 History of the Saint Bernard Dog
It is thought that the Saint Bernard Dog originated in Asia and is descended from large mastiff type dogs. However, the Saint Bernard Dog was developed as a breed in the Swiss Alps by monks and is named after a refuge for travellers - the Hospice Du Grand Saint Bernard where large dogs were recorded as being at the hospice in the early 18th Century. In the Swiss Alps the Saint Bernard dog was used to guide people along snow covered paths and trained by the monks to help in mountain rescue. The Saint Bernard has a keen sense of smell being able to find people buried deep in the snow and they were trained to keep a traveller warm by lying on them and to bark until the monks found them.
Appearance of the Saint Bernard Dog
The Saint Bernard Dog has a large head with a broad skull, short muzzle and ears that lie flat against the head. The eyes of the Saint Bernard are small and both the upper and lower eyelids droop. The body is broad with a deep chest and wide back with a long tail which hangs down. There are two varieties - a short and long coated. The long coated Saint Bernard has a thick, flat coat with feathering on the upper legs, whereas the coat on the short coated Saint Bernard has only slight feathering. Colouring of the Saint Bernard is brown, red, orange or red brindle with white markings.
Height of the Saint Bernard Dog
The Saint Bernard stands 24 to 28 inches from the ground to the top of the shoulder.
 Character of the Saint Bernard Dog
The Saint Bernard is quiet, strong, intelligent, faithful, slow moving and friendly with a great sense of smell - a true gentle giant amongst dogs. Saint Bernard Dogs make an excellent family dog, loving people and being gentle with children and other pets particularly if raised with them. They are easily trained due to their high intelligence but this should be carried out early whilst they remain a manageable size.
Requirements of the Saint Bernard Dog
Although not the most active of dogs the Saint Bernard needs plenty of room in which to live due to its size. The large size of the Saint Bernard Dog mean they require large diets with plenty of meat and this is best fed in two or three smaller meals than one large meal each day. Saint Bernard Dogs require regular exercise and a lack of exercise can lead to a weakening in the hindquarters. They require regular grooming and go through heavy moults twice a year.
Health Problems Associated with the Saint Bernard Dog
Saint Bernard dogs can be prone to hip dysplasia, heart defects, skin problems and bone problems.
Lifespan of the Saint Bernard Dog
The average lifespan of a Saint Bernard is 8 to 10 years. | 
