What are the downsights of having a St. Bernard?

Question

We are being offered a St. Bernard puppy and would like to know all the bad things about her. We know that she will be big and slobbery but would they be good house pets, good with other small dogs(Bichon/shih-tzu) Is she hard to care for, and expensive? We know all the good things and we would love to know your opinion.

She would be a shorthaired breed if that hepls

Answer 1

They are kind of expensive to feed and medicated, and they have to be brushed a lot (even short haired ones, but they need a lot less). They do drool, some worse than others. They are great house pets, but they can be a little troublesome while they are growing because they are kind of un-coordinated. Saints usually get along fine with small dogs, you just have to be sure that they do not accidentally hurt they dog (you have to worry while the saint is a puppy, not as much when they are an adult). I would guess that it would cost around $50 a month to feed with a high quality food, have them on a heartworm preventative, and used a flea/tick product (like frontline). Also, Saints do better in the house than they do outside. They are not high energy dogs, and they want to be with their family. The can tolerate the cold weather, but they tend to have trouble when it is hot.

Saints are really good dogs, and I would really recommend them. They are worth every penny that you pay for them.

Answer 2

Quite honestly, the first thing I will tell you is don't waste your money on a chest harness or head collar of any kind. Those things only work when the person is strong enough to control the dog anyway, and you aren't (no offense, neither am I!). You can point at the videos of the little kids walking the gigantic dogs, but guess what? The kids didn't train the dogs - 250 pound muscle men did. Choke chains I find to be generally unhelpful with dogs of that size. They just cut off the dog's air flow, and for such a big-chested dog, that won't be much of an issue. So don't get a choke chain either. That leaves us with what I like to call the "bite collar", otherwise known as the prong collar. The reason I call it the bite collar is the prongs simulate the bite of another dog, and will get your dog thinking and responding in moments. They can only tighten to a certain extent, and cannot choke your dog. The prongs are blunt and cannot break the skin. So what's the big deal? Billions of people use them and love 'em. Just make sure you only jerk the leash with one and don't apply constant pressure. StarMark sells a collar kind of like a prong collar. It has plastic things on the inside shaped like triangles. I have never used it, but you could try it if you're not keen on the prong collar idea. Go to the StarMark website to find out more about it. I hope this helps!

Answer 3

A St. Bernard is a dog which was bred for and adapts very easily to arctic weather. It is not a warm weather dog and is miserable whenever the temperature is warm. A St. Bernard is really to big to keep in a house unless you have an awfully large house. They stand about 3 feet high, are about 4 and 1/2 feet long and weigh around 200 lbs when grown. They have long hair and shed a lot. They tend to be playful growing up but don't know their size and strength.

The Bichon/shih-tzu is not particularly hard to care for, however they to tend to be somewhat expensive. The groomers tend to have a problem with them when they become grown. The dogs tend to become aggressive and want to bite the groomer. A local grooming shop keeps a list and bans dogs that try to bite and almost every dog on the list is a shih-Tzu.

Answer 4

We just got a St. Bernard, and she is a long haired - there are both long haired and short haired breeds. The long haired breeds can require a lot of grooming - sometimes daily depending on the shedding level of the individual dog. The short hairs also shed - my breeder's short haired shed more than her long haired. They are very low energy dogs and can be quite content in a small space as long as they get a short walk. They don't eat a whole lot more than most large dogs, simply because they have a low energy level. This will be the most mellow puppy you will ever own. They don't tend to jump, are easy to train, and very intelligent. They do get very attached to their owners though, and can have separation anxiety if left alone for too long. If you are going to be out of the house a lot, do not take the puppy. They can also be destructive if left alone for too long, but are easy to crate train - if you have room for a big enough crate! Also, if they need any Major surgeries, or vaccines when they are older, vaccines and anaesthesia and other medications are based on weight so they can be much more expensive than for say a 15 pd dog. Best of luck!

