St. Bernard
Other names: Mount Bernard dog, Bernhardiner, Saint Bernardshund, Saint Bernard dog

The Saint Bernard is a large and powerful mountain dog, robust and endowed with significant intelligence. Docile, adorable with children and loyal, it is an unmatched life companion. A source of joy to both grown ups and children alike, the Saint Bernard will take to heart to protection of its own. Neither suspicious nor aggressive, he is nevertheless very cautious with strangers, and knows how to act as a deterrent if needed.
Key facts about the St. Bernard
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Origins and history
Of Swiss origin, it is a descendant of the ancient asian Molossian, whose primordial form was embodied by the Tibetan Mastiff. The breed such as we know it today has been selected by the cenobite monks of the Grand Saint-Bernard hospice, its namesake. The monks had been using the breed for a very long time for search and rescue missions in the mountains, as well as for guardianship. Essentially, these dogs served to accompany travellers, and save those lost in the snow. The symbolic little barrel of brandy/ schnapps that they sported around their neck would serve to restore the senses of those lost in action. The most famous of them all was Barry since, in the 14th century, it saved around 40 people from the so-called White Death. The Swiss club was created in 1884, while it was only created in France in 1908.
Physical characteristics of the St. Bernard
Adult size
Female : Between 26 and 31 in
Male : Between 28 and 35 in
Weight
Female : Between 110 and 165 lb
Male : Between 121 and 198 lb
Coat colour
The base-coat is white with more or less large patches of red that constitute a tuxedo. The tuxedo can be “torn” with some white spots. A reddish-brown brindle is also admissible, as well as gold-brown.
Overlays on the head are sought-after while they are tolerated on the torso.
White areas must appear on the chest, the paws, and at the tail’s extremity, around the nose, muzzle and nape.
A white collar and dark facial mask are particularly sought after.
Type of coat
Two varieties exist, the long-haired Saint Bernard and the short-haired Saint Bernard.
In the short-haired type, the coat is dense, smooth, spread over the whole body and of coarse texture. The undercoat is abundant.
In the long-haired type, the coat lies flat, is medium length, ranging from smooth to slightly wavy. The undercoat is abundant.
Eye colour
The eyes are dark brown.
Description
The Saint-Bernard is large-headed dog, vigorous and muscular in all of its parts. The skull is massive and broad, slightly convex; the forehead skin forms rather thick and profuse pleats that converge towards a frontal wrinkle. The stop is clear, the muzzle is short, not pointy; the muzzle is straight. The eyes, typically medium-sized and diamond-shaped for this breed, shows a friendly and intelligent expression. The ears are pendant. The torso is robust, as are the limbs, and very straight. The tail is long and very heavy.
Good to know
The Saint Bernards’ reputation as rescue dogs is well established, but their career is slightly behind them. To wit, breeds of smaller weight are preferred nowadays, in order to facilitate helicopter missions.
Temperament
Behaviour of the St. Bernard
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Compatibility
Price
The price of a Saint Bernard depends on its origins, its age, and its gender. You have to count an average of £1015 for dogs registered with the Kennel Club.
With regards to the monthly budget, big dog equals big budget. You have to count an average of £80 per month in order to cater to the Saint Bernard’s physiological needs.
Grooming
The maintenance of this dog is not complicated but remains proportional to its size. It will have to be brushed on a regular basis.
Special care must be attributed to its eyes as well, they need to be kept in check as they have a propensity towards being teary which could lead to they eyelid folding inwards (entropy).
Shedding
The Saint Bernard’s hair loss is moderate but increases during times of moult, from autumn through to spring. It is then that it will require a daily brush.
Nutrition of the St. Bernard
The Saint Bernard is one of the fastest growing dogs. In fact, it goes from around 13 pounds to a weight of up to 200 pounds in just two years. This implies a fragile growth which must be consolidated with good nutrition.
Veterinary supervision is particularly recommended during this phase, in order to ensure that the appropriate rations are being provided to the young dog (be it in terms of quality or quantity).
Given the large quantities of food to provide, the rations must be divided into two meals: a light one in the morning, and a more generous one in the evening, in order to encourage a better digestion. Self-service is not an option for this big glutton with a tendency towards being overweight.
Dry food (kibble) may be given but it will have to be premium. That means a ban on the widely-available, commercial dog kibble. For homemade rations, it is advised that the vet approve the menus.
An elevated bowl will have to be provided for this big dog to spare it from having to bend over too low to eat.
Health of the St. Bernard
Life expectancy
The life expectancy is estimated to 9 years.
Strong / robust
Of robust constitution, the St. Bernard does not show much propensity towards any particular illness, but nevertheless remains fragile on account of its large size.
Withstand heat
In the summer, he suffers of heat and it is indispensable that his shelter is placed in a shadowed area with fresh water provided and replaced at regular intervals.
During such times, the walks must be re-adapted (early in the mornings, and late a night).
Withstand cold
The double coat of this dog, whether short or long, endows it with a very good resistance to cold. Back in the day, its robustness and courage are what would allow it to practice search and rescue missions in the snowy mountains.
Tendency to put on weight
Quite the eater and not particularly athletic, this dog can easily become overweight if its nutrition is not balanced.
Common illnesses
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus syndrome
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Wobbler syndrome (malformations of the caudal cervical vertebrae)
- Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
- Entropion (eyelid folding inwards)
- Epilepsy
- Eczema
- Cardiac issues