Saint Bernard Dogs
Breed Information, Characteristics & Care

The Saint Bernard is a very large working dog breed originally from the Western Alps, initially bred for rescue work in the snowy mountains. They are famous for their gentle temperament and impressive size.

Early records of Saint Bernard dogs are associated with the famed Hospice founded by Archdeacon Bernard de Menton in the year 980 AD and located in the Great St. Bernard Pass, an alpine pass between Italy and Switzerland. The earliest written records and paintings of dogs living with the monks at the hospice appear during the 1690s. Initially, the monks bred the dogs to guard the monastery grounds.

The St. Bernard is most likely a descendant of the ancient Roman Molussus dogs that arrived in the Swiss Alps some 2000 years ago with early Roman invaders.

Other breeds considered to have played a part in the development of the St. Bernard include the Great Dane and the Newfoundland.

In 1885, this beloved breed was recognized by The American Kennel Club as part of the working group.

Characteristics

This alpine giant of a dog has more than a few physical characteristics that make him a very suitable breed for search and rescue type work.

One of those attributes - a highly developed sense of smell - enables him to locate humans that may be trapped under snow following an avalanche. Another is his acute hearing that can tune into frequencies not heard by people and gives him an awareness of dangerous weather conditions or storms.

Of course Saint Bernard dogs also possess the strength and stamina that is crucial to rescue work.

Saint Bernard dogs are generally regarded as being gentle, good-natured, friendly, loyal, intelligent and obedient dogs. An owner that wants to end up with a dog that matches these fine characteristics, needs to begin training him very early - especially with the obedience part.

Puppies need to receive extensive socialization with people in a variety of settings, as well as exposure to other dogs. Waiting to train until they are an adult would present a lot of challenges, to say the least!

St. Bernards are people dogs, aim to please, are very affectionate and like to spend most of the time with their humans. This can be quite an advantage when you are training them.

While not being an aggressive dog, the sheer size and impressive bark of the Saint Bernard makes him the ideal watchdog. A potential intruder would likely move on at the sight of him!

History of Saint Bernard Dogs

If Saint Bernards could tell their own history, it would probably sound like something out of an adventure movie.

Their story begins high in the Swiss Alps at the Great Saint Bernard Pass, a treacherous mountain route between Switzerland and Italy. In the 11th century, an Augustine monk named Bernard de Menthon established a monastery and hospice there, giving exhausted and sometimes stranded travelers a place of refuge. At more than 8,000 feet, the pass was buried in snow for much of the year, and getting caught in a storm could be deadly.

And then there were the dogs.

No one knows exactly when the Saint Bernard became the breed we recognize today. There are few records from the hospice's early centuries, but paintings from 1695 show large, powerful dogs that already looked remarkably Saint Bernard-like. The best estimates put the breed's development somewhere around the 1660s or 1670s, from large dogs already living in the surrounding Swiss valleys.

At first, these dogs were probably companions and watchdogs for the monks. But sometime around 1700, they found a much more important job.

Rescue work.

After snowstorms, the dogs accompanied the monks into the mountains looking for missing travelers. Eventually, pairs or small groups were sent out on their own. A dog might find someone buried beneath the snow, dig down to them, wake them, and lie beside them to provide warmth. Another dog would return to the hospice to summon the monks. If the traveler was able to walk, the dogs could help guide them home.

It's easy to see how the Saint Bernard earned its reputation as a hero.

As the dogs became famous, people outside the hospice wanted them too. They went by many names—Hospice Dogs, Alpine Mastiffs, Mountain Dogs and even "Barry Dogs," after the legendary Barry, who was said to have saved more than 40 people.

Finally, in 1880, everyone settled on the name we know today: Saint Bernard.

From there, the breed's popularity spread around the world, and breeders began developing somewhat different versions of the dog. Switzerland worked to preserve the traditional hospice type, while breeding in England produced a noticeably different-looking Saint Bernard. Breed standards were eventually established to try to settle the question of what a Saint Bernard should look like.

But perhaps the most interesting part of their history isn't the standards, the names, or even their enormous size.

It's what they were bred to do.

These dogs weren't originally famous because they were big and impressive. They became famous because they were dependable, courageous teammates who went looking for people when the mountains turned dangerous.

And that instinct to search, dig, and help? It's still part of the Saint Bernard we know today.

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Appearance and Grooming of the Saint Bernard

Without a doubt the physical feature that catches the most attention when it comes to the SB, is the awesome size of its head. But, while this appears to be the dominant feature, everything else is really in good proportion to it - or should be!

Here are the ideal numbers:

Height:  28-30 inches - males
           26-28 inches - females
Weight: 140-180 pounds - males
           120-140 pounds - females
Coat Colors: Brown and white, brindle and white, mahogany and white, orange and white, red and white, rust and white, white and brown, white and orange, white and red

The St. Bernard is a dog of impressive stature though it will take will take 3-5 years to grow into its full height, maturity and dignified charm. There is something about the Saint's demeanor and solid appearance that makes it easy to picture him as a comforting companion and guardian to the hospice monks and reassuring to those he aided in snowy cold terrains.

Saint Bernard dogs have dense coats which may be seen in either a short close-lying type or a longer variety that is a bit wavy. In either case the thighs and the collar areas are more heavily furnished.

Both coats are subject to a significant amount of shedding. Daily brushing will help keep the loose hair from piling up around the home, as well as avoid mat formation and skin infections to which they are prone.

The FURminator Long Hair deShedding Tool is an excellent grooming tool to keep shedding under control and the coat in the best condition.

