Tuesday, October 13, 2009

LOVABLE GIGANT- SAINT BERNARD

Saint Bernard dogs began as Swiss herding dogs far back into their ancestry. The Saint Bernard has been created specifically to rescue stranded travelers. This was accomplished by adding Newfoundland blood into the bloodline. Today, the very popular Saint Bernard is the result of that. A Saint Bernard is very gentle and very good with children. This beloved work dog is a popular breed because of its gentility with children. However, this breed is a good watch dog and an even better guard dog. This breed's proven temperament shows true and one could not ask for a better guard than this loyal protector from the Swiss mountains.

Saint Bernard dogs have such a keen sense of smell that they can smell out people burried deep in the snow. Barry, like other Saint Bernard dogs, was trained by the monks to rescue lost travelers in the Alps. The Bernard’s, on finding a man to be rescued, lie on top of the person and start licking his face to wake him up. Simultaneously they bark out aloud calling the monks for assistance, hearing which the monks would come with a stretcher and warm blankets to keep the person warm. The fellow is then taken to the monastery and is served warm tea and food.

Since its original purpose was to rescue travelers, it also is a very good rescue dog and not just in mountainous situations. This breed is very strong and can pull a full grown man up out of the snow. They can be trusted with infants and small children as well as adults. They tend to grow quite large, so a home with a large yard will be ideal for a Saint Bernard. Exercise is a must for this gentle giant. Walking and running are two types of exercise that they enjoy.

Keeping a Saint Bernard fit includes attention to the diet. They are big eaters and the right kind of food is ideal to balance them out. Care must be taken to brush out the coat, so that hair does not get matted or clumped in any way. The coat does shed, so regular brushing of the coat will keep the coat healthy and glossy, while removing all hair that is ready to fall out. This is essential for the comfort of a Saint Bernard. Having a big coat can be very uncomfortable in the summer months, so a haircut is recommended in hotter climates.

One should carefully think before adopting this giant dog. They make a wonderful family pet, are loving, loyal and get along well others and make excellent companions. They grow up eventually and become a large s stature dog.

As Saint Bernard is a gigantic breed one should consider it well because having a large dog can prove problematic. Its height is between 27-35 inches tall and will weigh between 150-200 pounds.

One should assess his or her accommodation properly as if you are planning to bring this lovable giant to your family Do you have enough room and floor space for a St. Bernard to stretch out without being underfoot? If he is going to sleep in your bedroom, if he lies in the middle of the floor will you likely trip over his body in the dark and get hurt?

If you have enough room to bring a St. Bernard into your home that is great. Now take a look around outside. What are you having outside? St. Bernard does not need a large amount of exercise, but does need access to an area where he can be active and play with the family.

If you live in an apartment that is adequate in size for a St. Bernard, this is also acceptable. However you need to make sure the dog gets a chance for exercise every day, as it helps the dog stay healthy.

You should also have a knowledge about his food .how much food does he eat? How many times in a day he needs his meal? St. Bernard puppies should not eat high protein puppy chow; they require a diet with a ratio of 22-26% protein, and a 12-15% fat ratio. This type of food may be hard to find and rather expensive, this is why it is wise to assess your finances prior to adopting or purchasing a St. Bernard pup.

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