About St. Bernards

Named for the St. Bernard Pass of the famed Alp mountain range, St. Bernard dogs have a rich European history as a rescue dog. Their build, tolerance of cold and incredible sense of direction earned them this distinction, and over the course of 200 years, they rescued over 2,000 people before nearly dying out. Cross-breeding soon turned them into the beloved domesticated dog they are today.

  1. Strong Physical Characteristics

    • St. Bernards are a large breed of dog and can easily grow to be 200 pounds, with the smaller of the breed weighing in at around 110 pounds. They have strong, muscular legs and a powerful tail that is long and wide and hangs low at a relaxed state. The dark eyes are set toward the side of a St. Bernard's large head that also features a short muzzle and black lips. Their coat is usually white with large spots of either red, brown or black. A combination of their size and ancestral rescue dog instinct make them excellent watchdogs.

    A Gentle Personality

    • Despite its imposing size, St. Bernards are known to be sociable and gentle pets who are playful and patient and do well in a home with children. They are smart dogs and easily trained so its best to teach them from the time they are a puppy not to shower their affection on humans by jumping on them, as they do not realize the enormity of their size.

    Grooming

    • There are both long-haired and short-haired St. Bernards. The long-haired breed has a coat that is slightly wavier, especially toward the back of the body, with softer and fluffier hair on the tail. Both types are fairly easy to brush and should be bathed when necessary with a very mild shampoo to protect its coat. Both the long-haired and short-haired St. Bernard shed their coats only twice a year.

    Health Issues

    • Many St. Bernards have heart problems and hip dysplasia. If fed in large quantities, their stomach can become bloated so it is best to keep their feedings to only two or three smaller meals a day as opposed to one larger meal. A twisted stomach is also something to keep an eye out for as well. A strong and healthy St. Bernard can live about eight to 10 years, which is on the lower end of the spectrum for dog life-expectancy.