Saint Bernard: description and photo of the breed, character, maintenance and care

In modern times, the Saint Bernard breed has gained popularity all over the world. You can see these giant dogs in many films.

Many people get such dogs without fully knowing their characteristics and features.

I wonder who these dogs are ideal for, and in what conditions it is possible and necessary to have them?

Breed characteristics

Short description
Origin:	Switzerland
Conditions of detention:	Preferably a country house with a large plot
Purpose:	Rescuer; companion
Color:	White with red or red with white
Wool length:	Shorthair: 4-5 cm; long-haired 6-8 cm
Adult dog size:	The height of males is at least 70 cm, weight from 60 kg; bitches height from 65 cm, weight from 50 kg
Average life expectancy:	9 – 11 years
Walk:	Daily walking required
Physical activity needs:	Average load requirements, walks 2 – 3 hours a day
Classification of the International Canine Federation (FCF):	Group 2 Pinschers and Schnauzers, Molossians, Mountain Dogs and Swiss Cattle Dogs; section 2 Molossians
Puppy price:	The average cost is 10,000 – 20,000 rubles, a show class puppy costs up to 55,000 rubles

Interesting Facts

In rescue operations, a pair of dogs is used: the female warms the victim with her body heat, the male runs to the base for help.

Saint Bernards have a hypertrophied rescue instinct. If a dog sees a person lying on the ground, it will try to pick him up or at least turn him over on his back. In case of failure, the St. Bernard will lie down next to him and will warm the victim, while licking his face so that he does not fall asleep.

The first name of the breed, Barry, comes from the German Bären (bears). This breed has a fantastic sense of smell: dogs can smell a human scent at a distance of 3 km (subject to a headwind). St. Bernard takes 7th place in the “Biggest Dog” ranking. The growth of males starts at 70 cm.

History of the origin of the species

The first mentions of St. Bernards came from the beginning of the 17th century. Alpine monks used large guard dogs to search for and rescue travelers lost in snowstorms from the snow. The ancestors of the Saint Bernard are considered to be mastiff-like and mastiff-like ancient dogs that followed the Roman legions as they passed north from the Alps.

It was the monks of the Augustinian monastery of St. Bernard who were the founders of the breed. Already since 1800, they were engaged in almost purebred breeding.

The most famous specimen was the St. Bernard, nicknamed Barry, who saved more than 40 people during his life. From then to this day, in every litter born at the monastery, there is a puppy named Barry.

Individuals from the 17th and 18th centuries were much smaller and lighter than the modern St. Bernard. The size of the breed was increased by crossing with Newfoundlands. From them came the long-haired representatives of the breed. Until this moment, there were only shorthaired ones.

In 1865, the breed received the official name - St. Bernard. And in 1884, the first official representative, nicknamed Leon, was entered into the stud book. Along with him there are 28 more individuals. On June 2, 1887, the first mandatory breed standard was drawn up. The last changes to the species specimen were made in 2004.

Comparison with shorthairs

Let's start with the fact that shorthairs appeared earlier. The longhair appeared only in the nineteenth century as a result of a series of experiments in crossing with other species. Of course, the long-haired variety is very beautiful, but it requires constant care to maintain the coat in an attractive condition. Especially a lot of fur has to be combed out during shedding.

It is often impossible to bathe it, since the undercoat itself is waterproof, which means it secretes special fats.

The need to comb the hair daily is determined not only by the beauty of your pet, but also by the condition of its skin. So the longhaired one wins in external comparison , but immediately loses in terms of difficulty of care.

Short-haired specimens tolerate heat and cold better. Rescuers with long hair do not participate in operations in the north, as their fur becomes covered with icicles, becomes heavy and only interferes with search operations. In addition, they cannot withstand temperatures that are too low.

When choosing a St. Bernard as a pet, immediately decide what type of coat you like best and how often you will find time to comb it. More often, breeders prefer long-haired dogs for exhibition purposes, but if we are talking about a country house, then short-haired ones are better. In any case, the choice is yours.

