By Breed
|
23 min
FREE UK DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £39.99
St Bernards – also called Bernies or Saints for short – are gentle giants known for their big size, big heart, and big slobbery kisses too. Originally bred to rescue people from snow drifts on the Swiss Alps, they’re caring, selfless dogs with a lot of love to give. This heroic streak, combined with the fact they’re supersized snuggle buddies, has made the St Bernard dog a popular family pet.
Tolerant and mindful with the patience of an actual saint, the St Bernard dog breed is also renowned for being a ‘nanny dog’ in the home. They have a natural instinct to protect children, often watching over them to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
This devotion to its family means St Bernards can be protective, but only if they perceive an actual threat, and even then, just expect some loud barks. The Bernie is rarely aggressive, but their huge size can be enough of a deterrent to any potential intruders.
St Bernard puppies are extremely hyper and rambunctious, but as they mature they become mellow and laid-back. This placid pooch can still be a handful though, simply due to its size and strength, so you need to make sure you’re able to accommodate its needs.
Although calm and easy-going, Bernies are super social dogs that love to play and be involved in all the family fun. They thrive on human companionship and can struggle with separation anxiety, so leaving them on their own for too long might turn these giant teddy bears into giant teddy nightmares!
They’re happiest when they’re lounging around at their owner’s feet, chewing on a toy or simply snoozing. This breed is known to be quite the lazy bones, so encouragement is definitely needed for its daily exercise. St Bernards also drool a lot and shed heavily throughout the year, so they’re not an ideal companion for fastidious homeowners.
Early socialisation and consistent training is key to raising a confident and well-mannered pooch. So, if you’re looking for a big dog with an even bigger heart, the St Bernard could be the breed for you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Loving, gentle, and sweet-natured | Short life span and prone to serious health problems |
| Great with children | Needs lots of space |
| Moderate exercise needs | Suffers with separation anxiety |
| Laid-back and easy-going | Intolerant of heat, needs to be kept cool |
| Highly intelligent and trainable | Can be stubborn and wilful |
| Low-maintenance grooming needs | Drooling, slobbering, and heavy shedding | Devoted to family and forms strong bonds | Can show aggression if not socialised from a young age |
Absolutely! These big softies are wonderful family pets due to their laidback, loving nature. St Bernards thrive on being in a family environment, and enjoy the comforts that family life brings too, such as snuggling up on the sofa. But it’s the people that matter most. St Bernards adore human companionship and hate being left alone, so they need someone to be in most of the time. They also drool, slobber, and shed heavily, so they suit families who don’t mind a bit of mess.
Yes, and it’s why they have the nickname of ‘nanny dog’! St Bernards are extremely gentle, nurturing, and patient with children of all ages, taking great care not to harm them. However, they’re a strong, powerful breed that can cause accidental injury, so they might not be the best buddy for babies and toddlers.
You should always teach children how to properly interact with dogs, regardless of breed. This includes no pulling, smacking, poking, or disturbing them while they’re eating and sleeping. Great care should also be taken when introducing dogs and children, making sure to never leave little ones unsupervised no matter how well-trained your pooch is.
Yes. St Bernards tend to get along nicely with other pets in the home if they’ve been properly socialised or raised together. They have a low prey drive, so they can live with cats, rabbits, and other furry friends too. However, they should be supervised around unfamiliar animals, especially small ones.
Introducing new animals into the pack should always be managed carefully. Remember, every St Bernard is unique, so monitor their body language, provide space and reward good behaviour.
We all want our dogs to live long, happy, healthy lives, so it’s important you know how to look after a St Bernard properly. From tasty nutritious meals to exercise, training and grooming, we’ve got it covered.
Despite being colossal canines, fully grown St Bernards only have moderate exercise needs – up to 1 hour a day will keep them happy and healthy.
This should include a couple of walks in the park, plenty of fun indoor games, and some off-lead time in a secure, fenced-in back garden where they can properly let off steam. They also love to pull carts and sleds, and carry backpacks, which could come in handy on your next camping trip. Romps in the snow is another favourite pastime for St Bernards, so keep your fingers crossed for a white winter!
