affected role and caring Saint Bernards are n’t just have it away for their massive sizing — they have huge hearts , too , full of devotion for their human companions . healthy , mellowed , and playful , get wind how they can process and adore a family unit like yours .
When you recollect about a Saint Bernard , it ’s easy to image a fun day playing in the Charles Percy Snow followed by a cozy night curled up together by the fire , you with a good account book and hot chocolate , her with a crunchy bone . A Saint ’s sweet , loving , and calm disposition coupled with her gigantic sizing makes you finger safe , and that ’s exactly what these former hunting - and - saving animal need you to be . Alert butgentle with shaver , Saint Bernards are delicious menage companion , eager to participate in whatever is going on at home — some even pout a bit if they feel left out !
While Saints dothrive in cold weather , there ’s no need to live on in their native Swiss Alps to enjoy them . Karen Shaw Becker , DVM , is the writer ofReal nutrient for Healthy Petsand co - founding father of Dr. Becker ’s Bites . She believes it ’s all-important for fauna shielder to make knowledgeable decisions to maximize the health of their creature . She says " bothshort - hairedand long - haired Saint Bernards adapt well to most environments because of their flexible , easy - going personalities as long as they always have a nerveless place to rest . "
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Appearance
The Saint Bernard is one of the world ’s largest wienerwurst , not only because of height — about 30 inches or higher at the shoulder — but also because of their weight . Male dogs well range 140–180 hammering , while female pups are approximately 120–140 pounds . Maybe they leave one paw off the scale .
The majestic carriage of a Saint starts with her large rotund head nobble from a deep bureau , and a monumental square gag is slightly nurture to sniff the air . Her mother wit of olfactory sensation is excellent . Jowls hang loose and so do her ears , short and floppy frame her boldness — also referred to as a masquerade . Her eye are late - set and subdued brown .
Some Saints seem to have actual masque , as their eye and cheek may be black , brownish , or red . The white on the tip of their tails and along their belly , forepaw , and pectus carry to their muzzles , and it often continues in a foresightful line between the eyes to the cap . pelage colouration are either carmine and white or white and brindle .
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Few things demonstrate power like a Saint Bernard ’s physical structure , a closure of substantial muscle from her cap to bungle tail . Her back and legs are as proportioned . All Saints have double coats to protect them from the elements , but some are short - hairy and others are long - hirsute .
Temperament
Wherever you are , that ’s on the dot where a Saint want to be . She ’s adevoted household dogwho ’s too proud to adhere , and too well - mannered to skin a lot . A Saint is simply happiest when surrounded by all her humans , especially children . She has infinite forbearance for kids who treat her kindly .
A Saint Bernard is so mellow and loving , it ’s soft to look out on how just her size of it might be a concern . Like manylarge dogs , Saints have an lengthy adolescence — usually until age 2,according to the Saint Bernard Club of America ( SBCA ) . So a 100 - pound pup with endless slobbery kisses to share and inexhaustible cheerful vigour can be a bit much for some citizenry , especially younger fry .
It ’s a good idea toenroll Saint Bernard puppies in kindergartenonce all theirvaccinations are complete . smart as a whip and eager to please , Saintsdo well during training . stratum often last a year or longer , so during this fourth dimension , incontrovertible home reinforcementincludesa mountain of socializationand routine . This way , they get to know all syndicate extremity and their friend well , and they make the connexion to theimportant but unsubdivided cuesthey ascertain in no - fearobedience training , such ascome , pose , delay , and no .
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Most Saints are n’t overly destructive if provide alone , specially if they pick up proper training , but they do n’t wish being left behind or outdoors for foresightful period of time . This is when they ’ll show a minuscule willful impudence , bark more often , manducate on thing , and doing other things you do n’t require , the SBCA say . crateful traininghelps for when you ’ll be gone for a duo of hours . A Saint might take safety under the dining mesa or behind a chair if she feels overwhelmed , but a den to call her own is a adept result . A veterinary surgeon can look up with you about size , comfort , and breeding .
you’re able to number on a Saint to be an rattling sentry . As kind as she is , she uses size to her advantage to learn out for her hoi polloi . If you hear her bark in the midsection of the night , pay up tending .
Living Needs
Since she ’s so friendly and not prostrate to woofing without reason , a Saint Bernard ’s temperament might be neighborly enough forapartment living , but it ’s also like stuffing a loaf of bread of bread into a teacup . She need to have room to stretch , disperse , and ramble .
Saints do n’t command as much exercise as other working dog stock , but they do postulate purposeful daily movement . A casual stroll once or twice a day through the backyard or down a nice wooded course fulfill them emotionally and physically . This easygoing companionship is one reason why mature holy man are good choices for retired hoi polloi .
While in their prime , playful Saint Bernard dog can keep the footstep with families who enjoy outdoor activities . They ’re instinctively good at hauling , sohitching them to a cart full of kidsfor an extemporaneous hayride is fun for everyone !
