Saint Bernard Pet Care

The Saint Bernard is the gentle giant of the dog world. Its docile, loyal and intelligent nature means it wants to be friends with everyone and it will be fine with children and other animals if the dog well socialized. The Saint Bernard loves to be around people and does better living in the house rather than outside in a kennel.

  1. Feeding

    • This breed benefits from two or three small meals a day rather than one larger one, as it is prone to digestive issues such as bloat. You can feed a raw turkey neck to a Saint Bernard two or three times a week as a treat, and it will also clean the dog's teeth. The Saint Bernard also benefits from being given glucosamine and chondroitin supplements for its joints. These ensure the joints remain strong and supple.

    Exercise

    • Saint Bernards are less active than some other breeds but they still require regular exercise. A Saint Bernard will be quite happy spending the day quietly sleeping, but it benefits from a daily walk. It is important not to put too much stress on a puppy by taking it for long walks; this breed grows quickly and it takes a while for its muscles and bones to be strong enough to support its body over a long distance. Exercise through play is best for the young dog and the amount of exercise an adult dog gets should be built up gradually.

    Training

    • Start training the Saint Bernard early. Because this is an intelligent dog that is eager to please, training is generally not difficult. The last thing the owner of a Saint Bernard needs is a dog which, when fully grown, jumps up at visitors. It is just too big for this kind of behavior. The Saint Bernard also needs to be taught how to walk on a leash without pulling.

    Temperature

    • Although a large breed, the Saint Bernard doesn't need a lot of room indoors and can be kept in an apartment providing it is walked regularly. It is not comfortable in hot weather and will generally become very inactive and eat less. It will need to be able to relax in a cool place with access to plenty of fresh water. Air conditioning is fine but bear in mind if you decide to walk your dog there will be a sudden temperature change from cool inside to hot outside. This will be very unpleasant for a Saint Bernard.