Can A Saint Bernard Survive In Hot Temperature.?

Question

I've Always Wanted a Saint Bernard But Now That I Can, I Have A few

questions. Such As... Whats an average Weight,Height,Energy level,Training Time, And Most important Can a Saint Bernard Live Happily In Austin Texas [Central Texas]

Answer 1

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/saintbernard...

heres a website that will help you..

we owned a saint bernard in california and she did fine...

just let it have access to plenty of shade and fresh water...

ours stayed inside also so she had air conditioning..

Answer 2

I live in Tulsa Oklahoma, so our climate is probably similar.  They can survive in the heat, but will really be much happier inside in the air conditioning.  If they do stay outside they need plenty of shade and plenty of 'fresh" water(the bowls tend to get a little bit slobbery).  If you are going to take them for a walk in the summer, take them EARLY in the morning or late in the evening(however, the temperatures then can still be in the 80's or 90's).  Once they are grown however, most of them are couch potatoes and just want to be by their "people".

Grown females are usually 130-150 pounds, males 150-180, however, you can have some that are a bit bigger or smaller.  Bigger is not necessarily better, as it is hard on their joints and heart, etc.

They are easy to potty train.  Obedience training they do fine in...they can have a rather willful personality at times.  Just remember that they can pull thousands of pounds, so you do not want to be dragged across the yard by a Saint that you do not have control over.  For the most part they love to please and I would say that they are very sensitive also(get their feelings hurt easily).

Consider crate training if you get a puppy....their teeth can be very destructive(I have furniture as proof), especially if they get bored.

I have had Saints for over 14 years.  If you can handle the slobber and the hair, they will be in your heart for ever.

Oh, being in Austin, I would recommend a smooth coat Saint(short hair).  We have had both and the smooths are much easier than roughs in this climate.  The personality is the same(actually the smooth coats are the "original" Saints), maintaining them is much easier.

Answer 3

Generally speaking, St. Bernards are anywhere from 110-200 pounds. And of course some will be bigger and some will be smaller. 25.5-27.5 inches at the withers. I have never in my life encountered a St. Bernard that didn't have the sweetest disposition ever... in my experience, the bigger the dog, the bigger the heart (metaphorically speaking :) ) Giant breed puppies really are the best puppies... they are usually much calmer than smaller pups since they use most of their energy on growing. Also, they have big bladders so they are easier to potty train. They're slow moving, patient, obedient and loyal.

As for the heat, they are double coated giant dogs... so they have an extremely low heat tolerance... but if you plan to keep your dog inside in the air conditioning, it shouldn't be a problem. I have a Great Pyrenees.... St. Bernards descended from them... they have the same coat type.. I walk him when the sun is down.. usually early in the morning and late at night. He doesn't have a problem with that.. it's mostly common sense.. if you're outside sweating balls.. don't take your dog out.

Kudos for wanting a gentle giant... they really are the best!  

Answer 4

My dog is a St. Bernard mix, and he is the best dog I've ever had.  I think you will love having a St. Bernard as a canine friend!  I hope you do intend to let him inside though.  They may be large, but for the most part they don't run around the house like other breeds.  When mine gets inside he finds "his" spot and settles down to enjoy the cool air.  That isn't to say that they won't take out a drink on a coffee table with their tail if they wag, but you learn pretty quickly to keep things like that up.

I haven't had any trouble training him, but to be honest he doesn't do anything bad anyway.  When I was training him to stay, I remember backing away from him, and he started to stand to follow me, but it was like he remembered I had told him to stay so he sat back down without fully standing up.  He's so eager to please!  I don't think you could do better than a St. Bernard.  =)

(I wanted to edit to point out that I'm not saying ALL Sts are this great, but from what I hear, the majority are!  Be careful when you choose your dog.  That would be a BIG dog to deal with if it turned out to have behavioral problems or a bad attitude!)

Answer 5

The link to Dog Breed Info website was excellent.  

You should also go to the AKC website for breed information.

You can also google Saint Bernard breed traits to get more information.

My pyrs are relatives of the St. and they are all over TX, so I know a St. can also deal with this weather.  You must provide the dog with good shelter and water at all times.  They are also gentle giants and if you groom and comb them out regularly, and make sure they have shade and maybe a kiddie pool to splash in the dog should do just fine. -!-