Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard breed of dogs is the large working dogs and are mainly found in the Western Alps in Italy and Switzerland. During the initial days, they were widely used in the rescue work by the hospice of the Great St Bernard Pass on the Italian-Swiss border. These species of hospice are named after Italian monk Bernard of Menthon and acquired and trained their first dogs between 1660 and 1670. 

Saint Bernard breed is the most popular life-saving dog in the world. They have the credits of saving the lives of about 2500 peoples in the past 300 years. The trained Saint Bernard puppy is used as a pathfinder and rescue dog at the hospice founded by St. Bernard of Montjoux in Great St. Bernard Pass in the Pennine Alps. Some species like mastiff-like dogs were introduced by Romans from Asia to Europe. Likewise, St Bernard breeds have appeared as they were brought to the hospice in the late 17th century.  One of the most famous hospice dogs was Barry, who saved more than 40 people before their death during the early 1800s. Many people are employing black saint Bernard dogs in the cattle drafts as guard dogs.

The Saint Bernard size is a massive structure. Saint Bernard has a powerfully built muscular dog with a massive head and drooping ears. The Saint Bernard puppy ranges with a minimum height of 25 inches while standing. Further, the weight of Saint Bernard was about 110 pounds to 200 pounds. Saint Bernard had a red-brown and white or brindle and white colour coat and they may be either short and dense or medium-long. Some species of St bernard breed have long-haired variety produced by crosses with the Newfoundland dog in the early 19th century.

History About Saint Bernard 

Saint Bernard dogs originated from Switzerland and other breeds such as the Bernese Mountain Dog have a similar appearance. The dog was named Saint Bernard, which is the pass that lies about 8000 ft among the Swiss Alps. In the 10th century, The Saint Bernard hospice was established to help travellers navigate through the treacherous pass. These Saint Bernards were developed not only for guarding the hospice but also to aid in its primary mission is to save travellers. Here, a huge number of dogs were used for seeking out the injured or lost travellers. Saint Bernard breeds are known for helping to carry or guide them to the hospice where they could find refuge. The first evidence of the Saint Bernard breeds comes in the form of a painting in 1695 that appears to depict a short-haired Saint Bernard. Currently, Saint Bernard is termed common breed and they are ranked 48th of the 195 breeds currently recognized by the American Kennel Club.

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Characteristics of Saint Bernard

Saint Bernard as Pets 

The Saint Bernard breed of dogs is one other popular pets as they are making an excellent companion. The count of saint bernards are more than other breeds and they require sufficient space to roam when they feel the urge. But they do not demand a large outdoor yard to constantly exercise but do require a long walk daily if living indoors. Black Saint Bernard is often drooling, notoriously messy, shedding, and tracking mud and making dirt around with them. They have a thick coat of fur so they frequently bathe and brush. Like other dogs, they also require enough attention otherwise they will become lonely and destructive. 

Usually, the size of Saint Bernards can make it frightening for others. But they are very affectionate and loving dogs. Saint Bernards often want to be near their family and will do their best to become lapdogs despite their massive size. Even these St bernard breeds are marked as humble, they will provide intensive protection to their family members. The many Saint Bernard puppies are more energetic and active. But they turn calm and quiet as they develop into mature individuals. However, Saint Bernards are more friendly and welcoming dogs.

The life span of Saint Bernards is short. They can live for about 8 to 10 years and their female dogs will give birth to 2 to 12 puppies at the end of each gestation period. Saint Bernard is more gentle, but they are poorly suited for families with young babies or old people.  The Saint Bernard cost is about 47000 to 50000 according to the Indian rupees. 

Personality of Saint Bernard 

Saint Bernard is one of the true hospice dogs. Even the baby Saint Bernard has a steady,  benevolent temperament and is kind and takes care of children. Saint Bernards love attention, but they won’t demand from people like other breeds. This Saint Bernard size is massive. The male saint bernards can grow up to 28 to 30 inches in height and 140 to 180 pounds of weight. Meanwhile, the female saint bernards can grow about 26 to 28 inches of weight and 120 to 140 pounds of weight. So, the Saint Bernard puppy requires training from an early stage and however, it is easily manageable. Saint Bernards are an intelligent species and they are willing to please but they look stubborn in some cases. But these species will never act aggressively on lovely family members. Like other dogs, the baby Saint Bernard also needs early socialization, which means exposure to many different people, sights, new experiences and sounds. This socialization helps them to ensure that they are growing up to be well-rounded dog. The average lifespan of Saint Bernard is about 8 -10 years. 

