WENDY LAWRENCE
April 21, 1955 - February 09, 2002.
FOREVER REMEMBERED, FOREVER LOVED
Saint Bernards are large, strong and muscular dogs with big bones and deep chests.
The original St. Bernard was short-haired, the long haired variety appeared in the mid
19th century.
Males weigh from 170 to 200+ pounds and are over 27" at the shoulders.
Females (in other words they are called bitches), weigh slightly less and are at minimum 25" at the shoulders.
Acceptable colors include white with red, red with white, and brindle patches with white
markings.
Red can vary from red to yellow / brown with dark facial masks.
EARLY HISTORY
The Saint Bernard appeared in the Alps from the time the Roman army crossed into Switzerland in the 2nd century possibly bringing with them a Mastiff-type dog.
These dogs form the background of today's Swiss breeds, including the Saint Bernard. As with all modern Swiss breeds, ( including Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Swiss Mountain Dogs, Entlebuch Cattle Dogs, and Appenzell Cattle Dogs ) these dogs were used for avariety of duties including guarding, herding, and drafting.
By 1000AD, these ancestral dogs were apparently well known and referred to as "Talhund" ( Valley Dog ) or "Bauernhund" ( Farm Dog ).
In 1050AD, Archdeacon Bernard de Menthon founded his famous hospice in the Saint Bernard Pass. No one knows when dogs were first brought to the Hospice, since early records were destroyed by fire at the end of the 16th century.
The earliest surviving written notation of the dogs is in 1707and the dogs were well established at this point. The earliest paintings of the Hospice dog date back to two pictures done in 1695. From these portraits, it's clear that these dogs were already established as a breed.
Independent records suggest that these dogs were initially used as watchdogs and companions for the Monks. Since the Hospice was largely isolated from the rest of the world, especially during the long winter months, a distinctive strain of dogs quickly developed. These dogs would have been bred to withstand the harsh winters, with a short, thick, ice-proof coat and well-padded feet for walking on the snow.
The Monks took the dogs with them on their trips of mercy, they quickly found that their dogs were excellent pathfinders and were able to locate lost travellers in the storms. In 3 centuries of records at the hospice, the Saint Bernards have been recorded for saving well over 2,000 human lives.
Unusually severe winters depleted the Hospice's stock of breeding dogs. Contrary to popular opinion however, the dogs were quickly replenished from animals in the valley, many of whom were descended from Hospice pups of more populous years.
The dog has never been crossed with another breed except once in 1830, when the Monks tried a cross with the Newfoundland. The theory was that the Newfoundland was a dog of similar conformation and a long coat might improve their resistance to cold weather. Unfortunately, the long haired variety proved inferior to the short haired dogs as the longer coat would become ice packed. Thereafter, long-coated puppies born at the Hospice were given away or sold to people in the lower valleys. Shorthaired dogs were preferred in the mountainous regions of Switzerland and the longhaired ones became well established in the less harsh valleys.
A Saint Bernard will not "eat you out of house and home." The fact is, a Saint Bernard can be raised and maintained on no more food than required for other large breeds. Since Saints are basically placid dogs, they generally require less food per pound of body weight than most smaller, more active breeds.
Saint puppies weigh about one and one-half pounds at birth and grow rapidly during the first year, although it may take as long as three years before they reach full maturity. Adult males may reach a height of 28-30 inches at the shoulder and will normally weigh between 140 and 180 pounds. Female are somewhat smaller at about 26-28 inches at the shoulder and typically range from 120-140 pounds.
Definitely. They have an understanding of a child's way and are amazingly careful not to injure a child. They are excellent babysitters and companions. Naturally, a child must never be allowed to torment any dog, regardless of breed.
Because of the size of the animal, Saint Bernards MUST be trained and this must be done early in their lives. Fortunately, Saints are eager to please and will begin responding to commands as soon as they understand what you want of them.
