Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard temperament is the stuff of legend, and deservedly so. These are among the gentlest, most placid dogs you will ever encounter. There is a quiet dignity about them - a calmness that seems entirely at odds with their enormous physical presence. They move through life with an unhurried serenity, rarely agitated, seldom aggressive, and apparently content with the simple pleasures of food, company, and a comfortable place to rest their considerable bulk.

With their families, Saint Bernards are deeply affectionate and devoted. They form strong bonds with every member of the household and have a particular tenderness with children that is genuinely touching to witness. A Saint Bernard will tolerate being climbed on, dressed up, and used as a pillow with extraordinary patience, seeming to understand instinctively that the small humans require gentleness. That said, supervision is always advisable - not because the dog is likely to be aggressive, but because a casual turn of that enormous head can knock a toddler off their feet without any malicious intent whatsoever.

They are not guard dogs in the traditional sense, though their size alone is an effective deterrent. Most Saint Bernards will bark to alert you to visitors, then greet the newcomer with a wagging tail and a generous application of drool. They are sociable with other dogs and generally peaceful with cats and smaller pets, especially when raised together. Aggression is extremely rare in well-bred Saint Bernards and should be treated as a serious behavioural or medical concern if it occurs.

One trait that surprises many new owners is the Saint Bernard's sensitivity. Despite their imposing size, these are emotionally delicate dogs that respond strongly to the mood of the household. Raised voices, tension, and conflict can cause genuine distress, and a Saint Bernard that feels insecure may become withdrawn or anxious. They flourish in calm, stable homes where the atmosphere is relaxed and affectionate - which, coincidentally, is exactly the kind of atmosphere they tend to create around them.

Saint Bernards have surprisingly modest exercise requirements for such a large breed. An adult needs around 45 minutes to an hour of daily exercise, split into two shorter walks rather than one long trek. They enjoy a gentle stroll through the countryside, a potter around the local park, or a meander along quiet country lanes, but they are emphatically not jogging companions or hiking partners for demanding mountain trails. Their heavy build and predisposition to joint problems make moderate, steady exercise far more appropriate than vigorous activity.

Puppies and young dogs require particularly careful exercise management. Saint Bernards grow at an astonishing rate, and their developing bones and joints are vulnerable to damage from over-exercise. The Kennel Club and most breed clubs recommend restricting exercise to five minutes per month of age, twice daily, until the dog is at least 18 months old - and ideally two years. This means a six-month-old Saint Bernard puppy should have no more than 30 minutes of structured exercise per session. Free play in the garden is fine, but road walking, running on hard surfaces, and jumping should all be minimised during the growth period.

In warm weather, exercise should be reduced further and timed for the cooler parts of the day - early morning and late evening. Saint Bernards overheat quickly, and heatstroke is a genuine and potentially fatal risk during the British summer. Always carry water on walks, stick to shaded routes when possible, and watch for signs of overheating such as excessive panting, drooling more than usual, or reluctance to move. A damp cooling coat can be helpful on warmer days.

Whether you own a rough-coated or smooth-coated Saint Bernard, regular grooming is essential to keep the coat healthy and your house in some semblance of order. Rough-coated dogs need brushing three to four times per week with a slicker brush and an undercoat rake, paying particular attention to the feathering behind the ears, on the chest, and around the hindquarters where matting is most likely to develop. Smooth-coated Saints are slightly lower maintenance but still shed generously and benefit from a good brush two to three times weekly.

Both coat types blow their undercoat twice a year, typically in spring and autumn, and during these periods daily brushing is the only way to manage the sheer volume of loose hair. If you have a Saint Bernard, you will own a powerful hoover. There is no way around this. Saint Bernard hair has a remarkable ability to weave itself into fabrics, and you will find it in places you never thought possible - inside sealed containers, in the freezer, woven through your favourite jumper. It becomes part of the household.

Drool management is the other major grooming consideration. Saint Bernards drool - sometimes a trickle, sometimes a torrent, and always at the least convenient moment. Keeping a supply of towels or drool bibs around the house and in the car saves considerable cleaning. Facial folds and jowls should be wiped daily to prevent skin irritation and infection. Ears need checking weekly, nails trimming every two to three weeks, and teeth brushing several times per week. At bath time, you will need a walk-in shower or a garden hose and a very patient attitude - bathing a reluctant 80 kg dog is not for the faint-hearted.

The Saint Bernard's greatest vulnerability is its relatively short lifespan. Like many giant breeds, Saint Bernards age faster than their smaller counterparts, and a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years is typical. Some well-bred dogs live beyond this, but owners should go in understanding that their time together will be shorter than with most breeds. Making every year count with proper care and attention is the best gift you can give.

Hip and elbow dysplasia are significant concerns in the breed. The combination of rapid growth, heavy body weight, and genetic predisposition means that joint problems are unfortunately common. The BVA/Kennel Club hip scoring and elbow grading schemes are essential for breeding stock, and prospective buyers should always ask to see the results for both parents. Keeping your Saint Bernard at a healthy weight, providing appropriate exercise, and feeding a high-quality diet formulated for large breeds can all help to protect the joints.

Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus, or GDV) is a life-threatening emergency that affects deep-chested breeds, and Saint Bernards are particularly at risk. Symptoms include a distended abdomen, restlessness, unproductive retching, and rapid deterioration. Preventive measures include feeding two or three smaller meals rather than one large one, avoiding vigorous exercise for at least an hour after eating, and using a slow-feeder bowl if your dog eats too quickly. Some owners and veterinary surgeons opt for prophylactic gastropexy - a surgical procedure that tacks the stomach to the body wall to prevent torsion.

Heart conditions, including dilated cardiomyopathy, can affect the breed, and regular cardiac screening is advisable. Entropion (inward-rolling eyelids) and ectropion (outward-rolling eyelids) are common eye conditions in Saint Bernards and may require surgical correction if they cause irritation or infection. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) occurs at higher rates than in many other breeds and is a leading cause of death. Regular veterinary check-ups, awareness of the early signs of these conditions, and a strong relationship with a vet who has experience of giant breeds are all essential elements of responsible Saint Bernard ownership.