Distinctive features

The main distinguishing characteristics of St. Bernards are:

General form. The dog is huge, strong, resilient and heavy. With the same huge head, proportional to the body.
Head. Large, like the body, heavy, damp. With a wide protruding forehead, strongly protruding cheekbones. The transition from the forehead to the nose is significantly pronounced.
Lips. Thick, hanging, loose. The upper jowls cover the lower jaw. Pigmented black, pink markings possible.
Muzzle. Wide, short, smooth. Does not expand from nose to forehead. The bridge of the nose is slightly turned up or straight. The nose is large, with wide nostrils, and pigmented black. Scissor or pincer bite. Teeth set – 42 pieces.
Neck. Powerful, muscular, shortened. It has a pronounced, massive dewlap, but without going overboard. The transition from neck to back is significantly pronounced.
Frame. The shoulder blades are wide, muscular, and set obliquely. The chest is wide, not drooping, with prominent ribs. The back is wide, powerful, without sagging. The loin is voluminous, the croup is very well developed. Powerful, strong, strong thighs. The stomach is slightly tucked in.
Tail. The base of the tail is at the level of the waist - set high. Heavy, long, wider at the base than at the end. Lowered, except in a state of excitement.
Limbs. Well developed, muscular, straight and strong. Strong arched fingers, slightly closed. The paws are large, powerful with well-developed muscles.
Coat and color. The coat is very thick, medium hard, and fits well to the body. There is a dense undercoat. On the thighs and tail the hairs are longer and thicker, but without dewlap. Red color, spots from reddish-brown to yellow. A white tip of the tail, paws, chest, “collar” or spot on the neck is considered obligatory. A black mask with a white stripe on the forehead is permitted.

How long do purebred animals live?

According to veterinary experts, there is a clear relationship between the breed and the years measured to the animal. It has been scientifically proven that the smaller the dog, the longer its life.

The vitality of representatives of different breeds varies. This is due to human breeding activities. When developing standards, dogs develop and reinforce features that are often unnatural.

Breeding a breed is fraught with complications, which are expressed in hereditary diseases:

Chihuahua. These cute little creatures are genetically prone to medial dislocations of the kneecaps, elbow joints, and various dysplasias.
Dachshund. Natural hunters, with a funny long body on short legs, pay with health for such a body structure. Hereditary pathology in dachshunds is intervertebral disc disease.
Shar-Pei. Not only in this breed of dog, but in all pets with skin folds, the disease entropion, which is essentially an entropion of the eyelid, is common.
Rottweilers. Strong, brave, fearless, smart. But they are also susceptible to hereditary diseases - aortic stenosis, Rottweiler leukoencephalopathy, follicular lipidosis.
Pikines. This ancient breed is distinguished by a special eye structure, for which it suffers from a tendency to eversion of the eyelids, cataracts, and corneal ulcers.

Each breed has its own Achilles heel - dogs with flat faces have problems with the respiratory system, with skin without fur - they suffer from allergies, large pets are often diagnosed with diseases of the joints and bones.

Breeders allow for different situations that affect the life expectancy of dogs:

Inbreeding;
Exclusion of the factor of natural selection;
The appearance of the offspring becomes a priority, not health;
The lifespan of the progenitors of the offspring is not taken into account.

Dogs of breeds that are less susceptible to selection changes, of medium size, without any special appearance, live the longest. These are terriers, shepherds, huskies.

The presence of long-livers in the family is of great importance. If the pet's parents lived to a ripe old age, then it has every chance of a long life. If we talk about numbers, on average, dogs live about 12 years.

Photo of an adult dog

What to feed

Half of the St. Bernard's diet should be food rich in protein, namely meat.

For a St. Bernard puppy the norm is 150-200 grams,
And for an adult, 400-500 daily.

It can be beef, lamb, elk, horse meat, rabbit, etc. Pork is usually not given, because... it may be infected with helminths (worms). You can feed offal: kidneys, lungs, heart, liver, you can offer udders, etc.

Fish is allowed. River fish is doused with boiling water before serving, while sea food is acceptable fresh.

You can also include cereals in your diet: buckwheat, rice, oatmeal. The following are added to porridge: vegetable or butter, vegetables, fruits, herbs and even garlic. Cottage cheese and kefir will be beneficial for the development of the little friend’s support system. Veterinarians recommend giving bone chewing until permanent teeth appear.

