Did you know that the Saint Bernard breed, most famous from the movie “Beethoven,” are not just lovable big screen stars but real-life heroes as well? It is recorded in history that Saint Bernards, given their astounding size and strength, have saved lives in the snowy, treacherous terrain of the Swiss Alps. But the question remains, “Does their bravery and courage qualify them as guard dogs?” To give a rounded answer, it’s mandatory we take a whirlwind trip across their history, characteristics, and overall temperament.
Saint Bernards were initially bred in the Great St Bernard Pass, located in the Swiss Alps between Switzerland and Italy. Monks who took care of the hostel in this dangerous and frequently traveled path often witnessed weary travelers succumbing to the harsh cold weather and challenging geographical features. To mitigate the risks and improve survival rates, they decided to breed a big, strong dog, capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions. And thus, the Saint Bernard was born.
Known for their incredible physical prowess, they excelled as working dogs, pulling carts, herding, and most significant of all, bolstering mountain rescue operations. That’s right, your friendly neighbourhood Beethoven has a lineage of saving lives! This breed historically has been known for its excellent sense of direction and resistance to cold, which allowed them to trek through heavy snowfall and locate stranded travelers
So, does an impeccable sense of direction, a sturdy physique, and a heroic lineage make them good guard dogs? While they indeed exhibit qualities you’d associate with a guard dog like loyalty, intelligence, and some level of protectiveness, the Saint Bernard’s temperament may surprise you considering their impressive resume.
As a breed, Saint Bernards are known for their gentle and friendly nature. Yes, they are enormous and robust, but beneath that tough exterior, they are often ‘gentle giants’ at heart. They are more likely to shower an intruder with attention and slobber than attack them. The breed is also characterized by a natural love for children and a keen desire to be around people. They are calm, welcoming, and emotional animals.
However, it’s important to remember that despite their gentle nature, Saint Bernards can show protective instincts if their family is in perceived danger. If they sense a threat, they can and will, stand their ground. Because of their size alone, they can be an effective deterrent for anyone with nefarious intentions.
As loving and friendly as they are, Saint Bernards require accurate socialization from puppyhood to ensure that they grow into well-rounded dogs. This means exposing them to various people, environments, and situations to help them acclimatize to different circumstances. Even though their massive size can be intimidating, they need guidance and training to become gentle, sociable dogs.
Training a Saint Bernard to be a guard dog goes against their natural personality traits. It could be more beneficial and true to their nature to train them as watchdogs instead. As a watchdog, a Saint Bernard can use their deep, resonant bark to alert you of any anomalies.
In conclusion, while Saint Bernards have ample strength and size to be formidable guard dogs, their friendly and gentle nature makes them better suited to being family pets. They can, however, make effective watchdogs by alerting their owners to unusual activities or potential danger.
If you are thinking of adding a Saint Bernard to your family, remember that they are giant breed dogs and require ample space, food, and care. In addition, the breed can be prone to certain health problems due to their size, so leadership, daily physical and mental exercise is a must.
So, when considering a Saint Bernard, remember that you won’t be welcoming a guard dog to your family, instead, you’ll be opening your home to a gentle giant, a heroic savior of the Swiss Alps, an avalanche rescue professional, and above all, a faithful, lovable family companion.
