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Saint Bernard is a dog that originated in the Western Alps. They are named for St. Bernard Hospice, which was founded by monks in the 12th century to aid travelers crossing the treacherous glaciers of the Great St. Bernard Pass. The monks brought along their dogs, who acted as guides and rescue animals.

The breed has long been known for its loyalty and intelligence, as well as its friendly nature and desire to help people in need. According to stories from this time period, Saint Bernards were trained to sniff out people buried under avalanches or snowstorms, then dig them out with their paws or claws until they could be rescued by their human companions.

Saint Bernards are massive dogs, with males weighing over 150 pounds on average and females around 100 pounds. They have thick coats that can be white or brown with black markings between their eyes but no mask across their face like many other breeds do; some also have red markings on their chest or legs instead of black ones too! Their coat is soft and thick enough to keep them warm during cold weather conditions like snowstorms or blizzards anytime throughout most winters across Europe where they originated from here too!

The Saint Bernard is a breed of very large dog originally from the Swiss Alps. It is known for its loyalty and bravery. The breed’s name is derived from the hospice of St. Bernard Pass, where the monks raised these dogs to assist with rescues.

Saint Bernards are often used as search and rescue dogs because they have an excellent sense of smell, are easy to train, and are gentle with children and people in need of assistance. They can be trained to perform many different tasks, such as pulling sleds, carrying equipment or luggage (for example to and from ski lodges), and assisting police in finding lost people or evidence at crime scenes.

Saint Bernards are also used as guard dogs or police dogs because they are protective of their owners and their territory but generally not aggressive toward other animals or humans unless provoked or attacked first.

Calm and easygoing, the Saint Bernard is a low-energy dog and a slow mover. It learns quickly but tends to respond methodically. The Saint is very affectionate and demonstrative toward family and fairly friendly toward strangers. It is generally good with other household pets, canine or feline, but it may not interact well with unfamiliar dogs. Playtime tends to be short in duration once it reaches adulthood. The Saint is not a great watchdog or protection dog, but its sheer size and deep bark are enough to intimidate most intruders. It does not bark without reason. Although its temperament makes the dog an excellent choice for people of all ages, its size and strength tend to make it too difficult for children or the elderly to manage. Low energy level and limited heat tolerance make the dog a poor choice as a hiking or jogging companion except in very cold climates. Saints love the snow. (It should be noted that these claims are traditional and widely accepted generalizations about the breed and that the behaviour of individual Saint Bernards may differ.)

The very fast growth rate and the weight of a St. Bernard can lead to very serious deterioration of the bones if the dog does not get proper food and exercise. Many dogs are genetically affected by hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) has been shown to be hereditary in the breed. They are susceptible to eye disorders called entropion and ectropion, in which the eyelid turns in or out. The breed standard indicates that this is a major fault. The breed is also susceptible to epilepsy and seizures, a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, and eczema.

U.S. and U.K. breed clubs put the average lifespan for a St. Bernard at 8–10 years.^[27][28][29] A 2003 Danish breed survey (35 dogs) puts the median lifespan at 9.5 years, while a U.K. breed survey in 2004 (53 dogs) puts the median lifespan at 7 years. In the U.K. survey, about one in five lived to >10 years, with the longest-lived dog at 12 years and 9 months.

A study of genetically related polyneuropathy in the breed was conducted.

The Saint Bernard’s size makes upkeep challenging. It requires ample space inside the house and a large vehicle in which to travel. While the dog often prefers a hard cold surface, it can form callouses easily, so it should have the option of a very soft bed with good support. Owners should have an emergency stretcher or another means in place for moving an incapacitated dog of this size. Everything costs more with a giant breed, including food, drugs, surgeries, boarding, and bedding.

Saints are not a good choice for fastidious housekeepers, because the breed is prone to excessive drool, resulting in saliva on the floor, clothing, furniture, and sometimes even walls. In addition, the hotter the temperature, the more Saints drool. Saints of either coat type are not comfortable in warm weather, and overheating is a real concern for the breed. Air-conditioned living quarters are a necessity. When transporting Saints in warm weather, vehicles must be air-conditioned, and ice packs should be on hand in case the air-conditioning fails.

Although not excessively active, the Saint Bernard still needs about an hour of interactive playing or walking each day. However, exercise does not have to be strenuous and should not occur in warm weather. The breed enjoys games of tug, swimming, nose work, and trick training.

Coat care is minimal, consisting of weekly brushing and occasional bathing. However, daily brushing is recommended during the two shedding seasons (spring and fall). Bathing of the forechest and forelimbs may be needed more often if the dog drools on itself. Many owners have their Saint wear a bib to catch saliva.

The Saint Bernard should do well on a high-quality dog food that ideally is formulated for large breeds, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Like many large breeds, the Saint Bernard can experience bloat, a life-threatening condition where the stomach distends and twists. The causes of bloat aren’t fully understood, but experts agree that multiple, small meals per day and preventing vigorous exercise around mealtimes may help reduce the chances of it happening.

Early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended for all dogs, but are absolutely required for dogs as big and strong as a St. Bernard. Obedience training will help the Saint learn not to jump on people, knock into small children, steal food from the table, and otherwise take advantage of their size. Saints are kind-hearted and eager to please, so they generally start responding to commands as soon they understand what is expected of them. A Saint wants to be with his family, and undesirable behaviors can result if he is regularly left alone for long periods of time.