Amazingly, St. Bernard dogs, like the iconic character Beethoven from the popular movie series, are often seen as big, strong, potentially intimidating canines. With their enormous stature and drooling jowls captivating film audiences for generations, it’s not surprising that people would start to question if these gentle giants are really aggressive. But as with many things in life, that assumption is more Hollywood myth than fact.
If you’ve ever met a St. Bernard in person, you might have been captivated by their size, yes, but also by their generally calm and serene demeanor. Their patient eyes bury deep into your soul, and their slow, steady heartbeat echoes tranquility. While their mere physique can inhibit an initial sense of fear or aggression, their demeanor is evidence of the contrary.
The truth about St. Bernard’s temperament is far from aggressive, and it is fascinatingly unique – particularly when you unearth their history. Let’s dive into that first.
St. Bernard dogs trace their origins back to the Swiss Alps, where they were bred by monks to rescue lost and injured travelers. No, that’s not a storyline from a thrilling action movie – it’s real life! These canines would navigate challenging terrains, treacherous weather, and life-threatening circumstances to find individuals stranded in the snow. It implies that they needed to be not only physically strong and enduring to withstand these rigorous conditions, but also gentle and calm enough to interact with human beings in distress sensitively.
In other words, aggressive behavior was not a trait that would have suited their primary function as rescue dogs. Instead, these dogs were bread for their remarkable abilities of tracking and locating, their tolerance to freezing temperatures and, most importantly, their gentle behavior around humans.
Now that you have a better understanding of the historical background of these furry giants let’s talk about other factors that influence a St. Bernard’s temperament.
Firstly, it’s important to note that just like humans, every dog has its own individual personality and character traits. While breed characteristics can determine how a dog is likely to behave, this is not set in stone. What truly shapes a dog’s behavior is a mix of its genetics, upbringing, training, socialization, health, and environment.
In general, when properly raised and trained, St. Bernard dogs tend to be extremely affectionate, gentle, and quite lazy. They are relatively quiet (except when they want a cuddle or their dinner) and tend to be very good with children. They love being around people and soaking in as much attention as they can get.
However, as the saying goes, “There’s no smoke without fire.” So, are there any aggression issues to watch out for with St. Bernards?
Occasionally, St. Bernard dogs can display signs of protectiveness or territorial behavior. This behavior may be perceived as aggression, but it’s crucial not to misinterpret this. Remember, St. Bernard’s were bred to keep strayed travelers safe from potential danger in the icy wilderness. So when they seem to be “acting out”, it may be an instinctual response to what they perceive as a possible threat to their family.
This territorial behavior can be managed effectively with proper training and socialization from an early age. Exposure to various environments, people, other animals, and various situations can help them understand what to consider a genuine threat.
Now that you know just how noble and loving these dogs are, what should you consider if you’re thinking of getting one?
Firstly, St. Bernards need lots of space due to their substantial size. They can weigh in anywhere from 120-180 pounds, so a small city apartment might not be the best environment for them. While they are not overly active, these dogs do need occasional exercise to stay healthy.
Secondly, they drool – a lot! If you are somewhat finicky about having a bit of saliva around your house, this breed might not be for you. But remember, a little slobber is just their way of showing love.
Finally, their big hearts are matched only by their large body size. And with great size comes short life expectancy – typically around 8 to 10 years. This is a heart-breaking trait seen in most large breeds of dogs.
So if you’re considering adding a St. Bernard to your family, remember this – while their massive size and the drooling can be intimidating, they are gentle, loving, and extremely loyal dogs who give the best bearlike cuddles. They’re far from aggressive, so let’s put that Hollywood myth to bed. A St. Bernard offers all the love and companionship a dog lover could ask for – as long as you don’t mind a little slobber!
