The Saint Bernard dog is a gentle, drooling giant. These dogs got their name after a monk who opened a hospice to care for travelers who got injured in the perilous Swiss mountains. These dogs also have a long history of saving people on cold mountains. They would sniff out people buried in the snow, dig them out, and lay on top of them to keep them warm until help came. This instinct to dig and keep warm is still very much present in the modern-day St. Bernard.

Size

The Saint Bernard is a very large dog. As in most cases, males appear bigger than females, both in height and weight.

• Male height: 28 to 30 inches (70 to 76 cm)
• Male weight: 140 to 180 pounds (63 to 80 kg)
• Female height: 26 to 28 inches (66 to 70 cm)
• Female weight: 120 to 140 pounds (54 to 63 kg)

This is a large dog; there is no doubt about it. That means that you have to understand that with size comes great strength. You have to train and socialize your dog very well. But we will talk about it in the training part of the article.

Color

There are 9 breed standard coat colors:

• Brown and white
• Brindle and white
• Rust and white
• Mahogany and white
• Red and white
• Orange and white
• White and brown
• White and red
• White and orange

The only breed standard mask is a black mask.

Social Traits

I’ve talked about big dogs suitable for apartments, and one of them is a Saint Bernard. These dogs have low energy, are lazy, and are content without extensive daily exercise. Of course, they still need their daily walks.

The Saint Bernard dog also goes great with children, other dogs, and other animals. They are very friendly! However, no matter how friendly a dog is, we cannot leave very young children alone with them. This is especially true with very large dogs, who rarely realize how large they are.

A very large dog could accidentally knock down a child and cause an injury. Even though they know how to play with children, caution is still necessary. 

Important points: The Saint Bernard is a cuddly, loyal, lazy dog who goes well with children, other dogs, and other animals. They still need proper socialization, but they already have a friendly nature, which makes the process easier.

Important: they drool a lot! Get ready to find ‌dog slobber on your furniture, floors, or even on the ceiling (when they shake their heads). You just have to get used to this if you want a Saint Bernard as a pet.

Activity Needs

They are lazy, but proper mental and physical stimulation is a must. The good thing is that they don’t need a lot of daily activity. The general rule is that an adult Saint Bernard needs up to 1 hour of daily activity.

You can choose walks, playtime, or an indoor game to deal with their boredom. Chewing toys are a nice way to keep them occupied while they are at home alone or if you can’t give them enough outside time.

Tip: Avoid rawhide. Check safety tips and toy recommendations here – Dog Toys – Safety Tips And Recommendations

Trainability

You have to start early with the obedience training. Why? Because you don’t want a 140-pound misbehaving dog. They are very strong, so keeping them in line and making sure they follow commands when you are outside is very important.

They are not too difficult to train. One reason is that they are genuinely good dogs who like to be obedient and please their owners. That’s why if you start early, you’ll get fine results quickly.

Tip: Be patient during their puppy phase, which can last up to 2 years for large dogs. It’s normal, and we’ve all been there.

Feeding

The Saint Bernard is a large dog that can eat a lot. It’s normal; they are big, and they love to eat. The general rule is that an adult Saint Bernard needs from 5 to 8 cups of kibble every day. Divide the amount into two meals, one in the morning and the other ‌in the evening.

It is important to keep our pets regular body weight. Every dog is unique, but you can use the Body Condition Scores to quickly determine whether your dog is underweight, normal weight, or overweight.

And, as always, consulting a vet is a great choice in choosing what type of food they need and how much. 

Grooming

The Saint Bernard can come in two versions:

• Short-haired
• Long-haired

In both cases, they need weekly brushing to keep the fur clean and healthy. However, they shed more profusely during the shedding season (twice a year). That means they will need daily brushing during the shedding season‌. 

The best brushes to use are a slicker brush combined with a bristle or pin brush. This way, you can remove loose hair, dirt, and untangle any hair knots. 

They also need regular nail trimming and an occasional bath. They don’t usually have a strong dog odor, but if it does happen, make sure you use a shampoo made for dogs.

Possible Problems

The biggest issue with ‌Saint Bernard dogs is their predisposition to seizures. Another issue is Bloat, which is a life-threatening condition that can happen to big, large and deep-chested dogs.

Other possible issues:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Eye problems 
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Heart problems 

Another heartbreaking fact is that they don’t live long. The average life expectancy of a Saint Bernard dog is under 10 years. This is a fact that accompanies many large dog breeds.

Life expectancy: under 10 years

Summary

If you don’t mind having a large dog who thinks he’s a small lap dog and loves to share a bed or a sofa with you, and you don’t mind the drooling and excessive shedding twice a year, then a Saint Bernard is an excellent choice. They are friendly dogs that can also serve as amazing guard dogs, simply because no one wants to go into the yard where a large dog lives. But these giants are true gentle souls. They are very good as “nanny dogs” as they go very well with children of all ages. But, it is important to socialize them from an early age and start with the obedience training as soon as possible!

Read Next: Leonberger Traits – Breeds 101

Cover photo by Katerina