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Mini St. Bernard |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
U.S.A. <> Switzerland -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Mini St. Bernard |
| There are two sizes of Mini St. Bernard. The Micro is the smallest at around 11.5 kilos and the Nehi is the largest at around 23 kilos. They can have dense, wavy or silky, straight medium-length coats in many different colors such as black, brown, red, cream, fawn, brindle, blue, silver and white. Mini St. Bernards are adorable, gentle, eager-to-please dogs that are easy to train. However, they can be stubborn, so you need to be firm when training them. They get on well with everyone, including children and pets, making them excellent family companions. |
History of the Mini St. Bernard |
| It's best to look at the history of the American Cocker Spaniel and the St. Bernard Dog, since the Mini St. Bernard hasn't been around long enough to have much of a history. |
A little of the American Cocker Spaniel |
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| The American Cocker Spaniel originated in the United States in the 1800s from the English Cocker Spaniel as a hunter and retriever. The English Cocker Spaniel has been around since the 1300s, but was eventually divided as to its size and whether it hunted on land or in water. They are thought to have come to the USA in 1620 on the Mayflower. The American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest breed and is used to hunt and retrieve game birds such as woodcock. The American Cocker Spaniel was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1878 and they are the 29th most popular dog breed in America. | ||
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| Standard of the American Cocker Spaniel | ||
A little of the St. Bernard |
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| The St. Bernard came from Switzerland in 980 A.D. and was used as a search and rescue dog in the Swiss Alps. They were named after Saint Bernard de Menthon, who developed and established the breed. They were also used to help travelers as they passed through the Alpine pass between Italy and Switzerland, and were able to find and rescue victims buried in the snow after an avalanche. They worked in teams, with one dog fetching the rescue team while the other lay down with the victim to keep him or her warm. Some say they can also predict storms and avalanches thanks to their excellent hearing. The St. Bernard was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1885 and they are the 49th most popular dog breed in America. | ||
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| Standard of the St. Bernard |
Appearance of the Mini St. Bernard |
| Mini St. Bernards come in two sizes. The Micro measures 30.5 to 40.5 centimeters and weighs around 7 to 16 kilos, and the Nehi measures 40.5 to 51 centimeters and weighs around 18 to 27 kilos. They have large brown eyes, a broad black nose, floppy ears and a short muzzle. Mini St. Bernards have the build of St. Bernards but without the extra bulk, and have either straight, silky coats or wavy, rough coats. They are generally of medium length and can come in a variety of colors, including black, brown, red, cream, fawn, white, brindle, silver, blue or a combination of these. |
Temperament of the Mini St. Bernard |
| The Mini St. Bernard is a friendly, social breed that likes to be with its family, the bigger the better. They are good with children of all ages and animals of all kinds. However, they don't like strangers, so they make good watchdogs. They're intelligent dogs who learn quickly and train easily for the most part, although you have to be firm to prevent them from becoming stubborn. Early socialization is important, as they can become anxious if not used to being around other animals. In addition, Mini St. Bernards don't like to be alone for long periods and can suffer from separation anxiety. |
Needs and activities of the Mini St. Bernard |
| The Mini St. Bernard is more active than the traditional St. Bernard Dog and needs at least 45 minutes to an hour of vigorous exercise every day to stay healthy. They can become overweight without the right amount of activity. What's more, Mini St. Bernards can become anxious or bored if they don't get enough exercise. Some interesting activities for your dog include playing off-leash at the dog park, going for long walks, hiking in the woods or simply playing fetch or catch in the backyard. They're neither fast nor super-athletic, but they can benefit from agility or flyball training. |
Maintenance of the Mini St. Bernard |
| The amount of maintenance your dog needs depends on whether your Mini St. Bernard has a fine, silky coat or a rough, dense coat. Most likely, your dog will need daily brushing with a pin brush and comb to avoid tangles and mats. They shed a little, but it's not excessive like some furry dogs. They don't need to be bathed often, and when you do, you should use a mild dog shampoo to avoid dry skin and irritation. Clean your dog's ears weekly and trim his nails if necessary. You may also need to wipe under their eyes from time to time, as they produce a lot of moisture. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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