Don’t expect a St Bernard to be eager about exercise though. These dogs are known to be lazy, so they need encouragement to get moving. Without daily exercise, Bernies can pack on the pounds and become obese, affecting their mobility and quality of life.
While they’ll happily accompany you on a hike, St Bernards suffer from heat exhaustion, so they’re not great jogging or running partners. Avoid walking them at the hottest time of day, and make sure to provide lots of shade, rest, and cool water when it’s warm.
St Bernard puppies are extremely rambunctious and boisterous, so it’s important to give them extra mental stimulation and companionship to make up for their reduced exercise needs.
St Bernards are intelligent, eager to please dogs known for their search and rescue work. They’re also highly empathetic and can sense changes in human emotion, making them excellent therapy dogs for those with psychiatric needs.
However, they were bred to work independently, giving them a stubborn streak. If they’re not in the right hands, these giant teddy bears can grow to become dominant (especially males), and will naturally take advantage of their size. An unruly St Bernard is a dangerous one, wreaking havoc in your home and out in public, so consistent training and socialisation from an early age is absolutely essential to raising an obedient Bernie.
Puppy, socialisation, and obedience classes are recommended for this breed.
Unleash your pup’s potential with these St Bernard training tips.
1. Be positive. Always use positive reinforcement by rewarding good behaviour with lots of praise and delicious treats, such as this high protein Baltic Beef Jerky.
2. Establish who’s boss. St Bernards might be placid pooches, but they’re not pushovers. They need a confident owner who is firm, fair, and respectful. Ensure to set clear rules and boundaries, and consistently enforce them to help them understand what's expected of them and reduce any unwanted behaviour.
3. Be patient. Bernies tend to learn at a slower pace, so don’t feel disheartened if they don’t grasp commands right away.
4. Socialise, socialise, socialise! St Bernards are watchful dogs, so they proceed with natural caution. Without proper socialisation from puppyhood, this can lead to extreme shyness or aggression. Expose them to new people, children, dogs, animals, smells, and situations from an early age to help them become calm and confident canines.
5. Be consistent. Bernies are highly intelligent, so they can pick up bad habits as easily as they learn good ones. Consistency is key, along with making sure the household is using the same commands.
6. Keep their paws on the floor. St Bernard puppies are very boisterous, playful, and excitable, and will often jump up to greet people. If this behaviour isn’t nipped in the bud, it can become a real problem down the line when they’re a big, strong, powerful adult dog. Face away and ignore them when they jump up, and once all paws are firmly on the floor, give them a yummy treat.
7. Get them used to a lead. Unless you want to be pulled down the street by your bulky St Bernard, teaching them how to walk nicely on a lead is a must. Start indoors where there are fewer distractions, and gradually move to busier environments as they become more comfortable. Due to their strength, you should also invest in a heavy duty harness that allows for safe outdoor adventures.
8. Stop them stealing food. These dogs will eventually reach table height, and your dinner might be too good to resist. It’s important St Bernards have learnt the ‘leave it’ command, and that you establish a good relationship of mutual respect so they know not to push boundaries.
9. Channel their inner worker. St Bernards were bred to rescue people stuck on the Swiss Alps, so they enjoy activities like carting and drafting, fetching a ball, and nose work. Incorporate these into their training to keep it fun and interesting.
10. Reduce the risk of separation anxiety. While they should never be left alone for hours on end, you can help your St Bernard be more comfortable with their own company by gradually increasing the amount of time you're away from home. Start with small increments (e.g., 5-10 minutes) and make sure they have a toy or puzzle to keep them busy.
Not as much as you might think. You can get long-haired St Bernards and short-haired St Bernards, both of which have a dense, double coat that’s fairly easy to maintain. However, potential owners need to be prepared for lots and lots of loose hair, as these dogs are heavy shedders, particularly during spring and autumn. If you’re very house proud and the idea of finding tufts of fluff on the floor is making you shudder, a Bernie might not be for you!
