St.Bernard Dog Breed Information
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Expensive *
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Star
Superstar
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Rare
Easy to get
Introduction
The large, grizzly St. Bernard is as gentle as giants come, with a warm heart, incredible intelligence and a majestic aura that can put royalty to shame. Fabled to carry kegs of brandy to warm the blood of lost and freezing travellers, the St. Bernard did save lives, only with water and food carried around his neck.
The keg of brandy was merely artistic licence on the part of Edwin Landseer, the man who painted such a St. Bernard in 1819, when he was staying at the hospice that the breed is named for. St. Bernards are even tempered and calm dogs, making excellent pets for families with kids.
The need plenty of place to stretch their legs in and a towel or two handy in each room will ensure a slightly more drool-free environment. That said, there are few dogs that can bring warmth and joy like a St. Bernard can.
History
Of all the breeds in the world, the St. Bernard probably has the most noble history. The Saint Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps is well-known for being treacherous, having taken the lives of thousands of travellers.
Archdeacon Bernard de Menthon arrived at this pass and set up a hospice to rehabilitate travellers who were injured in their attempt to cross over.The Saint Bernard was founded in 980 AD by St. Bernard de Menthon and bred by monks, most likely by crossing the ancient Tibetan mastiff with the Great Dane, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Great Pyrenees.
It is believed that the dogs were originally used by the monks at the hospice to guard the grounds when, inadvertently, the dogs were discovered to be excellent pathfinders capable of sniffing out lost travellers. During the three centuries starting in the 1600s, for which records of the hospice are available, St. Bernards are credited with saving thousands of lives.
One dog alone, called Barry, was known to have saved over 40 lives and much before the St. Bernard got its final name, this breed was known as the Barryhunden. The English, meanwhile, called them Sacred Dogs while the Germans named them Alpendog.
It was only in the 1830s that it was suggested that the breed be named for the man who set up the hospice, and the St. Bernard officially came to be known as a breed of its own in 1880. Today, St. Bernards are popular in homes and are no longer used exclusively as rescue dogs in the Swiss Alps, although the hospice still has several of them.
Unique Aspects
St. Bernards are giant dogs. While they may not require as much exercise as more athletic breeds, they won’t do very well living in an apartment. They are simply too big to have to squeeze around small spaces all their lives.
That said, they are family dogs, love to be around humans and will do very well living in a cosy home with a fenced-in yard. If you’re a neat freak, perhaps the St. Bernard is not the dog for you.
The drool heavily, shed a lot of fur, and their paws and tails will track in the dirt. If you’re planning on living with a St. Bernard, invest in a sturdy vacuum cleaner, plenty of mops, and several rags and towels at hand to keep cleaning the drool off their faces.
St. Bernards were bred to survive – and thrive – in the harsh cold of the Alps, so naturally, they don’t do very well in warm climates. In hot or humid weather, you’ll have to ensure that they are indoors and in air-conditioned rooms.
Fun Trivia
During the making of ‘Beethoven’ one of the most famous dog-starring movies of all time, over a hundred puppies were used during the shoot. Owing to the rapid growth spurt in St. Bernard puppies, several baby Bernards starred in the making of the movie!
Vital Stats:
Dog Breed Group: Working Dogs
Height: 36-38 Inches
Weight: 50-91 Kg
Life Span: 9 to 10 years
Pros
- Great family dog, full of love and loyalty
- Highly intelligent and easy to train
- Great attention grabbers on walks!
Cons
- Lot of health issues because of their massive size
- Drool a lot and need constant cleaning
- Prone to heatstroke and heat exhaustion, especially in warmer climates
