A Saint Bernard can be great for you if you want an even-tempered, intelligent dog that can tolerate being alone a few hours a day. St. Bernards are excellent for children and they do well with other household pets. However, these dogs are expensive to maintain and can be high-maintenance, so they are not ideal for novice dog owners.
It is important to consider all aspects of caring for your prospective family dog. Some of them could be more or less important for your particular household, depending on your lifestyle.
IS SAINT BERNARD RIGHT FOR YOU? 12 FACTORS TO CONSIDER
1. Saint Bernard As A Puppy
A young Saint is as high-maintenance as a puppy of any other breed but, of course, larger than puppies of most other breeds.
A common complaint about Saint puppies is that they are clumsy and nippy. That is typical puppy behavior but it can be more of an issue if your puppy is the size of a toddler.
If available, puppy classes are a great option for St. Bernard dogs. Puppies teach each other how to interact appropriately, which is important for such a large animal.
2. Fair Working Intelligence, Fair Training Potential
When I read Stanley Coren’s entries on the working intelligence and trainability of the breed, I was surprised to find out that these dogs’ obedience scores are below average. Saint Bernards’ working intelligence is considered low average.
In practical terms, you could face the following circumstances when training your Saint:
- It could take up to twenty-five repetitions for the dog to understand a new command
- It could take up to eighty times for the dog to show a solid understanding of a new command
- A Saint might need frequent practice to retain new skills in general
- These pups need the trainer to be right next to them for good results
- Your dog may appear stubborn or not focused when you train him or her (but your pet’s performance will improve over time)
- If you are outdoors and your dog is at a distance, your pet may not respond to even a well-mastered command.
Note that working intelligence is just one aspect of an animal’s cognitive abilities. It is well known that Saint Bernards learned by observing each other when the lived in the Alps and saved people lost in the mountains in harsh conditions. Saint were not trained to save human lives or alert of a person needing help. These dogs learned from each other.
3. Low To Moderate Energy Level, Low Need For Exercise
A positive that stems from the breed’s modest capacity to learn is that, unlike very smart breeds like border collies or Shelties, Saints are docile and happy with routines.
Your pet will not get bored easily and will be content snoozing on his/her favorite couch for hours. Saints do well with spending a few hours a day alone regularly or as needed. At the same time, these dogs love the company of their owners and the entire family.
Saints need a moderate amount of exercise. 30-60 minute walks daily are usually sufficient for physical activity – and important to help these pups maintain a healthy weight.
4. Behavioral Issues Are Rare: A Great Match For Households With Kids
Saint Bernards can be challenging to train but, thanks to these dogs’ calm and kind disposition, behavioral issues are rare.
Coren lists them among the ten worst breeds to keep as guard dogs. The reason for that is Saints are not reactive and they are not eager to bark. A typical Saint is a kind, and patient giant, borderline lazy.
Saint Bernards are good dogs for families with kids, and they typically get along with cats and other dogs in the household too. Your Saint may like to rest a lot, especially as the dog gets older, so it is important to have a nice spot away from high-traffic areas to prevent overstimulation.
5. Tolerates Being Alone
Saint Bernards love spending time with the family, so your pet should get plenty of interaction regularly. At the same time, these dogs are quite independent. They do not need much exercise or entertainment. If you spend some time away from home when you work and your dog is alone for a few hours, your pet will probably tolerate that well. Separation anxiety is not usually a problem.
6. Poor Tolerance To High Temperatures
If you live in a warm climate, consider the fact that Saint Bernards have a low tolerance to heat. Occasional heat waves can be mitigated by staying home during the hot hours, a cooling mat, and AC. Endless summer, however, could be hard on these dogs because they just don’t have the adaptations to cool down in hot weather.
Saint Bernards do well in a cold climate.
7. Saint Bernards As Activity Partners
A healthy Saint who is older than 1 year old and younger than 5 years old should be able to enjoy a hike up to 5 miles (8 km) long, as long as the area is relatively flat. These dogs usually have good stamina, so hiking at a slow pace is good exercise for them. Avoid spending much time outside with your dog when it is hot.
Saint Bernards do not do well with running and other high-impact forms of exercise because of their size They are also prone to joint and hip injuries.
When it comes to swimming, Saints can acquire a taste for aquatic activities, especially if introduced to swimming from a young age.
8. Shedding And Grooming Needs
Although Saints are not always long-haired, they do shed a lot. That adds to their reputation of being high-maintenance. Spring and late summer are the seasons when shedding is particularly heavy but expect a moderate to high amount of dog fur around your house throughout the year.
On the other hand, these dogs do not require any elaborate grooming practices. Occasional baths are sufficient, and regular brushing with a shedding comb is recommended. Their fur sheds in lumps, so it is easy to pick up.
Most dogs love being brushed. So, it is an opportunity to bond with your dog. It is also a great fun chore for children of school age.
9. Feeding Your Saint Bernard
The ideal diet of a Saint is not unique, of course. It is the ideal diet for a very large dog that is susceptible to excessive weight gain and joint problems.
Feeding your pet high-quality food – a large amount of it but not too much – is essential for the long-term health of your dog. Dogs of this breed greatly benefit from balanced nutrition.
If you are new to having dogs in your household, you might be surprised at how much food such a large dog can eat.
10. Health Issues And Veterinarian Needs
Saint Bernards have a short life expectancy, up to 10 years, which is typical for the breed. They are also prone to several health problems.
Saint Bernards were bred from a relatively narrow gene pool, so many dogs are born with genetic issues. It is crucial to only work with responsible breeders when you are planning to get a purebred puppy.
- Hip dysplasia is common, as well as arthritis and problems with bones, including bone cancer.
- Saints are prone to some issues with their eyes
- Hemolytic anemia induced by abnormal immune responses
- Similar to other large dogs, Saints are at risk for bloat, too.
11. Expensive To Maintain
Expensive veterinary care is typical for many large dog breeds. Insurance for a Saint Bernard can be up to 40-50% more expensive than average.
It is not just the high cost of health insurance and veterinary care that makes Saint Bernards a pricey family pet.
In addition to the initial cost of purchasing a puppy and all the supplies, estimate your monthly expenses. If you might need to travel with your pet, do some research into flying with a Saint Bernard. A dog as large as a Saint would need to fly in cargo, which is stressful for the animal, and also very expensive.
12. Can Saint Bernards Live In Apartments?
St. Bernards are calm and sociable animals. Many become habitual couch potatoes as they age. So, despite, being very large, Saints do well in compact living spaces.
Apartments are fine for this breed but it is important to pick an apartment with features that make life easier for a large dog.
A balcony or a patio is a plus, and having access to an elevator is important if you live on a higher floor because these pups commonly develop issues with their joints.
To Conclude
Saint Bernards are an excellent companion breed, they are very therapeutic to be around. Despite their imposing size, Saints are wonderful with children and other pets in the household.
Expensive and somewhat challenging to maintain, they are dogs for experienced dog owners.
