Maria Allen
A courageous avalanche dog with a small wooden barrel around its neck – this is how many people imagine Saint Bernard. Today, however, the well-known dog breed from Switzerland is mainly a family dog. Everything you should know about the history, nature, and attitude of the breed can be found here in the profile.
Storia del San Bernardo
The dogs of the hospice on the Great St. Bernard have been known under the name Saint Bernard since the end of the 17th century. According to legend, this was founded by the Augustinian monk “Bernhard von Menthon” in 1050 to protect the numerous travelers and pilgrims crossing the St. Bernhard Alps.
For this task, the monks brought dogs from the area where the Bernese Mountain Dogs come from the past and started breeding them. In the beginning, the dogs hardly resembled their current appearance. Only in the 19th century did the passport dogs develop a uniform appearance and the first long-haired specimens appeared.
The breed gained notoriety mainly through its use as avalanche dogs by the Augustinian monks. The most famous representative of the breed is the legendary avalanche dog Barry, who is said to have saved over 40 lives. When he died of old age in Bern in 1814, he was stuffed and is now on display at the entrance to the Natural History Museum. It has been the Swiss national dog since 1884 and in 1887 the Swiss standard was generally recognized.
Due to the breed’s development towards higher weight and size, today’s representatives are no longer suitable for use. Today they are mainly used as guard and family dogs. Internationally, the breed belongs to FCI Group 2 “Molossoids” in Section 2.2 “Mountain Dogs”.
Tratti e tratti caratteriali
St. Bernard is a gentle, friendly, and affectionate family dog. The relaxed dogs don’t let themselves be disturbed and are very patient with children. They need close contact with their people and, despite their size, like to be with everyone. Despite their relaxed nature, the dogs react alertly to danger and stand protectively by their family’s side.
Most members of the breed are selfless and would do anything for their families. If he doesn’t like something, the big dog can be stubborn and stubborn. With a loving upbringing, he will become a lifelong faithful companion. A special feature of the St. Bernhard dog is the excellent sense of smell and the reliable instinct that has remained from its time as an avalanche dog.
L'apparizione del San Bernardo
St. Bernard is a distinctive dog that even laypeople will recognize immediately. It is one of the largest and heaviest dog breeds in the world. The body is harmonious and muscular with an imposing, large head and attentive facial expression. The long or stock-haired coat is very dense and smooth lying, the base color is white with smaller or larger patches of reddish-brown. Desired markings are a white ruff and asymmetrical reddish-brown mask.
Educazione del cucciolo
The good-natured and patient St. Bernard requires consistent training as a puppy simply because of its strength and size. What he didn’t learn as a young dog, it will be difficult for you to catch up as an adult. Especially if I don’t want the big dog to sit next to you (or on you) on the couch, you should already forbid that with the puppy.
The best thing to do is to take the impetuous puppy to a puppy school, where it can learn its first commands in a playful way and socialize with other dogs. As a rule, smart and good-natured dogs learn quickly, but they need their time. Despite the basically calm and friendly character, you should remain consistent and always motivate the little one.
Activities with the Saint Bernard
St. Bernard is a calm and laid-back dog that has less of a need for exercise than other large breeds. He doesn’t have much time for dog sports and prefers quiet walks. Retrieving balls, romping around, and jumping quickly becomes too much for the rather sluggish dogs. Especially in the summer, the dogs with thick fur are usually not very keen on physical activity. In winter, the dogs are in their element and some representatives of the breed only really thrive when there is snow. In the interest of his fitness, you should make sure that he gets daily walks all year round.
Salute e cura
Regular grooming is essential for long-haired dogs. In addition, many Saint Bernards suffer from watery eyes, which is why they should be given special care. Many members of the breed are prone to excessive salivation, which is why drool spots are part of it. When raising a large puppy, it is particularly important that the bones and joints can develop healthily.
Don’t overwhelm the young dog, let him climb stairs or run around too much. The breed is often affected by hip dysplasia and other joint problems such as osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, like most large dog breeds, St. Bernard has a comparatively short life expectancy of only 8 to 10 years.
Is Saint Bernard Right for Me?
St. Bernard is a good-natured and easy-going family dog that is not suitable for apartment keeping. Because of its size, it takes up a lot of space. After all, the dog weighs up to 90 kilos and can reach a height of up to 90 centimeters! A house with a spacious garden where the St. Bernhardshund can do his rounds and keep watch would be ideal.
Sufficient time and money for care and employment are basic requirements for keeping any dog. If you are absolutely sure that you want to adopt a representative of the breed, you must first find a reputable breeder, preferably one who is registered with the St. Bernhards-Klub e.V. You can expect prices between 1500 and 2000 euros for a healthy puppy. You can also find dogs that are looking for a new home at the animal shelter or at the Bernhardiner in Not e.V.
Interessante e da conoscere
At its birthplace, on the Great St. Bernard Pass, Saint Bernard has become a real tourist attraction. Even though the dogs have not officially been bred there since 2005, around half of the breeding dogs are at the hospice during the summer months. The monks offer a variety of souvenirs featuring the legendary dogs. From stuffed animals to stamps to fridge magnets, dogs can be found everywhere.