Saint Bernard Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Saint Bernard?

Saint Bernards are said to be first bred in Switzerland in the 16th century. The name Saint Bernard originated from a Hospice located on the Great Saint Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps. The hospice's local Italian Archdeacon Bernard de Menthon is believed to have owned this dog breed during the 16th century as a watch and farm dog.

However, due to their incredible sense of smell and life-saving abilities, they soon became active in mountaineering search and rescue work and finding lost hikers in the snowy territory.

Who are Saint Bernard dogs best for?

The Saint Bernard loves companionship and is the perfect family dog. These gentle giants are incredibly friendly dogs and great family protectors who get along well with basically anyone.

They are not necessarily in need of their own garden; however, they require daily exercise and walks of about half an hour. Therefore, you should be sure that you can put in the time not just to take your furry friend for a walk but also to spend significant personal time with them.

If you're a neat freak, you might want to consider other dogs to be more suitable for your lifestyle and the cleanliness levels of your apartment. Grooming Saint Bernards can be very time-intensive and messy as these dogs tend to shed a lot of dog hair. On top of that, they're also prone to drooling a lot!

Furthermore, unless you are committed to carrying a pretty heavy fur bag (more on this later) up and down the stairs to your apartment, living anywhere but the ground floor, you might not be the right fit for owning this type of dog.

How much grooming does a Saint Bernard need?

This breed comes in short-haired or long-haired coat types. Nonetheless, either one is prone to shedding lots of hair, which increases grooming from a weekly activity to a daily commitment in shedding season, which occurs twice a year.

To keep your dog neat and in its mane in shape, you might want to get your hands on a shedding device, such as a metal comb or a slicker brush, which also makes it a lot easier to get rid of those tangles behind their ears and on their chest. Bathing is only really recommended if your dog is getting noticeably smelly.

Do Saint Bernard bark much?

If you are looking for a dog that does not alert you every time the mailman walks by, this breed might be the right fit for you! These dogs are not prone to barking and will only make a noise when they feel that their family is in danger.

Do Saint Bernard bite?

Even though being a massive dog, this canine is not known to be an aggressive biter and is rather docile and friendly toward others. However, as with all large breeds, it is recommended to be vigilant and not leave them unsupervised with children, strangers, or other breeds.

Do not let their initial friendliness fool you either - this dog is just as quick to defend a family member if they feel any kind of danger.

What is the temperament & personality of a Saint Bernard?

This breed might not be the most active, but it is known to be playful, charming and most of all, a very gentle dog. Their friendly and welcoming nature makes them great with children as they act very carefully and are forgiving and patient around your offspring.

However, as with every other dog, it is always advised to never leave your kids alone with them, as ear or tail-pulling or erratic behaviour can cause unwanted reactions in your dog. The same goes for other animals.

They need social interaction and are happiest when they get to spend time with their owners. Please don't ever leave this dog alone for long periods of time as it can cause immense distress and destructive behaviour!

What is the weight & size of a Saint Bernard?

While a Saint Bernard Puppy starts out at a manageable 11kg, an adult Saint Bernard male can weigh up to 82kg, with the grown-up females weighing between 54-64kg!

They are between 65 and 80 cm tall and therefore fall in the group of giant breeds.

How much training does a Saint Bernard need?

Puppies' parents are recommended to start training and socialisation with other dogs as early as possible. Obedience training is absolutely paramount for your playful and adventurous puppy, as this trait, if not taken care of, can easily make them become rowdy as an adult dog and knock people over, especially children.

However, they are very eager to please their owners, and their instinctive desire to be obedient will override any stubbornness quickly. Therefore training should come easy, and their response rate to your commands should kick in fairly fast.

These dogs are known to be great at dog sports and obedience trials and can excel in pulling competitions.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Saint Bernard?

Due to their size, your furry friend does come with some health problems which are important to consider. Here are some common health problems that can be found in this breed:

• Elbow and hip dysplasia

• Bone cancer

• Loss of eyesight

They can handle the heat but are prone to heat stroke if not provided with ample places to cool off and lots of water. This is definitely important to keep in mind when living in Australia.

What is the lifespan of a Saint Bernard?

Unfortunately, these furry friends do not stick around for as long as you and your family might want them to. Their life expectancy usually ends between eight and ten years.

How much should you feed a Saint Bernard?

We would recommend always consulting your local veterinarian about the appropriate diet for your canine in each life stage. However, focusing on food that supports bone and eyesight health might be worth considering for this breed.

Plenty of fresh drinking water should be accessible for your dog at all times, too.

You might also want to watch out for appropriate portioning. St Bernards are prone to bloating, which can sometimes result in life-threatening situations. Therefore rather feed small meals often and refrain from extreme exercise after meals.

What is the price of a Saint Bernard in Australia?

When going for a pure-bred puppy, it is recommended to always buy your dog from local and verified breed clubs. In Australia, these will sell you a puppy for between $1000 and $4000.