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Ah, the St. Bernard! These gentle giants are among the most distinctive and easy-to-recognize breeds of dogs out there. Not only are they of remarkable size, but they also have beautiful thick coats, baleful dark eyes, and large, floppy jowls that never fail to make their humans smile. Famously used both as a “nanny” for children and as a mountain rescue dog, St. Bernards are known for being watchful, kind, and loyal.
This breed is not for everyone, though; there are some significant pros and cons to keep in mind if you consider bringing a St. Bernard into your home.
The 5 Pros of Owning a St. Bernard
1. St. Bernards can be trained to do independent tasks.
There’s a reason why St. Bernards are popular search and rescue dogs. These dogs can handle a variety of tasks if trained properly because of their intelligence. It would be best to start training early with them, though.
2. They are mellow.
St. Bernards are not hyperactive, making them good for people with a less active lifestyle. However, they’ll still need daily exercise because they are strong and capable dogs with a natural inclination toward activity. But you do not need to take them on an hour-long jog. But strolls through the neighborhood or park are just right!
3. Bernards are great with children.
Don’t be fooled by their size! St. Bernards are great with children because they are attentive, affectionate, and easygoing. They are also naturally watchful, alert, and love hanging out with their human family.
4. They are gorgeous dogs.
Their size and coat make them impressive-looking canines! They will definitely catch anyone’s eye. A St. Bernard’s size gives people the impression that they are great guard dogs, but they are not that alert.
5. Bernards do not bark excessively.
Some breeds are known barkers. Thankfully, the St. Bernard is not one of them. With their size, you can only imagine how intense their bark must be. Well, you won’t hear them bark too often.
The 5 Cons to the St. Bernard
1. Without training, your St. Bernard can become distant and bored.
If you do not train your St. Bernard, they can get bored and become descriptive. While this is fairly common among several dog breeds, the size of the St. Bernard can lead to some serious destruction. Imagine what a bored St. Bernard could do to a couch!
2. They shed A LOT, even with regular brushing and grooming.
If you have allergies or get stressed out by too much animal hair on floors and furniture, this is not the breed for you. Remember that because these dogs can survive in cold climates, a thick fur coat is inevitable.
3. Bernards are LARGE.
This should come as no surprise to people. The name “St. Bernard” often conjures up images of a giant dog. If you have a lot of delicate knick knacks or furniture in your home or small children who aren’t used to big dogs, sharing your space with a dog this size may take some getting used to. Large dog breeds are more prone to health issues that can be pricey to treat.
4. Big dogs = big appetites!
St. Bernards need a lot of food to maintain a healthy weight. And you should always give your dog high-quality dog food with meat as the primary ingredient. But this kind of food will come at a cost. If you don’t think you have the budget to feed a St. Bernard properly, do not own one.
5. Bernards drool.
Drool and slobber are given with St. Bernard’s. It’s part of their charm! If this grosses you out, check out other breeds to adopt.
Conclusion
We’re not sure there’s any dog-lover who’s seen a St. Bernard and not thought, “Oh, I definitely want to adopt one of those!” This breed is aesthetically striking and has a sweet and charming temperament that many find irresistible. Before you start searching for breeders or rescues in search of a St. Bernard of your very own, please do your research and make sure this unique breed is the right one for you. We hope the information in this article guides you toward the best decision.
Featured Image Credit to: Rita_Kochmarjova, Shutterstock
