Saint Bernard: description, features of character and content

The St. Bernard is a large and massive dog breed that has established itself as an ideal animal for both training and home keeping. A distinctive feature of these animals is their large and always sad eyes. We will talk about the features of this dog breed, the intricacies of its cultivation and history of origin in this article.

For the first time this breed of dogs appeared many centuries ago in Ancient Egypt, namely in Assyria. Already in the annals of that time, there are references to large dogs with an extremely soft and patient character and huge benevolent eyes. Then these animals were called mollos, they are the ancestors of both St. Bernards, and Great Danes, and mastiffs.

The Saint Bernards themselves as a separate breed were bred in the II century. High in the mountains of the Alps, a monastery was created and named after its founder - Bernard de Menton - San Bernard. It was this monk who brought various large-sized dogs to his shelter and, by crossing them, bred the St. Bernards.

Animals always felt changes in the weather, before an avalanche came down, they began to behave restlessly and could always find people whom the bad weather found along the way. Their kind disposition, loyalty to the owners and excellent learning ability allowed them to become both lifeguards and guides in the Alpine mountains and mountains of Sweden.

Already from the beginning of the 17th century, the popularity of these dogs has risen to the skies. Then already experienced breeders began to develop this breed further and actively use it in the service of the state of different countries. Since the 19th century, it was the St. Bernards who began to be considered the best rescue dogs.

In 1884, a separate selection book was created in Switzerland, and breeders of this breed began to worry about its purity. From then until today, St. Bernards are considered one of the largest and most sought-after breeds, not only for specialized use, for example, in rescue services, but also for ordinary domestic breeding.

St. Bernards are large dogs with a rich pedigree, and therefore their appearance is described in detail by a special standard for purebred dogs. The characteristics of an adult are as follows.

• The height of the animal at the withers should be 70 cm in males and 65 cm in St. Bernard girls. Exceeding the standard by 10-15 cm upwards is allowed.

• The body weight of St. Bernards is also highly regulated. Its minimum indicator is 60 kg, the maximum can reach 120 kg. In this case, it is important that there is proportionality between the height of the St. Bernards at the withers and their body weight. If it is absent, then the dog is considered defective.

• The ideal length of the body of a dog is its ratio to the height at the withers in a ratio of 10: 9. At the same time, the withers itself rises significantly above the main line of the back.

• The skull of animals is wide and heavy. It has pronounced brow ridges and cheekbones. There must be small skin folds under the eyes, and the lips are edged with a thin black stripe. The nose must be straight and wide, even, black.

• The ears of the St. Bernards are high and deep, have a triangular shape with rounded ends, hanging slightly over the forehead of the animal.

• The neck is wide, long and massive. It has a well-defined dewlap.

• The jaws must be wide. The bite can be of two types: scissor or straight. Both are considered acceptable and are not breed defects.

• The color of the eyes of dogs of this breed, more precisely, the color of their iris, can be of any intensity of brown. If the eyes are blue, then the dog is not purebred.

• The tail of the Saint Bernards is long, rather massive and heavy. Its base is strong and easily visible from all sides. The hock joint and the last caudal vertebra are connected.

• The front paws are straight, massive and widely spaced. The hindquarters are powerful, with pronounced muscles and rather wide thighs.

• The body of all St. Bernards is stately, well-defined and massive. The back is broad and straight, and the chest is bulging and massive, deep set.

The color of the Saint Bernard coat is also highly regulated. The coat should be dyed white. The animal's coat should have brown or golden markings. Instead of a spotted color, a raincoat is allowed - with it, all the hair on the back and sides of the dog is painted in one color.

The presence of dark spots on the animal's body - brown or even black - is allowed. Today, dogs of this breed are often found with a solid black color. Professional breeders and dog handlers consider such animals defective and insist that they cannot be considered purebred.