Care to Saint Bernard 

The black saint bernard and all other species require only a moderate amount of exercise, but it is important to keep them protected from Obesity. Because obese and massive structure may cause arthritis or orthopaedic problems and trouble their joints to carry the whole weight. So, the Saint Bernard puppy needs minimum exercises until reaching its mature size. 

Saint Bernards are prostrate to heat exhaustion and heatstroke while providing them exercise during the hot days so, they always need some shade and fresh water to maintain their body temperature. The heat exhaustion in saint bernards may cause dark-red gums, heavy panting, and weakness or collapse. 

Feeds for Saint Bernards

The healthy saint bernards require five to six cups of high-quality healthy food for a day. Most of the saint bernard breeds are domesticated. So, the size, age, metabolism, body build and other activity levels completely depend on their food. The maintenance of Saint Bernard cost is comparatively high. 

Coat Colour of Saint Bernard

Usually, saint bernard species have two types of coats, they are short-haired and long-haired. The species with short hair coats looks smooth and dense.  Further, their hair is slightly bushy on the thighs, and the tail is covered with long, dense hair and they are shorter toward the tip. The long hair species are slightly wavy but they are never curly or shaggy. The hairs in their forelegs have a bit of feathering, but hairs in their thighs and tail are bushy.

The Saint Bernard breed of dogs is available in various shades of white with red or red with white.  Likewise, the red colour comes in various shades from brindle patches with white markings to brownish-yellow. Usually, the white colour appears on their chest and around their necks, nose and on the feet and tip of their tail. The white spot appears on the nape of the neck and a white blaze on the face are more attractive and desirable, as are dark markings on their head and ears that resemble a mask. The white markings resemble the liturgical vestments worn by a priest and the black mask on their head and ears reduce the glare from the snow.

Saint Bernard With People 

The St bernard breeds are patient, gentle and well around the kids. But they will act patiently till they get hurt, in some cases, they turn aggressive in an extreme situation.  While domesticating them, frequent notice and proper care are predominant. Further, Saint Bernards can also grow with other pests and they will feel comfortable while growing up from their puppyhood. 

Health of Saint Bernards 

Like other dogs, the saint bernards will also have many health issues. They are facing complications like elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, entropion, epilepsy, dilated cardiomyopathy, cataracts, allergies, Gastric dilatation-volvulus, immunity problems, etc. 

The Rescue Dog Saint Bernards 

The Saint Bernard breed of dogs was developed by breeding mastiff-like dogs. The mastiff-like dogs are also known as Molosser with local mountain dogs. These mastiff-like dogs arrived on their own in Switzerland at the time of Augustus with the Roman Army. Later, this Molosser gave rise to many modern breeds, including Saint Bernard and the English Mastiff.  Ironically, the changes that occurred to the breed when it was ultimately exported from Switzerland were the result of breeding it again with Mastiffs in England.  Saint Bernard dogs have the special capability to track down injured and lost travellers in the Swiss mountains. Likewise, they are developed at the Saint Bernard Hospice. Further, the Saint Bernard breed of dog has species credits with saving more than 2000 travellers over the three centuries from when the hospice operated.  This is one of the most famous rescue dogs ever.  Another famous rescue dog, Barry, found only about 40 people between the time span of ten years from 1800 to 1810.  So, Saint Bernards dogs are still often utilized as rescue dogs by many teams. And they are the common members of avalanche rescue teams around the world.

Facts About Saint Bernards 

• Saint Bernard is a giant creature, but they are quiet and gentle inside. They require some space to move or stretch out for a healthy life. 

• Saint Bernard generally takes a long time to mature mentally. So, practising the Saint Bernard breed of dog from puppies is more suitable for the rescue process.

•  Naturally, Saint Bernards can withstand the cold temperatures of the Alps. So, it is difficult for them to sustain themselves at hot temperatures. 

• Saint bernards do not bark often.

• Saint Bernard is one other short-living breed. Their life span is about 8 to 10 years. 

Conclusion

Saint Bernards are the most popular rescue dogs used for helping travellers going trekking the mountains. They are the most intelligent species and their massive physical appearance looks horrible, but they are loving and sweet animals. Saint Bernards require training from their early stage for their rescuing process. The Saint Bernard cost is a little high and they are suitable for only cold climatic conditions. They cannot sustain themselves in a more than 45-degree census.