St. Bernards continue to grow in size until they are 18 to 24 months old. They tend to have a longer growth period than smaller dogs. However, their rate of growth slows down significantly after their first year.

St. Bernards typically have a lifespan of around eight to 10 years. But, like all breeds, individual longevity can vary based on factors such as genetics, diet, exercise, and overall health care. Providing a nutritious diet, regular exercise, routine veterinary check-ups, and promptly addressing any health issues can help maximize the lifespan and quality of life for St. Bernards.

St. Bernards have a distinctive appearance characterized by their massive frame, strong build, and gentle expression. They have a broad head with a slightly wrinkled forehead, dark eyes that convey kindness, and medium-sized ears that hang close to their head. Their muzzle is powerful and square-shaped, often adorned with a black nose. St. Bernards boast a dense double coat that can be either smooth or rough, providing insulation against cold weather.

St. Bernards are extra-large dogs, most weighing 120 to 180 lbs and standing around 26 to 30 inches tall. Female St. Bernards tend to be slightly smaller in stature and weigh less than their male counterparts.

St. Bernards can be orange, red or mahogany brindle, or white with various shades of red markings. There are nine AKC standard color combinations for Saint Bernards.

Yes, St. Bernards are moderate to heavy shedders, but it’s nothing that a daily brushing can’t help. Their double coat contributes to their shedding. St. Bernards typically experience heavier shedding during seasonal changes, when they shed their undercoat to adapt to warmer or cooler temperatures.

No, St. Bernards do not tend to bark a lot and are fairly quiet dogs. As with any dog, proper training and exercise can discourage them from barking as frequently.

Yes, St. Bernards are good dogs who make ideal family companions. Though they began as working dogs, they have also been bred to be gentle, easygoing family companions for years. Their kind dispositions thrive on human companionship.

Yes, St. Bernards have a low prey drive and usually do well with cats. Of course, each dog (and cat) has their own preferences and temperament, but you can feel fairly confident your St. Bernard, if properly socialized to your cat and/or introduced at a young age, should get along well.

Yes, St. Bernards are sociable and friendly dogs who can get along well with other dogs when properly socialized and trained. Additionally, St. Bernards tend to have a calm and tolerant demeanor, which can make them compatible with other dogs in the household.

Yes, St. Bernards are generally considered smart dogs. While they may not always display the same level of eagerness to please as some other breeds, they are known for their problem-solving abilities and ability to learn and retain new commands with consistent training.

St. Bernards are known for their calm and easygoing temperament, which may sometimes be mistaken for laziness. While they do enjoy lounging around the house, especially as they age, they also have bursts of energy and enjoy moderate exercise such as walks or playtime. However, due to their large size and heavy build, they may not be as active or energetic as smaller breeds.

Yes, many St. Bernards enjoy being around water. Their history as rescue dogs in the Swiss Alps often involved traversing through snowy landscapes and encountering bodies of water such as streams and lakes. Additionally, their thick double coat provides insulation and protection against the cold, making them relatively well-suited to water activities in moderate climates.

No, St. Bernards are not typically recommended for apartment living due to their large size and need for space. These gentle giants require ample room to move around comfortably, and apartments may not provide the necessary space for them to thrive.

No, St. Bernards are not aggressive dogs by nature. They are known for their gentle and friendly demeanor and tend to be good-natured and affectionate companions.

If you are concerned by any signs of aggression or reactivity in your dog, be sure to address it promptly with the help of a professional trainer or behaviorist. Pain, discomfort, or underlying medical conditions can sometimes contribute to changes in a dog’s behavior, so it may also be worth visiting a vet to rule out their health as a cause for signs of aggressive behavior.

Yes, St. Bernards are protective of their family members and may exhibit protective behaviors if they perceive a threat to their home or loved ones. However, their gentle and friendly nature means that they are more likely to use their size and presence to intimidate rather than resort to aggression.

Yes, St. Bernards are easy to train when they’re young. They love to please their parents and are very intelligent. However, training any dog takes substantial time and effort, regardless of breed, and St. Bernards can become more difficult to train when they’re older, as they can be independent-minded. Behavioral issues when older can pose a problem due to their immense stature and weight.

Yes, St. Bernards are sweet-tempered dogs who are good with kids. Like all dogs, St. Bernards need to be trained to behave gently with children, and small children need to be taught to behave respectfully with dogs.

As with any breed, it is recommended that your child is always supervised when interacting with your St. Bernard to keep both the child and dog safe.

No, St. Bernards are not hypoallergenic dogs. They have a thick double coat that sheds moderately throughout the year, which can release dander into the environment. Dander, saliva, and urine proteins are common allergens that can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Additionally, St. Bernards are known to drool, which can further exacerbate allergies for some people.

Yes, St. Bernards are known for their tendency to drool, which can be more pronounced in some individuals than others. Their large jowls and facial structure contribute to this characteristic.

St. Bernards are a massive and sturdy breed, but their size and lightning-fast growth rate make them susceptible to serious bone deterioration if proper exercise and food are not provided. They are prone to a few other health issues, including:

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Saint Bernard, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia so you know what they will be able to handle regarding activities and exercise.

• Eye issues: St. Bernards may experience entropion, a genetic defect where one or both eyelids are inverted or roll inward and rub on the surface of the eye; ectropion, where the eyelid folds outward; distichiasis, an abnormal growth of eyelashes on the margin of the eye, the extra eyelashes and abnormal location result in irritation to the eye; and cataracts, a common eye condition that causes cloudiness in the eye and obstructs vision.

• Cranial cruciate disease: The cranial cruciate ligament is an important stabilizer in the knee joint. Cranial cruciate ruptures cause joint instability and are the most common cause of hind leg lameness in dogs. Surgery is recommended to prevent the tear from progressing to more severe joint disease.

• Wobbler’s syndrome: More formally known as “cervical vertebral instability,” this condition is suspected to be genetically passed down in Saint Bernards. Dogs affected by wobbler’s syndrome suffer from a malformed spinal canal or instability of the cervical vertebrae. Extreme symptoms are neck pain and paralysis of the legs, but not all dogs are seriously affected. Surgery is available as a treatment option, though the condition recurs in some dogs.

• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM): Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart condition that is characterized by the heart muscles’ inability to contract properly, which ultimately leads to a decrease in blood pumping to the heart. When a dog has cardiomyopathy both the heart chambers become enlarged from having to work harder to get blood through. The extra stress on the heart from the restricted blood flow often leads to congestive heart failure (CHF). The major symptoms of DCM include lethargy, anorexia, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, a swollen abdomen, and temporary loss of consciousness.

• Others: Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that occurs at a higher rate in Saint Bernard than other breeds; gastric dilatation-volvulus, a sudden, painful, and life-threatening swelling and twisting of the abdomen; diabetes; epilepsy; deafness; hot spots; and osteochondritis dissecans, a joint disease that results from brittle bones and causes pain/lameness, are also of concern.

It is believed that St. Bernards are the descendants of ancient Roman mastiff-type war dogs, Molussers, who marched through Switzerland and then bred with local mountain dogs. They were first known as Talhunds or “valley dogs.”

St. Bernards were historically used as rescue dogs in the Swiss Alps, where they aided travelers stranded by snowstorms. Their large size, strength, and gentle temperament made them ideal for navigating treacherous terrain and providing comfort to those in need. While their traditional rescue duties have lessened, they still serve as therapy dogs, offering emotional support in various settings.