The fact is that in St. Bernards, the main color of the coat is white. And a distinctive characteristic of the breed is the presence of mandatory white spots of wool on such places of the body as:

• tip of the tail;
• paws;
• forehead;
• breast;
• around the nose.

Initially, this dog was bred as a search and rescue dog. And only an animal with a calm, balanced character can perform this type of work. And the St. Bernards are just that.

These animals get along well with humans and they can be kept even in an apartment - the St. Bernard will never create unnecessary noise or fuss. The animal is intelligent, quickly learns all commands and always fulfills them.

If there are children in the house, then it is the dog of this breed that will become both a friend and a nanny for them. She will never grin and snap at the child, but it is better to just step aside if she does not like something.

A distinctive feature of these animals is their hidden joy... Simple wagging of the tail when meeting people is an expression of violent delight and pleasure.

In general, St. Bernards are friendly, reliable and companionable dogs. They will become the best friend of every person. But this is only under the condition of the correct education of the dog. If, from the moment of birth, the St. Bernard is placed in isolated conditions and does not treat him as a full-fledged member of the family, then the dog can grow up to be the complete opposite of its characteristics - vicious, aggressive and does not understand any commands. So the nature of these animals largely depends on their upbringing and the conditions of growing and keeping.

It is logical to assume that the large size of the animals of this breed and their massiveness, as well as the calm and balanced disposition, are the key to the long life of the St. Bernards. In fact, this is not at all the case.

Even under ideal conditions, these dogs do not live longer than 10-12 years. But if the St. Bernard lives in difficult weather conditions and often experiences strong physical exertion, then its life expectancy is reduced to 6-8 years.

Also, the decrease in this indicator is strongly influenced by such diseases as:

• twists and turns of the eyelids, conjunctivitis and other eye diseases;
• gastritis, ulcers, volvulus, that is, any problems in the digestive tract;
• osteoarthritis, joint dysplasia and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

St. Bernards most often suffer from just such diseases. That is why it is very important to provide them with the most comfortable living conditions, as well as regularly take the dog to the veterinarian for examination.

Today, breeders and professional dog handlers distinguish only two main types of dogs of this breed.

• Shorthaired St. Bernards have a fur close to the body, smooth and even. Often these animals are called smooth-haired St. Bernards.
• Longhaired The dog got its name from the length of the fur on the hind legs and belly. It is softer to the touch, longer and in some animals it seems to hang from the hips. Moreover, on the muzzle and lower limbs, the fur is much shorter than on the rest of the body.

In order to raise a really healthy, beautiful and intelligent friend, and St. Bernard is very difficult to call in another way, you need to choose the right puppy. It will depend on how correctly the choice is made whether a regular dog is purchased or one that will be able to participate in various shows and competitions in the future.

First of all, you should know that all dogs of this breed are divided into several main groups, depending on their further purpose:

• Pet class - the lowest rank of the animal. St. Bernards in this category are considered partially defective, therefore they are not eligible to participate in any exhibitions or shows. But they are ideal for simple home content and can become human best friends.
• Show class - these are the dogs of the highest category. The parents of these puppies have the best premium pedigree and they are best suited for professional breeders and dog handlers, as these dogs are the winners of various shows and shows.
• Breed class - these are high-level St. Bernards, but, possibly, having some minor flaws. Such pets are suitable for participating in contests and for simple maintenance at home.

It is important to remember that you should buy a St. Bernard puppy for any purpose only with documents. If the animal does not even have a puppy's passport, then it is best to refuse to acquire it. There is no guarantee that the dog in front of you is really a St. Bernard, and even purebred.

The most correct decision in such a situation would be to purchase a puppy in a specialized nursery. This will not only give confidence in acquiring a purebred puppy, but also in the fact that he will be absolutely healthy and will already have all the necessary vaccinations.

But even making a purchase in an elite nursery, you need to remember some of the nuances.

