What You Need to Know about Saint Bernard Puppies

st. bernardSource © Shutterstock

The gorgeous St. Bernard puppies you see on television, in magazines and in the movies are not the same dogs that you will get to keep forever. Sure, you can adopt one or buy one that will be so small and fluffy and cute and adorable right now, but it won’t be long before that puppy becomes a full grown dog that weighs anywhere from 130 to 180 pounds. Now, I don’t know what you look like, but even the smallest St. Bernard puppies will grow to weigh more than I do, which means I would assume there are some very special considerations you have to make to have a dog like this at home. For example, I would assume that you should be the kind of person who wants a big dog and not a small dog.  Of course, that’s just me, and what do I know? I would also assume that you should be the kind of person who is ready to care for a dog so large, but then again, that might just be me. What I do know is that all people should consider the whole before they make the decision to buy or adopt a puppy of any sort. See, there are some things you just have to understand about dogs, and the fact that they are animals that require a lot of care is one of those things. So if you’re in the market for a St. Bernard puppy, let us share with you a few things you need to know before you bring home this animal.

It Gets Big

This is a dog that starts so small and sweet. St. Bernard puppies are adorable and kind and amazing, but they are big dogs that just grow and grow until you don’t think they could possibly grow anymore. And then they just keep growing. This is a dog that is big, and it will get big and stay big. And that means you need to be aware that this is not just a fluffy little ball of love. It’s a big, powerful animal.

It Needs a Lot of Space

The St. Bernard puppies you buy will grow into large animals, and that means they need a lot of space. Imagine trying to keep an animal this large in a small apartment; it’s not going to end well. The best thing you can do for this dog is make sure that you take care of it from the start, which means giving it a nice, sizable home with plenty of space and plenty of activity.  Providing your dog with a big yard won’t hurt, either.

It’s a Very Gentle Breed

One of the misconceptions so many people have about this breed is that it’s a very fierce dog. It is not. It’s actually the kind of breed that makes you want to love and cuddle it. It’s so gentle and sweet, and it’s even a little slow moving to the point that you might find yourself underestimating its power and abilities at times.

It is Easily Trained

This is an intelligent dog that will train very easily. The point is to start training young and use positive reinforcement whenever possible. It is this that is going to make sure this dog is one you can handle on your own. It’s also this that is going to ensure that your dog is able to learn as quickly and efficiently as possible.

It’s Energetic

If you want a lazy dog, this is not the one for you. This breed is energetic and fun, and it does love to spend some time making you work. The dog loves to get in the yard and run around, and it will love this especially with kids or someone who is willing to get out and run with the dog. Energy is strong with this breed, and that means you’re going to need to do a little work to make sure that this breed is kept active and entertained.

It’s a Hard Worker

The St. Bernard is a dog that works very hard and has a good time doing that. It’s the kind of dog that will do great things and be of great assistance. They love obedience lessons and will do very well in them. They also love pulling exercises, so maybe you might want to let this dog pull things around the yard just for fun. It might seem like a job that’s not enjoyable, but it’s actually one your St. Bernard will love and adore when given the chance to practice.

They’re Very Good with Kids

This is a big dog that will tower over your kids, but it is very good with them. It’s the kind of dog that will make sure you are able to trust that your kids are in good hands outside, that it’s not something you have to worry about. It’s a very patient breed. It has a lot of tolerance for pain, so small kids with grabby hands and a not-quite developed sense of gentleness will be able to play with this dog without fear that it will retaliate when/if hurt. However, no person should ever leave children unattended with any dogs, under any circumstances.

You Have to be Consistent with Training

If you’re going to train this dog the right way, you will need to be consistent. It is a breed that certainly needs for you to be consistent with it if it’s going to learn, and if it’s going to follow instructions as it should. As a smart breed, letting the St. Bernard get away with anything even once is going to make the dog question your authority and potentially attempt to show you that it is the boss. Since the dog is never the boss, you want to avoid this situation from the start. Be firm, gentle and consistent and make sure your large dog grows up to respect you, the rules and the way things work. With a dog this size, this is one of the most important things you will ever do.

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

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