The Saint Bernard, also called “Bernies,” is a giant breed of dog that’s both lovable and imposing. At up to 90cm tall at the withers, St. Bernards can seem scary, but they’re actually lovable balls of fluff with a devoted following. An intelligent breed, the St. Bernard is known for its long history of search and rescue work in the Swiss Alps. Read on to learn more about this amazing breed and decide if they’re the right fit for your home.
Researchers can trace the earliest written records mentioning the dogs to 1707 in paperwork from monks at the Great St. Bernard Hospice; however, artistic renditions of the breed date even earlier. Originally known as the Alpine Spaniel in the U.K., the St. Bernard was used to help travelers who’d become lost in the Great St. Bernard Pass. The monks at the hospice never trained the dogs; instead, puppies followed adult dogs in order to learn what to do.
One of the most famous St. Bernards was named Barry, who lived in the early 1800s. Barry was much smaller than the St. Bernards people see today, reaching about the same size as a German Shepherd, in addition to weighing significantly less. Barry saved at least 40 people during his time as a rescue dog, including a young boy who had been trapped in a cave. Barry saved people by warming them up, usually by licking them, before taking them to the nearest shelter. While a monument to Barry at the Cimetiere des Chiens pet cemetery in France claims Barry died saving someone, the dog actually passed away at 14 in Bern several years after retiring from rescue work. Today, Barry’s body is housed by the Natural History Museum of Bern. One of the most interesting aspects of Barry’s legacy was his name being used for the breed. Called Barry Hounds until 1860, the breed finally became known as the St. Bernard by 1865.
Since the 17th century, the monks of the hospice bred the dogs to work in the area, finding they could withstand extreme cold fairly well. However, between 1816-1818, hash winters caused a swift uptick in avalanches. Sadly, many monks lost their dogs to these storms, leading to the possibility of extinction. With limited options, the monks eventually decided to breed their dogs with imported Newfoundlands. This cross-breeding made a breed that more closely resembles the St. Bernard breed of today—including their long winter coat. Unfortunately, these longer coats meant the breed could no longer be used for rescue work to the same extent that its predecessors were a few decades before due to being weighed down by snow.
However, while the breed could no longer work as it once had, it was saved by the monks at the hospice instead of dying out. By the 1940s, the breed was known as a pet around the world, becoming a rare but not unheard-of sight. However, with the outbreak of WWII, many dogs were required to both work for the war effort and simply strive to keep themselves alive. During this time, it was worried the breed would be lost forever, but the dogs rebounded quickly, creating the breed we know today.
Today, St. Bernards are beloved for their warm, friendly nature. They can easily become a family dog, although those with very young children may want to avoid getting a Saint Bernard dog due to its eventual size. If you decide the breed is right for you, make sure you obtain a dog or puppy from a reputable rescue centre or breeder.
St. Bernards are affectionate dogs that are more than willing to flop on your lap during their downtime. This overt friendliness will (usually) extend to nearly anyone they meet; however, an unsocialised St. Bernard puppy or dog can become very aggressive and territorial to its fellow dogs and strangers. To avoid this, the dog must be properly socialised ASAP. You can find out more about how to socialize your pet in our blog “socializing your pet”.
One of the biggest perks of the breed for families is its easy-going nature. It’s not uncommon for St. Bernards to simply flop on the ground and let their owner’s children play with them for hours on end. While the breed is not the most playful you’ll meet, they are more likely to get along with children than most other dogs of their size.
The breed tends not to bark much; however, on the off-chance a bark does come out, it can be quite loud. While the breed makes for a poor watchdog, their barks are quite likely to scare off intruders simply due to how loud and deep they are.
One thing that led to these dogs being able to survive in the snow for so long is their ability to move nice and slow, and this reserved gait is one of the breed’s trademarks. The easy-going nature of the dog means owners can usually find their dog slumbering away.
These incredibly intelligent dogs can become quite stubborn when the mood hits them. Because of this, many people find them difficult to train. While St. Bernards are far from untrainable, they will want to move at their own pace. In the St. Bernard’s world, you are simply another obstacle between them and the couch. To prevent your dog from suffering from weight issues, it’s important to remember to exercise the dog at least once a day.
Finally, it’s important to remember that breeders will offer you either a long hair St. Bernard or a short hair St. Bernard. Both of these dogs are the same breed with (obviously) different hair lengths. The smooth hair variation is closest to what the monks originally used for their work in the alps while the long hair version is what most people think of when they imagine the breed. The right choice for you and your family will depend on how much work you want to spend on grooming.