Here are some grooming tips to ensure your St Bernard looks beautiful all year round.
Properly looked after, loved and cared for, the St Bernard lifespan is between 8–10 years. However, like many beautiful purebreds, they’re prone to some health problems.
Healthy Bernies should be seen by a vet at least once a year, with senior dogs (seven years and older) needing more frequent visits. Monitor your pooch regularly and ensure they’re getting what they need for a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Feeding your St Bernard a well balanced diet that’s tailored to their size and medical needs is an essential part of being a responsible dog owner. From helping their coat stay shiny to maintaining healthy joints, the food you give them is so im-paw-tant!
The amount you feed your Bernie will depend on a number of factors, such as whether they’re a puppy or an adult, if you’re using dry food, wet food or a mix, their activity levels, and whether they’ve been neutered or spayed.
As they’re prone to bloating, it’s best to feed full-grown St Bernards 2 or 3 times a day using a slow feeder bowl, so they don’t guzzle it down too quickly.
You'll find a handy feeding calculator at the bottom of every product page here at Pooch & Mutt, helping you identify how much of our health-led recipes are right for the age, size and weight of your dog. Take our quick quiz to find your pooch’s perfect food!
Feed a balanced diet
Choose a high-quality, vet recommended dog food that meets your Bernie’s nutritional needs, and consider adding natural supplements to their diet such as Salmon Oil to boost their physical and mental health.
Protect their joints
To help keep the hip dysplasia at bay, consider feeding your St Bernard our Joint Care Dry Food, or add Joint Supplements to their diet as an extra preventative measure. Also, puppies should never be over exercised while they’re still developing.
Monitor weight
A healthy male St Bernard weight is anywhere between 63kg and 81kg, while a female Bernie should weigh between 54kg and 63kg. Make sure table scraps don’t become a fixture in their diet though. Carrying extra weight puts pressure on their joints and internal organs, reducing their quality of life.
Prevent bloat
These pooches are prone to bloating, so make sure to space food and exercise an hour apart, and keep their food bowl on the floor as opposed to being elevated.
Look after their heart
St Bernards are prone to dilated cardiomyopathy, so consider adding omega-3s (found in fish) to their diet. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory and is proven to improve cardiovascular health.
Keep them cool
St Bernards can suffer from heat exhaustion pretty quickly, so provide plenty of shade, rest, and fresh water when the weather’s hot.
Use a harness
Using a harness on walks instead of just a collar can help reduce neck pain for pooches with Wobbler Syndrome.
Take them to the vet
It might not be their favourite place in the world but regular check-ups with a vet can help identify potential health issues early on.
Always speak to your vet about the best course of action in treating health problems in your dog.
Take a look at the St Bernard’s dream home.
| Type of owner? | Individuals, couples, or families who spend a lot of time at home and aren’t worried about heavy shedding and drool. |
| Outdoor space? | A large, secure back garden is recommended, or access to large open spaces. |
| Adaptability? | They’re a giant breed that needs lots of room to lounge around, so they’re not suited to living in small flats or apartments. |
| Multi-pet home? | They can live nicely with other dogs and pets, especially if they’ve been raised together, but care should be taken around unfamiliar animals. |
They’re both large Swiss breeds that are known for being good with children and model family dogs, but the Bernese is super high-energy and can run and play all day. It needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation and makes a great hiking or running partner. St Bernards, on the other hand, prefer a kip on the couch and are better for inactive owners.
The unconditional love of a St Bernard is priceless, but there are costs to consider if you plan to own one.
St Bernards cost anywhere between £500 and £2,000. The price you pay will depend on the breeder or private seller, and the pedigree of the dog. The average monthly total cost of owning a St Bernard is around £150.
Set up costs
Primary vaccines in the UK cost between £40-£70 on average, but this depends where you live and the vets you choose. You’ll also need equipment such as a lead, collar, harness, dog tag (this is a legal requirement), bedding, food bowls, toys, and a crate if you’re crate training. If you decide to neuter your pup, the cost of the operation ranges from £110 to £300, and is usually done between six and 12 months old. Spaying costs can be higher and you should always talk to your vet about the best time to have this procedure done.
