Dog care - Remember that Saint Bernard does not like to be alone

The secret to success with the Saint Bernard, as with any large dog, is early training. Teach it to obey as a puppy, and its large size will be quite manageable when it matures. Remember that the Saint Bernard is a family dog and does not like to be alone.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Plan to spend a lot of money on food

Plan to spend a lot of money on food. A Saint Bernard eats 6 to 12 cups of food a day.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Be aware that Saint Bernards are only truly happy when they are with the family

Be aware that Saint Bernards are only truly happy when they are with the family. If you plan to keep yours outside, this may not be the dog for you.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Note that a Saint Bernard will reach an impressive size

Note that a Saint Bernard will reach an impressive size. Males grow to heights of 27 inches and weigh between 110 and 180 pounds. Females will reach heights of at least 25 inches and will also weigh between 110 and 180 pounds.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Look at potential breeders very carefully

Look at potential breeders very carefully, being sure to ask whether they are members of breed clubs, specialty clubs or obedience clubs. Affiliation through a club means you can check their references to make sure they are not a puppy mill (a place where puppies are constantly bred for financial gain without consideration of the integrity of the breed).

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Understand the health problems that a Saint Bernard is prone to

Understand the health problems that a Saint Bernard is prone to. These include wobbler syndrome (a spinal disorder), heart and skin problems, hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint) and extropion (folding eyelid). Talk to a breeder to find out what type of screening they have done for these health problems.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Check out a Saint Bernard's features before you get one

Check out a Saint Bernard's features before you get one. There are two varieties: longhaired and shorthaired. Their coats are white with either tan, red, mahogany, brindle (gray or tawny with darker streaks or spots) or black markings on it. Overall, the Saint Bernard should appear large and muscular with a bright and friendly expression.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Realize that despite the Saint Bernard's size

Realize that despite the Saint Bernard's size, it is well-behaved indoors and not overly active. It does well in apartments, as long as it gets plenty of exercise.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Saint Bernard is a family dog

Remember that a Saint Bernard is a family dog and very playful, loving and watchful with children. However, should you decide to get one, it must be supervised with children so that it doesn't knock them over.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Choose a Saint Bernard if you are looking for the granddaddy of watchdogs

Choose a Saint Bernard if you are looking for the granddaddy of watchdogs. Its size alone makes it a formidable presence to strangers.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Good temperature for Saint Bernard

This breed does not do well in the heat, so be sure that Saint Bernard remains cool.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Health of Saint Bernard

Make a definite effort to understand the health problems that a Saint Bernard is prone to. These would include wobbler syndrome (a spinal disorder), heart and skin problems, hip dysplasia and extropion (folding eyelid).

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Clean your Saint Bernard's eyes

Clean your Saint Bernard's eyes frequently with a moist cotton-wool pad. Be sure to use a new one for each eye.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

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

Owner guide - Exercise for Saint Bernard

As lazy as Saint Bernard’s may be, be careful not to over-exercise them. This is essential especially in its first two years of life, when its delicate bones are still being formed.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Control your Saint Bernard

Like all other dogs, take your Saint Bernard out for daily walks, but keep it on a leash. Because of its size, a Saint Bernard can quickly become unmanageable if it so desires. Bear in mind that they are slow-moving. Also you could proof your house bearing in mind that he is around as there could be any amount of damage done by him thanks to his size! It’s best if you would keep your expensive cutlery, crystal and show pieces away from his reach, or else one whiff of his tail and your dollars go in the drain.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Train your Saint Bernard

Train your Saint Bernard early in life to socialize with children, people and other pets. Although a loyal and obedient dog by nature, the Saint Bernard can be difficult to manage because of its size alone. Its best to keep him busy either with some task or with the kids, that way he’ll be able to manage his moods, and yes they get moody too and also be occupied all the time.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Hip dysplasia in Saint Bernard

Contact the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals to learn more about hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a skeletal defect in Saint Bernard. The ball portion in this condition (especially the femoral head) of the hip is not securely seated in the socket portion. This condition is quite common in working and sporting breeds of dogs. It would be typically essential to check a saint Bernard for that matter!

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Food for Saint Bernard

Of course it’s needless to say that you need to provide Saint Bernard with high-grade dog food. The first ingredient should be meat if you want a quality product. The protein, crude protein in this case should be no less than 30 percent, with crude fat no less than 20 percent. Also, the fiber content needs to be 4 percent or less. Protein would provide Saint Bernard with energy and crude fat necessary.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Plan to feed your Saint Bernard

Plan to feed your Saint Bernard 6 to 12 cups of food a day. This breed is more like us, humans. Best to feed them with frequent small meals rather than allow him to bloat. So in case you’re planning to lose weight and keep his weight and activity level high, don’t force down his meals to one or two in a day. Feed your Saint Bernard several small meals.

Saint Bernard - Dog Lover