St. Bernard

Before giving a St. Bernard a forever home, consider any possible health issues. Not every dog experiences them, but it’s important to be prepared.

For more advice on potential health issues for St. Bernards, speak to your local vet. Some practices offer ‘pre-purchase consultations.’ These tell you about potential health conditions, management options and an idea of financial costs.

If you’re considering buying a puppy, they can advise you on finding a responsible breeder and testing for genetic diseases.

Any breed of dog needs basic preventative healthcare like vaccinations and flea and worming treatments. Pet insurance is also important to help cover your vet bills. 

Not all St. Bernards need the same amount of food. This depends on their:

• age
• size
• activity levels
• fitness
• weight

Dog food packets usually provide a good indication of appropriate portion size. But you still need to take your dog’s individual needs into account and adapt where necessary.

Knowing your dog’s body condition can help you decide how much food to give them. You can find out how to determine their body condition through the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WVASA).

If unsure, ask your vet for more advice. 

St. Bernards are usually moderately active dogs who need regular exercise and stimulation to keep them physically and mentally healthy.

They need daily walks, plus plenty of time and opportunity to explore, burn energy, and play. Like all dogs, they need training and benefit from daily enrichment.

If you enjoy regular time outdoors, this breed could be a great match for you.

St. Bernards require training like all dogs and benefit from daily enrichment. When exercising your pooch, consider their:

• age
• health
• personality

These factors impact your dog’s needs. Puppies, for example, might need a few short walks. Older, ill, or injured dogs on the other hand may need a personalised plan based on advice from your vet. Some dogs might like quiet walks while others prefer something more sociable or energetic. 

Your vet can provide more advice on exercising your four-legged friend. 

Like people, each dog is different with their own individual personality and experience. So, the temperaments of different St. Bernards vary.

Dogs learn all about the world as they grow from puppies to adult pooches. They find out what they do and don’t like and develop responses to situations differently.

For instance, some might enjoy new experiences like meeting other dogs. Others might need to take it a bit slower. 

You really can teach any dog new tricks. The key is positive learning. Find out what gets your dog’s tail wagging with excitement. Snacks or toys are popular choices, or even lots of praise. Whatever it is, you can use it as a reward during training which helps them enjoy the learning.

Make sure to work on useful life skills like recall, loose lead walking and settling with your dog. This helps you both feel relaxed and confident in tackling your daily life together. 

Each dog’s personality is shaped by their experiences of the world and they  respond differently to certain situations.  

But there are some universal ways to treat any dog, including St. Bernards, respectfully and behave safely around them. This is an essential skill for the whole family; adults and children.  

Why not book one of our family workshops on living happily together? Our family workshops are suitable for children aged seven to eleven. Booking one of these sessions could help your situation.