Did you know that Saint Bernards were once famous for their heroic acts of mountain rescues in the Swiss Alps? These brave and capable canines have saved many lives. However, behind that history of valiance and resilience, there lies another story. A story of endless hair! Every Saint Bernard owner knows this. For these gentle giants shed. And when I say shed, I mean they SHED A LOT.
Being a Saint Bernard owner requires unshakeable patience, a lot of love, and of course, an arsenal of lint rollers! You might wonder, why do these cuddly creatures shed so much? Well, let’s unravel this fluffy mystery together.
Saint Bernard’s thick double coat is the culprit of their incessant shedding. The breed evolved in the cold Swiss Alps, and their coat is perfectly designed to protect them from the harsh weather. The coat consists of two essential layers – the dense and soft undercoat works as an insulator, and the long, rough outer coat protects them from snow, wind and water. Twice a year, typically in the spring and fall, your Saint Bernard will lose their undercoat in what’s known as “blowing their coat.” During these times, their shedding elevates from “plentiful” to “blizzard-like” conditions!
Despite this, don’t let shedding deter you from having a Saint Bernard. The love and companionship they offer far outweigh the amount of fur you’ll have to deal with. And dealing with the shed is not a Hercules task if you know the tricks – or rather – “de-furring” strategies.
One of the first things you can do is brush your Saint Bernard regularly, preferably daily, especially during those shedding seasons. Brushing allows you to capture a significant amount of loose hair before it scatters throughout your home. You’d want to arm yourself with a sturdy, good-quality brush, designed for large dogs with thick coats.
Expect the amount of hair you collect to astound you! Don’t be surprised if you’ve got enough hair to create a mini Saint Bernard – every single day! But don’t fret, this is a good thing! Because every chunk of hair in your brush is a chunk that won’t surprise you under your sofa or on your favorite black shirt.
Another vital aspect is your Saint Bernard’s diet. A balanced, high-quality diet is important for your dog’s overall health – and that includes their coat. A diet rich in proteins and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids can do wonders for your fur buddy’s coat quality, thus reducing shedding.
Regularly check your Saint Bernard for any skin conditions that may be causing excessive shedding. Dry skin, eczema, or fleas are common culprits. If you notice any such problems, it’s best to consult your vet immediately.
And finally, accept the fur! Yes, that’s right. Owning a Saint Bernard means sharing your life – and your living space – with fur, lots and lots of it. So have a sense of humor about it and consider it as a sign of love from your SNOW-beast!
Remember, every bit of hair you have to clean up is a small price to pay for the slobbery kisses, fluffy cuddles, and unwavering love your Saint Bernard will shower upon you. These gentle, loving, and sometimes drooling giants will win your heart in an instant and before you know it, you’ll find the joy in rolling lint and hardly notice the fur-bunnies dominating your living room.
So, to put it in a nutshell – Does a Saint Bernard shed a lot? Oh yes! But is it tolerable? You betcha! Is it worth it? Every single fur-filled moment!
Now that you know about the shedding situation, if you still want to bring home a Saint Bernard, gear up with a good vacuum, a great brush, a high-quality diet, and expect to become fast friends with your lint roller! Above all, forget about wearing black unless you love the fur-lined fashion.
Canines have companionship deep-rooted in their DNA and Saint Bernards are the very embodiment of loyalty. The hair is just a little extra reminder of the enormous amount of love they have for their families!
