St Bernards are one of the biggest breeds of dog. Therefore, a primary consideration when contemplating this breed is space. They also eat a vast amount and subsequently they are not cheap dogs to keep. They are also very expensive puppies to purchase. However, the rewards of keeping one of these beautiful dogs are also huge.
Origins of the Breed
The St Bernard was originally bred in Italy and Switzerland and was used primarily in the Alps as a search and rescue dog. For this reason the breed is extremely loyal, and is generally gentler than dogs which were bred for guarding and hunting.
The most successful St Bernard rescue dog was named Barry. When he died in 1814, Barry had saved no fewer than forty people.
The Typical Appearance
St Bernards are instantly recognisable, and are notable for their size. A mature male can weigh between 73-110kg (160-240lbs) and will reach a height of 70-90cms (27-36”) A bitch, on the other hand, will weigh around 68-91kg (150-230lbs) and reach a height of 65-90cms (24-36”) It is very important, therefore, that the dog is disciplined at an early age. Although St Bernards have excellent temperaments, nevertheless an unruly adult dog will be completely unmanageable, because of its size.
There are two different types of coat: smooth or rough coat. The fur is usually red, or mahogany and white, with black shading around the head. They are heavy shedders; this is largely due to the sheer volume of coat. Therefore, grooming can be a big job and is something which should be done daily. Another consideration is that, although they are very clean dogs, the St Bernard has a tendency to slobber.
Temperament and Character
The St Bernard is not the most intelligent breed of dog. They are thought of as slow thinkers, they are however capable of advanced training with an understanding owner. It is essential to train St Bernards while they are still small, because lead pulling and similar problems will be almost impossible to rectify in an adult dog.
The breed is typically very gentle. Therefore, they make excellent family pets; the St Bernard is good with children, and accepts other pets. They are not very noisy dogs and will not bark often. They will however protect their home if necessary.
Health problems
Unfortunately the size of the St Bernard makes it susceptible to skeletal health problems. Hip displacement is one serious condition and all adults should have their hips checked before they are bred, to reduce the risk of future problems. Like most large dogs the lifespan is considerably shorter than smaller breeds, and the St Bernard will typically live for around nine years.
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