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A massive, powerful dog, the Saint Bernard was originally bred to rescue freezing, stranded travelers during snowstorms in Switzerland. The breed has two coat varieties: Shorthair and Longhair. He has a gentle temperament, making the noble, intelligent Saint Bernard a superb companion and devoted family dog. This breed drools heavily, and his coat sheds frequently, requiring regular grooming.
DID YOU KNOW? The breed was named after Saint Bernard de Menthon, the patron saint of mountaineers and skiers.
ALSO KNOWN AS: St. Bernhardshund, Bernhardiner, Alpine Mastiff
| Lifespan: | 8–10 years |
| Weight: | 68–91kg |
| Height: | 70–90cm |
| Colours: | Orange, mahogany-brindle, red-brindle or white with patches of these colours |
| Size: | Large |
| Kennel Club group: | Working |
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 2/5 |
| Easy to train: | 2/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 1/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 5/5 |
| Energy level: | 3/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 4/5 |
| Shedding: | 4/5 |
A 'gentle giant' sums up the character of the St. Bernard. They are good-humoured, trustworthy and love family life. They are very loyal dogs who rarely bark, but will defend you and your possessions if they deem necessary. They normally accept other household animals with no problems. Young dogs must be taught from an early age not to pull on their leads, as this habit will be problematic when they are older and enormous!
Country of Origin: Switzerland
The St. Bernard breed was developed in the 18th century by monks at a hospice offering aid and shelter to travellers in the Swiss Alps. It was recorded in 1774 that these dogs were being used as rescue dogs to locate travellers in need of help. Their fame grew and for a while they were called Good Samaritan Dogs. It’s thought that over 2000 travellers have been saved by St. Bernards.
It isn’t just mountain rescue that St. Bernards excel at. One St. Bernard called Bamse, a ship’s dog of a Norwegian minesweeper in World War II, won a PDSA award for courage in action. He was stationed in Montrose, Scotland, and one of his duties was to collect his shipmates from the pubs at closing time! He became so well known in the town that upon his death in 1944, local schools closed to allow hundreds of children to attend his funeral. Today his grave is still honoured in Montrose.
