The St. Bernard is the epitome of strength, nobility and boundless devotion to man. Its majestic posture, calm gaze and friendly nature made this breed legendary long before it appeared at shows. The origin of the St. Bernard is linked to the St. Bernard Monastery in the Swiss Alps. It was here, among snowdrifts and snow avalanches, that the monks began breeding powerful and hardy dogs to rescue travelers lost in the mountains. They searched for people under the snow, dragged them on their backs, warmed them with their bodies and even predicted approaching avalanches. The most famous among them was a dog named Barry, who saved more than 40 people – his name became a symbol of heroism around the world.
An adult male St. Bernard can weigh 70-90 kg and reach a height of more than 70 cm at the withers. There are two varieties of the breed: short-haired (smooth-haired) and long-haired. Both types have a massive head with a characteristic crease above the eyes, a broad muzzle with a dark mask, deep, wise eyes and ears falling along the cheeks. The gait of the St. Bernard is confident, a little heavy but graceful, and the dog always gives the impression of quiet strength.
Despite its formidable size, the St. Bernard’s character is surprisingly affectionate. It is one of the most calm, balanced and kind breeds. St. Bernards are very patient with children, not prone to aggression, easily adapt to the family rhythm of life, do not require constant attention, but always ready to protect. It is difficult to get them out of temper, but they are sensitive to intonations, always oriented to the owner and deeply experience quarrels or shouting. They do not bark in vain, and their appearance inspires respect and calmness. However, it is important to remember: due to their large size, strong paws and weight, the St. Bernard needs early socialization and basic training to avoid difficulties in the home.
This is a dog that will not chase a ball continuously or require active walks like a husky or Border Collie. It is ideal for a moderate rhythm of life, but not suitable for cramped apartments without proper space. The St. Bernard dog is like a kind giant from the movie who is always there, always calm, always understands more than he seems to.
Nutritional Features of the St. Bernard
Large size and rapid growth is both a source of pride and a big challenge in feeding a St. Bernard. Improper nutrition can spoil the dog’s appearance and lead to serious health problems, particularly with joints, heart and weight. Therefore, feeding a St. Bernard requires careful monitoring, a clear regimen and an understanding of the body’s needs at different stages of life.
St. Bernard puppies
The breed’s body works at full capacity during the first months of life. Until 6 months of age, puppies are fed 3-4 times a day. After the age of six months they are fed twice a day. During the period of active growth, it is important not to overfeed the puppy – overeating can lead to excessive strain on bones and joints that have not yet become strong. The average portion should be 7-8% of the puppy’s body weight per day, divided into several meals. For example, a three-month-old St. Bernard puppy weighing 15 kg should receive about 1.2 kg of food per day, divided into 3-4 meals.
The diet should be rich in protein (beef, turkey, chicken), with added cereals (buckwheat, rice), vegetables (carrots, zucchini, pumpkin) and calcium sources. Everything should be easily digestible, balanced, and without excess fat. It is also very important to add complexes with glucosamine and chondroitin – to form healthy joints.
Adult St. Bernards
After one year of age, the Saint Bernard is switched to two meals a day. The daily food requirement for an adult dog depends on its weight, physical activity, age and individual characteristics. On average, an adult St. Bernard weighing 80 kg needs about 1.5-2 kg of food per day. If it is industrial food – it is 600-800 g of high-quality dry food of super-premium or holistic class (marked for giant breeds). If you feed natural food – it is important to keep the ratio:
60% meat, 20% porridge, 20% vegetables, + supplements. Boiled offal, eggs, fish (without bones) are allowed 1-2 times a week.
Vitamin complexes for joints are mandatory, especially if the dog is overweight or sedentary. It is necessary to regularly give preparations with vitamins D3, E, as well as glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM – this significantly reduces the risk of dysplasia and osteoarthritis, often found in this breed of Saint Bernard dogs.
Also keep up with the drinking regime: St. Bernard dogs should always have access to fresh, cool water, especially in the summer – large dogs get dehydrated faster.
Grooming a St. Bernard
Many owners underestimate the need for grooming, believing that this is a “nature” dog that doesn’t need frequent salon treatments. This is a misconception. Both short-haired and long-haired St. Bernards need systematic, professional grooming – otherwise, instead of a luxurious coat, you’ll get a tangled, odorous blanket with skin problems underneath.
