Saint Bernard care on Cape Ann

A Saint puppy gains weight at a startling pace. VCA's breed guide says puppies should be fed a large-breed growth food, which slows the growing rate but not the final size, and that this may decrease the incidence or severity of hip dysplasia in adults; the AKC also recommends a food formulated for large breeds. The Merck Veterinary Manual's owner pages describe panosteitis, an inflammation of the long bones in young, rapidly growing dogs of large and giant breeds, usually between 6 and 16 months old.

Merck adds that it is uncertain whether diets high in protein and calories, or supplements, play a role, but suggests avoiding them in young, growing dogs. Ask your vet which food and how much, and weigh the puppy regularly. VCA's page on luxating patella also names St. Bernards among the breeds with a genetic tendency for the kneecap to slip toward the outside of the knee. A limp, a skip in the step or reluctance to get up is a reason to call your vet.

VCA's breed guide says simply to be prepared for drool, and the AKC describes a huge head with a wrinkled brow and a short muzzle. VCA also says the Saint enjoys cold weather but does not do well in warm weather. The AKC adds that a Saint can handle hot days with a cool place to rest and lots of water, but that the jump from air conditioning to high heat can cause serious distress, which is worth remembering at every car door in August.

Plan the summer around it. Walk in the early morning or the evening, keep a towel by the water bowl and the front door, and never leave the dog waiting in a parked car. VCA counts heat stroke as an immediate medical emergency; its signs include fast breathing, dry or sticky gums, unusual gum color and confusion. Cool the dog with cool, not cold, water on the head, belly, armpits and feet, and head to your vet or to Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital in Woburn, open around the clock.

The AKC gives the Saint a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years. It recommends hip, elbow, cardiac and eye evaluations and a DNA test for degenerative myelopathy for breeding dogs, and lists hip dysplasia and eye disease among the conditions sometimes seen. Ask the breeder for the parents' results. VCA notes that Saints tend to stay at a good weight or run slightly heavy, and advises restricting calories if an adult starts to gain, which matters for big joints.

Winter is the Saint's season. A snowy morning on the trails of Dogtown Common or a cold walk around Stage Fort Park suits the breed far better than an August afternoon. After a storm, check between the pads for packed ice and wipe the legs dry before the dog lies down. Grooming needs no evaluation; our Saint Bernard grooming page covers the two coats, the drool and the folds, with baths from $85.