St. Bernard: characteristics, description of the breed, content, reviews. In what mountains are St. Bernards bred?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Big fluffy dog - this is the phrase that comes to people's minds when they talk about the St. Bernard breed. The characteristic of the animal is amazing, because, despite its huge size, the dog does not hold friendliness. It is freely bred in homes where small children and puppies or cats live.

In which mountains St. Bernards were bred

The largest breed of dog is bred in the mountains of Switzerland, to be more precise - in the Alps. The history of the origin of these dogs is quite interesting. The breed got its name in honor of the monastery of St. Bernard, just located in the Alps.

This establishment was inhabited by peasants known for being able to tame oversized wild dogs with ease. Such animals were very much appreciated, because their whole appearance indicated that they were well adapted to life in the highlands. But at the same time, the pets were distinguished by their desire to constantly serve a person and atypical friendliness.

The question of what mountains St. Bernards were bred in quickly ceased to be relevant, as the dogs showed another remarkable characteristic of theirs - the ability to help people.

In that area, terrible weather and constant snow avalanches were not uncommon. ATin connection with this, travelers and other people whose path passed through the mountains constantly got into trouble.

Then the St. Bernard, whose characteristics never ceased to amaze, opened from another side. The dogs had powerful paws and thick hair, which allowed them to feel relatively comfortable in harsh climatic conditions. Thanks to this, the dogs willingly saved people who were unlucky enough to get into a snow storm. The structure of the body and the developed sense of smell helped the dogs to find travelers who fell through the snow and quickly dig them out.

St. Bernards have developed intuition and high efficiency. Against the background of all of the above, it is not surprising that the breed was quickly noticed by European breeders. Thanks to their painstaking work, the St. Bernards have received a modern look.

What dogs used to look like

At the moment the St. Bernard is a companion dog. He is turned on for the soul and perceived as a member of the family. In view of this, the dog looks massive and heavy, with thick paws, and a little awkward due to the large weight.

But earlier St. Bernards were a little smaller, thinner and more mobile, because their main purpose was to help people in trouble in the mountains. Only thanks to the work of professionals, the dogs got a modern look.

The most famous Saint Bernard

In 1800, a St. Bernard was born, whose characteristics surprised the whole world. The heroism of this dog is still famous and is passed down from generation to generation. For 12 years of my lifea dog named Barry saved the lives of 40 people. The most famous case occurred when a dog carried an injured little boy 5 kilometers to the nearest hospital through very deep snow.

A monument has been erected in honor of Barry in Paris. It is a favorite attraction for locals and tourists.

Great St. Bernard is one of the favorite characters in books and movies about animals. For example, "Beethoven" is one of the great films that tells about the adventures of the average family and their pet dog of this breed.

What is the difference between St. Bernard and Moscow watchdog

Moscow watchdog is a breed of dog that is often confused with St. Bernards. But we assure you, these are completely different animals. So, what is the difference between St. Bernard and Moscow watchdog:

• Moscow Watchdog is a breed that was obtained when a St. Bernard was crossed with a Caucasian Shepherd Dog. That is, it is a descendant of a large dog.
• The Moscow watchdog was bred specifically for the purpose of serving in security institutions, and today the St. Bernard is a kind, friendly and clumsy companion dog.
• The Moscow watchdog has a more toned body and short hair, which is related to its purpose.

These breeds are bred for different purposes, which is the reason for the difference in their manners and appearance. St. Bernard, whose characteristics are more loyal, is not associated with kindness and friendliness, so it is hard to believe that the Moscow watchdog is much more aggressive. AnywayThe temperament of any dog depends on education. Each dog will honestly and faithfully serve the owner, who loves, educates and respects her.

Intellectual abilities

The adult St. Bernard looks slightly awkward, which is why many people believe that this breed has a small mind. In fact, these dogs are by nature human helpers. You need to have developed intuition, a broad outlook, high intelligence and excellent learning ability in order to search for injured people and provide them with first aid.

The key feature of this breed is the ability to navigate in the surrounding space. St. Bernard puppies have an innate talent. Combined with devotion to the person and a desire to learn, this quality can be developed to achieve incredible results.

Character of breed

St. Bernard puppies are very popular among breeders. But some people, especially those with children, are afraid to acquire this breed because of its impressive size. But the fears are completely unfounded. St. Bernard is a friendly and good-natured dog, besides very lazy at home. It is worth noting the following qualities of a dog:

• Know how to get along with children and other pets.
• Striving to please the owners in everything.
• Balanced temperament.
• Relative calm. The St. Bernard only barks for a really good reason.
• Slowness.
• Developed sense of smell.
• Constantthe need for the attention of the owners. Abandoned St. Bernards become miserable.

This breed is like no other suitable for family life. St. Bernard will quickly make friends with all household residents and will forever take a place in your heart.