The following foods should be excluded from the diet:

Potato;
Legumes (peas, lentils, beans, etc.);
Spicy foods;
Smoked meats.

Do not give your dog food from your table: what is good for you can be harmful for your dog!

Photos of puppies

Features of character and behavior

Saint Bernards are distinguished by their good-natured disposition, love and tenderness towards children. They are incredibly attached to people and are very bored when alone. Classified as wonderful companions, they are called nanny dogs. Despite its impressive dimensions, it is very neat.

You can safely leave even the smallest children with them, without fear that the dog will accidentally hit and knock down the baby.

There are some somewhat lazy and stubborn individuals, this is due to the mastiff genes infused by the British in the 19th century. But this does not prevent St. Bernards from being the favorites of their family and attracting the attention of others.

You should not expect from this breed the agility and activity of shepherd dogs. Due to their size and weight, these dogs are quite slow. But they will never give up playing outdoors, especially in winter. Thanks to their type of coat, representatives of this breed can easily withstand any weather, but in the south they are still hot, because they are mountain dogs.

Calm, even melancholic dogs, balanced and unperturbed. As a rule, silent. A barking St. Bernard is rather an exception. They rarely make good guard dogs, but with their gigantic size they can definitely scare off a stranger.

Advantages

St. Bernard is one continuous advantage. A giant with a kind heart. There are often cases when representatives of this breed saved the lives of their owners with their unique instincts. Either they anticipated bad weather, or they predicted in advance a jump in blood glucose in diabetics.

You can safely leave your children with this shaggy good fellow. Some even learned to walk by holding onto their pet's fur. These dogs have remarkable patience.

Flaws

The only drawback seems to be some stubbornness of St. Bernards, although you can also come to an agreement with them.

For those who want a guard monster, the St. Bernard is absolutely not suitable. Its direct purpose is to save people, not to attack them. With a complete lack of socialization, you can achieve some bitterness. But this is already a deviation in the psyche, and not the norm.

Price

Saint Bernards are considered a rare breed. It's not easy to maintain them. Therefore, the price for purebred puppies is high. But even offspring from titled producers may have some defects.

If the existing defect does not interfere with life, but is a serious deviation from the breed standard (for example, an incorrect bite), then the price of a St. Bernard can range from $100 to $500. This is the so-called Pet class.

Many puppies do not deviate from the breed standard. But the experienced eye of an expert sees some imperfections. Such a puppy can cost $500-$1000. This is Breed class. Perfect puppies from all points of view, future champions and future parents of champions are valued at an amount exceeding $1000. This is Show class.

Care and maintenance

Before you get yourself such a huge thing, you should think 10 times and rationally assess your strengths. A large, strong dog requires adequate space and nutrition.

It is highly undesirable to keep a St. Bernard in an apartment. In addition to drool and fur, it will occupy the entire space of a typical building. And not every resident of the metropolis will be able to walk the streets for 3 hours every day, in any weather. Large breeds need this for proper development of joints and tendons.

Excellent conditions for keeping a St. Bernard are a private house with a large garden. The only thing you need is to think in advance where the dog can hide from the scorching sun and rain. This shaggy good fellow is not afraid of frost and snow.

Eye care requires careful attention due to slightly drooping lower eyelids . There is a risk that small particles will get there and the mucous membranes may dry out. To avoid possible complications, you should check your eyes every day. If necessary, rinse or instill with a special lotion.
No special care is required for your ears ; it is enough to clean them once a month with a cotton swab moistened with an ear cleaning solution. Modern pet stores offer them in abundance.
Nails should be trimmed as needed. If a dog often walks on asphalt roads, then, as a rule, they wear down on the rough surface. Otherwise, you need to buy special pliers and trim the claws yourself. This must be done very carefully, without damaging the living tissue on the inside of the claw. You can consult a veterinarian or groomer on this issue.
Teeth require even less attention to themselves. During their change, you need to make sure that the dairy ones do not interfere with the indigenous ones. If necessary, go to the clinic and remove the excess ones, otherwise there is a risk of curvature of the molars. After about a year, the formation of tartar may begin, as a rule, this occurs due to poor nutrition. In this case, you need to have laser cleaning done by a veterinarian.

