Challenges of Keeping a St. Bernard

Beethoven is one of the greatest composers of all time, creating hundreds of classical musical pieces that, until today, are still played by symphonies and orchestras the world over. However, to some of us, Beethoven is a loveable St. Bernard that gets his owner into a number of funny misfortunes. The movie Beethoven, released in 1992, is one of the best family movies that generations have loved to watch. The movie has also produced a sequel which also made it big in the box office.

St. Bernards, like Beethoven in the movie, are very loving and caring dogs. These dogs originated in the Italian and Swiss mountains and were originally bred as working and rescue dogs. Their names originated from the Great St Bernard Hospice, which is a station found on the dangerous pass between Italy and Switzerland.

Keeping a St. Bernard as a pet is going to take up a bit of work. They are a very hairy breed, which means that you have to make sure to brush their coat every day to remove tangles and keep it clean. Feeding them can be a big challenge too; just be sure to stick with a dog food brand labeled for larger dogs. As puppies, they will need a bit more protein, but too much will cause growth spurts, which may lead to weak bones and muscles when they get old.

St. Bernards do better in homes that have wider space. They need a lot of room to walk and lounge around so make sure your furniture is not in their way. They are best kept indoors, especially during the day when the weather is a little warmer. Families that have younger children might have problems with this dog. They do have a tendency to underestimate their size and might end up hurting the child. Still, St. Bernards are gentle giants—just be ready to wipe their drool all the time!

 St. Bernard Video