• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Animal Behavior College

Animal Behavior College

Where Animal Lovers Pursue Animal Careers

Have Questions? Call:

800-795-3294
Enroll Now!?
  • Login
MENUMENU
  • Programs
    • Dog Obedience Instructor
      • Enroll Now
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
      • Certification
      • Students Saving Lives
      • Find A Dog Trainer
    • Veterinary Assistant
      • Enroll Now
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
    • Grooming Instruction Program
      • Enroll Now
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
      • Find A Pet Groomer
    • On Campus Dog Trainer Program
      • Traditional Classroom Environment
      • Enroll Using Your Military Benefits
    • Continuing Education
      • Short Term Programs
    • Cat Management and Training
      • Enroll Now
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Aquarium Maintenance (online)
      • Enroll Now
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Salary Information
      • What Is an Aquarist?
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program
      • Enroll Now
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Service Dog Trainer Program
      • Enroll Now
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Career
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Education & Experience Requirements
      • Local Service Dog Training Schools
  • Military Benefits
  • GI Bill® Benefits
  • About ABC
        • About Animal Behavior College
        • Our Expert Faculty
        • Press, News & Info
        • Press Releases
        • BPPE Disclosures
        • Tuition Assistance
        • Animal Behavior College FAQ
        • Contact Us
        • Why ABC?
        • Students Saving Lives
        • Mentor Program Discounts
        • Licensure, Ratings & Approvals
        • Sponsors & Associates
        • Gift Certificates
        • Enroll Now
  • Reviews
    • What People Are Saying About Us
    • Success Stories
      • Dog Obedience Instructor Success Stories
      • Veterinary Assistant Success Stories
      • Grooming Instruction Program Success Stories
      • Cat Management & Training Program Success Stories
      • Service Dog Trainer Program Success Stories
      • Aquarium Maintenance Program Success Stories
      • Zookeeper Assistant Program Success Stories
  • Locations
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Animal Career Resources
  • Refer A Friend
  • Blog
  • Alumni Login
    • Dog Obedience Program Alumni
    • Cat Training Program Alumni
    • Grooming Instruction Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program Alumni
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program Alumni
    • Service Dog Trainer Alumni
  • Student Login
    • Cat Training Program
    • Dog Obedience Program
    • Grooming Instruction Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program
    • Service Dog Trainer Program
Home » Training » Dogs » Breed Spotlight » Breed Spotlight: St. Bernard

Why Wait? Start now!

Breed Spotlight: St. Bernard

afhunta/iStock

St. Bernard Facts

By Cara Lederman

History

Recognized by the AKC in 1885 and placed in the Working Group, the St. Bernard’s history began in the 11th century with the founding of the famous Hospice in the Swiss Alps, a refuge for travelers crossing the dangerous passes between Switzerland and Italy.

The monks used St. Bernards on rescue missions due to their seeming ability to sense impending avalanches. Over time, the dogs gradually learned rescue techniques from the monks, and to this day they still have the instinct to seek out and rescue people buried in snow.

Thanks to their superior sense of smell and huge paws, they can detect and dig out a person buried under 20 feet of snow. Over the course of 300 years of rescue work, St. Bernards have saved the lives of more than 2,000 people. For these reasons, this dog breed is famous for its heroism.

Myth Buster: St. Bernards never carried brandy barrels around their necks while rescuing avalanche victims in the Swiss Alps. Instead, they wore jackets that held food and water.

Appearance

Descended from the Mastiff family, St. Bernards can weigh anywhere between 100 and 200 pounds, and are extremely strong and muscular. Due to their jaw’s shape, there is loose skin on the facial area, which means they drool—a lot.

The original St. Bernard was short-haired, but was later crossbred with the Newfoundland to produce the long-haired version in an effort to give the breed a warmer coat. A longer coat was necessary due to the number of St. Bernards who lost their lives while rescuing victims of avalanches during severely cold winters.

Whether short- or long-haired, they have a dense double coat, meaning regular grooming is required. They are susceptible to heart and joint problems, which means regular exercise and a healthy diet are important.

Fun Fact: Because of how quickly St. Bernard puppies grow, more than 100 different puppies were used to film the movie “Beethoven’s 2nd.”

Lifestyle & Temperament

Often referred to as gentle giants, St. Bernards are wonderful family pets and are great around children. They are extremely compassionate, tolerant and affectionate. Proper socialization and strong, but fair leadership should be implemented right away. When trained correctly, you will have a very friendly St. Bernard where your only concern may be getting knocked over accidentally due to his large size.

RELATED: How to Choose a Dog for Children

St. Bernards prefer a cold environment. If you live in a warmer environment, make sure to provide plenty of shade and a small wading pool or misters whenever your St. Bernard is outside. Training St. Bernards can be fairly easy, as this breed is eager to please. However, a professional dog trainer would advise you begin training a St. Bernard at a young age, as he can run out of energy quickly.

Overall, the St. Bernard is a wonderful dog–a heroic rescuer on snowy mountains and an affectionate and tolerant family pet. Contact your local dog trainer for help with training and socializing your St. Bernard at an early age.

Sources:
www.akc.org
animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/dogs-101
www.saintbernardclub.org

READ MORE: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Grooming

Primary Sidebar

Questions? Call:

800-795-3294

Enroll Now Button

Enroll Now Button

Blog Topics

dog training (139)careers with animals (72)training dogs (71)dog training tips (69)animal careers (66)abc dog training (62)pet grooming (62)animal behavior college (61)dog health (58)dog grooming (58)paw prints (56)animal related jobs (55)Animal Jobs (54)animal care jobs (52)dog trainer (50)pet health (44)working with animals (43)abc dog trainer (43)jobs working with animals (42)become a dog trainer (40)animal training (39)jobs with animals (39)animal care courses (37)dog obedience training (36)Dog Behavior (34)
  • Main
    • Enroll Now
    • Locations
    • Refer a Friend
    • Find A Dog Trainer
    • Find A Pet Groomer
    • Find a Cat Trainer
    • Post a Job
    • Evolution of ABC
  • Dog Trainer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Dog Groomer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Cat Trainer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Aquarium Maintenance Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Zookeeper Assistant Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • SERVICE DOG TRAINER PROGRAM
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Education & Experience Requirements

Footer

Feefo logo
bbb logo

Rating A+ The BBB only accredits the business management of a school, not the quality of the curriculum, or training programs.

STATE LICENSURE AND APPROVAL
Animal Behavior College is a private vocational school approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (www.bppe.ca.gov) under the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 and Title 5. California Code of Regulations Division 7.5. Private Postsecondary Education. The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education approval means that this institution and its operation comply with the standards established under the law for occupational instruction by private postsecondary educational institutions. Institutional approval is subject to continual review and the institution must reapply for approval every five years.
DISCLAIMER
Programs not available in Pennsylvania. Please be advised that Animal Behavior College ("ABC") is the exclusive entity authorized to provide certifications and/or degrees from Animal Behavior College. Moreover, such certifications and/or degrees are only conferred by ABC following a student's completion of an ABC-administered program. No other entity or individual has authority to confer certifications and/or degrees on ABC's behalf. Any other entity or individual who attempts to do so is acting without express or implied authority from ABC.
GI BILL® TRADEMARK ATTRIBUTION
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Click here to view Animal Behavior College’s Annual Reports

Click here to view Animal Behavior College’s Course Catalog

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
Animal Behavior College, 27509 Avenue Hopkins, First Floor, Valencia CA 91355-3910 Contact Us
© 2000 - 2025 Animal Behavior College. Questions? email@animalbehaviorcollege.com

loading

Please wait while you are redirected to the right page...