FAQs
What is a Saint Bernard's character like?
The Saint Bernard is extremely loyal and friendly. They are powerful and muscular but never ill natured, if raised right. They are faithful, intelligent, and unassuming. The Saint Bernard is imposing in size, displaying a mellow and benevolent demeanor.
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What about Temperament?
The Saint Bernard is quite simply the best and very good-natured. Saints are excellent with children and other animals. They have a protective instinct for their family and make excellent watchdogs. They are sensible and loving and make a great family pet. They really are dogs big on love, enjoying giving and receiving.
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What special care will I be expected to give?
The Saint Bernard's coat is shed twice a year. They should be brushed regularly to keep hair around the home down to a minimal amount. Bathing should only be done when necessary using a mild shampoo to avoid stripping the coat of its essential oils. Their eyes and ears must be checked and cleaned regularly to keep them free of irritants. The Saint Bernard can develop health issues such as heart problems, skin disorders, and bloating. Live in a warm state? They do just fine in hot weather as long as there is a body of water(check out Thunder on our Alumni page!) and A/C cranked up so they can cool off. A hose, sprinklers, and kiddie pools, are great fun as well.
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Whats are the types of Saints I can choose?
Here at RedBarn Saints we raise Pure Bred Saints and Saint Berdoodles. The Saint Bernard breed has two different coat varieties: the smooth/shorthaired, and the rough/longhaired. Both varieties of coat are dense in texture and are water resistant. The coat of the Saint Bernard is typically white with tan, red, mahogany, black or brindle markings in various combinations. They BOTH are heavy shedders twice a year. Saint berdoodles have little to no shedding as they are hypoallergenic.
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What colors will the pups be?
White with red, red or brindle with white; white must appear on chest, feet, tail tip, nose, and collar (or spot on neck); may have dark mask or more rare is the half mask. Both are very adorable.
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Do I have to train my pup?
The Saint Bernard must be socialized at an early age while they are still a manageable size. They love to please their owner and are remarkably easy to train. The Saint Bernard does well with elementary exercises and obedience such as heeling, sitting, and staying. Teaching your dog to sit, lie down, stay is vital to the training of your new puppy. There are several accepted methods of housetraining your new puppy. Consider crate training (I have a link here click on the picture of puppy in a crate below) if you travel at all with your dog. Pup's really enjoy having their own space so they can choose to have down time, should they desire. Favorite treats... CHEESE paws down! Well unless you have just pulled smoked ribs off the grill, then meat will take the cake any day. But for those days when you need something on hand, string cheese is quick and easy. Store bought treats are seemingly never interesting enough.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What activities should I have my new pup do?
The Saint Bernard requires a moderate to low amount of outdoor exercise. For warm staters, it is important they do not become overheated. They enjoy daily walks and play sessions. They are suitable for apartment living as long as you take them for 2-3x daily walks. They will enjoy a yard of any size but ideally it should be fenced. Saints should not be forced to exercise to ensure they live a long, relaxing life! Dog parks double as playtime and socialization, two of the most important things you can do for your puppy in the first year of life!
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What will my puppy weigh once full grown?
avg 120-200 lbs
Height?
Male: avg 7.5; Female: avg 25 inches
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What is the life expectancy?
The average lifespan of the St. Bernard breed is 8 - 10 years. We have heard of 16years!!
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What about my human children and my Saint?
The St. Bernard breed is great with children as long as they are socialized to them as a puppy. Training is a must for any dog around children. It is important to teach pup to listen to all members of the family. There is something perfectly sweet, when a 15 lb child, can get a 150 lb saint to sit, down, come, stay etc! All interactions between a puppy/dog and a child should be supervised, just as you would not leave any little one unsupervised. However we have 9 beautiful human children and they do amazing even with our two year old! Saints can not tell us if something is bothering them etc. Be wise and supervise.
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Heat cycle?
Giant breed dogs generally to come into heat later then smaller breeds. Females can come into their first heat as early as 9mths - 2 years old.
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They must eat a ton!!?
One of the most asked questions you will get as a Saint Bernard parent. Contrary to popular belief they eat an average amount in relation to other breeds. They ar slow energy dogs, which means they save a lot of that food by being lazy! The quality of dog food directly affects how much they will need to consume. Our fav? Ok here it is.... after much input and questioning and research from many sources....
We have settled on Life's Abundance brand for dog food! They have a very high quality food. No recalls. Made in USA. Etc!
PRO'S, What I like:
HIGH QUALITY: Doctor formulated food, balancing the ingredients as a whole so they compliment each other. No filler = less waste! Gotta love that! You are what you eat, i want my doggies to get the best, so they can be/feel/do their best.
