Animal-World > Dogs > Working Dogs > Saint Bernard

Saint BernardSaint Bernhardshund ~ Bernhardiner ~ Alpine Mastiff

Family: Canidae

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Canis lupus familiarisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Justin Brough

    Used for rescue as early as the seventeenth century , the large gentle Saint Bernard is still popularly known as a rescue dog.

    Saint Bernards are gentle and loyal companions. They are generally easygoing and friendly and do very well with children, but they must be socialized while young. They make good watchdogs due to their large size and intelligence. When selecting a Saint Bernard, look for heart, skin, and joint problems and wobbler syndrome.

Common Name(s)     Saint Bernard, Saint Bernhardshund, Bernhardiner, Alpine Mastiff

Breed Type     The Saint Bernard is a working breed. One of the larger breeds, the Saint Bernard has been involved in rescue work. They are best suited to cool climates.

Background     The Saint Bernard was used as a rescue dog as early as the seventeenth century. A descendent of mastiffs, the original Saint Bernard nearly became extinct. The breed was kept going by crossing it with other dogs, possibly including the Great Dane and the Great Pyrenees. Crosses with the Newfoundland brought forth long-haired variety of Saint Bernard.
    Today, popular hybrids include the Saint Berdoodle (Saint Bernard and Poodle mix) and the Saint Berner (Saint Bernard and Bernese Mountain Dog mix).

Description     The Saint Bernard is a large, muscular breed. Rough and smooth coats are acceptable. The thick coats come in white with tan, red, mahogany, brindle or black markings, and in black. The ears are mid-length, and they eyes and nose dark. Both sexes are usually 25  ½ to 27  ½ inches tall and weigh 110-200 pounds. But as long as weight is in proportion to height, larger dogs are acceptable.

Care and Feeding     Saint Bernards' diets should include lamb, wheat and potato. Regular combing and brushing will keep your Saint Bernard's coat looking great. Baths should be given with mild soap, and only when necessary.
    Saint Bernards need annual checkups to stay healthy. Vaccinations are due as follows:

• 6-8 weeks: Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, and Corona virus (DHLPPC)
• 10-12 weeks: Second DHLPPC
• 14-16 weeks: Third DHLPPC and rabies
• Annually: DHLPPC and rabies booster
  

    Saint Bernards shed twice a year. Regular vacuuming is essential during these times.

Housing Your Dog     Saint Bernards can live outside, but they prefer to remain in close proximity to their families. They can do well in an apartment if they get ample exercise.

Social Behaviors     Saint Bernards are generally easygoing and friendly, but they must be socialized while young. They do very well with children.

Handling and Training     Training a Saint Bernard is easy, but its size can be a problem. It is advisable to start as young as possible.

Activities     Saint Bernards need daily walks to stay in shape. They should not be overworked as puppies, however.

Breeding/Reproduction     When selecting a mate for your Saint Bernard, check bloodlines for joint dysplasia, bone cancer, eye disorders, heart and skin problems, and epilepsy.

Common Health Problems     The Saint Bernard is prone to bloat. It is best to feed a few small meals each day to help prevent this.

Availability     Saint Bernards are reasonably easy to find. If there are no local breeders, they can be found online. Prices vary greatly, and are sometimes in excess of $1,000.

References "Saint Bernard", Dog Breed Info Center, Copyright 1998-2008
Cusick, William D., "What to Feed a Saint Bernard", Referenced online, 2008
"Saint Bernard (dog)", Wikipedia, Copyright 2008
"Saint Bernard Puppies for Sale", Copyright PuppyFind.com, LLC, Referenced online, 2008

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I have a St. Bernard Shepperd mix. She is such a cute sweet heart. We got her as a puppy. She was a little bit of a dog, then she turned a lighter brown and was named bitsy. Sarah 2009-03-06

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