How to Groom a St. Bernard

The name St. Bernard comes from the monastery and hospice in Switzerland with which these dogs are historically associated. People knew them as the "special dogs" of the monks. They were luckily equipped with very dense coats which kept them warm in the mountains of Switzerland. These lovely white and tan coats require a good bit of maintenance and you need to give your St. Bernard a full grooming every 8 to 10 weeks.

Things You'll Need

  • Slicker brush
  • Pin brush
  • Steel comb
  • Whitening shampoo
  • Cotton cloth and/or baby wipes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush and comb the dog twice per week with slicker brushes, pin brushes and steel combs. Saint Bernards have either a rough or a smooth coat. In both cases there is a thick undercoat (more so with a rough coat) that produces lots of woolly shed hair. Remove this shed hair regularly to avoid painful tangling and matting.

    • 2

      Bathe regularly using a whitening shampoo which makes the light areas of the coat appear even more pristine. Rinse out the shampoo very well and leave none in the coat.

    • 3

      Clean your St. Bernard's ears regularly to avoid infection and to prevent stray debris from becoming lodged inside them. Use baby wipes for a quick clean that leaves no excess liquid in the ears. Another option is a mixture of vinegar and alcohol which can be squirted into the ear. Massage the ear for a bit and then swab it out with a soft cloth or a piece of cotton wrapped around your finger.