Saint Bernard is a well-known breed of dog that is large in size and absolutely adorable. They were originally bred for rescue work and are known to be gentle, loving, and tolerant. They have a relatively placid temperament and are quite laid back at home, but there is much more to them than this.
There are always going to be lots of different things to think about when you get a dog, no matter what breed you get, and the best way to find out more about your chosen breed is by researching them. It is always best to find out as much as possible about the breed before you bring them into your family for good.
In this article, we will share our ultimate guide to Saint Bernard, so you can find out all of the information you need to know about them without having to search the internet for days. You can find out everything you need to know, all in one place, to help you save time.
Saint Bernard Key Facts
Before we start to tell you everything there is to know about Saint Bernards, there are some important things that you should give some thought to first.
The lifespan, exercise requirements, and minimum monthly cost of a Saint Bernard are all things that you will need to know before we get started, and you can find out more on this below.
Average Lifespan
On average, a Saint Bernard will live for between 8 and 10 years.
Minimum Exercise (Per Day)
In order to ensure that your Saint Bernard remains fit and healthy, you will need to ensure that they are getting at least one hour of exercise per day once they are fully grown.
This exercise should include walks, extra playtime, and brain games that help to keep them mentally stimulated. You can try to include one longer walk with other shorter walks, and off-lead time in a secure environment can be really beneficial for letting them burn off some steam.
Coat Length
Saint Bernard can have a long or short coat, but both types of coats will need regular maintenance. Brushing out their coat on a weekly basis will help to remove dirt and loose hair, and it will help to keep your dog looking its best.
You will be able to get rid of any tangles by using a slicker brush or metal comb. Saint Bernard can have a smooth or rough coat that is commonly shaded red or mahogany on white with black shades on the face and ears.
Minimum Cost (Per Month)
Owning and caring for a Saint Bernard dog is going to cost a minimum of $80 per month. So, you will need to ensure that you can afford to spend at least $80 a month solely on your dog.
Appearance
Saint Bernards are known for being huge, powerful, and muscular dogs, and some of their coat colors will include red and white, brown and white, and brindle and white.
Some dogs will even have dark masks over their eyes, and their ears are set high on the head and are floppy. Their eyes are often dark in color and a little droopy.
Size
Saint Bernards are considered large dogs, meaning they will need plenty of space at home to roam around when they want to.
Average Height
A male Saint Bernard will usually be between 28 and 30 inches in height, but a female’s height will usually range between 26 and 28 inches.
Average Weight
Male Saint Bernards can weigh between 140 and 180 pounds, and females will typically range somewhere between 120 and 140 pounds.
Temperament
Saint Bernards are true to their heritage as hospice dogs with their friendly and welcoming nature, and they have a steady and benevolent temperament.
These dogs are very kind to almost anyone and are very careful around children. These are dogs that love attention, but even though this is the case, they are not as demanding as some other breeds.
Due to their large size, it is really important that their training starts at an early age, as this is usually when they are still manageable. They are intelligent dogs willing to please, but they can also be stubborn at times. Saint Bernards are never usually aggressive unless it is in defence of a family member.
Just like any other dog, Saint Bernards are going to need early socialization, which is when they are exposed to lots of different people, sights, sounds, and experiences when they are still young. This will help ensure that your Saint Bernard puppy grows into a well-rounded dog.
Apartment Living
Saint Bernards are very large dogs, which is why they are not suited to apartment living at all. They need much more space than this to roam around freely, and it is also ideal for them to have a spacious yard to run around in. This is not the right breed for you if you live in an apartment.
Good for Novice Owners
Saint Bernards are not typically recommended for novice owners, as it is going to take someone with a good deal of dog-owning experience to handle this breed.
They are huge dogs that can easily overwhelm you if they are not trained properly, especially due to the fact that they can be really stubborn. So, these dogs are better suited to owners with some experience under their belts.
Sensitivity Level
These dogs can be very sensitive at times, so it is best to avoid scolding them, especially during their training. They are also very sensitive to human emotions, and will pick up on your emotions if you are feeling sad. They may even try to offer you comfort at these times to try and make you feel better.
Tolerates Being Alone
Saint Bernards can be left alone for around 4-6 hours, but they might start to act differently if you are gone for longer than this. They typically do well when they are left alone, but some dogs of this breed will start to get lonely after this length of time.
It might not always be the case, but some Saint Bernards will turn to destructive behavior out of boredom or loneliness if they have been out of your company for a long time.
As well as this, they have lots of energy that needs to be burned off through different forms of exercise, and if they are not able to do this, their behavior can get a little crazy.
Tolerates Cold Weather
This breed of dog was originally bred to withstand the cold temperatures of the Alps, so they can tolerate the cold weather very well. They have a thick coat that will keep them warm when it is cold outside.
Tolerates Hot Weather
Although they do well in cold weather, the same cannot be said for hot weather. Saint Bernards do not tolerate the hot weather very well at all, and they can easily get too hot. When the weather is warm, it is really important to provide them with shade and water to try and keep them as cool as possible.
Affectionate With Family
Saint Bernards just love the company of others, and they will show affection to almost anyone that they are with. They like to show their affection in many different ways, especially with family members.
Kid-Friendly
The Saint Bernard is an easygoing and gentle dog that is very patient with children. They are not the most playful of dogs when it comes to children, but they are more than happy to snuggle up with them while watching TV.
However, they can be a bit much for younger children, as they could accidentally knock them over without realizing their own strength.
