Country of OriginItaly
Switzerland
Nicknames and Other NamesSaint
Bernhardiner
St. Bernhardshund
Alpine Mastiff (archaic)
Scientific NameCanin lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred
GroupWorkig Group
Guardian Group
Bred ForGuarding and herding livestock
and properties
SizeLarge-sized
Recognized ByAKC, UKC, FCI, CKC, KC, NZKC, ANKC
Life Span8-10 years
Ideal WeightMale: 140-180 pounds
Female: 120-140 pounds
Ideal HeightMale: 28-30 inches
Female: 26-28 inches
Fur TypeDense, bushy tail, thick
Common ColorsMahogany and White, Rust and White,
Orange and White, Red and White,
White and Brown, Brindle Grizzle
MarkingsBlack Mask
AvailabilityWidely available
AchievementsUsed as rescue dogs for people
trapped under a snow heap
Suitable for ApartmentsNot suitable
Used in World WarNo
Most Similar ToPyrenean Mastiff

The Saint Bernard dogs are most famous for being watchful and patient pet and usually considered as “nanny dogs” for children.

Saint Bernard, unsurprisingly is among the world’s most famous and beloved breeds. They are very powerful and muscular breeds with a huge head, a short muzzle, and dark-colored eyes. They always appear in friendly expression and gives a welcoming sight to visitors.

Origin And History Of Saint Bernard

Saint Bernards are giant-sized dogs with a deep history. However, they were traditionally thought to be originated at a monastery-hospice somewhere in Swiss Alps in the 11th century but their ancestors were known to have probably occurred about 600 years ago.

Saint Bernards were believed to be intended first as watchdogs. Soon after that their life-saving abilities became apparent. Over the next three centuries, dogs of these breeds were credited with saving well over 2,000 human lives.

And Saint Bernards we know today is known both for its both history exploits and love towards human companions.

Are They Child-Friendly?

Saint Bernards are well-behaved with children, they are very patient, understanding and careful to and know their limits. They always love to play with children, they entertain themselves by spending time with children, they will make the best playmates for your child. However, because of their large size, you need to be careful and supervise them when playing with children, as they may accidentally hurt your children.

St. bernard Are Affectionate With Kids
St.Bernard Being Hugged By Little Girl.
Image Via Youtube

Temperament, Personality & Behavior

The temperaments of Saint Bernard is loving, friendly, gentle, and tolerant. They are generally protective to their family members if they believe them in danger.

The personality of this giant breed is gentle, calm and patient. Unlike other large size dogs, they are not aggressive towards strangers as his size itself is enough to scare most people away.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvo9zgrB524/

These dogs are loving natured and hold a deep desire to be with their family which can result in separation anxiety if left alone for a long time. If you are a person who needs to stay outdoors most of their time, then you may need to consider a different breed.

Saint Bernards are independent natured dogs, but at the same time, they are affectionate and willing to please its master, if you can form leadership and consistent rules through positive training methods which include praise and treats.

Trainability

Training this giant breed is not that easy if you are not a confident master. You need to be firm and consistent with their training.

It is important to train Saint Bernard as early as possible as with their large body, they could do some damage if they jump up on something as an adult.

If you find difficult in training Saint Bernard, then we would recommend you to enroll them in obedience school as soon as possible. They require early socialization and training to prevent them from potential temperament and behavioral problems.

Facts

Facts about Saint Bernard are:

  • The Saint Bernard Club Of America was formed in the year 1888 and known to be one of the oldest clubs of the U.S.
  • They were before known as “Barry Dogs” and “Noble Steeds,” among others.
  • They are pretty much cold weather dog.

Health Issues

General HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesBloat, Dilated Cardiomyopathy,
Entropion, Epilepsy, Allergies
HypoallergenicNo
Vaccination RequiredCanine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus,
Canine Parainfluenza, Rabies,
Leptospirosis, Kennel Cough,
Canine Coronavirus
SheddingAbove Average Shedder
DroolingBig Drooler
GroomingAverage Grooming Required
Weight Gain PotentialAverage to High
Separation AnxietyHigh Chance
AllergiesSkin Allergy
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 30%
Fat: 10%
Glucosamine
Multivitamins
Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids

Common health problems from which your Saint Bernards tend to suffer from are:

  • Hip Dysplasia: a heritable condition in which the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint.
  • Elbow Dysplasia: a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. It is caused by different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog’s elbow, causing joint laxity.
  • Epilepsy: This disorder causes mild or severe seizures.
  • Cataracts: an optimacy on the lens of the eye that causes difficulty in seeing.

Color Patterns

Saint Bernards are found in 5 color patterns, which include:

  • Brownish-yellow
  • Reddish-Brown Mantle
  • Red & White
  • Reddish-Brown Brindle
  • Reddish-Brown Splash

Puppies

Saint Bernard can give birth up to 10 puppies at a time. The puppies of this breed are quite playful and adventurous. If you are planning to have a puppy of this breed, you will find them priced from $300 USD to $ 3000 USD with one of our credible breeders.

Saint Bernand Puppies Should Be Train The Day You Bring Them Home
Saint Bernard Puppies Image Via Dogspot

Which Dogs Are They Similar To?

Dogs similar to Saint Bernards are:

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