# St. Bernard

Also known as: Saint Bernard, Bernhardiner, Barry Dog, Alpine Mastiff
- **Group:** Mastiff & Mountain (FCI group 2)
- **Size:** Giant
- **Origin:** Switzerland
- **Height:** 65–90 cm
- **Weight:** 64–120 kg
- **Life expectancy:** 8–10 years
- **Temperament:** Gentle, Patient, Calm, Loyal, Friendly

A giant Swiss mountain rescue dog, famed for Alpine heroics and a sweet, patient nature. It is a gentle giant that loves children and company but needs space and careful health attention.

## Overview

The St. Bernard is a very large, powerful dog from the Western Alps, bred at the Great St Bernard Hospice to help find travellers lost in the snow. Its massive frame, broad head and kind expression are known around the world.

At home it is a calm, affectionate companion. It needs room, a cool environment and an owner who is ready for its size, appetite and drool.

## History

The monks of the Great St Bernard Pass hospice acquired their first dogs between about 1660 and 1670. The most famous rescue dog, Barry, is said to have saved dozens of lives. Harsh winters in the early 1800s killed many dogs, and the survivors were crossed with Newfoundlands and other breeds.

The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded in 1884, and a standard was approved in 1888. Dogs grew much larger as shows emphasised appearance, and the last recorded Alpine rescue was in 1955.

## Appearance

The St. Bernard is a giant, muscular dog with a broad head, strong muzzle and expressive dark eyes. The coat is either short and smooth or longer and rough, always in white with red or brindle patches.

The tail is long and heavy, and the body powerful but well proportioned. Dogs are far larger than the original hospice dogs.

## Temperament

Known as a classic gentle giant, the St. Bernard is calm, patient and sweet, especially with children. It is loyal, affectionate and eager to be part of the family.

It is not especially protective but may bark at strangers, and its size alone is a deterrent. It is generally easy to socialise and train, though its sheer size means manners must be taught early.

## Care and exercise

St. Bernards need regular but moderate exercise and should not be pushed hard while growing or in warm weather. They overheat easily, so keep them cool.

Brush the coat weekly, more often during seasonal shedding. Wipe the face and jowls to manage drool. Feed measured meals to manage weight and reduce bloat risk.

## Health

The breed has a relatively short lifespan. It is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament problems, dilated cardiomyopathy, bone cancer, eye problems and bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus). Skin fold issues are also common. Choose health-tested parents.

## Ratings (1 to 5)

- Energy: 2
- Exercise needs: 3
- Grooming: 3
- Shedding: 4
- Trainability: 3
- Barking: 2
- Good with children: 5
- Good with other dogs: 4

Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/st-bernard
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Bernard_%28dog_breed%29 · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38090
Photo: Blanky (CC BY-SA 3.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hummel_Vedor_vd_Robandahoeve.jpg
Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.