Ongoing costs
When it comes to food, these pooches need a high quality dog food packed with vitamins and natural ingredients. This could cost around £100 per month. On top of this, you’ll also have booster vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and regular accessories like poop bags to buy.
Insurance costs
As with all dogs, it’s highly recommended to purchase pet insurance should anything happen. The exact cost of insurance is based on your location, your dog’s age, breed, medical history and the type of cover you choose. Pet insurance prices vary wildly so always compare to get the right protection. (The average annual cost to insure a pedigree dog without any pre-existing conditions is around £403. This might sound a lot but you can’t put a price on peace of mind.)
Get to know the St Bernard even more with these titbits and tales about one of the most beloved family dogs!
St Bernards have a history as rich and epic as their size! Back in the 11th century, Archdeacon Bernard de Menthon arrived at the Great Saint Bernard Pass on the Swiss Alps. This was a notoriously dangerous high altitude mountain route between Italy and Switzerland, sitting around 2,469 metres above sea level. Wanting to make this pass safer for everyone, he set up the Great St Bernard Hospice; a place where travellers could find refuge from the elements, as well as being a place of worship.
It wasn’t until the 17th century though that the hospice first began to use dogs to guard and protect the building and residents (a painting from 1696 shows a large, short-haired dog that greatly resembles the modern day St Bernard). It’s thought St Bernards likely descend from mastiff-type dogs that were brought over from Asia to Europe by the ancient Romans, that were then crossed with local Alpine dogs.
It wouldn’t take long before the hospice monks realised these dogs were incredible pathfinders and could track down people lost or trapped in the snow. Due to their isolation, refining the breed was relatively easy, allowing them to develop muscular dogs with a thick coat that could insulate them from the harsh weather.
Legend has it that the iconic St Bernard barrel (seen worn around their necks in historic paintings) contained brandy to restore blood flow and provide warmth. While this is strictly myth, the fact that St Bernards were Alpine heroes remains true. In the 300 years they were employed as service dogs at the Great St Bernard Hospice, they saved the lives of over 2,000 people.
In 1880, they were officially registered by the Swiss Kennel Club as the St Bernard, however before that they were known as Saint Dogs, Noble Dogs, or Alpine Mastiffs.
Fast forward to today, and the St Bernard has hung up their snow boots for slippers instead, as they’re a much loved family dog that has warmed the hearts and homes of many all over the world.
Before you bring a new furry friend into your life, you need to know you’re getting it from a reputable source. To help you navigate this decision, here are some essential tips for buying or adopting a St Bernard.
1. Research the breed. St Bernards need a lot of socialisation and ongoing training, so make sure your lifestyle is suited.
2. Ask potential breeders for references from previous customers, veterinarians, or other breeders. This will help you get an idea of their reputation and the health of their dogs.
3. Beware of scammers. A genuine seller will never ask for money upfront before seeing the dogs, and will always offer for you to see them in person before making a commitment. Also be wary if the price is significantly cheaper than other listings.
4. Always visit the breeder in person to see the mother with her St Bernard puppies, and to check the environment. A responsible breeder or seller will never release the pups before they’re eight weeks’ old.
5. Watch out for people who breed multiple breeds at once. This is a sign they might not have the expertise on St Bernards and don’t prioritise their dogs’ health.
6. A reputable breeder will provide a health guarantee for your puppy, including paperwork about their lineage, vaccinations and microchipping.
When adopting a St Bernard, research the shelter to ensure they’re a reputable rescue organisation, and meet with their adoption specialist to discuss your lifestyle, needs and dog ownership experience. Bernies in shelters may have complex medical conditions or be quite senior, so you’ll need to ensure you have the time, love and dedication to give them a happy fur-ever home.
Never miss a treat!
Subscribe to our newsletter and get blog articles amongst other treats delivered to your inbox
Comments (1)
@Elle Padgham you have beautifully written Such An Extensive and impressive guide to St Bernard. Thanks for such detail and accurate information.
Leave a comment