, she gently took his foot in her mouth and held it firmly until my friend confirmed that is was okay to let him through.

Buffy truly was a large but gentle dog. Her heart was big and she was so clever in her gentle, but effective way of guarding her owner from unwanted intrusions.

Saint Bernard Dog
Saint Bernard Dog

Saint Bernard Breed Type

AKC Group: Working Group

Originally used for guarding and herding livestock, and as guides and rescue workers with monks in the alps.

Saint Bernard Care and Grooming

Exercise: Moderate daily exercise will keep him happy and fit. He is good at pulling carts in the nice weather and loves to play in the snow in the winter weather.

Grooming: Brush one to two times weekly; daily during shedding season. Bath occasionally. Some shampoos can be harmful to his protective oily coat. Be sure to look for mild shampoo products designed for oily-coated dogs.

Keep his eyes clean by using a soft cloth or cotton swab dipped in warm water.

Saint Bernard Dog Puppies
Saint Bernard Dog Puppies

Saint Bernard Health

Life Expectancy: 11 – 12 Years

Possible problems:
Bloat – twisting of the stomach.
Bone Cancer
Eye problems
Heart problems
Hip or Elbow Dysplasia – dislocation of the joint.
Hot Spots
Seizures
Skin problems

Recommended Certificates:
OFA – hips and elbows

Saint Bernard Country of Origin

Switzerland

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