Saint bernard dogs are giant dogs, originally bred in Switzerland for the rescue works there. They became famous after tales of Alpine rescues due to their large size and gentle temperament.
Saint bernards have many good qualities, like they are calm, protective, and friendly dogs.
If you are looking to train them to bark at strangers or even do simple tasks like playing dead tricks or following your commands, they are not easy to train.
The age of the dog is a factor too. An old, senior dog can be harder to train than a puppy because they are more set in their ways and do not always want to listen.
Are saint bernards good guard dogs?
Saint Bernards are not good guard dogs. They are big and lazy, and they can't bark.
Saint Bernard is a large dog with many furs and is known for being a rescue dog. They have a sweet and gentle temperament, but you cannot trust them to guard anything because they are too lazy to bark at intruders or defend their territory.
Due to this lazy behavior of saint bernards, we do not recommend any dog owner to treat them as guard dogs or watchdogs.
Are saint bernards easy to train?
 |
| Source - Unsplash |
Saint Bernards are notoriously hard to train. They are not the type of dogs that will take commands from anyone. They need a strong owner willing to put in the time and effort to earn their respect.
Not to say that they cannot be trained, but it takes patience and perseverance. If you are not ready for this challenge, it would be good to look into other breeds of dogs that may be more suited for your lifestyle and personality.
Does Saint Bernard shed the hair?
Saint Bernards shed hair like any other dog, and their fur coats are not immune to tangles or mats. The dogs have a dense undercoat that sheds in the spring and fall, but shedding can also occur during periods of stress. Illness or extreme temperature changes. Certain breeds tend to shed more than others (poodles, Shih Tzus, etc.). The two main causes of excessive shedding are:
1) the age of the dog;
2) new addition to the family or household.
While long-haired breed may tend to shed more than their short-haired, you can expect both coat types to shed hairs about your house all year round.
Can St. Bernards Swim?
Yes, st bernards can swim in the water, but they cannot swim for a long time due to their low stamina. For this reason, it is recommended only to let them go in shallow water regions like lakes or riversides where the flow of water is low.
They weigh around 80-85 kgs, making them easier to swim as the heavier the body floats in water, the larger the upward force they get from it. It’s a small physics concept.
Are Saint Bernards Lazy?
 |
| Source - Unsplash |
As said above, Saint Bernards are naturally lazy and would do better in a low-activity household with lots of patting and attention. However, they're also easygoing and wouldn't mind living/playing with your kids. There's one caveat: If you have any large physical events planned for your family (i.e., hiking for miles at once, climbing a mountain, going to a stadium), don’t bring your bernards with you.
They are not likely to follow you up till the end.
Your Saint Bernard Needs Brain Training
Brain training is effective in building a good bond with dogs and training them whatever you want. Adrienne has this training "Brain Training for Dogs,"; a professional CPDT-KA certified dog trainer, which enhances the dog's behavior with simple, easy-to-apply techniques.
After the training, your dog will listen to you and better understand what you tell him to do.
Click the link to check out this training that I use for training my dogs => Brain Training for Dog Course.