Group

Mastiff, Working Dogs

Origin

The St. Bernard's name comes from the Hospice of the Great Saint Bernard Pass founded in AD980 by Bernard de Menthon a Swiss monk. The hospice was a refuge for travellers passing through the dangerous Alpine pass between Switzerland and Italy. By 1707 the monks realised that because of their superior noses, strength and weather-resistant coats dogs would be better at rescuing lost travellers and the monks established their own breeding program. It is believed that the monks crossed the Tibetan mastiff (brought to the Alps by the Romans around the year 1000) with the Great Dane and the Great Pyrenees.

During the 17th century, the Saint Bernard started working as a rescue dog. They were used to rescue people from avalanches in the snowy passes near the hospice. They saved more than 2,000 people by searching and finding injured and lost travellers. They would lie down next to the person and lick him to keep him warm. Then another dog would go back to the hospice to get a rescue team sent. The Saint Bernard's sense of smell is so good that they can smell people even under many meters of snow.

They also have the ability to predict storms and avalanches because they can hear very low frequency sounds that human can't hear. The Saint Bernard is also famous for holding a brandy cask around its neck. They would give some Brandy to the travellers in order that the strong alcohol would keep them warm.

Description

The Saint Bernard has an extra large sized heavy boned and muscular body, with a powerful head. They have deep set eyes and droopy floppy lips. Their ears hang to the side of the head. They have a long tail. They have an intelligent and gentle expression and their face and ears are normally shaded with black. There are two types of coat: rough (long, thick & fuller around the neck), and smooth (short) both dense and come in tan, red, mahogany, brindle, and black all with white patches and in various combinations. They have large and strong feet with well-arched toes. It helps them in the snow and ice.

Their height is from 25.5-27.5 inches ( 61-70 cm.) and their weight 110-200 pounds (50-91 kg)

Temperament

Saint Bernard dogs are very affectionate, extremely gentle and friendly. They are very good with children. They are very loyal to their master and just want to please them. They are patient dogs and obedient and easy to train. However training should be done as puppy as easier to manage. Because of its size it needs to be socialize with other people at a young age as well.

Saint Bernards are highly intelligent and have a very good sense of small. They also can foresee danger. This dog can also be used as a watchdog, just because of his size he could easily scare away intruders. They do tend to drool and slobber a lot.

Living condition

Because of their giant size, it is best to have a big house if you want to own one. They would do OK in an apartment if they get sufficient exercise every day and obviously if the apartment is big enough. It is recommended to have at least a small garden to let him run around. They can live outdoors but Saint Bernards love being with people and being with their family.

They do better in cooler climates and can be very uncomfortable in hot weather, warm rooms or cars.

Exercise

To keep them healthy, they need in average 60 to 80 mins of exercise a day. Exercising puppies must be done very gradually to avoid putting excess strain on their growing bones and tender tissues, also do not allow them to go up the stairs. If you let them running off the lead ensure that they do not damage their limbs.

Health problem

They normal are healthy but could be prone to "wobbler" syndrome, epilepsy, heart problems, skin problems, hip dysplasia, and extropion (a folding outward of the eyelid rim).

It is best to feed them two or three small meals a day instead of one large meal to avoid bloating. Also wipe eyes regularly as they weep a lot and may get infections.

Life expectancy

Saint Bernards live in average for 8 to 10 years.

Grooming

Because they shed very heavily, Saint Bernards need to be brushed or combed daily to remove loose hairs. The ears should be kept clean and the eyes checked very regularly and kept free from irritants. Give them a bath only when necessary firstly because it is a hard job because of the size of the dog, also because shampoo may strip the coat of its oily, water-resistant properties. It is best to use mild soap or dry shampoo. This breed sheds twice a year.