Breeds / Giant
St. Bernard puppies
Steady, kindly, intelligent, courageous, trustworthy and benevolent. A distinctly marked mountain rescue breed that carries a great deal of weight for its frame.
The facts
- Size class Giant
- Adult weight 54.4 to 90.7 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 120 to 200 lb
- Adult height 64 to 76 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Typical lifespan 8 to 10 years
Source: https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/working/st-bernard/
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a St. Bernard puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A giant breed puppy at eight weeks is already heavy and will keep growing for up to two years. Controlled growth matters more here than in any other size class, so a large breed specific puppy food and no overfeeding. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
- Elbow dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
- Entropion and other inherited eye disease, screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme and by examination of the eyelids
- Gastric dilatation volvulus, a surgical emergency, risk rises with a deep chest, recognised from pacing, drooling and retching without producing vomit
- Osteosarcoma, detected by x-ray of the bone lesion with a needle aspirate or biopsy for confirmation
- Cervical vertebral instability (wobbler syndrome), diagnosed by neurological examination plus neck x-ray, MRI or CT
From St. Bernard breed information at https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/working/st-bernard/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Your St. Bernard puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Giant for a St. Bernard.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 54.4 to 90.7 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Other giant breeds
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.