Nutrition

With all the good nature of these dogs, one should not forget that, first of all, they are a predator. Nutrition must be appropriate. Both in puppies and adults.

The diet must include:

Meat
By-products
Eggs (whites)
Cottage cheese (other fermented milk products)
Complex carbohydrates (rice, oatmeal)
Fresh vegetables
Not very sweet fruits (apples)

Be sure to provide additional calcium, collagen or a complex of vitamins for especially large breeds. This is necessary for the proper development of joints.

There is a large number of ready-made foods, already fully balanced for the needs of a particular breed. They are also acceptable to feed the dog, but vitamins should not be neglected, especially with such a heavy breed as the St. Bernard.

The feeding schedule for a puppy and an adult dog varies greatly.

A baby from 2 to 4 months should be fed 6 times a day.
From 4 to 6 months 4 times a day.
From 6 to 10 – 3 meals a day.
From 10 months of age, you can switch to the diet of an adult dog - 2 times a day.

It is advisable to give a portion a little smaller in the morning than in the evening, since it is more difficult to move around with a full stomach.

We recommend that you read a detailed article on the topic: “How and what to feed a dog: types and characteristics of nutrition.”

Health

Unfortunately, the St. Bernard is not able to boast of excellent health. Huge body weight cannot but affect the joints and cardiovascular system.

During the development period, you need to carefully monitor the puppy. Too rapid growth in body size and weight can lead to exhaustion of the body, lack of minerals and calcium.

With a lack of calcium, the pasterns may sag under their own weight. When this happens, it is too late to give your puppy mountains of calcium. Thus, it will only get worse, the already separated paws will finally harden.

Recovery therapy should be started immediately. More walking up the stairs, going down the elevator. Walk on uneven surfaces such as gravel, crushed stone. Review your pet's diet; in case of such problems, it is definitely due to a lack of nutrients from the diet.

Vaccinations

Before giving the puppy the first vaccination, it is necessary to do helminth prevention; as a rule, this is done by the breeder.

At the age of 4 - 6 weeks, the entire litter, together with the mother, is given a deworming drug. Even if the dogs have not been infected, the prophylaxis is repeated after 2 weeks.
Only after twice the prevention of helminths is the first vaccination given.
At the age of 6 - 8 weeks , they are given a vaccine against plague, hepatitis and enteritis.
The next vaccination is given against the same diseases, after 4 weeks , consolidating the effect. By this time, it is already possible to give an injection against rabies, but if the puppy is growing up in “greenhouse” conditions, vaccination against rabies may be delayed for up to 6 months.

The entire period from birth to re-vaccination is subject to strict quarantine. Veterinarians recommend not going outside for another week after the last vaccine.

On the day of helminth prevention, as well as after vaccinations, puppies may be drowsy and lethargic. This is considered normal - the body is reacting to the drugs. Cases of intolerance to modern vaccines are rare.

The last puppy vaccination is given a year, against the above diseases. And every subsequent year they are duplicated along with rabies.

Important article on the topic: “Everything you need to know about dog vaccinations.”

Diseases

Saint Bernard is the hero of the dog world only in appearance; his great height and weight do not add to his health. A mastiff-like face contributes to eye diseases.

The most common diseases of this breed are:

Dysplasia of the hip (elbow) joint.
Intervertebral hernia.
Inversion and inversion of the eyelid.
Cardimopathy.
Osteosarcoma.
Pyoderma.

In addition, under excessive stress, puppies with a large mass are more susceptible to dislocations and ligament tears than others.

Don’t be afraid of such an extensive list; not all St. Bernards will necessarily be sick. With the right approach to breeding and raising a puppy, the chances of getting a strong, healthy pet increase several times.

Walk

Any dog needs a walk, this breed is no exception. Saint Bernards need long, leisurely walks in the fresh air. About 3 – 4 hours a day.

In the summer they quickly get tired, but in the winter they are ready to wander through the snowdrifts for a very long time.

Grooming

The coat of representatives of this breed does not cause much trouble. Even on long-haired individuals, it does not get tangled and does not require haircuts or frequent washing.

All that is needed is thorough weekly brushing with a fine-toothed brush. During the shedding period, it is advisable to comb the coat every day.

