Saint Bernard

Lifestyle needs

St Bernard

The Saint Bernard is a very large and heavy dog, related to Swiss mountain rescue dogs.  His coat is dense and thick and will need daily grooming.  Although reputedly very strong the Saint Bernard no longer works.  His size alone means that he does not make an ideal family pet (although breed enthusiasts dispute this).  He needs training as a puppy and adequate socialisation with people and other dogs.  As a puppy special care needs to be taken over his diet and exercise to protect his fast growing bones.  The average life span of a Saint Bernard is only 8 years.

Inbreeding coefficient – COI

(should be as low as possible)

The breed average COI is 5%

See A Beginners Guide to COI.

Health and welfare problems due to conformation

(body shape and physical characteristics)

• The Saint Bernard’s large and heavy size puts a strain on his heart and bone joints and restricts his ability to enjoy life as a dog should. 
• His skull conformation and loose skin around his mouth causes him to drool copiously.  This is not something which is pleasant for a dog or the owner.
• Bloat/Torsion (stomach fills with air and twists – requires urgent vet treatment)

BVA/KC Health Schemes  http://www.bva.co.uk/chs

• Hip dysplasia (abnormality of the hip joints causing pain and disability):  breed mean score 22.8 (parents should be lower)
• Elbow dysplasia (abnormality of the elbow joint causing pain and disability:  score ideally O:O)
• The Saint Bernard is one of the 15 high profile breeds designated by the Kennel Club as requiring particular monitoring by reason of visible conditions which may cause health and welfare concerns.

DNA tests available

           None available

Unofficial (breed club) schemes

• Bitches not to produce a litter under 2 years of age

Ask the breeder to show you the certificates for the above tests/screening for both parents (or check the KC’s health test results finder). If any of the above tests have not been considered necessary by the breeder (and there may be good reasons), ask her to explain why.

Other diseases

(for which there are currently no genetic or screening tests for sire or dam)

• Heart disease: Dilated cardiomyopathy (heart chambers enlarge, heart muscle weakens and gradually fails – mostly males)
• Gastric dilation (Bloat)/torsion (a build up of air in the stomach which then twists – requires urgent vet treatment)
• Cruciate ligament rupture (pain and lameness of hindlimb)
• Elbow dysplasia
• Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
• Idiopathic epilepsy
• Shoulder osteochondrosis (abnormalities of bone and cartilege, causes chronic pain)
• Entropion/Ectropion (turning in and turning out or eyelid)
• Callus dermatitis (pustular condition of skin over knee and elbow joints)
• Lip fold pyoderma
• Primary hypothyroidism (underactivity of thyroid gland)
• Panosteitis (bone inflammation)
• Cataract
• Pyometra (serious womb infection)
• Multiple ocular (eye) defects
• Haemophilia (bleeding disease)

Ask the breeder about the medical history of the parents, grandparents and great grandparents.  Consider carefully whether to purchase a puppy if some of these or other diseases are in the family line.

Ask about the breeder’s policy in cases of serious genetic diseases occurring to your puppy in later life.  Good breeders will request to be informed of such events in order to improve future breeding decisions.  Some breeders will also agree to contribute towards medical costs or refund purchase price.

You are strongly advised to buy from a breeder who uses (or is prepared to use) the RSPCA / BVA AWF Puppy Contract and Puppy Information Pack (PIP):  www.puppycontract.org.uk

You are also advised to buy from a breeder who follows the Dog Advisory Council’s Standard for Breeders: http://www.dogbreedhealth.com/dac-breeding-standard/

List of Dog Breeds