Yes: twice a year, usually in Spring and Fall, they lose much of their coats to help them adjust to the changing seasons. For the remainder of the year, there is seldom any annoyance from shedding.
Yes. Depending on the weather, the level of excitement, and the shape of the dog's jowls, most Saints will drool on occasion. Technically, there is no such thing as a "dry mouthed Saint", but most Saints do not drool to a offensive degree.
The Saint's size and bark will discourage most intruders, yet they will learn to recognize your friends and receive them cordially. If an intruder gets by the size and barks, your Saint may decide to lead the intruder straight to the family silver since they would much prefer to be friends to all. The one exception to this is when a member of the family is being threatened. The Saint's instinct to protect those they love becomes apparent at this time.
The original Saint Bernards were all short-haired dogs. Over 150 years ago, the Monks in Switzerland found it necessary to bring some new blood into their breeding and interbred the long coated Newfoundland with the Saints. Today, the influence of that breeding is still with us and we have both long and short-haired Saint Bernards.
Saint Bernards don't need as much exercise as many other breeds, but a fenced yard should be provided so they can get whatever amount they require. The apartment dweller must be walked frequently to make up for the exercise they would otherwise take at their leisure. It is not a good practice to keep a Saint Bernard tied up.
Clean fresh water (especially in Summer), a well balanced diet and thorough brushing weekly, the necessary immunity shots and lots of common sense is all that is necessary.
This is strictly a matter of personal preference. Both are equal in pet qualities. The male, being larger, is more impressive when first viewed. The female however must be considered his equal in all other respects. Once you have made the decision male or female your choice will be the right one: you will have a loving pet and a most rewarding experience.
The dogs will do well as long as they have a cool dry place to nap and plenty of fresh cool water. They will cut down both their food intake and amount of activity. It must be remembered that going from an air conditioned place into the boiling heat can be disastrous. The abrupt change in temperature will be extremely hard on a Saint.
There are breeders in most areas who are sincerely interested in supplying you with a Saint you will be proud to own. To these breeders, a dog is infinitely more that just a commodity to be sold for profit. Their interest is in the animal and matching them to the right home. They are anxious to assist you with care, feeding and answering your questions.
Saint Bernards, as many other breeds, can have particular problems which reputable breeders try tobreed out. A reputable and knowledgeable breeder will be glad to discuss these and other health concerns with a puppy buyer.
Because of their large size, Saint Bernards are particularly prone to Hip Dysplasia, a joint diseasethat can eventually cripple dogs, depending on its severity. Data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals shows a rate of approximately 49% of xrays sent to them for diagnosis being evaluated as dysplastic. As many xrays are never sent in to OFA when something is obviously wrong, the actual rate may be much higher.
As a result, you should insist on the parents of any puppy you are considering to be OFA certified. Ask to see the certifications and don't accept excuses for a lack of OFA certification. Ideally the grandparents and littermates of the parents should also have OFA certification.
As with any large or giant breed, care must be taken not to over feed or oversupplement young puppies. Too-rapid growth or excess weight can put undue stress on young still-growing joints and cause or exacerbate problems in the elbows or hips. Consult with the breeder of your dog as to when it is appropriate to switch to an adult formula and monitor your growing Saint's weight level closely. Saints continue to grow and mature for at least the first three years, there is no rush to get to full size!
As with most giant breeds, Saint Bernards commonly have short lives from 7-11 years. A few individuals may live longer, but shorter lives are the rule and not the exception.
RESOURSES
Books
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The Complete St Bernard
By Pat Muggleton and Michael and Ann Wensley, Howell Book House - Macmillan Publishing
Company, New York, 1992. The authors' United Kingdom background is apparent in this book,
but it is a recent publication with valuable chapters on the history of the Saint on each continent.
The Saint Bernard Classic
By Albert de la Rie, Briarcliff Publishing Comapnay, Kansas City, MO, First Edition 1974
74-80478 (out of print but available from Jerri Hobbs, Saint Bernard Club of America Classic
Chairperson, 2742 West Warren Ave, Denver CO 80219, USA, 303-936-9744).