AFFORDABLE: Best bang for your buck. A dog food of this caliber would be significantly more expensive off the store shelf. Because you are getting direct from Life's abundance you get better pricing for high quality. AND you feed less food because of better utilization of nutrients! So i was able to cut the amount of dog food i buy to almost half, even though i used a high quality store brand(Natures Domain).
NO RECALLS: If Life's Abundance ever does have one, they know who bought each bag of dog food, so we would be alerted immediately. Very awesome!
FRESH: Food made in the USA in small batches to ensure quality. Dogs LOVE IT!
DIRECT: Manufacture to consumer. They have a autoship option so you can automatically get shipment at the time you select. No more racing to the store! :)
CONS:
THINK AHEAD: Takes time(usually less then a week) to receive order. Which putting on autoship eliminates the need for last minute scramble!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
When it comes to feeding your large breed dog, maintaining their ideal weight for their hip and joint health is important.
Large and giant breeds experience a rapid growth phase as puppies that has a great impact on their joints and skeletal formation.
Large breed puppy formulas are designed to reduce the risk of potential growth problems by carefully balancing calories, protein levels and minerals to ensure a steady growth rate.
These foods are specifically formulated to have the recommended allowances of nutrients and energy to help them grow at an ideal rate and keep them healthy.
The St. Bernard should be on a high quality(Life's abundance), Large Breed puppy food until he/she is 1.5-2 years old. Then move on to a high quality, Life stages adult food. It is very important. They grow so fast we need to give them all we can to support that growth. If your puppy has not been feed this from the start it can lead to hip, elbow problems. It is imperative, I have seen many puppies from breeders that do not have the solid chunky, fluffy, healthy touch and feel compared to my lil' bundles. You can not tell in pictures. Just be aware.
Going Home
Puppy will be ready to go home with you after they are 8 weeks old. We may meet you for cost of travel, depending on what life here on the farm is like at that time. : ) Puppy will come prepared with what pup needs for his/her first few days.
Shipping
We prefer having you pick up puppy, or we can possibly meet for cost of travel. However, A puppy can be shipped to you at 8 weeks of age after he/she has had its shots, the proper paperwork is done and has been cleared for flight. Also there must be a reputable airline that will fly near your home. We have very good ones flying out of Portland, Or. So no worries on our end. : ) Cost is extra depending on location. Avg$300-$400, in addition to puppy purchase price.
The Saint Bernard is extremely loyal and friendly. They are powerful and muscular but never ill natured, if raised right. They are faithful, intelligent, and unassuming. The Saint Bernard is imposing in size, displaying a mellow and benevolent demeanor.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What about Temperament?
The Saint Bernard is quite simply the best and very good-natured. Saints are excellent with children and other animals. They have a protective instinct for their family and make excellent watchdogs. They are sensible and loving and make a great family pet. They really are dogs big on love, enjoying giving and receiving.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What special care will I be expected to give?
The Saint Bernard's coat is shed twice a year. They should be brushed regularly to keep hair around the home down to a minimal amount. Bathing should only be done when necessary using a mild shampoo to avoid stripping the coat of its essential oils. Their eyes and ears must be checked and cleaned regularly to keep them free of irritants. The Saint Bernard can develop health issues such as heart problems, skin disorders, and bloating. Live in a warm state? They do just fine in hot weather as long as there is a body of water(check out Thunder on our Alumni page!) and A/C cranked up so they can cool off. A hose, sprinklers, and kiddie pools, are great fun as well.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whats are the types of Saints I can choose?
Here at RedBarn Saints we raise Pure Bred Saints and Saint Berdoodles. The Saint Bernard breed has two different coat varieties: the smooth/shorthaired, and the rough/longhaired. Both varieties of coat are dense in texture and are water resistant. The coat of the Saint Bernard is typically white with tan, red, mahogany, black or brindle markings in various combinations. They BOTH are heavy shedders twice a year. Saint berdoodles have little to no shedding as they are hypoallergenic.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What colors will the pups be?
White with red, red or brindle with white; white must appear on chest, feet, tail tip, nose, and collar (or spot on neck); may have dark mask or more rare is the half mask. Both are very adorable.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Do I have to train my pup?
The Saint Bernard must be socialized at an early age while they are still a manageable size. They love to please their owner and are remarkably easy to train. The Saint Bernard does well with elementary exercises and obedience such as heeling, sitting, and staying. Teaching your dog to sit, lie down, stay is vital to the training of your new puppy. There are several accepted methods of housetraining your new puppy. Consider crate training (I have a link here click on the picture of puppy in a crate below) if you travel at all with your dog. Pup's really enjoy having their own space so they can choose to have down time, should they desire. Favorite treats... CHEESE paws down! Well unless you have just pulled smoked ribs off the grill, then meat will take the cake any day. But for those days when you need something on hand, string cheese is quick and easy. Store bought treats are seemingly never interesting enough.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What activities should I have my new pup do?
