St. Bernard: description, features of character and content

St. Bernard is a large and massive breed of dogs, which has established itself as an ideal animal for both dressage and home keeping. A distinctive feature of these animals are their large and always sad eyes. The features of this breed of dogs, the intricacies of its cultivation and the history of origin will be discussed in this article.

This breed of dog first appeared many centuries ago in ancient Egypt, namely in Assyria. Already in the chronicles of that time there are mentions of dogs of large size 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 German dogs, 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 established and named after the name of its founder, Bernard de Menton - San Bernard. It was this monk who brought various large dogs in his shelter and crossed them and brought St. Bernards.

Animals always felt changes in the weather, before the avalanche came down they began to behave restlessly and could always find people whom the bad weather had found on the way. Their good temper, dedication to the owners and excellent learning ability allowed them to become rescuers and guides in the Alpine mountains and the mountains of Sweden.

Since the beginning of the XVII century, the popularity of these dogs has increased to the skies. Then already experienced breeders began to develop this breed further and actively use it in the service of the states of different countries. Starting from the XIX century, it was the St. Bernards who became the best rescue dogs.

In 1884, a separate breeding book was created in Switzerland, and the breeders of this breed began to worry about its purity. From then until today, the 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 home breeding.

St. Bernards are large dogs that have a rich pedigree, and therefore their appearance describes in detail the special standard of purebred dogs. The characteristic of an adult individual is as follows.

• The height of the animal at the withers should be 70 cm in males and 65 cm in St. Bernard girls. Allowed to exceed the standard by 10-15 cm in a big way.

• St. Bernard body weight is also strictly regulated. Its minimum indicator is 60 kg, the maximum can reach 120 kg. It is important that there is a proportionality between the height of the St. Bernards at the withers and their body weight. If it is absent, the dog is considered defective.

• The ideal length of the torso of dogs is considered to be its relation to the height at the withers in the ratio of 10: 9. At the same time, the withers themselves substantially rise above the main line of the back.

• The skull of animals is wide, heavy. On it are pronounced and superciliary arches, and cheekbones.Must be a small skin folds under the eyes, and lips edged with a thin black stripe. Nose necessarily straight and wide, smooth, black.

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

• The neck is wide, long and massive. It is well marked suspension.

• Jaws must be wide. The bite can be of two types: scissor or straight. Both species are considered acceptable and are not rock 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 St. Bernards is long, rather massive and heavy. Its base is strong and well viewed from all sides. The hock and the last caudal vertebra are interconnected.

• Front paws straight, massive and wide apart. The back are powerful, with pronounced muscles and rather wide hips.

• The body of all St. Bernards is stately, well-marked and massive. The back is wide and straight, and the chest is convex and massive, deep set.

The colors of St. Bernard wool are also strictly regulated. Wool should be dyed white. The cloak of the animal must be marked with a brown or gold color. Instead of the spotted color, a mantle is allowed - with all the hair on the back and sides of the dog painted in one color.

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

The fact is that the St. Bernards' main coat color is white. And a distinctive characteristic of the breed is the presence of obligatory white hair spots on such places of the body as:

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

Initially, this dog was taken out as a saving and investigative one. And to perform this type of work can only be an animal with a calm, balanced character. And St. Bernard are exactly those.

These animals get along well with a man and can be kept even in an apartment - a Saint Bernard will never make any noise or fuss. The animal is intelligent, quickly studying all commands and always carrying them out.

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

A distinctive feature of these animals is their hidden joy. The simple wagging of the tail when people meet and is an expression of rapid delight and pleasure.

In general, St. Bernard friendly, reliable and sociable dogs. They will become the best friend to each person. But this is only under the condition of proper 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 his characteristic — malicious, aggressive, and not understanding any commands. So the nature of these animals depends largely on their upbringing and the conditions of cultivation and maintenance.

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

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

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

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

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

Today, breeders and professional dog experts identify only two main types of dogs of this breed.

• Shorthair St. Bernards have a close-fitting fur, smooth and even. Often these animals are called smooth-haired St. Bernards.
• Longhair Dog got its name because of the length of the fur on the hind limbs and abdomen. It is softer to the touch, longer, and in some animals it seems to hang from the thighs. At the same time on the face and lower limbs the fur is much shorter than on the rest of the body.

In order to grow a really healthy, beautiful and intelligent friend, and the St. Bernard is different and very difficult to call, it is necessary to choose the right puppy. It depends on how correctly the choice will be made, will depend on whether the acquired ordinary dog ​​or the one that in the future will be able to participate in various reviews and competitions.

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

• Pet class - the lowest category of the animal. Saint Bernards belonging to this category are considered partially defective, therefore they are not eligible to participate in any exhibitions or reviews. But they are perfect for homely simple content and can become a person’s best friend.
• Show class - These are dogs of the highest category. Parents of such puppies have the best premium pedigree and they are best suited for professional breeders and dog handlers, as these dogs become the winners of various exhibitions and shows.
• Bridd class - these are St. Bernards of a high level, but perhaps having some minor flaws. Such pets are suitable for participation in competitions and for simple content at home.

It is important to remember that buying a St. Bernard puppy for any purpose should be only with documents. If the animal does not even have a puppy passport, then its acquisition is best given up. 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 kennel. This will not only give confidence in the acquisition of a purebred puppy, but also that he will be completely healthy and he will already have all the necessary vaccinations.

But even making a purchase in an elite nursery, it is necessary to remember some nuances.

• Anatomical features of a puppy must fully comply not only with the standards of its breed, but also age and sex.
• Having a pedigree. In kennels for each puppy, it should be mandatory. Let the pedigree be not too weighty and significant, but it should be.
• Color animals should be exactly as the standard describes it. 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 truly a purebred St. Bernard.

