• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Dog's Best Life

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Is a Saint Bernard the right dog for you?

Posted June 8, 2020

 
Saint Bernard poses with two puppies. The Saint Bernard is an intelligent, gentle giant. The breed's patience and protectiveness make them great with children.
The Saint Bernard is an intelligent, gentle giant. The breed’s patience and protectiveness make them great with children.

If you’re thinking about bringing a dog into your home, you probably have an idea of some characteristics that you’d like, if not precisely, the breed (or mix) you desire. It’s critical to study everything about the breed you’re considering. Ultimately, the dog should be comfortable and happy, and you shouldn’t feel in over your head. If you’re considering a big dog, a Saint Bernard is an exceptional choice.

It’s important to know that they are:

Famous for their noble history

Bred to be working dogs, Saints are big, intelligent, and strong with good dispositions.

The breed is named after Bernard of Menthon, a monk who founded a Swiss Alps hospice circa 1050. The hospice assisted pilgrims traveling through the snowy mountains, who would often get buried in snowdrifts and avalanches.

Saint Bernards were skilled at finding and rescuing these travelers; monastery documents show that the dogs saved more than 2,000 people. Saints also guarded the grounds of Hospice Saint Bernard. 

Big!

The Saint Bernard is one of the world’s most beloved breeds.

As long as space isn’t an issue, they can be nearly ideal companions. Males can grow as big as 30 inches tall and 180 pounds. Females are typically smaller than males (around 140 pounds max).

Health issues

Unfortunately, bigger dogs like Saint Bernards tend to have a shorter lifespan (typically eight to 10 years) than smaller breeds.

Their size also contributes to health issues such as hip dysplasia and a severe condition called bloat (distending and twisting of the stomach). To reduce the chance of bloat, the dog should eat a few small meals each day and avoid exercise around mealtimes.

Gentle giants

Saints are intelligent, gentle giants. Their patience and protectiveness make them great with children.

They’re good-natured and need lots of human interaction. They love attention, whether it’s playing ball outside or snuggling in front of the television.

They also tend to keep their playful puppy personality longer than most dogs.

A little messy

These pups are big-time shedders. The first step to learning about Saint Bernard grooming needs is having the right tools from the start (e.g., a dog de-shedder).

Brush and de-shed at least a couple of times a week. Saints have a propensity for making a mess.

In addition to excessive shedding, they also drool and are good at tracking in mud and dirt if given half a chance. Sofa covers, towels, and dirt-and debris-trapping floor mats will save you time and money.

Training needs

Training should start immediately, including exposure to many different situations, sights and sounds, and a variety of people and animals. Their size makes socialization especially important around small children. They’re generally careful around kids but can hurt them accidentally by knocking them down.

Saints can also be a little stubborn, so unless you want to lug a squirmy 180-pound dog to the car for a vet visit, it’s best to start rewarding good behavior early on!

Crate training is essential for housetraining, and the crate will probably become your pup’s place of relaxation and refuge. So, never use a crate as a punishment. Make sure the crate is big enough (tall enough to stand up in and long enough to turn around comfortably, lay down and stretch out). 

Moderate exercise needs

Saints don’t need much exercise, but one good walk each day is ideal.

They don’t do well in the heat, so you must be mindful of signs of overheating and make sure to provide lots of cool water. Saints, however, love to frolic in the snow! 

Bottom line

No matter what breed you decide to adopt, make sure to choose a reputable breeder. They can show bloodline health documentation and fill you in on the parents’ characteristics (e.g., appearance and disposition).  To find an American Kennel Club-Registered breeder, visit the AKC Marketplace.

Various rescue options are also available. To adopt a Saint Bernard, check Petfinder.com.

Take the time to find your perfect puppy companion!

Emily Burton has loved dogs since she was young. She now enjoys adventuring in the Colorado Rockies with her Australian Shepherd and her two kids. 

Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

Related Posts

  • Tibetan Mastiff
    Is a Tibetan Mastiff the Right Dog For You?

    The Tibetan Mastiff is an enormous dog with great courage…

  • Great Dane puppies.
    Is a Great Dane the right dog for you?

    Тhе Great Dаnе, despite іts sіzе аnd hіstоrу аs а…

  • Leonberger
    Is a Leonberger the right dog for you?

    The Leonberger is a gentle giant that is easy to…

  • Bernese mountain dog puppy
    Is a Bernese mountain dog the right dog for you?

    A Bernese mountain dog makes a wonderful family pet. They…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Breeds, Home Page Tagged With: Big dogs, Petfinder.com

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • The most common warning signs to watch for in your puppy's behaviors include snarling, growling, mounting, snapping, nipping, lip curling, lunging, dominance, challenging stance, dead-eye stare, aggressive barking, possessiveness, and of course, biting!

    Take action immediately when you spot aggressive puppy warning signs

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

Tags

Shedding Poodle Yorkshire terrier Dog cloning French bulldog Two dogs Fourth of July Chihuahua Dog toys Chasing Puppy-proof Greyhound Arthritis Border collie Thanksgiving Hiking Moving Puppy kindergarten Labrador retriever Dog nails Maltese Water Home renovations Dog health insurance Old dogs Dog business Dog poop Halloween Dog clothes Dog grief

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • 5 reasons why maintaining your pet’s dental health is important
    Poor dental health can lead to tooth loss, heart disease, and other health problems. Provide proper dental care for your dog. […]
  • 7 famous dogs that shaped the course of history
    Read more to find out how seven famous dogs helped shape human history. Famous dogs include Peritas, Soter, Old Drum, and Pavlov's dog. […]
  • Discover 10 interesting facts about dog behavior
    Here are ten facts about dog behavior that may help you understand your pet more and wonder less about sometimes slightly peculiar habits. […]
  • 5 common dachshund health problems and how to treat them
    Dachshund health problems include hip and elbow dysplasia, invertebrate disc disease, obesity, allergies and asthma. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2022 Dog's Best Life online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more