Saint Bernard Personality and Origins

The Saint Bernard is a big dog with a big heart. He’s loved by all and he has enough love for everyone, from kids and adults to other pets. In short, he’s a model dog (as long as you don’t mind a bit of slobber).

He’s a best friend, a people rescuer and a huggable softie… In this article we’ll tell you all about where his story starts and all you need to know about his health, personality and more. Stay tuned for a quick read that will give you all the fun facts of this admirable dog.

Saint Bernard history

The Saint Bernard dog breed was originally developed to be a rescue dog at the Great St Bernard Hospice in the Swiss Alps. The hospice is positioned on the Great St Bernard Pass (the third highest road pass in Switzerland) and connects, which connects Switzerland and Italy.

The snowy weather and high altitudes were a dangerous combination for any wandering travellers who ventured off their path. But Saint Bernards could mean all the difference because they were trained to find you if you got lost in the snow or trapped by a runaway avalanche.

The Saint Bernard’s sense of smell is highly prized. They could (and still can) literally smell out lost people, following them to where they lay buried under snowfall and keeping them warm until a rescue party could reach them. The Saint Bernard rescue dog would carry a flask of brandy around his neck so the lost and found people could take a swig to quickly get warm and revived.

Saint Bernard dogs saved thousands of lives and the last documented one is a rescue of a 12-year old boy. Without the talents of this giant dog, the little boy who was nearly frozen to death would never have survived.

Watch this video to get a sneak peek of the background and work these gentle giants are famous for:

Saint Bernard has a big personality

Saint Bernards still do rescue work, but they’ve also become popular pets. One of the most beloved of all film stars is a pet Saint Bernard named Beethoven. The leading character’s real name is also Beethoven, so he’s essentially starring as himself!

The Saint Bernard is well loved for his affectionate and gentle temperament, though problems can arise if he’s not properly socialised and trained. Given his uber size, socialising and training from puppyhood are a must. An anxious Saint Bernard who becomes aggressive can be dangerous and difficult to control.

Speaking of big, find out who the biggest dog in the world is.

Common reasons that result in dog aggression are fear or confusion. This is why they must be properly introduced to kids, adults and other pets early on. This allows them to become accustomed to all the smells and sounds and to remain calm.

Read ‘is my dog scared‘ to recognize the signs of fear in a dog and avoid such situations by starting your Saint Bernard puppy off with these four puppy training tips.

Saint Bernard care

Along with Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds, Saint Bernards are part of the ‘giant dog breed‘ club. That’s right – these guys are considered amongst the biggest pups in the dog kingdom! Sadly, big comes with many health issues.

Given their rapid growth rate and naturally large weight proportions the Saint Bernard can easily be prone to bone and joint disorders.

That’s why it’s crucial these big dogs have specially formulated diets that are rich in vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Big dog diets need to be tailored to their developmental stage to ensure they get the nutrition needed for their growth and can develop well.

Saint Bernard health concerns tend to be genetic. This is a good reason to build a trusting relationship with a vet who’s familiar with the breed. Speak to your vet about routine check-ups and checking for signs of typical breed health conditions. The sooner they are identified the better the chance of successful treatment.

Here are some common Saint Bernard health issues:

• Elbow or hip dysplasia (read about hip dysplasia in dogs and how to help)
• Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
• Eye disorders (where the eyelid turns in or out)
• Epilepsy and seizures
• Heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy)
• Eczema (read about dog skin conditions and what to do)

Taking preventative measures can help safeguard your dog against hereditary conditions, such as a tailored diet and regular exercise. Read about exercising your dog without walking for activities that reduce weight-bearing pressure on bones and joints.

It’s also important to get a dog insurance plan before hereditary conditions develop. Then if they do, they’ll be included on your cover once the waiting period passes.

Saint Bernard fast facts

The Saint Bernard has many nicknames. These include St. Bernhardshund, Bernhardiner and Alpine Spaniel. They’re also affectionately called Barry Dogs, a term that roughly translates as ‘bear’ dog. We imagine this probably has something to do with their enormous huggable size.

Here are some more key features of the Saint Bernard dog breed:

How to tell if a Saint Bernard is purebred?

The best way to ensure your Saint Bernard puppy is a healthy purebred is to avoid buying from puppy mills. So, read how to identify ethical dog breeders in New Zealand before you get your heart set on one. Good breeders will do regular health tests on their dogs to avoid breeding genetic illness from adults to new litters.

To be extra certain once you have the dog papers in evidence, read how to tell if a dog is purebred and how to prove your dog is purebred. And if you aren’t after a pup with pedigreed dog papers, consider adopting one. You find dogs of all stripes and spots at shelters, sometimes left by pet owners who simply can’t keep pets any longer. These dogs are in need of loving homes!

If you adopt after reading our dog adoption checklist and you’re keen on finding out your pup’s ancestry, try a dog DNA test. You might be interested to some of the Saint Bernard gene pool comes from Landseer and Newfoundland dogs.

Dog insurance for your Saint Bernard

It’s a great idea to help yourself keep your Saint Bernard healthy with a dog insurance plan.

Our Accident plan covers most basics from surgery and hospitalisation (after accidents) to non-routine vet visits. On the other end of the spectrum, our Deluxe plan covers so much more, including dental. Is it time to take a couple of minutes to get a quote?