Big means cuddly with this gentle giant. Incredibly friendly and full of love, a St Bernard is your perfect pet match.
Feeling low? Need a warm blanket and a cuddle? Your giant, kind St Bernard will give you both. This gentle and affectionate breed would make Mother Teresa proud. Loyal and eager to please, the St Bernard is a calm, good-natured companion for any family. These otherwise obedient pets tend to drool and shed a lot and enjoy a muddy-puddle walk.
St Bernards are usually quiet, but will alert you to suspicious noises or people and guard you if the need arises. Given their intimidating size, it rarely does. They are patient and good with older children, although they prefer to snuggle and read rather than play catch. For a happy, well-behaved best mate for the family, be firm, assertive and consistent when training your St Bernard. They live for around 10-12 years so you can expect lots of time with your friend.
Fun fact: St Bernards are famous for rescuing people stuck in the snow
and avalanches in the St. Bernard pass in the Alps between Switzerland and Italy.
The most famous St Bernard, Barry, rescued more than 40 people.
Luckily for you, they don’t expect you to put your jogging shoes on. They are fairly inactive indoors and don’t need much exercise. One long, daily walk will do them wonders. Exercising them as puppies must be done very carefully to avoid putting excess strain on their bones. Walk in the shade and keep your furry friend hydrated and in a cool area as they are sensitive to heat.
St Bernards come in two kinds of coats – smooth and short-haired, or wavy and long-haired. Both types are usually in tan, red, mahogany, brindle and black, with white markings. Both lengths of coat are also easy to maintain – regular brushing and an occasional bath and they are good to go. This breed sheds twice a year. Trim their nails and brush their teeth regularly. A St Bernard is fully grown around 12-18 months, standing at around 80cms tall and weighing 68-91kgs.
Scheduled six monthly health checks visits with your vet are important to ensure that your dog is healthy and happy throughout all life stages. Due to their large size, St Bernards are prone to skeletal and bone-related problems such as hip dysplasia. Together with your vet, you can determine and maintain a preventative health care program based on the individual needs of your canine companion.
Size
A St Bernard is a giant-sized breed weighing between 68-91kgs, with a height between 65-91cms.
Space
As long as they get enough exercise, your pet will be happy anywhere.
Energy Levels
They are the equivalent of a gym-bunny, loving a good workout, but they also love napping. Daily runs and lots of games are ideal for keeping this breed fit.
Difficulty of Training
They are slow thinkers and need a lot of positive reinforcement.
Family Suitability
They are a great family pet, a loyal companion and an excellent watchdog.
Compatibility with other Pets
They love to meet new friends.
Need for Company
They have a moderate to high need for company and enjoy spending time with their family.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breed?
No
Coat and Grooming Needs
This breed is high-maintenance. Brush their coat daily, as well as checking their ears and eyes. They have a short-medium coat in solid white with red markings, or solid red with white marking, or even brindle.
Shedding
They are heavy shedders.
Tendency to Bark
They have a low tendency to bark, so don’t expect frequent conversations.