Description: The St. Bernard is powerful, strong, muscular with a some what sad looking expression. They are a faithful, gentle, kindly breed who love children. The Saint Bernard requires no training for their work since generations of service seemed to have stamped the rescuing instinct upon their character. Because of the Saint Bernard size it does not make a breed for an apartment dweller as they need plenty of space and large food rations. A well-trained Saint Bernard is a mellow, affectionate, lazy dog who will protect your home. Until the bones are fully formed in puppies of a Saint Bernard it is best to keep their activity to a minimum.

Other Names: St. Bernhardshund, Alpine Mastiff

Height: 24 - 28 inches
Weight: 110- 200 lbs.

Colors of the Saint Bernard: Orange, mahogany-brindle, red-brindle or white with patches on the body in any of these smooth colors.
Coat: Dense, short, smooth and lying close to body.

Temperament: The Saint Bernard is tranquil, benevolent.
With Children: Yes, the Saint Bernard gets along well with children.
With Pets: Yes, especially if raised with them.
Special Skills: Search and rescue dog and family pet

Watch-dog: Very High
Guard-dog: Very Low

Care and Exercise: Comb or brush the Saint Bernard frequently, bathe only when necessary with a mild soap. Considerable shedding twice a year. Pay special attention to keeping the eyes clean. Remember the Saint Bernard drool excessively. Daily short, regular walks are better than long sessions.
Training: The Saint Bernard must receive obedience training as a puppy because of their tremendous size as an adult. They must be trained to not pull on a leash when young.
Learning Rate: High, Obedience - Medium, Problem Solving - High

Activity: Indoors - Low, Outdoors - Medium
Living Environment: Apartments should not be considered. A house with a large backyard is preferred. The Saint Bernard needs people in their life. An owner should also be a patient, confident leader who prefers a lazy, friendly, slow-thinking pet.

Health Issues: Hip dysplasia, bone problems, heart defects, short life span.

Life Span: 8 Years
Litter Size: 6 - 8

Country of Origin: Switzerland
History: Developed in the High Swiss Alps by the monks who lived there the Saint Bernard was used to help locate lost travelers. Various theories have been presented to the origin of the breed but most say they are a descendant of the large Mastiff-type dogs that were brought to the area by the Romans. The most famous Saint Bernard was a dog called Berry who in the early 1800s rescued a small boy and carried him to safety. This Saint Bernard then went on to rescue more than forty people. Berry's body is now preserved in the Natural History Museum in Berne. In 1830 the short-coated Saint Bernard was crossed with the Newfoundland resulted in the long-haired Saint Bernard.

First Registered by the AKC: 1885
AKC Group: Working Group
Class: Working
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 2), KC (GB), UKC

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