Owner guide - Groom your Saint Bernard

Brush your Saint Bernard's coat with a firm-bristled brush, as and when required. Bathe your dog as often as possible. Keep in mind that they do shed a lot, so the more often you brush, the easier it is to handle the large amounts of fur.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

GROOMING

Grooming a Saint Bernard is fairly simple, as their coats are not subject to getting matted or tangled, even if they have long hair. Brushing with a firmly bristled brush once or twice a week is usually sufficient. Because they are bred to withstand snow and cold, their coats have a water resistant oil to them. Over-shampooing a Saint Bernard's coat can cause them to lose this protective oil. For this reason, it's important only to shampoo your Saint Bernard when absolutely necessary. When you do shampoo him, be certain to use a mild shampoo formulated for dogs. Saint Bernard's shed twice a year, and will require more brushing during this time.

You'll also find that your Saint Bernard tends to drool and his eyes tend to water. Simply drying them with a tissue periodically will keep his eyes clean and free of irritants and keep the messy drool to a minimum. Drooling is especially frequent after eating.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

COAT AND COLOR

Coat Color
The base coat color is white, but it is well marked in tan, red, mahogany, brindle, and black. The face and ears usually have shadings of black.

Coat Type
Saint Bernards have two different coat types: rough (Long-haired) and smooth (Short-haired). Both coats are dense and warm. The Shorth-haired or Smooth-coated Saint Bernard’s coat lies smoothly over his body. The thighs are slightly bushy and the tail appears bushy. The Rough or Long-haired coat is longer than the smooth coat and slightly wavy. With the rough coat there is feathering on the legs and tail.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover