Saint Bernard

Is a Saint Bernard right for you?

The Saint Bernard is a giant breed famous for the legend of Alpine rescue and regarded as Switzerland's national dog. It is friendly, patient and usually very gentle with children. But this dog was shaped for snowy mountains: with its thick coat and massive body it copes very badly with heat. In warm climates, keeping a Saint Bernard healthy through summer takes serious climate management.

Before you adopt

The Saint Bernard is not generally subject to breed restrictions (it is not on Turkey's dangerous-breeds list, for example).

Assess your climate honestly first. If summer temperatures where you live stay high for long periods, do not get this breed without an air-conditioned or naturally cool space where the dog can stay comfortable all day. Tree shade in a garden is not enough in a heatwave.

There are two varieties: short-haired (with a dense undercoat) and long-haired. Both shed heavily; long-haired dogs need more brushing, and both struggle in heat.

Ask the breeder for the parents' hip and elbow evaluations, eye examination and cardiac examination. Dogs with very loose eyelids and a prominent haw (third eyelid) are more prone to eye problems; the FCI standard itself asks for naturally tight lids.

Temperament

The FCI standard describes the Saint Bernard as friendly by nature, with a temperament ranging from calm to lively, and watchful. The UK Kennel Club calls the breed steady, kindly, intelligent, courageous, trustworthy and benevolent.

It usually loves to be near people and follows its family around. It is not an aggressive guard dog, although its size and deep bark deter strangers well enough.

It is intelligent and eager to please, and learns quickly with positive methods. It matures slowly, however: until about two years it has a puppy's mind in an adult's body, and its enthusiasm can cause accidents.

It usually gets on with other dogs and pets, especially when raised with them.

Health issues and lifespan

Sources usually give an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years. That is typical for a giant breed, but it is a short time that anyone taking one on should know about.

• Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat): The MSD Veterinary Manual lists the Saint Bernard among genetically predisposed breeds. A swollen belly, unproductive retching, heavy drooling, restlessness and pale gums mean going straight to an emergency vet; it can kill within hours. Discuss preventive gastropexy at neutering with your vet.
• Hip and elbow dysplasia: Lameness, difficulty rising, sitting down early on walks. Overfeeding and strenuous exercise in puppyhood increase risk.
• Osteosarcoma (bone cancer): More common in giant breeds. Persistent lameness or a swelling on a leg bone must be X-rayed.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM): Enlargement and weakening of the heart muscle. Exercise intolerance, coughing, fast breathing, fainting and fluid in the belly are signs.
• Entropion and ectropion: Eyelids rolling in or out; watering, redness, squinting and repeated eye infections. Entropion usually needs surgery.
• Wobbler syndrome: Neck vertebrae compressing the spinal cord; a wobbly, drunken gait, especially in the hind legs, and neck pain.
• Heatstroke: Heavy panting, dark red or bluish tongue, staggering, vomiting. Move the dog to a cool place at once, wet it with cool (not ice-cold) water and call the vet on your way.

Feeding

An adult Saint Bernard (commonly 55-85 kg or more) typically eats roughly 700-1,100 g of quality dry food a day depending on the food's energy and activity. Giant breeds burn relatively few calories; aim for ribs that are easy to feel.

• Puppy (2-18/24 months): Giant-breed puppy food. Do not push growth or add calcium. A slowly growing puppy becomes an adult with healthier joints.
• Adult: Daily ration split into two or three meals.
• Senior (from 6-7 years): Reduce calories; plan joint support with your vet.

To reduce bloat risk, avoid one large meal, use a slow-feeder for fast eaters, and limit activity for about an hour before and after meals. Appetite may drop in hot weather; move meals to cooler hours and keep fresh water plentiful at all times.

Grooming and coat

• Short-haired: Brush once or twice a week; daily in spring and autumn.
• Long-haired: Brush at least two or three times a week; behind the ears, the backs of the legs and under the tail mat easily.
• An undercoat rake is needed during shedding periods.
• Do not shave. Shaving does not cool the dog; it leaves the skin less protected from sun and heat. Managing the environment is what keeps it cool.
• Drool is heavy after eating, drinking and excitement; keep cloths handy.
• Check eyes daily and wipe away discharge with a damp cloth.
• Nails every three to four weeks; ears checked weekly.

Training and exercise

Daily requirement: 30-60 minutes of calm walking and light play. In summer, walk early in the morning or after sunset; hot pavement also burns paws.

Priorities:

1. Early socialisation (8-16 weeks). Strangers, children, sounds and other animals.
2. Loose-lead walking. Establish it before the puppy reaches 20-30 kg; correcting it later is very hard.
3. No jumping up, calm greetings. Even a friendly greeting from a giant can injure.
4. Handling for care. Make brushing, eye cleaning, nail trims and vet checks a game in puppyhood.
5. Controlled growth. No stairs, jumping down, long runs or strenuous walks until about 18 months.

The breed responds very well to rewards, praise and patience; harsh methods damage its sensitive nature.

History

According to the FCI standard, monks founded a hospice for travellers and pilgrims in the 11th century at the Great St Bernard Pass, 2,469 metres above sea level. From the mid-17th century large mountain dogs were kept there for guarding and protection, documented in pictures from 1695 and in the hospice's written records in 1707.

The dogs were soon used to rescue travellers lost in snow and fog. Accounts of lives saved, and stories from soldiers who crossed the pass with Napoleon's army in 1800, spread the fame of the "Barry dogs", as they were then called, across 19th-century Europe. The legendary dog Barry became the symbol of the rescue dog.

The first entry in the Swiss Stud Book, started in 1884, was a Saint Bernard named Leon. The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded in Basel that same year, and in 1887 the breed was officially recognised as Swiss. It has been regarded as Switzerland's national dog ever since.