St Bernard Picture Gallery

St Bernard Breeders

St Bernard Clubs/Associations

The Full St Bernard Description

For hundreds of years, Saint Bernards have been renowned for their bravery in rescue work, saving thousands of lives in the treacherous mountains of the Alps between Switzerland and Italy. At the same time, Saint Bernards have been just as well known for their big, loving personalities.

Did you know?

The origin of the Saint Bernard is subject to many theories. It seems most probable that the Saint Bernard developed from stock that resulted from the breeding of heavy Asian "Molosser" (Canis molossus), brought to Helvetia (Switzerland) by Roman armies during the first two centuries A.D., with native dogs which undoubtedly existed in the region at the time of the Roman invasions.
These dogs were widely used in the valley farms and Alpine dairies for a variety of guarding, herding, and drafting duties. Referred to as Talhund (Valley Dog) or Bauernhund (Farm Dog), they were apparently well established by A.D. 1050, when Archdeacon Bernard de Menthon founded the famous Hospice in the Swiss Alps as a refuge for travelers crossing the treacherous passes between Switzerland and Italy.

So you want to own a Saint Bernard?

The Saint Bernard is a hard worker known for his loyalty and dedication.
The Saint Bernard loves children, but be careful the dogs great size could lead to an unintentional accident when playing.
Saint Bernards need lots of room and exercise, if you have the space and have the time to exercise your dog Saint Bernards make good house dogs and companions.

Indicative Breed Standard

General Appearance

Well proportioned and of great substance.

Characteristics

Distinctly marked, large-sized, mountain-rescue dog.

Temperament

Steady, kindly, intelligent, courageous, trustworthy and benevolent.

Head and Skull

Large, massive, circumference of skull being rather more than double its length. Muzzle short, full in front of eye and square at nose end. Cheeks flat, great depth from eye to lower jaw. Lips deep but not too pendulous. From nose to stop perfectly straight and broad. Stop somewhat abrupt and well defined. Skull broad, slightly rounded at top, with fairly prominent brow. Nose large and black with well developed nostrils.

Eyes

Of medium size, neither deep set nor prominent, eyelids should be reasonably tight, without any excessive haw. Dark in colour and not staring. There should be no excessive loose wrinkle on brow which would detract from a healthy eye.

Ears

Medium size, lying close to cheeks, not heavily feathered.

Mouth

Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Long, thick, muscular, slightly arched, dewlap well developed.

Forequarters

Shoulders broad and sloping, well up at withers. Legs straight, strong in bone, of good length.

Body

Back broad, straight, ribs well rounded. Loin wide, very muscular. Chest wide and deep, but never projecting below elbows.

Hindquarters

Legs heavy in bone, hocks well bent, thighs very muscular.

Feet

Large, compact with well arched toes. Dewclaws removed.

Tail

Set on rather high, long, carried low when in repose, when excited or in motion should not curl over back.

Gait/Movement

Easy extension, unhurried or smooth, capable of covering difficult terrain.

Coat

Roughs: dense and flat, rather fuller round neck, thighs and tail well feathered. Smooths: close and hound-like, slight feathering on thighs and tail. Colour Orange, mahogany-brindle, red-brindle, white with patches on body of any of the above named colours. Markings as follows: White muzzle, white blaze on face, white collar, white chest, white forelegs, feet and end of tail, black shadings on face and ears.

Size

Taller the better, provided symmetry is maintained.