The Saint Bernard requires a moderate to low amount of outdoor exercise. For warm staters, it is important they do not become overheated. They enjoy daily walks and play sessions. They are suitable for apartment living as long as you take them for 2-3x daily walks. They will enjoy a yard of any size but ideally it should be fenced. Saints should not be forced to exercise to ensure they live a long, relaxing life! Dog parks double as playtime and socialization, two of the most important things you can do for your puppy in the first year of life!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What will my puppy weigh once full grown?
avg 120-200 lbs
Height?
Male: avg 7.5; Female: avg 25 inches
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What is the life expectancy?
The average lifespan of the St. Bernard breed is 8 - 10 years. We have heard of 16years!!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What about my human children and my Saint?
The St. Bernard breed is great with children as long as they are socialized to them as a puppy. Training is a must for any dog around children. It is important to teach pup to listen to all members of the family. There is something perfectly sweet, when a 15 lb child, can get a 150 lb saint to sit, down, come, stay etc! All interactions between a puppy/dog and a child should be supervised, just as you would not leave any little one unsupervised. However we have 9 beautiful human children and they do amazing even with our two year old! Saints can not tell us if something is bothering them etc. Be wise and supervise.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Heat cycle?
Giant breed dogs generally to come into heat later then smaller breeds. Females can come into their first heat as early as 9mths - 2 years old.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
They must eat a ton!!?
One of the most asked questions you will get as a Saint Bernard parent. Contrary to popular belief they eat an average amount in relation to other breeds. They ar slow energy dogs, which means they save a lot of that food by being lazy! The quality of dog food directly affects how much they will need to consume. Our fav? Ok here it is.... after much input and questioning and research from many sources....
We have settled on Life's Abundance brand for dog food! They have a very high quality food. No recalls. Made in USA. Etc!
PRO'S, What I like:
HIGH QUALITY: Doctor formulated food, balancing the ingredients as a whole so they compliment each other. No filler = less waste! Gotta love that! You are what you eat, i want my doggies to get the best, so they can be/feel/do their best.
AFFORDABLE: Best bang for your buck. A dog food of this caliber would be significantly more expensive off the store shelf. Because you are getting direct from Life's abundance you get better pricing for high quality. AND you feed less food because of better utilization of nutrients! So i was able to cut the amount of dog food i buy to almost half, even though i used a high quality store brand(Natures Domain).
NO RECALLS: If Life's Abundance ever does have one, they know who bought each bag of dog food, so we would be alerted immediately. Very awesome!
FRESH: Food made in the USA in small batches to ensure quality. Dogs LOVE IT!
DIRECT: Manufacture to consumer. They have a autoship option so you can automatically get shipment at the time you select. No more racing to the store! :)
CONS:
THINK AHEAD: Takes time(usually less then a week) to receive order. Which putting on autoship eliminates the need for last minute scramble!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
When it comes to feeding your large breed dog, maintaining their ideal weight for their hip and joint health is important.
Large and giant breeds experience a rapid growth phase as puppies that has a great impact on their joints and skeletal formation.
Large breed puppy formulas are designed to reduce the risk of potential growth problems by carefully balancing calories, protein levels and minerals to ensure a steady growth rate.
These foods are specifically formulated to have the recommended allowances of nutrients and energy to help them grow at an ideal rate and keep them healthy.
The St. Bernard should be on a high quality(Life's abundance), Large Breed puppy food until he/she is 1.5-2 years old. Then move on to a high quality, Life stages adult food. It is very important. They grow so fast we need to give them all we can to support that growth. If your puppy has not been feed this from the start it can lead to hip, elbow problems. It is imperative, I have seen many puppies from breeders that do not have the solid chunky, fluffy, healthy touch and feel compared to my lil' bundles. You can not tell in pictures. Just be aware.
Going Home
Puppy will be ready to go home with you after they are 8 weeks old. We may meet you for cost of travel, depending on what life here on the farm is like at that time. : ) Puppy will come prepared with what pup needs for his/her first few days.
Shipping
We prefer having you pick up puppy, or we can possibly meet for cost of travel. However, A puppy can be shipped to you at 8 weeks of age after he/she has had its shots, the proper paperwork is done and has been cleared for flight. Also there must be a reputable airline that will fly near your home. We have very good ones flying out of Portland, Or. So no worries on our end. : ) Cost is extra depending on location. Avg$300-$400, in addition to puppy purchase price.