Saint Bernese -- St. Bernard X Bernese Mountain Dog

		Saint Bernese
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Switzerland -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Saint Bernese

The Saint Bernese is a cross between a St. Bernard and a Bernese Mountain Dog, two very large working dogs. Gentle by nature, they are very easy to integrate into a family. Children will love this massive dog with its gentle manners and patient nature. As a puppy, he's adorable with his oversized legs, soft, fluffy fur and boundless energy. These dogs are easy to socialize and mix well with other pets and dogs. While they're young, take them for short, quiet walks while their soft bones develop, to avoid any injuries that could affect them later in life. Keep them away from stairs or high jumps to avoid damaging their growing bones. The Saint Bernese puppy will love a selection of toys to share with the family, and children will have a ready-to-play companion who always wants to play. The Saint Bernese is a companion dog, preferring to be with you as much as possible. He's surprisingly calm and careful indoors, moving quietly so as not to spill anything. Always ready to go, he'll be delighted to accompany you and your family on all your outings. They don't care where you go or why, they just want to be part of it. These dogs don't live long, unfortunately they only live between six and ten years, but those years will be full of fun and laughter with this happy dog.

History of the Saint Bernese

The Saint Bernese is a rare hybrid dog about whose development little is known. So we need to look at the parent dogs to understand the characteristics the Saint Bernese will inherit.

	A little of the St. Bernard
	The St. Bernard has its roots in Roman Molosser dogs, but by 1670 the breed had developed into the fabulous dog that has saved so many lives. The Hospice Saint-Bernard was a refuge for travelers crossing the rugged, icy terrain between Switzerland and Italy. The monks soon discovered that the St. Bernard Dog was an excellent tracker in deep snow and was capable of finding lost travelers. These amazing dogs would find the person, lick their face, then lie down next to them to keep them warm, reviving and warming them, enabling them to survive. The dogs carried on this tradition for three centuries, and are credited with saving over 2,000 lives. During the 1800s, many of these amazing dogs disappeared due to bad weather, disease and inbreeding. They were eventually crossed with the Newfoundland dog in 1830 to strengthen the breed. The first St. Bernards arrived in England in 1810, and attracted the attention of American dog fanciers in 1880. In the 1900s, the St. Bernard became very popular as an affectionate and gentle dog, making an excellent and devoted companion.

	Standard of the St. Bernard


	A little of the Bernese Mountain Dog
	Among Swiss Mountain Dogs, the Bernese Mountain Dog is the only one with a fairly long, silky coat. Some believe that this dog dates back to the time when the Romans invaded Switzerland and Roman Mastiffs were crossed with native guard dogs. The result was a dog capable of withstanding the harsh Alpine climate, and was used to guard, drive and herd cattle, as well as to farm. By the end of the 1800s, the number of animals had declined considerably, but fortunately a professor, Albert Heim, took the trouble to study and promote the dog, which led to an increase in its numbers throughout Switzerland and Europe. These dogs were ideal companions when caught in blizzards or freezing temperatures, and many farmers credited them with keeping them warm enough to survive the ordeal. The best dogs came from the Durrbach region and were known as Durrbachier dogs. As their popularity grew, the name was changed to Bouvier Bernois. They arrived in America in 1926 and were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1937. Even today, Bernese Mountain Dogs can be found on farms and ranches, but they are also pampered by their owners in every city as a valuable companion dog.

	Standard of the Bernese Mountain Dog

Appearance of the Saint Bernese

The Saint Bernese is a cross between a St. Bernard and a Bernese Mountain Dog, two large dogs. The result is a giant dog that can weigh up to 55 kilos. These gentle giants are adorable, sturdy dogs of great stature, with a dense, thick coat. Their bodies are well proportioned, being longer than they are tall. He has a deep chest and a solid, well-muscled body. His strong legs are well suited to his heavy body, and his paws are rounded and almost the size of a bear's paw. The drooping ears on either side of the head frame the face, and the pointed muzzle gives this dog an air of anticipation and alertness. The eyes are round, dark, expressive and large. The Saint Bernese drools a little and has hanging lips, but its cheerful face and adorable nature will make it a popular companion. Built like a workhorse with plenty of power and energy, this dog needs an active family to help him expend his energy.

Temperament of the Saint Bernese

These huge, lovable dogs have gentle personalities and are known for their calm, confidence and affection. Incredibly loyal, they make ideal companions and family dogs. He is patient and tolerant with young children, and loves to play with them or watch over them as he will be their protector. These gentle giants are intelligent dogs, but they can sometimes be a little stubborn. Keep training fun and sessions short so your dog doesn't get bored or lose concentration. Like most dogs, they respond well to praise and an occasional treat. However, don't be too generous with treats, as they can put on weight easily, which can lead to health problems. He's an ideal dog to accompany you on a walk, because even when you're cycling, he'll keep pace with you, even if he sometimes wants to stop and explore. Saint Bernese puppies are the cutest bundles of cuddles, but during their growth phase, take care not to exercise them too much until their bones are stronger. They take time to mature, so they seem to stay puppies longer than most dogs. But this only makes the Saint Bernese even more adorable to its owners. Treat stubbornness with patience and try to use positive reinforcement to overcome it. These dogs adapt to most climates, except extreme heat. Apartment living is not for them, as their size can be overwhelming in a small space, but they are at home in a house with a garden big enough for them to explore and play. The Saint Bernese is not an aggressive dog, although its size is enough to deter prowlers. Calm, thoughtful, but sometimes a little zany, these gentle dogs enjoy spending time with their families and will be loyal and devoted companions.

Needs and activities of the Saint Bernese

The Saint Bernese is an active dog that will enjoy a daily walk or trot alongside you when you run. They're not hyperactive, but they like to have a lot to do every day. These mild-mannered dogs also enjoy meeting their friends in the dog park, and it's a great way to socialize them to accept other people and other dogs. At home, they love to play and are good with children, although their size can sometimes knock little ones over unintentionally. These dogs are perfect for active families, and love to take part in hikes or explore the countryside. They respond well to training, but have a stubborn streak that must be taken into account. The Saint Bernese is not an apartment dog, taking up far too much space and needing plenty of room for exercise. He's best suited to a home with a large, fenced-in yard. The Saint Bernese is an intelligent dog who likes to please, so keep him busy, take him for a walk and he'll be delighted to snooze at your feet in the evening.

Maintenance of the Saint Bernese

The dense coat of the Saint Bernese requires a lot of brushing to keep it tidy and to remove loose hairs. These dogs shed a lot, so if you don't like cleaning the hair off your floor and furniture every day, the Saint Bernese may not be for you. A good daily brushing with hard bristles will remove most of the loose hair and prevent your dog's coat from matting. Bathing can be an effort, but fortunately these dogs don't need it very often. Don't forget to use a special shampoo for dogs, gentle and non-aggressive on their skin. Their eyes are prone to problems, so make sure they're not red or watery, and have them examined by your vet to clear them up. Ears should also be checked in case a build-up of dirt and wax causes inflammation. Toenails should be trimmed, especially if they make a clicking noise on the floor - a sure sign that they're too long. Simply trim them lightly, taking care not to cut into the nail bed, which could cause your dog pain. Finally, a good brushing of the teeth in and around this big dog's lips. Although it may take some time, prevention is always much easier than treating a problem.