Training process

Training dogs should start at an early age, while their weight is still relatively small. St. Bernards quickly get bored with the learning process, so you'll have to be cunning to get the dog interested. Since the dog is very loyal to the owners, you can use the following tricks:

• St. Bernard will constantly try to please you. Therefore, praise is the best reward for a dog.
• The dog gets very upset if you are unhappy or angry with him. Therefore, be as loyal as possible during the training process.
• Show the St. Bernard that learning can be fun.

If you approach training responsibly and with love, the St. Bernard will obey you in everything.

Remember that an untrained dog of this breed can cause fear in others. The St. Bernard can jump on people, and its weight usually reaches 90 kg, which will cause inconvenience to your guests and family members.

But a well-trained dog with excellent manners and goodwill will become the favorite of all the people around.

How to care for a St. Bernard

Although the St. Bernard has a large size and long coat, care for it is quite simple. Heincludes the following items:

• Comb your coat once or twice a week. It does not appear matted, so this process will not be difficult or lengthy.
• Don't bathe your dog often, especially with shampoo. This may cause the protective oil to be washed away from the skin.
• Twice a year the dog sheds. Only at this time, her six needs more frequent brushing.

This is all the rules for caring for St. Bernard. Separately, it is worth dwelling on the nutrition of the dog.

Feeding the dog

St. Bernard, the description of which is quite voluminous, needs natural nutrition. Its main principles are:

• It is important to give your dog cereal for breakfast and meat products for dinner.
• During the summer heat, it is not recommended to feed a dog with cereals, but a pregnant St. Bernard girl should still receive a full diet.
• Babies need to be fed 6 times a day. The diet of puppies must include dairy or sour-milk products.
• At 3 months, puppies need to be transferred to four meals a day, at 5 - to three meals a day, and at 7 babies already eat like adult dogs.
• Ask the breeder who sold you the dog what foods can be added to his diet.
• Don't neglect dog vitamins. Periodically, they should be given to St. Bernards.
• If you do not have time to cook food for your dog, give preference to only expensive food. It is better to ask the breeder what brand of food can be given to St. Bernards.

Dog nutrition plays a big role in its harmonious development. An unbalanced diet can lead to many pathologies.

St. Bernard's disease

Despite the huge size of the dog, the dog is prone to many diseases. The most famous of them are:

• Bone diseases.
• Infection with helminths.
• Swelling of the limbs.
• Problems with the lymphatic system.
• Lung and heart problems.
• Eye diseases.
• Convulsions.
• Digestive problems.

To avoid these problems, you need to carefully monitor the diet and daily routine of St. Bernard. Proper care and compliance with all menu rules will help prevent the development of almost all pathologies. It is also important to periodically take the dog to the veterinarian for examination in order to identify all kinds of violations in advance and quickly eliminate them.

Walking with St. Bernard

The St. Bernard breed, the price of which is quite high, rarely gets along with comfort in an ordinary apartment. Think about whether you are ready to give money if you cannot provide the dog with regular walks.

The dog needs to be walked daily. At the same time, it is important to make sure that the dog receives a sufficient amount of loads. But you should not overload the St. Bernard too much. It is enough to give him walks and allow him to jog a little. Also, dogs love outdoor games with their owners.

St. Bernard and apartment

St. Bernard, the price of which is at least 10 thousand rubles, also requires cash costs for maintenance. WhatAs for space, of course, a country house is more suitable for this breed. You can keep a St. Bernard in an apartment only if you are able to provide the dog with sufficient time in the fresh air.

But one cannot fail to say that even in a house with a small amount of space, this breed shows maximum tolerance and respect for family members. The dog will never claim the entire territory of the apartment, much less take it from the owners.

St. Bernard will be grateful to you if you give him a balcony with a heated floor. In the winter season, he will be very comfortable in the warmth and fresh air.

Think in advance how you will bathe the St. Bernard. The dog takes up a lot of space, so a regular bath will not suit him. It is much better if the apartment has a spacious shower.

Reviews about the breed

The St. Bernard breed is very popular. Reviews about her overwhelm the community of lovers of these dogs and in each of them you can find something that will make you love this dog with all your heart. The owners of St. Bernards talk about the following advantages of their pets:

• Get along very easily with all family members.
• Crazy in love with children and small animals, protecting them whenever necessary.
• Ready to spend time with the owners around the clock.
• Very compliant. If the owner cannot, for some reason, make time for the dog, it will patiently wait for its turn.
• Tolerate well any procedures and trips to the doctor.
• Very calm, humblyrefer to walking on a leash and wearing a muzzle.
• They eat whatever the owner offers them.

In general, this pet is ideal for a family. If you need a dog for yourself, then the St. Bernard will become your true friend and devoted companion for many years. By the way, pets live 12-15 years, and females usually give birth to 2 to 12 puppies.