Saint Bernard
Adult Size: Females and Males 25.5-27.5 inches and 110-200 pounds
Breed: Saint Bernard
Breed Group: Working

The Saint Bernard is a very large, strong, muscular dog with a powerful head. The feet are large with strong, well-arched toes, making the Saint Bernard sure-footed on both snow and ice. They have a highly developed sense of smell and also seem to have a sixth sense about impending danger from storms and avalanches.

This breed is extremely loyal, gentle, patient and obedient. They’re also widely known for being very friendly and highly tolerant of children. However, the Saint Bernard is large and needs to begin socializing at a young age with a strong owner capable of controlling almost 200 pounds on the end of a leash. Because of their massive size, The Saint Bernard makes a great watchdog with a protective instinct that’s strong, but not overly aggressive.

When grooming a Saint Bernard, only bathe it when necessary and use a mild soap, as shampoo tends to strip the coat of its water-resistant properties. Regular brushing and combing with a firm brush is likely all that will be needed.

The Saint Bernard has been known to have some health issues such as heart problems, hip dysplasia and skin problems. They are susceptible to bloating so feeding them 2 or 3 small meals a day instead of one large meal.

Originally discovered in AD 980 by St Bernard de Menthon and developed as a rescue dog for travelers that crossed through the Alpine pass between Switzerland and Italy. It’s believed that the monks crossed the ancient Mastiff with the Great Dane and Great Pyrenees to create the loving and gentle giant.

Today, the Saint Bernard is often used as an avalanche and rescue dog. The dogs have an exceptional sense of smell, allowing them to quickly hunt down and dig out people trapped in the snow.

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Saint Bernard - Dogs for Sale