This is the Saint Bernard
By Marlen J. Anderson and Joan Brearly, TFH Publication, Neptune City, NJ, 1973.
Your Saint Bernard
By Marina J. Sharp Denlinger's Publishers LTD, Fairfax, VA, 1978, 77-92120.
Saint Bernards
By Martin Weil, TFH Publications, Neptune City, NJ, 1982.
The New Complete Saint Bernard
By E.G. Raulston and Rex Roberts, Howell Book House, Inc., 1973.
Magazines and Publications
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Saint Fancier
(official publication of the SBCA, available only to members)
Lynn Jech, 11446 W. Hidalgo Ave., Tolleson, AZ 85353 (602) 936-9120.
BREED CLUBS
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UNITED STATES
Saint Bernard Club of America, Inc.
Corresponding Secretary
Penny Janz
33400 Red Fox Way, North Prairie, WI 53153
Send $5 payable to the SBCA for a detailed information packet on the breed, including several
booklets and a breeders directory.
Saint Bernard Rescue
Carol Varner Beck, Rescue Committee Chair, 800 Elk Creek Rd., Trail, OR 97541,
541-878-8281. She keeps contact information for various areas of the country and has a waiting
list of homes for rescued dogs.
There are local Saint Bernard clubs in various parts of the United States: the SBCA can
help you find a club in your area.
AUSTRALIA
New South Wales Saint Bernard Club
Sharron Andrews PO Box 191 Emu Plains NSW 2750
Saint Bernard Club of Queensland
Michelle Noyce, 31 Elm Ave Woodridge Queensland 4114
The St Bernard Social Club of Tasmania
Miss Susan Teniswood, "Boronia Hill", 44 Jindabyne Rd, Kingston TAS 7050
St Bernard Club of Victoria
An Cerato, 34 Highbury Rd Tootgarook Victoria 3941
Saint Bernard Breed Specialist Assoc.
B. Chadwick, 20 Ibis Pl, High Wycombe WA 6057, 09 255 1595
The West Australian St. Bernard Social Club & Welfare Association, Inc.
Mrs. Donna Frizzell, P.O. Box 1203 Canning Vale W.A. 6155
desaix@vianet.net.au
EUROPE
St Bernard Club of France
Chrisian Tessier, La Valoises, Breancon, F 95640 Marines, FRANCE
Bernhardinerna Sweden
Anita Eriksson, Rasbokil Kolinge, 755 95 Uppsala, SWEDEN
Schweizerischer St Bernhards Club
Peter Buckingham, Kobelwies 1231, 9463 Oberriet, SWITZERLAND
St Bernard Club of Ireland
Mr Joseph A Moynihan, Ballinamona Lr., Old Parish, Co. Waterford, IRELAND
St Bernhards Club of Germany
Wolfgang Ketzler, LessingstraBe 35, 5012 Bedburg, GERMANY
Belgische Sint-Bernard Club,
Mr. Joseph Van Hummelen, Leliestraat 12, B-2820 Rijmeham, BELGIUM
BRITIAN
English Saint Bernard Club
Miss Pat Muggleeton, Hon. Secretary, Stanley Cottagge Farm, Shepherds Lane, Teversal,
Notts. NG17 3JG
United St Bernard Club,
Mrs R J Beaver, The Cricketer's House, 80 Ashover Road, Old Tupton, Chesterfield,
Derbyshire S42 6HJ
NEW ZEALAND
North Island St Bernard Assoc.
Mrs Catherine Tippett, 19 Barrett Road, New Plymouth, New Zealand
South Island St Bernard Club
Mrs. Megan Rogan, McIllwraith Road, Postal Delivery Centre, Mataura, New Zealand
SOUTH AFRICA
The S.B.C. Transvaal
Mara Morriset, P.O. Box 6425, Birchleigh - Kempton Park, South Africa 1620
MY FAVORITE LINKS
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