IS A SAINT FOR YOU?

 

You’ve already read how marvelous Saints are. You should also hear that Saint Bernards are not the perfect breed for everyone. As a breed they have a few characteristics that some people find charming, some people find mildly unpleasant, and some people find downright intolerable.

DON’T ADOPT A SAINT IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO SHARE YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR LIFE WITH YOUR DOG.

Saints thrive on companionship and are happiest living with you in your house. They should not be relegated to the backyard or kennel. A puppy exiled from the house is likely to grow up to be unsociable, unruly and unhappy. An adult so exiled will be miserable too. No dog is happy without companionship.

 DON’T ADOPT A SAINT BERNARD IF YOU DON’T INTEND TO EDUCATE (TRAIN) YOUR DOG.

Basic obedient and household rules training is NOT optional for the Saint. You must commit yourself to attending an obedience class with a group or with a professional trainer and to doing some homework sessions every day. If you don’t intend to educate your Saint, you would be better off with a breed that is both small and socially submissive.

DON’T ADOPT A SAINT IF YOU ARE FASTIDIOUS ABOUT YOUR HOME.

One Saint coming in from a few minutes outdoors on a rainy day can turn an immaculate house into a mess. Saint Bernards are seasonal shedders, and in the spring can easily fill a trash bag with balls of hair if left to shed in the house.

DON’T ADOPT A SAINT BERNARD IF YOU FIND DROOL TOTALLY REPELLANT.

Most saint owners begin with some degree of distaste for drool, but as this is an integral part of the Saint, this dislike usually progresses to some level of nonchalance. If you cannot get used to the idea of drool in your house then try one of the many breeds of dogs that do not drool. There is no such thing as a DRY MOUTH Saint.

DON’T ADOPT A SAINT BERNARD IF YOU DISLIKE DOING REGULAR GROOMING.

The thick shaggy long-haired Saint Bernard coat demands regular grooming, not merely to look tolerably nice, but also to preserve the health of the skin underneath and to detect and remove foxtails, ticks, and other dangerous invaders. For pet grooming you should expect to spend 10-15 minutes a day.

DON’T ADOPT A SAINT IF YOU BELIEVE THAT DOGS SHOULD RUN “FREE”.

Whether you live in town or country no dog can safely be left to run free outside your fenced property and without your direct supervision and control. The price of such freedom is inevitably injury or death.

 DON’T ADOPT A SAINT IF YOU WANT THE “LATEST , GREATEST FEROCIOUS KILLER ATTACK DOG”.

The Saint’s famous disposition as the “Noble Gentle Giant” is not a fable, a Saint with the typical disposition of the breed would prefer to slobber a criminal than attack one.

 IN CONCLUSION, if all the proceeding “bad news” hasn’t turned you away from the breed then by all means DO GET A SAINT! They are every bit as wonderful as you have heard!