The words “very powerful,” “extraordinarily muscular,” “imposing,” and “massive” are frequently used in the Saint’s written standard. Males must stand at least 27.5 inches tall at the shoulder; girls will be shorter and more delicately built. Saints’ enormous head has a furrowed brow, a short nose, and dark eyes that together provide the kind, intelligent expression that was so appreciated by stranded Alpine visitors.
Saint Bernard
playful / charming / inquisitive
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
28-30 inches (males)
26-28 inches (female)
Weight
140-180 pounds (male)
120-140 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
8-10 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Saint Bernard
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Breeds with large, deep chests are more likely to experience sudden, life-threatening gastrointestinal conditions like bloat. Owners of Saint Bernards should become familiar with the warning signs and the appropriate responses. Hip dysplasia and eye illness are a couple of other diseases that can occasionally affect the breed. As long as he has a cool place to relax and plenty of water, a Saint can withstand hot weather, but traveling from air conditioning to intense heat can be extremely stressful.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Degenerative Myelopathy DNA Test
- Elbow Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
Both the short-haired and long-haired Saint Bernards require the same maintenance for their coats. Weekly brushing will help to keep the dog looking his best by removing dirt and loose hair. Use a metal comb or slicker brush to untangle any knots. During the twice-yearly shedding season, brushing will become a daily chore. The Saint will maintain a fresh appearance and smell with the occasional bath. As with all breeds, the nails should be periodically cut because excessively long nails can hurt the dog and make it difficult for it to run and walk.
Exercise
The St. Bernard only needs a moderate amount of exercise despite being a big, strong breed. He should be able to maintain his health and happiness with just one lengthy stroll or 30-minute play session per day. Of course, a Saint is always pleased to accompany his owner on longer hikes, backpacking trips, or camping excursions. Some saints even take part in carting and drafting events because they adore hauling small children in a cart. When engaging in activities with his owner, a Saint is happy.
Training
For all dogs, early socialization and puppy training lessons are advised, but for large, powerful dogs like St. Bernards, they are a must. The Saint will be taught through obedience training not to leap on humans, run over little children, steal from the table, or otherwise take advantage of their stature. Because they are nice and willing to please, saints usually begin obeying orders as soon as they know what is expected of them. A Saint likes to be with his family, and if he is frequently left alone for extended periods of time, it may lead to bad habits.
Nutrition
Saint Bernards should thrive on premium dog food that is ideally made for large breeds, whether it is produced commercially or is made at home under the guidance and agreement of your veterinarian. Any diet should be suitable for the age of the dog, whether it is a puppy, adult, or senior. Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.
Saint Bernard, like many large breeds, is susceptible to bloat, a potentially fatal illness in which the stomach twists and swells. Although the exact reasons for bloat are unknown, experts concur that eating several small meals throughout the day and avoiding strenuous exercise right before meals may help lower the likelihood of it happening.
History
In order to assist pilgrims traveling to Rome, a monk by the name of Bernard of Menthon (later canonized) founded a hospice there in the year 1050 near a snowy pass in the Alps. Crossing the pass was dangerous at 8,000 feet above sea level with drifts as high as 40 feet. Over several decades, the hospice monks created strong working dogs that could find and save unfortunate visitors trapped by avalanches and drifts. Contrary to popular belief, dogs in the Great St. Bernard Pass did not wear brandy bottles around their necks.