Thinking about getting a saint bernard?

Question

Are they friendly with kids? how much room do they need? do they need alot of attention or do they mostly do there own thing? how much does a puppy usaully cost?

if somone could answere those questions it would be great, thanks!

-david

Answer 1

Well my neighbor has a st. bernard, he's great! very large. She told he he eats approx 20lbs a week not to mention the vet bills and having him groomed. They need furminated because of the dense under coat fur. lots of shedding and slobber when excited. There will be lots of time training him because of his size. They need lot of room, a small apt. wouldn't work for him he would be unhappy. Reily is 2yr old and is 195lbs long haired st bernard. awsome dog

Answer 2

Saint Bernards are good dogs. They love kids but they DO need a lot of room. If you have a house with a backyard that's perfect! They love being around anyone they know, but they aren't needy and they can entertain themselves when they're left alone. But you may want to think about how much money you'll be spending on him or her, St. Bernards have been know to eat 1 pound of food day and drink over a gallon of water when they're fully grown. If have the money, time and space for a St. Bernard puppy. Here's some sites that may help you find one

www.nextpets.com

www.gotpetsonline.com

www.puppyfinder.com

www.petfinder.com

Answer 3

The Saint Bernard is a very large, strong, muscular dog, with a powerful head. As long as the weight stays in proportion with the height, the taller the dog the more prized. There are two types of coat: rough, and smooth, but both are very dense and come in white with markings in tan, red, mahogany, brindle, and black - in various combinations. The face and ears are usually shaded with black and the expression is intelligent and gentle. In the rough-coated dogs, the hair is slightly longer and there is feathering on the thighs and legs. The feet are large with strong well-arched toes, making the Saint Bernard's sure-footed in the snow and ice. They have a highly developed sense of smell and also seem to have a sixth sense about impending danger from storms and avalanches.
Temperament
They are extremely gentle and friendly and very tolerant of children. The Saint Bernard is slow moving, patient, and obedient. Extremely loyal, this breed wants to please. Since this dog is so giant, be sure to socialize it very well at a young age with other people. It is highly intelligent and easy to train, however training should begin early, while the dog is still a manageable size. Bear in mind that an unruly dog of this size presents a problem for even a strong adult if it is to be exercised in public areas on a leash, so take control from the onset. The Saint Bernard is a good watchdog. Even its size is a good deterrent. They drool after they drink or eat.

Height, Weight
Height: 25.5-27.5 inches ( 61-70 cm.)
Weight: 110-200 pounds (50-91 kg)
Health Problems
Good health but some are prone to "wobbler" syndrome, heart problems, skin problems, hip dysplasia, and extropion - a folding outward of the eyelid rim, usually on the lower lid. Twisted stomachs should be watched for. As these dogs are prone to bloat, it is best to feed them two or three small meals a day instead of one large meal.
Living Conditions
The Saint Bernard will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and a small yard is sufficient. They can live outdoors, but would much rather be with their family. They have a low tolerance for hot weather, warm rooms, and cars.
Exercise
A long walk each day will keep the Saint Bernard in good condition. Puppies should not have too much exercise at one time until their bones are well formed and strong. Short walks and brief play sessions are best until the dog is about two years old.
Life Expectancy
About 8-10 years.
Grooming
Both types of coats are easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary. Shampoo may strip the coat of its oily, water-resistant properties, so use a mild soap. The eyes, which may be inclined to water, need special attention to keep them clean and free of irritants. This breed sheds twice a year.
Origin
This is a very ancient breed. It was founded in AD 980 by St Bernard de Menthon as a refuge for travelers through the perilous Alpine pass between Switzerland and Italy. It is descended from the Tibetan mastiff and therefore must have originated with the mastiff brought to the Alps by the Romans around the year 1000. The monks probably crossed the ancient mastiff with the Great Dane and the Great Pyrenees. Its use and popularity as a rescue dog began in the middle of the seventeenth century. The Saint Bernard was used as an avalanche and rescue dog in the snowy passes near the Hospice. More then 2,000 people have been saved by this amazing servant of mankind. The dogs search out and find the lost or injured traveler, and then lick him and lie next to him to give him warmth. Then one dog from the party heads back to the Hospice to get a full rescue team. The Saint Bernard's sense of smell is so excellent that he can find a person even under many feet of snow. This breed is also known for his ability to foretell storms and avalanches, perhaps because he may hear very low frequency sounds that are beyond our ability to hear. There are two varieties: short-haired and long-haired. The short-haired variety is more often used for mountain work because he can tolerate cold temperatures. The long-haired variety's coat tends to collect icicles. Some of the Saint Bernard's talents are search & rescue, watchdogging and carting.
Group
Mastiff, AKC Working

Answer 4

saint bernards are good with kids, need a lot of room because the are playful and big. they do need some attention, i dont know how much one cost though. they do die faster then other dogs though like a great dane just because it is so big. hope that helps!

Answer 5

Try your local animal shelter, you would be surprised of all the pure bred dogs that are avaliable there. Go there with an open mind and you just might be as lucky as I was and find a wonderful companion!! Good Luck.

Answer 6

They can be good with kids. They can also be aggressive too.
Get one from a good breeder. They have issues with hip dysplasia. Make sure the parents are OFA cleared. The rough coat requires more care than the smooth coat for obvious reasons. Do a lot of research first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Look on www.petfinder.com

Answer 8

very large dogs need very large digs...