Answer 5

I have found with all animals growing up in a good environment they will do fine with lots of love. They are very lovable dogs and good at protection. They been good in taken care of kids put keep children away from them when they are eating. Only one time have I ever heard a St Bernard has turn on anybody is when they were eating. But I have only heard that one time. My son has a St Bernard and she is blind. He took her from some friends because they abused her. My son says she is awesome and loves her. At night time she goes to sleep and is out for the night. As for vet bills well their expensive no matter how big or small or what the animal is. Theory for that shop for a good vet or clinic. Check out your SPCA, pet stores, on line in you local area. You'll be amaze what is out there for pets. Compare the costs we do for ourselves we can do this for our pets. One more thing your friend that wants you to have the puppy must feel you can give the puppy a good home and lots of love. A friend felt I needed a puppy cause my family left home and are out on their own felt I need a companion to let me know when things are not right. Good luck with you new puppy.

Answer 6

St. Bernard are great house pets, If you trade them at a young age. most bernard like other dogs and even cats. Large breed have some med. problems meanly with joint and hip problem as they age.And like any other dog with wrinkles they can have eye problems. They can get a bit expensive if not taking care of right. A good diet and a jog or walk three times a week or more will keep her in shape. Add some extra (up to 6 ) years by having her fix.

Veterinary Animal Tech. Karama

Answer 7

The very fast growth rate and the weight of a St. Bernard can lead to very serious deterioration of the bones if the dog does not get proper food and exercise. Many dogs are affected by hip dysplasia. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) has been shown to be hereditary in the breed.

St. Bernards are prone to eye disorders called entropion and ectropion. The breed is also susceptible to epilepsy and seizures, a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, and eczema.

Answer 8

well if your ok with a horse in your house she will be fine as a house pet. But serriously a dog that size should be outside. they need a lot more room to move and exersize if they are to remain healthy. Not so much if your able to take her to a park for at least an hour every day and play with her..In my life I can only remember one saint bernard that was not totally passive to other dogs. yours being a female is almost 1005 that she will be fine with any dogs..they eat a ton of food and good food is expensive, probably your biggest concern....Lets

Answer 9

I'm a certified Professional Dog Trainer and I've trained many St.Bernards they are great dogs but you need to really understand what your getting into I think she could be a great family pet if trained properly. But she is going to be huge compared to your other small dogs you need to think about that and how they get along with other dogs they may feel overwealmed by her and be somewhat reactive to her at first or they may get along great. But you really need to realize that
St. Bernards don't slobber they SLIME thick drooly slime with one head turn your walls windows and ceiling will be slimed if you go for a walk you better tuck a drool towel in to your pants or pocket or you too will be full of slime. They are very smart dogs but need to be trained because they tend to become pushy and demanding if they aren't they also need a job by training a dog you are providing that a dog that is both mentally and phyiscally stimulated is a happy dog. Please remember that she is a dog not a large furry human you need to set rules and limits. Yes owning a large breed dog your expenses will be higher because she will eat more . Check out That's My Dog!.com it's the training company I work for we would love to help you out we are offer many training options for both you and your dog. Good Luck and maybe we will see you and your dog sometime.

Answer 10

If you want a dog who...
Is heavy and powerful, with a thick furry coat
Is steady-tempered with everyone
Loves pulling carts and sleds and romping in cold weather
Is responsive to training in a slow, good-natured way
A Saint Bernard may be right for you.

If you don't want to deal with...
A very bulky dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car
A heavy dog who wants to sit on your feet, lie on your lap, and lean his weight against your leg
Rowdiness and exuberant jumping when young
"Separation anxiety" and destructiveness when left alone too much
Fearfulness or aggression in some lines, or when not socialized enough
Some stubbornness and/or dominance problems, especially in males
Heavy shedding
Slobbering and drooling
Serious health problems and a short lifespan
A St Bernard may not be right for you.

And now for the details...
Most people are not prepared for how much Saint Bernards slobber and drool, especially after eating or drinking. When they shake their heads, you will literally be toweling saliva and slime off your clothes, furniture, and walls. Young Saint Bernards (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. (remember the movie beethoven?) Saint Bernards shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you're REALLY up for this. More than most other breeds, Saint Bernards need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you. Since you have to minimize their exercise, young Saint Bernards can be very rambunctious. They will romp with uncoordinated gawkiness all over your house. You need to substitute extra quantities of companionship and supervision. Otherwise, left alone, young Saint Bernards become bored and destructive -- and their powerful jaws can literally destroy your living room. The lifespan of a Saint Bernard is short and an alarming number are crippled by bone and joint diseases and/or succumb to cancer in middle age.

If you're still considering an adult Saint Bernard...

There are plenty of adult Saint Bernards who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.

When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. Make sense?