Saint Bernard

This enormous Swiss dog is known for his courage and trustworthiness, and makes a wonderful family dog.

Sometimes called the “Alpine Mastiff,” the Saint Bernard got his start as a rescuer in the Swiss Alps at the Saint Bernard hospice during the 1600s.

Saint Bernards require a lot of time and attention – they eat a lot, need a lot of exercise and a large space to live.

And as the American Kennel Club (AKC) advises, be prepared for lots of drool, since there is “no such thing as a dry-mouth Saint.”

Personality

• Outstanding family dog – intelligent, fearless, devoted, vigilant and known for his patient, caring attitude.
• Saint Bernards generally take longer to mature mentally. This leaves you with a very big puppy for a few years.

Size

• 130 to 180 pounds.
• 25½ to 27½ inches tall at the shoulder.

Home Life

• Not suited for apartment life; need space to move around or just to stretch out in, preferably in the country or suburbs.
• Not recommended for homes with very young children since they may accidentally knock over and injure little ones.
• Prefers colder environments; doesn’t do well in the heat
• Quiet indoors; rarely bark without cause
• Should not be kept outdoors, away from the family. Although their furry coats may make them seem well suited for outdoor living, their temperament and poor heat tolerance requires them to be allowed inside.
• Contrary to popular belief, they will not eat you out of house and home, according to the Saint Bernard Club of America. In fact, since Saints are so mellow, they actually eat less food per pound of body weight than smaller, more active dogs.

Training

• Because of their size and strength, early training is essential.
• Since they are people pleasers, they will quickly learn to obey your commands.

Exercise

• To prevent obesity, it’s important that Saints get a moderate amount of daily exercise.

Grooming

• Both long-haired and short-haired Saint Bernards have very dense, smooth coats.
• They lose most of their coats twice a year, in the Spring and Fall; otherwise, they are average shedders.

Health

• Generally healthy, but like most large dog breeds are prone to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.
• In warmer climates, may suffer from heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Lifespan

• 8 to 10 years

Rescue

• To adopt a Saint Bernard, contact the Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation.

PHOTO: plezalec