Aggressive St. Bernards & Children

Saint Bernards are large dogs that were originally bred as herding and search-and-rescue dogs. When aggressive, Saint Bernards can be powerfully destructive forces. However, when properly socialized, these gentle giants can be positive additions to a family.

  1. Advantages of St. Bernards

    • Saint Bernards tend to be intelligent and learn easily. Good Saint Bernards are calm, sensible, patient and gentle and are protective of their family and territory. Due to their large size, they are stronger than many dogs and can perform seemingly impossible tasks. They are agile for their size and are not prone to many minor ailments that are present in other breeds.

    Disadvantages of St. Bernards

    • Because Saint Bernards are so intelligent, they require consistent rules to follow and can learn a bad habit just as easily as they learn a good one. Some Saint Bernards can be overly aggressive, hyperactive and destructive. These bad-tempered Saint Bernards are more dangerous than other breeds because they are larger, stronger and agile, which may make them more destructive and difficult to control. They are also social dogs and may become dispirited and destructive when left alone.

    Causes of Aggressive Behavior

    • Saint Bernards may become aggressive when they are not sufficiently socialized in their early years. Additionally, owners who use physical violence, constant reprimands or teasing may develop aggressiveness in their dog. Dogs exposed to negative actions from other dogs may learn to copy these aggressive traits. Since Saint Bernards ̵1; like pit bulls, Dobermans and Rottweilers ̵1; have a temperament to become aggressive, they may display aggressive traits more readily.

    Children and St. Bernards

    • Despite the possibility of aggressiveness in a Saint Bernard, they can be good family pets. A good-tempered Saint Bernard will be safe with children, going out of its way not to hurt them. Saint Bernards seem to have an innate understanding of children̵7;s patterns and behavior. While they are gentle and patient, a Saint Bernard may accidentally knock small children over with a swipe of its tail. Parents may also need to monitor the child̵7;s behavior to ensure the child does not pull the dog's tail or try to climb on it.