An important point is the cost of a puppy. The final price tag directly depends on the pedigree of the puppy, the significance of the kennel itself and the compliance of the dog with all the standards. On average, the price of one St. Bernard puppy cannot be less than $ 250. The maximum price can reach 1000 dollars. 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 to feel well, it must be properly looked after.

• Bathing puppies under the age of 6 months is strictly prohibited. Adult dogs bathe only twice a year. The rest of the time, their body is simply wiped with a damp cloth.
• Particular attention is paid to the care of St. Bernard eyes. They are regularly cleaned of dirt, if necessary, slightly shorten the hair in this area so that it does not climb into the eyes. At the slightest sign of inflammation, the dog is sent to the vet.
• Hair care is the main point. Every day a dog is combed out with a special brush, in which the teeth have a rounded shape. When an animal sheds - in the offseason, for brushing they take a brush with even more dense teeth. It is necessary to comb the dog twice a day.
• If the animal on the walk is very dirty, then after brushing the dog's hair, wipe the dog's hair with a damp cloth, as well as the paws.

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

• In an apartment or private house an animal should have its own personal corner. It is desirable that the place was not passed through, so that the St. Bernard at least sometimes could just sleep peacefully and be alone.
• If the dog is kept in the yard, then it needs a spacious and comfortable booth. Best of all, if the St. Bernard will not sit on a chain, and freely walk in the yard, or at least in the aviary.

Cleaning the St. Bernard should be daily. They remove not only the remains of wool and waste of a dog, but also change the litter, and wash the dog's bowls every day. Such care measures help protect the dog from various diseases, in particular, from problems in working with the gastrointestinal tract.

Proper diet of the dog of this breed, like many others, is a fundamental factor in its healthy growth, development, well-being and excellent appearance.

Having brought the puppy home, it is important to immediately remember a few basic rules.

• For at least the first month, the dog menu should be exactly the same as the breeder’s. That is, it is forbidden to change the brand of dry food or replace natural food with a mixed one.
• Feeding is carried out 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 get food only from its bowl. The main task of the owner at the initial stages of education is to teach the dog to take food from the ground, the floor or from someone else's dishes is strictly prohibited. The exception is a small piece of treat, which she can get from the hands of the owner during the training.

Now about the best way to feed the animal. Professional breeders and dog handlers do not recommend using a mixed type of food. St. Bernards and so pretty prone to obesity. In addition, the simultaneous receipt of natural food and dry food by a dog can cause problems in the gastrointestinal tract and cause gastritis.

The easiest and best food option for dogs of this breed is dry prepared food. But when making a choice, it is important to remember that its composition should not contain such ingredients as barley, soybeans and corn, as well as various flavor enhancers and odors. The presence of salt is highly undesirable.

One 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 sterilized or castrated animals - it must be specifically designed for dogs of this species.

Additional enrichment of such a diet and pure protein products is allowed. For example, in addition to the finished feed, the dog can, and in some situations, need to additionally give raw meat, fish or offal. In such cases, the recommended amount of ready-made food is reduced by that weight, which is equal to a portion of natural protein foods. However, before you put into practice such an enriched type of food, you need to consult a specialist.

There is still fierce controversy about the relevance of a completely natural food. Most professional breeders and veterinarians are inclined to think that it is quite possible to feed St. Bernards with natural food cooked at home. but only subject to a number of requirements.

• 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, the food should consist of protein food, 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 volume of food of the animal.
• Of the cereals, you can use unpolished rice and buckwheat.

As soon as the puppy is 6 months old, its menu includes, on a mandatory basis, dairy products with a high calcium content. Vegetables are given in small quantities and in boiled form.

It is also quite acceptable, and in some situations and even necessary to enrich the pet's diet with seafood. They contain special enzymes that help the dog's digestive system to 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.

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

Training St. Bernard must necessarily be. An ill-bred dog carries with it a great threat, and above all for itself.

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

Training a dog begins with teaching it to the simplest commands. A puppy must remember its name and always respond correctly to it when the owner calls it. On a walk, he should not escape, play with a leash or collar.

It is very important to teach a little St. Bernard to pick up food on the street or take it from the hands of strangers is strictly prohibited. All these skills animal must master up to 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 break free and try to remove it.

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

Despite the external similarity of these two breeds of dogs, between them there are tremendous differences that you definitely need to know.

St. Bernards are considered one of the oldest breeds of dogs and for the first time they were listed in the cynological book in the XIX century. The Moscow guard dog appeared much later and only by artificial selection. Recognition of this breed officially occurred 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. Unlike the St. Bernards, this breed of dogs has all 4 limbs muscular, the tail has a saber shape, the body is more elongated, and the head is not so large and massive. Wool from a Moscow guard dog is always longer and thicker than that of a St. Bernard.

The St. Bernard is a descendant of the Mossol, while the Moscow Watchdog is a crossbreeding hybrid of two different breeds, one of which is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Therefore, the nature of their very different. Often the MS is a kind of antipode of the St. Bernards.

Another significant difference lies in the content of dogs of these breeds. If you can keep a St. Bernard even in an apartment with small children, then Moscow’s watchdog is best kept on the street, and until the dog passes the special training course, do not allow her close contact with the children.

Despite the high cost of puppies and difficulties with the maintenance of the dog itself, its owners leave positive feedback about the representatives of this breed. The hosts highlight the good-natured character of the St. Bernards, their easy learning. For many, a great plus is the coexistence of pets with small children and other pets, as well as the possibility of their comfortable maintenance even in an apartment.

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

About the features of St. Bernard breed, see the video below.