Adorable cute saint bernard puppy
The St. Bernard is a giant dog. The average weight of the breed is
between 140 and 264 lb (64–120 kg) or more and the approximate height at the
withers is 27½ inches to 35½ inches (70 to 90 cm). The coat can be either
smooth or rough, with the smooth coat close and flat. The rough coat is dense
but flat, and more profuse around the neck and legs.
The coat is typically a
red color with white, or sometimes a mahogany brindle with white. Black shading
is usually found on the face and ears. The tail is long and heavy, hanging low
eyes should have naturally tight lids, with "haws only slightly
visible". Sometimes the eyes, brown usually, can be icy blue.
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 genetically affected by hip dysplasia or elbow
dysplasia. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) has been shown to be hereditary in the
breed. They are susceptible to eye disorders called entropion and ectropion, in
which the eyelid turns in or out. The breed standard indicates that this is a
major fault. The breed is also susceptible to epilepsy and seizures, a heart
disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, and eczema.
US and UK breed clubs put the average lifespan for a St. Bernard at
8–10 years. A 2003 Danish breed survey (35 dogs) puts the median lifespan at
9.5 years while a UK breed survey in 2004 (53 dogs) puts the median lifespan at
7 years. In the UK survey about one in five lived to >10 years with the
longest lived dog at 12 years and 9 months.St. Bernards, like all very large dogs, must be well socialized with
people and other dogs in order to prevent fearfulness and any possible
aggression or territoriality. The biggest threat to small children is being
knocked over by this breed's larger size. Overall they are a loyal and
affectionate breed, and if socialized are very friendly. Because of its large
adult size, it is essential that proper training and socialization begin while
the St. Bernard is still a puppy, so as to avoid the difficulties that normally
accompany training large dogs. An unruly St. Bernard may present problems for
even a strong adult, so control needs to be asserted from the beginning of the
dog's training. While generally not as aggressive as dogs bred for protection,
a St. Bernard may bark at strangers, and their size makes them good deterrents
against possible intruders.
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