Saint Bernard
A Look at the Saint Bernard
Many travelers stranded in the Swiss Alps owe the Saint
Bernard their life. This giant breed was developed by Monks to
be used as a rescue animal. This breed dates back a long time
as far as the 1700s.
The Saint Bernard is a member of the AKC's working group.
These animals weigh between 120 to 200 pounds and stand 26 to
28 inches tall. This breed comes in both long and short haired
varieties. The longer haired dogs came about after the breed
became a popular pet in Victorian England. The breed has also
been bred in sized larger than it was originally seen.
Unfortunately some breeders are still concerned more with
appearance than personality. It is important to be certain the
parents of the puppy purchased are friendly and outgoing or
the dog could be fearful or aggressive. It is important to
choose an animal with a good temperament.
The Saint Bernard will generally play well with children and
other animals. These dogs are clumsy as puppies so it is best
to wait until a child is a bit older to purchase a Saint
Bernard puppy. A puppy could easily knock down and injure a
small child. Older animals are usually quite careful to not
injure a child.
This breed does not thrive in an apartment or town home. They
need a lot of room and a fenced yard. Without proper exercise
a Saint Bernard will get into a lot of trouble. A bored puppy
this large can easily cause extensive damage.
This breed is loyal and has a strong desire to please its
owner. It can be hard to control because of the large size and
obedience classes should be considered while the dog is still
small. Classes will help train the puppy and also socialize it
to strangers and other dogs.
Saint Bernards will make a considerable increase in grocery
costs. It is important to use a food that is formulated to
help large breed dogs grow healthy bones because this breed
suffers from hip dysplasia. This breed is also prone to heart
disease and tumors.
The short haired variety needs little grooming. The long
haired variety doesn't need much either and as long as the
hair is brushed weekly the coat should stay healthy.
Anyone looking for a wonderful companion and don't mind having
a giant breed dog should consider a Saint Bernard.
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