Coat care
The short-haired St. Bernard has a dense, coarse coat with an abundant undercoat. He sheds heavily twice a year, and during this period he needs daily combing, otherwise the hair will fly around the house and cause itching in the dog. The long-haired type is more difficult to care for: its coat is long, wavy, with a soft undercoat. It can easily become tangled, especially in the area behind the ears, on the “pants”, tail and chest. If you don’t comb it out 2-3 times a week, after a month you will get a blanket that cannot be combed – only sheared.
Is it possible and is it necessary to shear a St. Bernard?
Yes, but in the right way. It is strictly forbidden to shave a St. Bernard completely. His coat has a protective function against sun, cold, wind and insects. Complete shaving disrupts thermoregulation, causes stress, and in some cases the coat does not grow back properly (especially at the age of 6+ years).
A hygienic haircut of the Saint Bernard is acceptable: shortening of the hair on the paws, trimming of hairballs, neatening of the belly line, cleaning of the area under the tail. In summer, it is possible to make a light shortening of long-haired hair by 1-2 cm – but only with scissors or a machine with a special attachment, without disturbing the undercoat.
Problems without grooming
The Saint Bernard breed, which has not seen a brush for a long time, smells not “doggy”, but dampness and rot. Colts block the access of air to the skin, causing diaper rash, fungus, inflammation, and dirt and feces accumulate under the tail. Bacterial dermatitis often develops in areas where the coat adheres to the skin (groin, under the breasts, belly). Another problem is overheating in the summer. Without regular combing out, the undercoat creates a “coat” and the dog literally “burns” from the inside out.
Bathing the St. Bernard
A St. Bernard should not be bathed more often than once every 1-1.5 months or after heavy soiling. Ordinary shampoos are not suitable – you need special products for long-haired or sensitive breeds, preferably with antiseptic or soothing effect. It is important to thoroughly rinse off the product, because the residue causes itching. Wool must be dried with a hair dryer – natural drying in such volumes leads to unpleasant odor, skin problems and the formation of tangles after 24 hours.
Eyes and ears
Saint Bernards often have an anatomical feature – loose eyelids that “cry”. This is not a pathology, but it does require care. Dribbling tears form brown marks, which over time cause irritation. Daily wiping with special wipes or a moistened cotton disk with chlorhexidine or eye lotion is mandatory. Ears are large, closed, poorly ventilated. They should be checked weekly, cleaned at least once every 2 weeks, and even more often if they are prone to otitis media.
Claws and paw hygiene
Due to their body weight, St. Bernards do not always sharpen their claws naturally. This is especially true for the fifth toe, which does not touch the ground. Too long claws change posture, cause paw pain and even back problems. Claws should be trimmed every 3-4 weeks. Dirt accumulates in the toe pads and should be removed regularly.
What a salon groomer does
In a professional salon, grooming a Saint Bernard is a comprehensive procedure:
combing with anti-curl sprays
deep washing in two stages (shampoo + mask/balm)
thorough blow-drying with water-repellent products
cleaning of ears, eyes, claw trimming
hygiene area treatment and hair styling
St. Bernard’s health: movement, balance and heart responsibility
Daily grooming, physical care, and longevity strategies are required of a St. Bernard owner.
The most common mistake owners make is combining overfeeding with lack of activity. Yes, a St. Bernard is not a hyperactive runner like a husky, but that is no reason to keep him at home on the couch. Without regular movement, even the highest quality nutrition will not save the dog from obesity, and it is a direct road to heart failure, liver problems, and painful joints. And don’t forget: a St. Bernard’s heart is big, but it’s not omnipotent.
Walks should be daily and long. Not fast, not tearing, but confident and calm – with exploration, sniffing, movement. Without this, even the kindest dog becomes anxious, lethargic and begins to “go out”.
The physiological risks of this breed include dysplasia of the hip and elbow joints – that’s why it’s important to prevent overweight during growth and adulthood. Another enemy is gastric enmeshment, a deadly condition where the stomach becomes twisted. It most often happens after overeating and physical exertion immediately after a meal. Feeding should be done in a calm state, twice a day, and should not be allowed to run immediately afterward.
With age, Saint Bernards can face cardiomyopathies, arthritis, as well as chronic fatigue. But the main cause of disease is not in the breed itself, but in irresponsible care. Nutrition should not be hearty, but thoughtful. Walks – not for a tick, but for the sake of health. Grooming is not cosmetic, but prevention of diseases.
Conclusion
Saint Bernard doesn’t need an expensive couch, he is like a big cushion of tenderness himself. He doesn’t need loud commands – he understands with a look. But he does need your patience, space, movement and daily attention. This is a dog that will not tell you when it hurts, but will always feel when it hurts you.
