How to Care for St. Bernards

The St. Bernard or Alpine Mastiff stands about 25 inches tall and weighs 110 to 200 pounds. This strong dog is distinguished by its large, powerful head; short, broad nose; large stature and gentle, loyal nature. St. Bernards are often said to be good for families with young children as they tend to be patient with a natural instinct to protect its family from danger. These intelligent dogs are easy to train and care for, especially when you start early.

Things You'll Need

  • High quality, low protein dog food
  • Calcium phosphorus supplement
  • Leash
  • Retrieving toy
  • Soft, long-bristled brush
  • Hose
  • Dog shampoo
  • Soft, damp cloth
  • Mild ear cleanser
  • Nail trimmer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Enroll your St. Bernard in an obedience class when it is still a puppy and a manageable size. Or, train the dog yourself not to jump on people and to walk without resistance on a leash as when the dog is full grown, it will be difficult to control due to its large size.

    • 2

      Feed your St. Bernard up to three small meals a day that are low in protein and high in calcium, glucosamine and chondroitin. Understand that St. Bernards have specific nutritional needs are are prone to bloating, so small, nutrient-rich meals are a must. Talk to your vet about giving your puppy a daily calcium phosphorus supplement from three months to one year of age.

    • 3

      Expect your St. Bernard to prefer to rest inside your home for a good portion of the day. Keep its muscles strong and the dog in good overall health by playing fetch and going for short walks daily with a puppy or long walks daily with an adult St. Bernard.

    • 4

      Brush your St. Bernard̵7;s coat daily with a soft, long-bristled brush to remove dirt and debris from its fur. Brush the dog thoroughly before bathing it. Set up a bathing area in a comfortable, enclosed, outdoor area where you can rinse your dog with a hose, lather it with dog shampoo, and rinse it clean with the hose again. A St. Bernard will quickly outgrow your bathroom tub.

    • 5

      Moisten a cotton ball or soft cloth with a teaspoon of mineral oil. Wipe the inside of your dog's ears to remove dirt and debris from the skin every time you bathe your St. Bernard or once every two weeks. Stop when you feel resistance and avoid cotton swabs as these can cause damage to the dog's ear if it moves suddenly and causes you to jab its ear with the swab or if you penetrate into its ear too deeply. Try to trim the toenails down to the pink quick once a month.

    • 6

      Take your dog to your vet right after acquiring it. Come back as directed by the vet to receive vaccinations and for spaying or neutering if you are not breeding the St. Bernard. Plan to take your St. Bernard to your vet once a year after its initial year, to make sure its growing properly and that any infections or abnormalities can be quickly addressed and alleviated.

    • 7

      Expect your St. Bernard to live 8 to 10 years and to prefer to spend most of its time indoors with your family. Provide a cool resting place, such as an air-conditioned home or basement, for the dog year round as its thick coat will quickly make it uncomfortable in the heat.