Having made the decision to start a large dog, people often choose the dogs of the St. Bernard dog breed. And not in vain! These pets are very intelligent, calm and good-natured animals. St. Bernard can become an excellent companion and friend to any of your family members. Like any other breed, these dogs have their own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed below.
Standard of the St. Bernard breed
The most striking feature is the size of these dogs: high growth at the withers (70 - 90 cm for boys and 65 - 80 cm for girls) and relatively large weight, which should be not less than 80 kg, and often exceeds a hundred.
The fur of the pet can be of two kinds: distinguish the St. Bernards of short-haired and long-haired. As for color, here too there are clear standards. This purebred St. Bernard must be either white with red ("red") marks of any shade, or, conversely, red with white spots. In this case, dark spots on the ears and the so-called mask on the muzzle are mandatory, as well as white marks on the nose, paws and chest, on the nape and tip of the tail.
The dog's head is broad and massive, with a bulging forehead and small dark brown clever eyes. Hanging ears and a strong neck are also the distinguishing characteristics of the St. Bernard breed.
Characteristics of the nature of the St. Bernard dogs
As already mentioned, the St. Bernards are renowned for their good-natured and balanced manner. Correctly brought up dog is always calm and judicious (as far as it's possible to say about dogs), is moderately active and perfectly liable to training. These animals are physically strong and enduring, but they also have an amazing intuition: it was not for nothing that dogs of this breed used to save people caught in a snow avalanche. Also, the St. Bernards are very fond of children and are always selflessly devoted to their masters, but they will not become the best choice of dog breed for children .
In describing the nature of dogs, the St. Bernard breeds often indicate that the hardest test for these animals is loneliness. Therefore, if you are not ready to give your dog enough time, often go on long business trips or simply rarely go home, then you should choose a dog of a different breed. St. Bernards are very attached to the owner and are ready to follow him everywhere and always. At the same time they do not need daily intensive training or outdoor games - there will be enough regular walking tours.
Complexities of care for St. Bernard
In the education of a St. Bernard puppy, in no case should we use overwhelming force and cruelty: this can lead to disastrous results. For the same reason, the St. Bernards are never put on a chain, as this will make the dog aggressive, quick-tempered and overly excitable.
With regard directly to the content of St. Bernard, it is daily necessary to take care of the pet's fur, especially if it is a long-haired dog, and also behind the eyes (for anatomical reasons, they should be cleaned every day with a napkin). In addition, these animals are prone to increased salivation, which also gives their owners some discomfort.
And, of course, consider the large size of your future pet and its corresponding appetites. Eat many St. Bernards, and the spaces take even more. Try to immediately accustom the puppy to sleep on your bedding, otherwise six months later you will have to explain to a hundred kilogram dog that in your bed he simply does not have enough space.
Choosing a puppy in the nursery, it is better to use the help of a qualified expert of this breed. He will help you choose a healthy and promising puppy and will pay attention to the conformity of the animal to the standard of the St. Bernard breed.