"I’m just a sweet little saint trapped in a big dog’s body!"
Despite their big, brawny bodies, the Saint Bernard’s heart is much bigger than their bite. They may be one of the largest and heaviest breeds around, but all these family-friendly dogs want is to love and be loved in return.
The Saint Bernard is the epitome of “man’s best friend.” These dogs are sweet, lovable, and good-natured, but they’ll defend their owners and territories if threatened. This loyalty (along with their mammoth size) makes them common choices for family watch dogs. When they aren’t keeping an eye on things, you can find Saint Bernards playing the day away, napping next to you, and showing their love through a healthy helping of slobber.
The Saint Bernard’s coat is typically white with black, red, brindle, and/or tan markings. Most dogs have black ears, and show dogs may have white hair on their legs, chest, collar, tail tip, and blaze (the vertical line between their eyes). Saint Bernards shed twice a year to get rid of their summer and winter coats. During that time, keep a brush and a vacuum handy because their sheer size lends itself to a lot of fur.
Saint Bernards are friendly with children, other dogs, and pets. They are quite large, even as puppies, so it’s wise to keep an eye on them around small kids and dogs to prevent accidents. Because of their size, Saint Bernards are better suited for homes with large yards instead of apartments, and they prefer to be indoors. They can develop bad habits (like barking, digging, and stealing food from the table) if they’re bored or left unsupervised for too long, so keep an eye on them even when they’re inside.
Saint Bernards need daily exercise but not as much as you might think. A walk or run each day will keep them satisfied, but exercise should definitely be part of their routine to keep them from getting obese. When walking your Saint Bernard as a puppy, teach them not to pull on the leash. This habit will come in handy as they grow larger and larger. These dogs also love to run free, so the bigger your yard is, the better (as long as it’s fenced, of course).