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Saint Shepherd |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Switzerland <> Germany -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Saint Shepherd |
| The Saint Shepherd is a cross between a German Shepherd and a St. Bernard. Both are large dogs, so the Saint Shepherd is usually tall or giant, measuring around 71 centimeters and weighing around 68 kilos on average. It's a friendly, outgoing dog that loves children and other dogs, but needs to be socialized when young. They can drool a lot like St. Bernards if they have loose jowls, but this is rare in this breed. They are generally easy to train and very obedient, with a wonderfully laid-back personality. The Saint Shepherd is an excellent pet and watchdog, but it sheds a lot and you'll need to brush it often. |
History of the Saint Shepherd |
| The Saint Shepherd is still a rare breed, as it hasn't been around very long. So we need to look at the origins of its parent breeds, the German Shepherd and the Saint Bernard. |
A little of the St. Bernard |
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| Originating in Switzerland, the St. Bernard has been guarding and rescuing people since 980 A.D. It is thought to have been bred from the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, the Great Swiss Mountain Dog, the Great Dane and the Tibetan Mastiff. According to legend, the breed originated in the Swiss Alps and was named after its founder, Saint Bernard de Menthon. Swiss hospitals used these giant dogs to help people crossing the dangerous Alpine terrain between Italy and Switzerland. They were also used to rescue victims of avalanches and other disasters, thanks to their uncanny ability to sense a person buried beneath the snow. The dogs worked as a team, and when a victim was found, one dog would stay with them and keep them warm while the other went for help. One famous St. Bernard dog, Barry, was known to have rescued over 40 victims between 1800 and 1810. They were accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1885, where they are the 49th most popular dog in America. | ||
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| Standard of the St. Bernard |
A little of the German Shepherd |
| The German Shepherd originated in Germany at the end of the 19th century as a farm dog to guard livestock. He's fearless and loyal, making him an excellent watchdog for livestock and family. The German Shepherd was created by Max von Stephanitz, a German calvary captain. He is said to have bred the German Shepherd from local shepherd breeds with different hair varieties. As well as working on farms, German Shepherds were used to deliver supplies to the military during the First World War and became highly respected for their courage and bravery. The German Shepherd was originally called the German Shepherd Dog and was changed to the Shepherd Dog by the American Kennel Club when it was officially accepted in 1908. The German Shepherd Dog Club of America was founded in 1913 by Anne Tracy and Ben Throop in Connecticut, and the breed is still the second most common dog breed in the USA. |
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| Standard of the German Shepherd |
Appearance of the Saint Shepherd |
| The Saint Shepherd is a large to giant breed that can weigh up to 68 kilos with a massive head, floppy ears, oval dark brown eyes and a short to medium muzzle with a black nose. It has a thick, well-muscled body with strong legs, a straight back, large feet and arched toes. Its face is generally dark brown or black, while the rest of the body is either white, brown and black, white and brown, or black and brown. The Saint Shepherd has a thick double coat that keeps it warm in cold weather but can cause overheating when it's hot outside. |
Temperament of the Saint Shepherd |
| This gentle giant has the appearance of a guard dog and can be trained to protect the family, but is generally very well-mannered and affectionate. With their St. Bernard temperament, they love to play with everyone and are also good watchdogs. However, as they are large dogs, you need to supervise them with small children to avoid accidents. You can train them quite easily to do just about anything, thanks to their quick learning and intelligence. They are diligent and obedient, eager to please their masters. If you happen to have a stubborn dog, be consistent and patient, and he'll eventually come around to your way of thinking. |
Needs and activities of the Saint Shepherd |
| Saint Shepherds tend to become overweight if they don't get enough exercise. So you need to take him for a walk once or twice a day, and let him run in a fenced-in area for a few hours. They generally need around 60 to 90 minutes of vigorous activity a day to stay mentally and physically sharp. If he doesn't get enough exercise, he may become bored or anxious, and develop bad habits such as excessive barking or aggression. Good activities for your Saint Shepherd include swimming, hiking, obedience and agility training, ball games and playing with other dogs at the dog park. |
Maintenance of the Saint Shepherd |
| You'll need to use a pimple brush or stiff bristle brush and a wire comb on your Saint Shepherd at least four or five times a week. They have a thick double coat that can tangle, so you need to make sure you brush them often. What's more, if you don't brush them often enough, you may end up with more hair on your furniture than on your dog. They only need to be bathed once a month or so, and bathing them more often can cause skin dryness and irritation. You should also trim your Saint Shepherd's nails when necessary to prevent splitting. His teeth also need care; brush them as often as possible, but at least three times a week. |
English (United Kingdom)