• Anatomical features of a puppy must fully comply not only with the standards of his breed, but also age, as well as gender.
• Having a pedigree... In kennels, every puppy must have it without fail. Let the pedigree be not too weighty and significant, but it should be.
• Color animals must be exactly as described in the standard. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of classic white spots on the body of the animal. They are the clear evidence that the puppy is really a purebred St. Bernard.

An important point is the cost of the puppy. The final price tag directly depends on the pedigree of the puppy, the importance of the kennel itself and the dog's compliance with all standards. On average, the price of one St. Bernard puppy cannot be lower than $ 250. The maximum price can go up to $ 1000. But this is the cost in nurseries. For individuals, it can be several times lower.

In order for a dog of this breed to always look beautiful and well-groomed, as well as feel good, it must be properly looked after.

• Bathing puppies under the age of 6 months is strictly prohibited. Adult dogs are bathed only twice a year. The rest of the time, their body is simply wiped with a damp cloth.
• Particular attention is paid to caring for the eyes of the St. Bernards. They are regularly cleaned of dirt, if necessary, the hair in this area is slightly shortened so that it does not get into the eyes. At the slightest sign of inflammation, the dog is sent to the veterinarian.
• Grooming is the main point. Every day, the dog is combed out with a special brush, in which the teeth are rounded. When the animal sheds - in the off-season, they take a brush with even thicker teeth for combing. You need to comb the dog twice a day.
• If the animal gets very dirty during a walk, then after combing out with a brush, the dog's hair is wiped with a damp cloth, as well as the paws.

If we talk about the immediate conditions of detention, then they should be as follows.

• In an apartment or private house, the animal must have its own private corner.It is advisable that the place is not walkable, so that the St. Bernard at least sometimes can just sleep peacefully and be alone.
• If the dog is kept in the yard, then it needs a spacious and comfortable kennel. It is best if the St. Bernard will not sit on a chain, but freely walk in the yard or at least in the aviary.

It is necessary to clean up the St. Bernard's place of detention daily. They remove not only the remains of hair and waste of the dog's life, but also change the bedding, and the dog's bowls are washed every day. Such care measures help protect the dog from various diseases, in particular, from problems in working with the gastrointestinal tract.

A good diet for this breed, like many others, is fundamental to its healthy growth, development, well-being and good looks.

After bringing your puppy home, it is important to remember a few basic rules right away.

• For at least the first month, the dog's menu should be exactly the same as that of the breeder. That is, it is forbidden to change the brand of dry food or replace natural food with a mixed one.
• Feeding takes place at the same time of day. At first, dogs are fed 3-5 times a day, and as they grow older, they are transferred to food twice a day.
• The dog can receive food only from its own bowl. The main task of the owner at the initial stages of upbringing is to teach the dog that it is strictly forbidden to take food from the ground, floor or from someone else's dishes. An exception is a small piece of delicacy that she can get from the hands of the owner during training.

Now about what is the best way to feed the animal. Professional breeders and dog handlers do not recommend using a mixed type of food. St. Bernards are already quite obese. In addition, the simultaneous intake of natural food and dry food by the dog can cause problems in the digestive tract and cause gastritis.

The simplest and best nutritional option for dogs of this breed is dry ready-made food. But when making a choice, it is important to remember that it should not contain ingredients such as barley, soy and corn, as well as various enhancers of taste and smell. It is highly undesirable in the composition and the presence of salt.

Some of the best brands of dry food for feeding St. Bernards today are the following:

• Belcando Adult Dinner;
• Guabi Adult Large and Giant Breeds;
• Acana Large Breed;
• Eukanuba Adult Large.

The same rule applies to food for spayed or neutered animals - it must be specially designed for dogs of this species.

Additional enrichment of such a diet with pure protein products is allowed. For example, in addition to ready-made food, the dog can, and in some situations, and should additionally be given raw meat, fish or offal. In such cases, the recommended volume of ready-made food is reduced by the weight that is equal to a portion of natural protein products. However, before putting into practice such an enriched type of food, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

There is still a fierce debate over the appropriateness of an all-natural diet. Most of the professional breeders and veterinarians are inclined to believe that it is quite possible to feed the St. Bernards with natural food prepared with their own hands at home. but only if a number of requirements are met.