Aside from coat care, Saint Bernard dogs have ears that fold over and need to be inspected often for routine cleaning, plus nails given a trimming when indicated. Drooling is another matter that just goes hand in hand with the breed. Some say that if they are not overly excited by various activities, they drool less.

Be sure to refill your Saint's water bowl frequently during the day to ensure that it is free of drool. Your SB will avoid it if it has traces of drool! 

Lastly, it's also a good idea to give your dog an overall pet checkup once a week - you can find out how to do that here.

Health of Saint Bernard Dogs

• Cardiac problems are among the top concerns when it comes to the health of this breed - particularly 
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): An inherited disease that affects the heart muscle. In dogs with DCM, their heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump blood effectively. Over time, this leads to heart enlargement (dilation) and can result in complications like abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), difficulty exercising and heart failure. Screenings should be done annually. Several drugs are used to treat the symptoms to help prolong life.
  

• Hip Dysplasia: A genetic joint disease that results from the malformation of the hips and is characterized by joint weakness, stiffness, and pain. Also, Elbow Dysplasia affecting the elbow joint with similar symptoms and potential arthritis. 
• Bloat: Otherwise known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a life-threatening condition affecting large breed dogs where the stomach fills up with food or air and twists. The main symptoms include non-productive retching (trying to vomit but no vomit is produced) and abdominal distension. If you notice these symptoms, please take your dog to the vet immediately. Typically, emergency surgery is needed.

• Allergic skin conditions
• Entropion: A condition in dogs where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes and fur to rub against the cornea, leading to irritation and potential corneal damage. It is often hereditary.

 The National breed club recommends, and responsible breeder will carry out, the following health tests: 

• Hip Evaluation
• Elbow Evaluation
• Cardiac Exam
• Ophthalmologist Evaluation
• Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test

Saint Bernard dogs are not a long-lived breed, but with good nutrition and care, plus regular veterinary check-ups, pet parents may expect to enjoy their Saint Bernard for up to ten years.

Nutrition

In order to thrive, the Saint Bernard needs a nutrient-dense food made from fresh, whole ingredients to support their health and maintain a healthy weight. This can be from a carefully selected commercial source or from carefully balanced homemade meals. Naturally, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian about diet after having done your own research. 

The Saint Bernard is a breed more prone to Bloat, a life threatening condition often caused by rapid eating. To help prevent this, split your dog’s daily food allotment into smaller, more frequent meals and delay exercise a while later after meals. 

How Active Are Saint Bernard Dogs?

The Saint Bernard needs a daily walk to stay physically and mentally fit. He doesn't particularly need long walks, but he'll very happily go hiking on long treks in the mountains with you.

As puppies they should not be exercised too much, but rather, taken on short walks or given brief playing sessions until they are two years old. This is because their bones have not yet fully grown and are subject to injury.

Space Needs

Saint Bernard dogs are going to be appreciative of a more spacious house with a yard to romp about in. If this house happens to be in a cooler climate, so much the better as far as their comfort is concerned.

Air conditioning would make a warmer climate more tolerable for the breed, along with a shady yard.

Saint Bernard With Children?

A well trained St. Bernard bred by a responsible breeder, will generally be very good with children.

However, this breed was subject to some opportunistic breeding at one time, resulting in some unpredictability with regard to temperament. So if you want to acquire one as a family dog, choose your breeder wisely, or adopt an older dog whose temperament is already known as reliable.

One other thing to consider if you have small children is the breed's very large size and weight. While a Saint from good stock is generally going to be gentle around children, you can't rule out the possibility of accidents during play.

Bottom line: Whenever a Saint Bernard interacts with children, please make sure an adult is keeping an eye on their activities.

Senior or Less Active Families?

Saint Bernard dogs have proven to be very good companions, but they do need regular exercise, considerable grooming and a guardian that can handle their size.

For these reasons, they would not likely be the ideal choice for a senior or less active family.

Where to Buy or Rescue a Saint Bernard

Before deciding to bring a Saint Bernard into your family, be sure to do considerable research. This large dog is attractive and amiable, but is very large, has a lot of hair and drools, so not the right choice for everyone. 

The Saint Bernard dogs are sometimes abandoned due to their large size and specific care needs, which can be overwhelming for some families. So check with your local shelters or breed clubs for a dog in need of a home.

If you’re looking for a puppy or a rescue, these reputable sites are good sources to check for availability and more information:

• AKC Marketplace - 100% AKC puppies from AKC-Registered litters (Also find groomers and trainers here) 
• The Saint Bernard Club of America
• Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation

The best way to get a healthy, happy, Saint Bernard puppy is to purchase one from a reputable breeder that has conducted the recommended health tests to ensure that the health of the litter is a priority. Expect to pay between $1,000 to $3,000 depending on several factors, such as health testing, pedigree, breed type, reputation of the breeder and your location. 

When meeting with a breeder be sure to meet the parents of the puppies and take note of the environment in which they are being cared for.  Have your questions ready such as: what the parents are like, how the puppies are being socialized and if the breeder will be available for later support. 

It is recommended to avoid casual (or backyard) breeders, since these breeders may not prioritize the health of the puppies or perform proper health testing on the parents.

Share Your Knowledge

If you're a proud owner, breeder or fancier of this breed, we'd like to hear from you.

There's nothing like first hand information to help someone who is considering a particular breed for their family and your knowledge can be enormously helpful.

Please share your insider information and experiences of living with and loving this calm yet awesome dog breed. You can tell your story here.

FAQs

Book Recommendation

Excellent resource from a dog lover of the Saint Bernard and a professional dog whisperer  covering temperament, training, grooming, showing, finding a breeder, daily care, nutrition, house training.... and much more.

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