Saint Bernard Breed description: Character & Co
| Alternate Name | Bernhardiner |
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Life expectancy | 8 - 10 years |
| Care requirements | high-maintenance |
| Activity level | average |
| FCI group | Molossian type |
| AKC group | working group |
| KC group | working group |
Character
Usage
Origin
Typical diseases
Saint Bernards are susceptible to developing:
- Hip joint dysplasia
- Bone cancer
- stomach twists
- Hanging eyelids
The eyes, ears and claws of the St. Bernard should be checked and groomed regularly. Typical are diseases of the eyes and skin as well as tartar. A balanced diet should be ensured when feeding. A combination of meat and vegetables with many vitamins and minerals is ideal. Saint Bernards tend to eat too much and put on weight easily. Feeding only dry food in combination with the additional water required can increase the risk of a twisted stomach. A regular resting period after the meal should be provided.
Saint Bernard breeding
When breeding you have to insure to only breed with parents whose pedigree is known to birth healthy puppies. Both parents must be tested for hip joint dysplasia in order to exclude the possibility of the offspring suffering from this disease.
Buying a St. Bernard dog
If you want to buy a Saint Bernard puppy from a good breeder, you have to calculate costs between 950 and 1300 Euros. With the follow-up costs you have to consider that with a St. Bernard everything is a little bit bigger and larger quantities: the collar, the kennel and the amount of food.
Appearance and coat
Long, slender legs carry a massive body with a large, slightly forward-curved head with a broad skull and medium-sized, high-set hanging down ears. The nose is broad and angular. The bridge of the nose is straight with a slight groove. The well developed eyebrows and oblique wrinkles over the gentle brown eyes give the dogs a melancholic expression. The strong tail hangs down when resting. The topline is horizontal, the back is firm and broad.
On legs, underbody, chest and face the coat colour is white. At the head and back the Berhardiner is multi-coloured with red, white and brown fur plates (plate dogs) or a continuous coat (coat dogs). The face is characterized by a symmetrical make. The smooth coat is dense with abundant undercoat and shiny. It is bred in the expressions short stick hair or long hair. The coat should be brushed regularly.
Size with male and female dog
The Saint Bernard belongs to the largest dog breeds in the world. Males reach a height at withers of 70 to 90 cm, bitches usually from 65 to 80 cm. Especially large bitches reach a height at the withers of up to 85 cm.
The Saint Bernard - A heavyweight
The weight of St. Bernards is between 55 and 90 kg, in individual cases with particularly large males even about 100 kg. The space requirement in house and car is accordingly large. The heavy dogs need a soft bed to avoid pressure points and pain.
Short age expectation
Saint Bernards have a low life expectancy of 9 years. Only every fifth St. Bernard reaches an age of over 10 years.
| Fur length | medium |
| Fur | flat coated |
| Ear shape | - |
| Tail | fanned |
| Anatomy | strong |
| Size | 65 - 80 cm |
| Weight | 64 - 120 kg |
| Size | 70 - 90 cm |
| Weight | 64 - 120 kg |
| Suitable For | - |
Colors
Other large dogs
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