• Mandatory enrichment of the diet with special vitamin and mineral supplements. Here you can use both ready-made pharmaceutical preparations and add individual vitamins, bone meal or fish oil to the feed.
• Basically, food should consist of protein foods, most of which should be presented in the form of raw meat, fish and offal. They should occupy up to 75% of the total daily food volume of the animal.
• From cereals, you can use unpolished rice and buckwheat.

As soon as the puppy turns 6 months old, dairy products with a high calcium content are included in his menu without fail. Vegetables are given in small quantities and boiled.

It is also quite acceptable, and in some situations it is even necessary to enrich the pet's diet with sea products. They contain special enzymes that help your dog's digestive system work properly. But the appropriateness of their use, as well as the type of filing and the frequency of inclusion in the menu, should be determined only by a veterinarian.

It is very difficult and costly to create the correct natural food for St. Bernard at home. Therefore, if the owner of the puppy is not sure that he will be able to properly cope with this task, it is best to immediately switch to the use of ready-made feed.

The training of the St. Bernard must be mandatory. An ill-bred dog poses a huge threat, and first of all to itself.

When raising this animal, it is categorically unacceptable to use physical punishment and a loud cry. Up to a year, a dog can be trained and raised by its owner. Only after the puppy is 12 months old, it can be included in group coaching and team teaching sessions.

Dog training begins with teaching it to the simplest commands. The puppy must remember his name and always react to it correctly when the owner calls him. On a walk, he should not break free, play with a leash or collar.

It is very important to teach the little St. Bernard that it is strictly forbidden to pick up food on the street or take it from the hands of strangers. The animal must master all these skills before 6 months. It is also important to teach during this period to the obligatory wearing of a muzzle by a pet. The animal should not pull out and try to take it off.

At the age of 6 to 12 months, the owner of the St. Bernard can and should independently teach him to execute commands such as "Fu", "Lie down", "Sit", "Place", "Aport". Further more complex and professional training should be carried out only by professional dog handlers in training group courses.

Despite the superficial similarities between these two dog breeds, there are colossal differences between them that you should definitely be aware of.

The St. Bernards are considered one of the oldest dog breeds and were first entered in the cynological book in the 19th century. The Moscow guard dog appeared much later and exclusively through artificial selection. The recognition of this breed officially took place only in the middle of the twentieth century.

In addition, the Moscow watchdog has a lower weight (up to 80 kg) and a lower height at the withers - up to 68 cm.In contrast to the St. Bernards, all 4 limbs of this breed of dogs are muscular, the tail is saber-shaped, the body is more elongated, and the head is not so large and massive. The coat of the Moscow guard dog is always longer and thicker than that of the St. Bernard.

The St. Bernard is a descendant of Mossols, while the Moscow Watchdog is a cross between two different breeds, one of which is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Therefore, their character is very different. Often the MC is a kind of antipode of the St. Bernards.

Another significant difference lies in the maintenance of dogs of these breeds. If the St. Bernard can be kept even in an apartment with small children, then the Moscow sentry is best kept on the street, and until the dog has completed a course of special training, do not allow its close contact with children.

Despite the high cost of puppies and the difficulties with keeping the dog itself, its owners leave extremely positive reviews about the representatives of this breed. The owners emphasize the good-natured nature of the St. Bernards, their easy learning. For many, a big plus is the accommodation of pets with both small children and other pets, as well as the possibility of their comfortable keeping even in an apartment.

The only disadvantage of this breed, according to its owners, is the high cost of puppies, but the disadvantage is fully compensated by the advantages of the St. Bernards themselves and their unique appearance with a deep piercing gaze.

For the characteristics of the St. Bernard breed, see the video below.