You should not wash these dogs too often so as not to disrupt natural heat exchange. Otherwise, they will be even hotter in the summer and colder in the winter.

For washing, it is recommended to use only special zoo shampoos. It is better not to bathe puppies under one year of age at all.

Reviews

Julia: “Saint Bernard has been living with us for 4 years. This is the most devoted, great friend. He understands everything perfectly, rarely barks and does not bother his neighbors. The only negative is drool and fur. If you comb it regularly, and during the shedding period 2-3 times a day, then the problem is not so much of a concern.”

Ivan: “I love dogs of this breed. The first lived for 8 years, the second is now 10, the third is still a puppy. Their virtues captivated me: they love children, they are loyal, balanced, they do not spoil furniture.”

Oleg: “Our friend St. Bernard looks like a cute, shaggy monster. He is intimidating with just his appearance, protects the house, and does not cause inconvenience with constant barking, like the dogs around the neighborhood. The only negative is the drool that flies onto the floor, sofa, carpet.”

Mating

Such large dogs are bred when they reach the age of two, not earlier. These are quite late dogs, and at one and a half years old they are a playful 70 kilogram puppy.

To avoid health problems, you need to wait until the bones are fully formed. Otherwise, the mother’s sagging back and problems with childbirth cannot be avoided. Difficulties with the health of the offspring cannot be ruled out.

Bitches ovulate approximately 10–14 days after the onset of estrus. During this period, an appointment is made with the male dog. These data are approximate and may vary depending on the characteristics of the organism.

Read a detailed article on the topic: “Everything you need to know about breeding dogs: appropriate age, what to do if it doesn’t work out, rules and tips.”

Today, veterinary clinics can take an analysis to determine whether a female dog is ready for breeding. The male is ready to breed all year round.

Health

Saint Bernard is not one of the most painful dogs. After all, his distant ancestors were adapted to survive in the harshest conditions. However, this does not mean that they do not get sick. Their weakest point is the musculoskeletal system. Considerable weight does not have the best effect on joints.

Dysplasia, dislocations and osteosarcoma are some of the most common reasons for contacting veterinarians among owners of this breed.

In addition, these animals are predisposed to such ophthalmological problems as entropion, cataracts and third eyelid adenoma, also called “cherry eye”.

Alas and ah, even in the most excellent home conditions with sufficient physical activity and a balanced diet, St. Bernards live very little - rarely do any of the giants live to be 10 years old, and this is perhaps the main drawback of the breed, according to the reviews of the owners themselves, who were forced to part with your favorites.

pixabay.com/Alexas_Fotos

Key points in training

Raising a St. Bernard is not difficult; he loves his owner and tries to please. But due to its innate stubbornness, training needs to be done from the first day the puppy is in the house. It will be more difficult with an adult dog.

Parenting must be approached gently but persistently. Show creativity to interest your pet in training. As soon as the St. Bernard understands the benefits of training, his remarkable intelligence and intelligence will immediately appear.

Under no circumstances should you beat or punish a dog if it does not immediately understand what the owner wants. In this way, you can only achieve complete rejection of the desire to work and serve the owner.

Due to their breed characteristics, these dogs are perfect for training search and rescue services. They no longer operate in the Alps; searching for people by helicopter is much more effective. But the mighty, strong dog is still ready to serve people, helping rescuers find victims of the elements in the rubble of buildings after earthquakes and fires.

Read about how to properly train a dog in the article: “Training a puppy: effective methods from dog handlers, learning commands at home.”

Nutrition

St. Bernard can be fed at home with food or natural products. Cooking food from natural products takes more time and effort. So that the dog’s diet is compiled correctly. At least a third of all food should be pure protein. Meat, offal, yogurt, kefir, and cottage cheese are used. Fermented milk is allowed - whole milk is not allowed. Lactose intolerance is not uncommon among representatives of the breed.

Ready-made food should belong to the premium or holistic classes. They contain essential proteins, microelements, and vitamins. It is important to supplement natural nutrition with vitamins for dogs; they can be added directly to porridges and soups for dogs. Normally, an adult St. Bernard reaches the weight of an adult - up to 70 kg or more.