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Description

Just something for a day when we celebrate and show our total appreciation for a huge and fluffy breed that's known for its strength, its size, its once occupation in the field, and its gentle nature. Today, St. Bernards everywhere get their day of recognition. So, any of you have St. Bernards or would want a St. Bernard of your own? Well if so, sounds great, but here are some very important facts (and tips) about St. Bernards that you should know about:

1. St. Bernards originated from the Western Alps in Italy and Switzerland.
2. At the time of their origin, St. Bernards were originally bred for rescue work by the hospice of the Great St Bernard Pass on the Italian-Swiss border.
3. St. Bernards were named after the Alpine monk Saint Bernard of Menthon.
4. The coat of a St. Bernard is usually colored a red shade with white, or a mahogany brindle with white (with black shading usually found on the face and ears) and can either be smooth (which the fur is close and flat) or rough (which the fur is dense, flat, and more profuse around the neck and legs.).
5. St. Bernards were originally called 'Saint Dogs,' 'Noble Steeds,' or "Barry Dogs,' just before the middle of the 19th Century.
6. While they are no longer used for Alpine rescues, St. Bernards are still used for other activities, like as animal-assisted therapy, and sports, such as carting and weight pulling.
7. Known as the gentle giants they are, St. Bernards are calm, patient and sweet with both adults and children.
8. St. Bernards must be well socialized with people and other dogs in order not only make them friendly, but to also prevent fearfulness and any possible aggression or territoriality.
9. St. Bernards have been (and perhaps still are) famous both in tv shows/movies and throughout history.
10. A St. Bernard's very fast growth rate and the weight can lead to very serious deterioration of the bones if the dog's condition do not meet with proper food and exercise.
11. Their tendency to bark at strangers and their size both make St. Bernards good deterrents against possible intruders (even though they are generally not instinctively protective).

12. St. Bernards live an average lifespan between 8 to 10 years of age.

If you're considering getting a St. Bernard (or any dog for that matter), make sure you do your research so you'll know what to expect and deal with and to look for one in a shelter, where there's a lot of dogs in need of a good home (not in a pet store, where puppies there would mostly have had come from puppy mills). With all that said, Happy St. Bernard Day (from this strong, but gentle St. Bernard family here).

Description

Just something for a day when we celebrate and show our total appreciation for a huge and fluffy breed that's known for its strength, its size, its once occupation in the field, and its gentle nature. Today, St. Bernards everywhere get their day of recognition. So, any of you have St. Bernards or would want a St. Bernard of your own? Well if so, sounds great, but here are some very important facts (and tips) about St. Bernards that you should know about:

1. St. Bernards originated from the Western Alps in Italy and Switzerland.
2. At the time of their origin, St. Bernards were originally bred for rescue work by the hospice of the Great St Bernard Pass on the Italian-Swiss border.
3. St. Bernards were named after the Alpine monk Saint Bernard of Menthon.
4. The coat of a St. Bernard is usually colored a red shade with white, or a mahogany brindle with white (with black shading usually found on the face and ears) and can either be smooth (which the fur is close and flat) or rough (which the fur is dense, flat, and more profuse around the neck and legs.).
5. St. Bernards were originally called 'Saint Dogs,' 'Noble Steeds,' or "Barry Dogs,' just before the middle of the 19th Century.
6. While they are no longer used for Alpine rescues, St. Bernards are still used for other activities, like as animal-assisted therapy, and sports, such as carting and weight pulling.
7. Known as the gentle giants they are, St. Bernards are calm, patient and sweet with both adults and children.
8. St. Bernards must be well socialized with people and other dogs in order not only make them friendly, but to also prevent fearfulness and any possible aggression or territoriality.
9. St. Bernards have been (and perhaps still are) famous both in tv shows/movies and throughout history.
10. A St. Bernard's very fast growth rate and the weight can lead to very serious deterioration of the bones if the dog's condition do not meet with proper food and exercise.
11. Their tendency to bark at strangers and their size both make St. Bernards good deterrents against possible intruders (even though they are generally not instinctively protective).

12. St. Bernards live an average lifespan between 8 to 10 years of age.

If you're considering getting a St. Bernard (or any dog for that matter), make sure you do your research so you'll know what to expect and deal with and to look for one in a shelter, where there's a lot of dogs in need of a good home (not in a pet store, where puppies there would mostly have had come from puppy mills). With all that said, Happy St. Bernard Day (from this strong, but gentle St. Bernard family here).