Saint Bernard: 9 things you should know about the large dog breed

If you are considering a Saint Bernard as a pet, you should know a few things about the large dog breed.

Weight: Saint Bernard’s weight is typically between 140 and 264 pounds (64-120 kg), but there are many that fall outside of that range on the high and low side.

Where from: originated in Italy and Switzerland

Colors: The most common color combination is red with white and black is common on the ears and face.

Height: Height is typically between 27½ inches and 35½ inches (70 to 90 cm) measured at the withers.

Length: Reportedly (read unsubstantiated) the longest Saint Bernard was 8 feet 5 inches

Other names: St. Bernhardshund and Bernhardiner, as well as Alpine Mastiff

Records: In the mid-19th century, a famous Saint Bernard named Plinlimmon was reported to weigh 210 pounds (95 kg) and 341/2 inches (87.5 cm). An American bought Plinlimmon for $ 7,000.

The famous New York Times newspaper reported in 1895 that Major F, a Saint Bernard, was measured and the astonishing results were a length of 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m). If this statement is correct and the measurement is done correctly, Major F. would still hold the record for the longest dog in the world, even over Zorba, who is currently in the Guinness Book of World Records as the heaviest dog in history. at 343 pounds and measured 8 feet 3 inches (251 cm) from nose to tip of tail.

Benedictine V Schwarzwald Hof (wow, picture asking you to come in!), A huge Saint Bernard officially weighed 315 pounds (143 kg) and was inscribed in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1981.

Related Breeds: Newfoundland and English Mastiff

Temperament: Special care is required with any breed of large dog so that they are well socialized, both with other dogs and with people other than their owners and especially with children who are almost always much smaller. The Saint Bernard breed is very loyal and friendly.

Unfortunately, the Saint Bernard is prone to some health problems. A common problem is an autoimmune disease; which can cause a great deal of mortality and debilitating diseases in dogs. Within autoimmune disease, there are three diseases to watch out for. These are canine diabetes, immune-mediated thyroiditis, and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.

Canine diabetes is when a dog is deficient in or insensitive to the hormone insulin. Diabetes in an animal is not life threatening, however if it is not treated it can be. When a dog has canine diabetes, he is given an injection of insulin which is a hormone.

When a dog has immune-mediated thyroiditis, cells in the dog’s body begin to attack the thyroid cells. In most cases, the dog receives a daily dose of thyroxine; which will bring thyroxine levels back to normal.

Finally, when a dog has hemolytic anemia, it is when the immune system destroys red blood cells prematurely, faster than the rate at which new ones can be produced. In most cases, when a Saint Bernard has hemolytic anemia, as long as he does not die (it is a very fatal disease), he is given corticosteroids or other medications and, in the worst case, he is given blood transfusions. blood.