Do you like to exercise? A St. Bernard will happily join you on your morning run or for that quick walk around the block. While their easy-going nature oftentimes results in dogs wanting to spend most of their days on the couch, it is integral to give them regular exercise to ensure your dog’s longevity. Unlike other dog breeds, the St. Bernard grows very large very quickly which can cause health issues (more on the drawbacks of this in the health conditions section). The primary way to avoid these conditions is to ensure the dog gets plenty of exercise.
Do you have a large garden? The gentle, gigantic Saint Bernard likes to roam around and a large garden will give them plenty of space to explore various nooks and crannies. Flat owners, however, will likely want to consider a different breed as St. Bernards do like to spend time exploring their gardens when the mood hits them.
One of the main things to remember with Saint Bernards is that they are extremely intelligent dogs, and this leads to them also being one of the most stubborn breeds for dog owners. If you’re looking for your first dog, a St. Bernard likely won’t be the best pick as they require a firm hand that’s willing to provide them with plenty of (loving) discipline and guidance. New dog owners can find a St. Bernard’s needs to be overwhelming, especially being the dog may be slow to respond to commands.
If you have other pets, it’s important to get a young St. Bernard or one that has plenty of experience around other animals. A properly socialised dog can easily become a welcome playmate, but ill-socialised dogs can exhibit aggression or fearfulness, despite their large size.
Remember that St. Bernards are made for very cold temperatures, and will need to get cooled off during those warm summer months. Because of their coat, St. Bernards can quickly become overheated in temperatures humans may consider mild. During the winter months, they’ll likely want to spend plenty of time outdoors, especially if they can prance around in the snow. During the summer, you should only take a St. Bernard out for exercise during the cooler parts of the day.
Finally, remember that the quintessential trademark of the breed is their slobbering, and they will have no qualms about leaving their spittle anywhere it lands. Owners must get used to the very real possibility that they’ll be seeing a lot more slobber than they have with other dogs; however, there’s also nothing better than a slobbery Bernie kiss.
Because of their thick coats, Saint Bernards are well-insulated against the elements during harsh Alpine winters; however, outside of the north, their coats require frequent care.
Long-haired St Bernards require brushing at least three times a week to prevent matting and a generally messy or unruly coat. They have excess hair that will require a pin brush to remove, and their copious amount of hair will need frequent brushing to stay silky and smooth. Short-haired St. Bernards are much easier to brush, requiring little more than a grooming glove several times a week. However, it’s important to note that the short hair variety will still shed a fair amount and need brushing much more often than other short-hair breeds.
The breed also requires bathing, with most people finding that a bath once a week with detangling conditioner is necessary for long-haired varieties. St. Bernards are naturally not the cleanest dog breed, and many owners will find slobber globs, dirt, and a strong odor coming from their dog’s coat if it’s not properly groomed.
Many owners wonder if they should clip their St. Bernard’s hair during the summer months. This step is unnecessary as their hair is made to act as a natural insulator during the winter and cools them down during the warmer months. However, you may want to (or ask a groomer to) clip the tail, paws, sanitary area, chest, face, and eyes as needed. Some dogs may also experience a large amount of hair growth in the ear which should be removed by a grooming professional.
Finally, most people will notice tear-stains around the eyes at least once in the dog’s life. This is an easy fix for dog owners. Simply wipe the face area with a damp cloth once a day. This not only prevents staining but also removes irritating eye goobers.
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.
The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.
Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.
Bloat doesn’t sound too serious, but if it’s left untreated it can be deadly for your dog. Large, deep-chested dogs are more commonly affected than smaller breeds.
Bloat causes the stomach to swell with gas and then twist. The dog can’t belch or vomit to release the gas, blood flow to the heart is impeded, blood pressure drops, and the dog goes into shock.
To avoid bloat, split their feeds into multiple smaller meals through the day instead of one large portion. You must also avoid exercise for at least half an hour to an hour after eating. Another cause can be drinking too much water rapidly, so keep a watchful eye on that as well.
Symptoms of Gastric Dilation Volvulus are a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, dry retching, lethargy and a rapid heart rate.
Without immediate medical attention, bloat can be fatal, so if you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that is often, but not always, inherited.
The condition causes mild or severe seizures which may show themselves as unusual behaviour such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, hiding, or even by falling down, limbs rigid, and losing consciousness.
Although seizures are frightening and saddening to watch, the long-term prognosis for sufferers is generally very good.
If you suspect your dog has epilepsy, take your dog to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment as there could be other reasons for seizures.
Entropion causes the lower eyelid to fold inward toward the eye. The result is chronic irritation of the surface of the eye.
Fortunately, it can be corrected by surgery.