Grooming
A Saint Bernard’s grooming needs are pretty high compared to other dogs, thanks to their thick coats. Some dogs have smooth, short fur, while others have longer, rough coats. Here’s what you need to know about a Saint Bernard’s grooming needs:
Brushing: Both coat styles shed and require weekly brushing for basic maintenance and to prevent knots and tangles in the coat. Using a de-shedding tool, like the FURminator, can be a great help, especially during the change in seasons from cool to warmer weather when a Saint “blows their coat.” (Sadly, it’s nothing like getting a blowout for your hair.) When a dog blows their coat, they shed the soft undercoat. This seasonal shedding can last 10-14 days and might be a good time to treat yo’ dog and schedule an appointment with a groomer to tackle all that extra fluff professionally. When grooming these fluffy fellows, be mindful not to get too close to their eyes, ears or paws with brush bristles. Additional coat-grooming tools that are useful in grooming your fluffy pup include soft bristle brushes, a damp cloth, or mitt groomer.
Bathing: The Saint Bernard breed has sensitive skin, so frequent baths aren’t a good idea. Bathing once a month is plenty to keep this pet fresh. Between baths, Saints do well with a quick rinse from the garden hose to wash away mud from their paws or tail. However, if you live in a humid climate, weekly bathing may be recommended by your veterinarian to keep skin fresh and bacterial infections and yeast issues at bay.
Dental care: When it comes to dental health, using a dog dental paste for daily brushings is an excellent idea. If you can get your Saint Bernard puppy used to daily brushing, that’s even better. Taking care of this large breed’s teeth now can help prevent painful gum and teeth issues later. Diet can also affect dental health. If a Saint Bernard is on a high-carb diet, plan for more frequent brushings. And all dogs—Saints included—should have an annual dental cleaning performed by a vet to reduce tartar and plaque build-up.
Nail trimming: Although Saints are big dogs, their toenails don’t grow any faster than smaller breeds. A routine trim from a groomer or at home should be planned every two to three weeks. If you hear some light tapping as your dog walks, your Saint needs a trim.
Ear cleaning: Large, floppy ears tend to stay warm and moist inside, making them more prone to ear infections than their canine cousins with erect ears. Check their ears for debris and any redness or swelling. If you notice anything, speak to your vet. If your vet recommends at-home cleaning, follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean dog ears. If your Saint likes to swim or run in damp, tall grasses, check their ears more frequently.
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Training
Saint Bernards require training from day one, as this lovable large breed doesn’t quite understand just how big they are. Your Saint needs to learn their manners early to stave off those undesirable behaviors they can be known for, like counter surfing, jumping onto tables or bounding toward people. After all, when this dog grows to be over 100 pounds, that’s a whole lotta dog jumping and pulling on a leash.
Saints are eager to please and ready to learn. Find a certified dog trainer or behaviorist who offers positive reinforcement training or game-based training to help boost your Saint Bernard’s confidence, focus and manners. Discovering what motivates your pup, whether it’s a specific treat or toy, will help you keep their attention during training sessions. For the best success, be sure you have ample room to work and few distractions (like other pets from your household or small children)—you want your Saint Bernard’s undivided attention.
Training your Saint Bernard dog requires consistency. Creating a schedule for at-home work or signing up for a weekly class are your best bets. To keep your pup engaged, link every positive behavior with a reward (treat or toy time), and they’ll quickly discover what you want them to do—or avoid!
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Diet
The best Saint Bernard diet comes from a complete and balanced high-quality large-breed dog food. Be sure to select a formula that aligns with the pet’s age (puppy, adult or senior) and any health issues, such as a low-calorie food for weight management or sensitive skin formula for a dog with skin issues. Some pet parents will attempt a homemade dog food plan, but if a Saint Bernard gets too much protein in their puppy years, it can have negative effects on their growth, causing their bones to grow too fast for the rest of their body to keep up. So, be sure to run the menu by your vet first to ensure it provides proper nutrition.
When feeding a Saint Bernard, remember that treats contain calories, too. Stick to smaller training bits and occasional snacks to avoid extra weight gain. These big dogs need to stay at their optimal weight range to avoid putting extra pressure on their joints, in turn causing mobility issues or joint damage when they age.
Around your Saint Bernard’s second birthday, you may want to throw them a party (good doggos deserve to be celebrated!), but you’ll definitely want to start including a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement to help prevent or slow the development of joint issues in these gentle giants.
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Exercise
The Saint Bernard breed has a medium energy level. They need daily exercise, but while they grow up fast, that’s probably the fastest thing about them. Saints aren’t really known for their speed and aren’t looking to run a race or tackle an all-day mountain hike. Instead, think of these dogs as the perfect afternoon walking companion who will amble along a sidewalk, taking time to stop and smell the roses (sometimes literally).
Fall, winter, spring: These are a Saint Bernard’s spirit seasons—and they love rolling in the snow or walking on cool days. In the summer, hit the streets for their dose of daily exercise before the sun gets too high—don’t forget water so you both can hydrate!—and crank up the AC and keep them inside during the hottest part of summer days.
About 30 minutes of exercise a day is what you need for your Saint, though that might need to be trimmed down in warmer weather, depending on your pet’s reactions. If they are panting heavily, seeking shade or lying down mid-walk, they’re too hot and need to relax in a cooler environment.
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Environment
City dwellers and country lovers can welcome a Saint Bernard into their family. Saint Bernards can live in city, suburban or rural settings as long as they have ample space to live and play. And as long as there are people around for them to love, a Saint Bernard will thrive, especially if those people are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for their Saint and giving them soft surfaces to play on, like grass or meadows. Spending too much time on concrete can be tough on their joints.
They’re happiest when they get those daily walks during a cool time of day and will wag extra if they get to go off-leash in a fenced yard or dog park. They don’t have a strong prey drive, so you don’t have to worry about them, ahem, gifting you a bunny or squirrel. They are best suited to a temperate climate, but if a snowpacolypse were to hit, they certainly wouldn’t be mad about it.
They are easygoing and not hyper, so they mix well with empty-nesters, singles and families with children. Saint Bernards enjoy being around kids and babies—as long as boundaries for all are respected—as well as other pets in the home and occasionally make friends with the postal carrier. If you’ve ever wanted an oversized best friend, Saint Bernards fit the bill.
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