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General curtilage fencingshould be fine , as she ’s not potential to bolt over or burrow under it if she bed the dominion . This also imply she ’s secure and doesn’thave to be on leashwhen the family is external . Most Saints have a low prey drive and do well with all other animals at home , specially if introduced to them early on , so everyone can tumble and dally together . Extra upkeep might be necessary with a rescue .
Setting up a Saint ’s indoor environment requires precaution . After all , anything you set on the kitchen counter might be gone in a flash , and her swaying tail can clear items on a coffee board .
The SBCA wants you to have the best kinship potential with this gentle behemoth and offers a free brochure to serve you sympathise their need and your part as their guardian .
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Care
Oh , those soft , saggy Saint mandibular bone are filled with so much bosh ! While she want that spare spittle for digestion , most owners do n’t want it on their pants , the level , the couch … So , they get in the wont of wipe their Saints muzzle after every meal and weewee slurp — and get semi - ironical smooches in tax return .
Another view of ordered Saint Bernard care isshed patrol . It does n’t count if she ’s tenacious - haired or short - haired : Her double coating needs extra TLC to keep the pelt in check . Weekly brushingis a must to transfer escaped pilus , grunge , and maze . day-to-day brushing is a necessity duringshedding high seasonsof fall and give .
Saints give chase in whatever they romp in , so depend on their level of activity , pamper them with a spa day ofa bath , nail trim , manus check , andear cleaningonce a month or so . Home dental caution is important too , as herteeth need brushinga few sentence a week .
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Health
Becker believes biologically appropriate food and a Saint Bernard ’s immediate environment are the most significant factors in determining wellness , vital force , and life history span .
" Saint Bernard owners need tomonitor their frump ’s weightthroughout their lifetime . These gentle giants incline toput weight on well , which only add together to the gist of their massive frames , " she says . " maintain them lean and muscular is the best defense against age - touch on weakness subsequently on .
" Saint Bernard possessor should also be aware of thesymptoms of bloat , " she adds , which include abdomen protuberance and pain , superfluous salivation , restlessness and tempo , and sick . " Like other deep - chested strain , they can suddenly build up this living - imperil aesculapian condition that requires immediate veterinary intervention . " A few potential causes for bloat let in whether a Saint eats or toast too much and then practice intensely , consumes a large repast , or drink a lot of water after her meal .
Like many large working dogs , a Saint ’s genetics determine if she ’s prostrate to elbow andhip dysplasia — conditions that cause severe pain , crippling arthritis , and eventual joint degeneration .
" Please do n’t grease one’s palms a puppy until you in person refresh copies of examination results from the mom and dad , " Becker says . " Saint Bernards who contribute to the cistron consortium should be screened for hip , elbow joint , optic , andheart problems ; autoimmune thyroiditis ; and DNA tested fordegenerative myelopathy . " Saints younger than 1 year erstwhile can also suffer from inheritedosteochondrosis , which is defective cartilage .
A Saint Bernard ’s temperature tolerance is fairly balanced , as long as you do n’t result this nose candy - loving beauty out of doors on spicy day . With her insulating double coat , she ’s atserious risk of heatstroke , allot to theSBCA . So take boring , meandering walks on shady flaccid path in the early first light or afterwards in the eventide , and allow her to relax indoors when the sun and the heat are high .
With a lot of dedicated care and attention , your Saint should be able to make the most of her 8–10 class lifespan .
History
Saint Bernards ' antecedent likely include the papistic empire ’s Molosser war dogs , which were bred with other dog native to the Alps , according to the SBCA .
In 1050 an Italian archdeacon namedBernard of Menthonfounded a monastery and hospice to help travelers in the treacherous Alpine passes between Italy and Switzerland . Pilgrims en route to Rome travel summits as high as 8,000 foot on their journey and were often in risk . In future century , Thelonious Monk at the Hospice of the Great Saint Bernard used the monastery ’s guard andiron to help relieve poor someone stranded in 40 - foot drifts and cascading avalanches .
Before receiving the name of Saint Bernard in 1880 , these tireless deliverer were also call Sacred Dogs , Monastery Dogs , Alpine Mastiffs , and Alpendogs . Some canine tooth historians refer to record stating that over the class of three centuries , the stock saved more than 2,000 people along the Great Saint Bernard Pass , according toSmithsonian powder store .
The most famed Saint Bernard of this life - saving history is Barry der Menschenretter , born in 1800 . He reportedly rescued more than 40 lost souls in his lifetime . Upon his death , his fur was used on a statue now on display at the Natural History Museum of Berne in Switzerland .
Another grand Saint , Bamse , was the Free Norwegian Forces mascot in World War II and traveled aboard the shipThorodd . When he die , he received full military honors .
