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Characteristics, History, and Health
Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard breed traces its origins to the Swiss Alps. The dogs were originally bred by monks at the Great St Bernard Hospice, a traveler's inn in the 11th century. The dogs' initial role was as a guard dog, but over time they evolved into a rescue breed, primarily used to find and save lost or injured travelers in the snow and icy conditions. Once found, the Saint Bernard would lay next to them to provide warmth and help revive them. The Saint Bernard's powerful build, excellent sense of smell, and ability to predict avalanches made them indispensable in rescue missions. The most famous of these dogs was Barry, who reportedly saved more than 40 people in the early 19th century. Many of this breed died in the early 19th century because of severe weather, inbreeding and disease. In 1830 the remaining Saint Bernards were crossed with Newfoundlands which resulted in the first long coated Saint Bernard. This long hair was able to protect the dogs from the cold snow.
Main Info
- Origin
- Switzerland
- Alternate Names
- Alpine Mastiff, St. Bernhardshund, Bernhardiner
- Life Expectancy
- 8-10 years
- Average Male Height
- 28-30 inches
- Average Female Height
- 26-28 inches
- Average Male Weight
- 140-180 pounds
- Average Female Weight
- 120-140 pounds
- Coat Length
- Short
- Coat Type
- Double, Smooth, Rough
- Coat Colors
- Brindle & White, Brown & White, Mahogany & White, Orange & White, Red & White, Rust & White, White & Brown, White & Orange, White & Red
- Coat Pattern
- Black Mask
Genetic Predispositions and Health
The Saint Bernard is a large, deep-chested dog that can be susceptible to bloat, also known as gastric dilation volvulus (GDV). This is a life-threatening condition that can come on suddenly, so it’s important to know the warning signs and get an affected dog immediate veterinary care. They are sensitive to temperature shifts, so moving from a cold environment (e.g., air conditioned indoors) to hot weather outdoors, especially too quickly, will cause distress. Saint Bernards can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia, diabetes, entropion, ectropion, gastric torsion, distichiasis, polyneuropathy, osteosarcoma, cardiomyopathy, cervical vertebral instability, seizures and osteochondritis dissecans.
Personality and Behavior
Saint Bernards are known for their gentle, friendly, and good-natured temperament. Despite their size, they are often very good with children and are generally sociable with strangers and other animals. They are intelligent and eager to please, which can make training easier, although their size and strength should be kept in mind. As they were bred for rescue work in harsh climates, they are not suited for hot weather and should be kept in a cooler environment if possible.
Fun Facts
The Saint Bernard has two types of coats: smooth (also known as short-haired) and rough (or long-haired). The smooth coat is dense and close-fitting, while the rough coat is longer and ranges from straight to slightly wavy. Both types have a very dense undercoat.
The image of a Saint Bernard with a barrel around its neck comes from depictions in art and is not based on historical practice. The monks of the St. Bernard Pass deny that dogs were ever outfitted with these barrels.
The heaviest Saint Bernard on record, named Benedictine, weighed an astonishing 357 pounds (162 kg).
The Saint Bernard does not need a lot of exercises compared to other breeds. However, they love being part of family activities and spending time with their owners.
References
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/st-bernard/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_saint_bernard
https://www.pawprintgenetics.com/products/breeds/340/
https://www.ukcdogs.com/saint-bernard
https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/ST-BERNARD-61.html
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