St Bernard Dog Pic

History and origin: The Saint Bernard is a descendant of the Roman Molossian dogs and is named after the St. Bernard Hospice in the Swiss Alps. He was introduced between 1660 and 1670, where he became renowned for rescuing climbers in the Alps.

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St Bernard Dog Pic

Before his job as a rescue dog in the Alps, the Saint Bernard was used by the Romans and was presumably first brought to Switzerland by them.

Description: The Saint Bernard stands 25 to 30 inches at the shoulder and weighs upwards of 180 pounds. He is an immense, powerful, and big-boned dog. There are two versions, the long-haired and the short-haired. There are no perceptible behavioral differences between the two, the long-haired coat requiring only slightly more grooming. Both shed. The color may be red-and-white, brown-and-white, or brindle-and-white.

About the breed: The Saint Bernard is a strong but mild breed. He is amicable, loyal, and loving with his owners. His good nose along with his inclination to be a bit stubborn are the principal obstacles to training.

A firm yet patient upbringing technique is required. Bear in mind that giant breeds mature slowly; a six-month-old Saint Bernard may weigh 100 pounds, but he will possess a puppy mind-set, so go slow.

Do not misjudge this dog's size and power. A well-bred Saint Bernard is a easy going, affectionate, lazy dog who will defend your home, but not with the identical ferocity as a Rottweiler. A rather quiet dog, he usually gets along sufficiently with other people and dogs. Of the giant breeds, the Saint Bernard and the Newfoundland are perhaps the friendliest and finest alongside children.

The Saint Bernard can make a lovely family dog, but he should be obedience-trained early because of his huge size. Like any giant dog, he can injure a child without meaning to. In addition, akin to other giant breeds, the Saint does not live long. He has a life span of around 10 years. He is also open to heart problems, bloat, and, because of his size, hip and shoulder troubles. Do not let him get fat, and do not run with him. Hip surgery on this dog is really costly. He also snores and drools, the males more than the females.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is up to 4 cans (13.3oz) of a high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food. This dog can eat 8-12 cups of food a day.

Ideal home: This big dog needs a house with a fenced yard.

The owner of a Saint Bernard should be a firm, patient, confident leader who prefers a lazy, friendly pet. A weak or nervous owner may create a pushy dog that lacks confidence. Overbearing people could create a worried pet capable of fear-based aggression.