Appearance Today's Saint Bernard breed comes in two coat varieties: the original short-haired coat which is dense, smooth and tough; and the long-haired or rough variety which is of medium length, straight or slightly wavy. The coat colour may be white with red or red with white. There should also be white markings on the chest, feet, tip of the tail, head and neck.
Temperament Faithful, affectionate, intelligent, and just a little lazy, the Saint Bernard is a huge dog with a huge heart. When from well-bred lines, these dogs are calm, quiet, and sensible. The patient and docile Saint Bernard does need plenty of space because of his size, and is therefore not suited to those in apartments. He also needs a fair amount of exercise, and daily walks along with an opportunity to have a play around in a safe area will help to keep him fit and healthy. These working dogs are eager to please and happy to serve their family and master. Some of the areas the Saint Bernard may excel in include hauling, and search and rescue. These dogs do need to companionship of their owners, and are not suited to those with little time for a pet. They also need owners that are confident and assertive, and are best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership.
Although the Saint Bernard gets along well with children, early socialization is recommended, and owners should also be mindful of the giant size of the dog. A properly socialized Saint Bernard tends to get along well with other animals too, although some may display aggression towards other dogs. Most will also accept strangers. A well bred Saint Bernard is too docile to make it as a guard dog, but can make an effective watchdog, as his bark and size are enough to put off any burglar. He is a protective and loyal pet, and makes a good family dog for those with the space, time, and experience to provide him with a suitable living environment, lots of attention and interaction, and proper training. You may want to think twice about getting a Saint Bernard if you are very house proud, as they can be slobbery and drool a lot.
History The Saint Bernard enjoys an interesting and long history. He originates from Switzerland, and was developed by monks. One of the things that the Saint Bernard became famous for was helping travelers that were lost, and keeping them warm if they were stranded in the cold. The breed was originally short haired, but after being crossed with the Newfoundland the long haired variety was developed. The Saint Bernard was registered with the AKC in 1885.
Health In addition, as with most of the giant and large breeds, the occurrence of Bloat or Gastric Torsion is a real possibility in the Saint Bernard. If you are not familiar with this condition, it is absolutely necessary to learn about it and know the symptoms — This is a real emergency and a life threatening condition that requires immediate Veterinary attention. If you are considering a St. Bernard puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases.
Saint Bernard Breed Clubs/Associatons
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Registered Breed Clubs
None Registered at This Time..
Other Breed Clubs
St. Bernard Club of America
World Union of St. Bernard Clubs
Saint Bernard Breed Club of Western Australia
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Scale ( 1 to 5 ): 1=Low 5=High
Guard Dog?
4
Watch Dog?
3
Exercise Needed?
3
Grooming?
3
Energy Level?
3
Shedding?
5
Ease to Train?
4
Good with children?
5
Saint Bernard Breeders
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