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If you’ve already chosen to adopt a dog, you’re faced with the next decision: which one?
The hard-working St. Bernard breed started out as emergency services in the French Alps.The most famous of them was Barry, who saved over 40 lives in his career.
But does that make the St. Bernard right for your family?
Read on as we take a closer look at how St. Bernard fits into a family home.
| St. Bernard Breed Information | |
|---|---|
| high: | 28 – 35 inches |
| weight: | 140 – 180 lbs |
| life: | 8 – 10 years |
| temperament: | Lively, friendly, gentle, calm, alert |
| Hypoallergenic: | Do not |
| family: | working team |
| origin: | Switzerland |
| Alternative name: | Saint Bernhardog St. Bernhardsund Bernhardiner Alpine Spanie |
| Breed characteristics | |
| intelligence: | 4/5 |
| Sensitivity: | 4/5 |
| Kid friendly: | 5/5 |
| Pet Friendly: | 5/5 |
| Dog friendly: | 5/5 |
| Health and Beauty | |
| Amount of shedding: | 4/5 |
| Drool potential: | 5/5 |
| General Health: | 2/5 |
| Trainability | |
| Training level: | 2/5 |
| Prey Drive: | 1/5 |
| Tendency to bark: | 1/5 |
| Wandering potential: | 2/5 |
| body needs | |
| energy level: | 3/5 |
| strength: | 2/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 2/5 |
St. Bernard Maintenance Needs
St Bernards has two main maintenance needs: grooming and providing space.
St Bernards shed a lot, so you need to brush them on a schedule to prevent their coat from building up and developing problems. As large dogs with thick fur, they may start to smell without a regular bath.
You might think that a huge mountain dog needs a lot of space. In fact, St Bernards has an enclosed yard and a dog house big enough for them. They spend most of their time with their families and don’t hang out very often.
The main thing to remember is that your room needs to be large enough for your St Bernard to move around effortlessly.
Living with your St. Bernard
Maintenance is one thing, but you can also consider the impact of dogs on your home. For example, do St. Bernards shed? How often?
The St. Bernard is not one of the cleanest dogs around.
The biggest personal hygiene issue at Saint Bernards is drooling. St Bernards are drooling dogs, so you can expect to end up getting a little wet after cuddling. Wet spots on the floor are a fact of life in St. Bernard. For some, this will be a deal breaker. Others find it cute.
St Bernard dogs are very common, Heavy shedding. return, long haired dog breed There tend to be seasonal and heavy sheds, while the shorthaired St. Bernard may shed year-round.
If cleanliness is godly for your family, then St. Bernard’s may not be the best choice for you. But if you accept that a messy home is inherent to raising a family, then the St. Bernard is a good fit.
Also read: Stop dog shedding: 6 home remedies (plus a groomer’s secret tool)
sociability
St Bernards are social dogs, which makes them perfect for busy, bustling families.
However, this does make them a poor choice for yard dogs. Saint Bernards will want to be involved in family activities at any time. If they are turned away, they get frustrated and become stressed.
This sociability may also mean that St. Bernard often suffers from separation anxiety. Combined with their size and strength, they can be destructive when placed alone.
If St Bernards are socialized from an early age, they will usually get along well with other dogs. If they play with smaller dogs, keep in mind their large size. Socialization is a priority, as dogs of this size can be a danger to others if they become aggressive.
read more: Puppy Socialization: How to Properly Socialize Your Large Breed
train your st bernard
Saint Bernard’s ancestral mountain rescue career should give you an idea of how the breed fares in training.
It’s also good because it’s critical for large dogs to respond your dog commands – For the safety of you and your family.
While trainable, the St. Bernard’s physique sometimes has a wayward personality. They may want to lead rather than follow. It’s possible to train this behavior, but it may take more work to instill your role as a boss.
To train a St. Bernard, you need to be confident and consistent. You should update their training frequently. It’s important that they have good memories when you go out for a walk.
“Sit”, “Stay” and “Come” are the highest priority commands. When you’re out in public or have guests at home, these will keep you under control and make sure your St. Bernard is where he needs to be.
vitality
St. Bernard is full of energy at a young age. They won’t be aware of their strength yet, and their size won’t slow them down. This can be a problem during their difficult middle age when their size and energy are not yet balanced.
But as Saint Bernards mature, they usually move into a calm state. Due to their bulky size, they cannot maintain a high-energy state. Like all dogs, they still need regular walks and exercise.
The low energy of St Bernards means they settle down quickly after a period of excitement. They don’t have the inexhaustible source of energy in a dog like a collie, which means you can have a quiet night out when playtime is over.
noise
If you live close to your neighbours and want to avoid noise complaints then St Bernard may be your best option.
St Bernards tend to be quiet dogs. Their calm temperament means they bark less often. They also lack the cheerfulness of small dogs.
That said, you might reconsider having a St Bernard in your bedroom. They have an impressive set of lungs, and some might snore with relish – in addition to the space they take up in the bed!
St Bernards isn’t the kind of dog that starts broadcasting on Canine FM when the sun goes down, so your neighbors will appreciate its lack of midnight howling and barking.
If your St Bernard barks excessively, this is usually a correctable behavior. With a little extra training, you can keep them barking when the time is right.
Danger
all Dogs can be aggressive. It is the dog owner’s responsibility to respect this and take it into account when deciding what is right for their family.
As a large breed, the St. Bernard has an impressive level of natural strength. A full-fledged St. Bernard will surpass little children. This could mean that even an accident could result in injury. St. Bernard didn’t always know his strengths.
That said, a dog’s temperament will almost always reflect its upbringing. St Bernards are calm dogs by nature, so unless abused, they are unlikely to show strength.
If you have very young children and plan to adopt a St. Bernard, you need to instill respect for your dog in your children as early as possible. This means no irritation, poking and tail pulling.
It is also important to train any propensity to pounce from a St. Bernard. They are too large to receive visitors in this way and could be a risk to children or the elderly if they don’t keep their paws on the ground.
Safety
Nothing is safer than a big dog.
While St Bernards are grumpy dogs, the sight of a dog this size alone is enough to deter a would-be home intruder or mugger. Their bark is also impressive when they choose to use it, which they often do when newcomers enter the house.
so is st bernard loyalty and protection dogs, so they are likely to stand by your family’s side when they are being coerced.
This does come with the caveat that your training may make them less responsive to strangers. In most cases, this will be a good thing, but if they are prepared, the intruders may swing St. Bernard to their side. A handful of treats can turn your watchdog into useless sap!
St. Bernard Life and Health
One of the most overlooked considerations in adopting a dog is their health and longevity. Losing a companion and family member is heartbreaking. But even before that, veterinary bills can present an impossible choice between neglecting loved ones and paying huge bills.
Sadly, the life expectancy of the St. Bernard is very low. Their lifespan is between 8-10 years. This means that your child may finally be forced to face the loss before it is emotionally ready.
As a giant dog, the St. Bernard can also suffer from some minor illnesses Common in heavy breeds.elbow dysplasia and hips Mobility can be restricted, which is more common in lineages bred for appearance. Overfeeding can make the problem worse because excess weight puts pressure on the joints.
On the plus side, St Bernards are slow to mature to full size. This means you can enjoy your dog’s young, fun phase for longer.
loyal st bernard
Known as a hardworking and loyal rescuer, the St. Bernard is well-suited to mountain conditions. Some of these features are more suitable for a family home than others, but keeping the above in mind, you can make the right judgment based on your unique situation.
Looking for more advice on canine life?Be sure to check out our Large dog guide.
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