These dogs are really well mannered around children. They are gentle giants that will carefully step around children, and their patience allows them to put up with a lot from them.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are great for living with young children. You should always supervise any interactions between your dog and young children to make sure that they are not pulling their fur, biting, or climbing on the dog.
You should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs and never to approach any dog while he’s sleeping or eating or to try to take the dog’s food away. It doesn’t matter how trustworthy or trained your dog is, they should never be left unsupervised with a child, just to be on the safe side.
Generally, it is not recommended to have a Saint Bernard in your home if you have young children, as it is very possible for accidents to happen. These dogs are not always aware of their size and strength, and they could knock your child over accidentally.
Dog Friendly
These dogs can also get along well with other dogs and pets, especially if they are first introduced to them when they are still a puppy. However, you will need to supervise them around smaller dogs and cats just to make sure they don’t accidentally step or lie on them.
Friendly Toward Strangers
Saint Bernards are friendly and loving towards anybody they encounter, including strangers. While they might not show them as much love and affection as they do with their families, they will still be friendly and polite towards them.
Health And Grooming
Now that you know everything there is to know about the appearance, personality, and temperament of the Saint Bernard, it is also really important to learn about their health and grooming requirements. We will tell you everything that you need to know about this below.
Shedding
Saint Bernards are known for shedding quite a bit anyway, but they will shed particularly heavily in the spring and autumn seasons. You can expect long haired Bernards to shed more than those with short hair, but both coat types are going to be leaving hair around your house all-year round.
Drooling
If you are not a fan of drooling, then the Saint Bernard probably isn’t the right breed of dog for you. They have jowls, which make them highly prone to drooling. You can expect them to drool quite a lot.
Grooming
You will need to ensure that you brush your Saint Bernard around 3 times a week. For long haired coats, you can use a pin brush, or for short haired coats, you can use a hound glove.
You could also use a shedding blade to remove loose hair during shedding season.
While these dogs do not require frequent bathing, when you do bathe them, it is usually best to do it outdoors, unless you have a walk-in shower. However, winter baths should always be provided indoors unless it is warm all year round.
You should use a shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs to ensure that the coat doesn’t become dry.
Saint Bernards often develop stains around their eyes, and you can avoid this by wiping around the eyes every day with a damp cloth. Some of their other grooming needs that you will need to attend to are dental hygiene, nail care, and ear care.
You will need to brush your dog’s teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to remove a buildup of tartar and bacteria. Daily brushing is even better for preventing gum disease and bad breath.
It is also really important to check their ears on a weekly basis. If they look dirty, you will need to wipe them clean using a cotton ball and an ear cleaner that has been recommended by your vet. You should never insert a cotton swab, or anything else, into the ear canal.
General Health
Generally, Saint Bernards are healthy dogs. However, just like all breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions. They are not guaranteed to develop any of them, but it is important to have knowledge of them if you are considering the breed.
Common Health Problems
Some of the most common health problems for Saint Bernards to develop are:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Entropion
- Epilepsy
- Cataracts
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Allergies
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus
Potential For Weight Gain
This breed is more likely than many others to gain too much weight, which is why it is really important to ensure that you are feeding them a healthy and balanced diet with the correct food portions.
You should try to avoid giving them scraps, as this could contribute to their weight gain. These are already large dogs, and gaining too much weight could lead to other health conditions.
Trainability
An untrained Saint Bernard can be a nightmare to handle, and they can wreak havoc in your home. Their big size means they can drag you down the sidewalk with eagerness to greet people. All of this is why early training is essential. You can train your Saint Bernard using a happy and relaxed approach, and be sure to lay down the ground rules with them.
Easy To Train
Saint Bernards are not the easiest of dogs to train, which is why they are best paired with trainers that already have a good amount of experience with dogs. They have a stubborn side that sometimes likes to come out while training, and they won’t do anything that they don’t want to do.
Intelligence
These are highly intelligent dogs, which can be a great bonus when you are trying to train them. However, their intelligence is sometimes overshadowed by their stubbornness when you are trying to teach them new things.
Potential to Bite
Due to the fact that these dogs are so friendly and loving, they are not very likely to bite.
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Thankfully, Saint Bernards are dogs that don’t usually bark very often, and never without a cause. Although, they will sometimes howl if they are bored or trying to get your attention.
Saint Bernard History
The Saint Bernard originated in Switzerland along with many other dog breeds, and they were likely created when dogs native to the Alps were crossed with Mastiff-type dogs that came with the Roman army during the time of the emperor Augustus.
Later down the line, they were used by the Hospice, but it is unclear when this first happened. However, a painting that depicts dogs that greatly resemble the Saint Bernard as they are today was painted in 1695. The first written mention of the breed in the monastery’s records was in 1703.
During the 3 centuries for which the Hospice has records, Saint Bernards were credited with saving more than 2,000 travelers. Today, Saint Bernards can be seen in homes, on the big screen, and at dog shows. There are even still Saint Bernards at the Saint Bernard Hospice in Switzerland.
Costs
The average cost of a Saint Bernard puppy is around $1000 to $1500 in the US, but they can cost anywhere from $550 to $2000.
Saint Bernard Fun Facts
- These dogs have deep roots in myth and legend
- It is likely that their ancestors were molossers
- Monks put them to work in the Swiss Alps
- These dogs are great with children
- Monks also tried to improve the breed by cross breeding them
- These dogs are known as gentle giants
