Introduction
The St. Bernard is a giant working dog originally bred for rescue operations by the hospice of the Great St. Bernard Pass on the Italy-Switzerland border. Their massive size, weighing anywhere from 120 to 200 pounds, and intimidating appearance causes some to wonder whether St. Bernards can be good guard dogs. However, their gentle nature and friendly temperament seem at odds with the stereotypical guard dog personality.
History and Origins
The St. Bernard breed originated in the Great St. Bernard Hospice in the Western Alps between Italy and Switzerland. The earliest written records of the dogs date back to the 1600s and mention large mountain dogs capable of rescuing people lost in snowstorms [1]. In the early 1700s, monks at the Great St. Bernard Pass between Italy and Switzerland began breeding dogs for use as alpine rescue dogs and kept meticulous breeding records [2].
The breeding program at the hospice focused on producing large, powerful dogs with a keen sense of smell, a friendly temperament, thick coats and webbed feet to traverse deep snow. The monks trained the dogs to find lost travelers and rouse them if they were unconscious from exposure. Many lives were saved using the dogs in mountain rescue operations [3].
The St. Bernard breed was refined over centuries for their ability to perform alpine rescues in harsh winter conditions. Their large size, strength, cold-weather endurance and gentle disposition made them perfect rescue dogs for the inhospitable terrain.
Size and Strength
Saint Bernards are known for their very large size and imposing physical strength. Male St. Bernards typically stand 28-30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 140-180 pounds, with some exceptionally large males reaching up to 200 pounds.[1][2][3] Females are slightly smaller at 26-28 inches tall and 120-140 pounds.
The St. Bernard has a powerful, muscular build and thick bones suited for its original purpose of rescuing people in the snowy Alps. Their sheer body mass alone can intimidate people or deter intruders. St. Bernards possess incredible strength that allows them to perform demanding jobs like carting and weight pulling. However, they are generally gentle giants when properly trained and socialized.
Temperament
St. Bernards are known for having a very friendly, calm, and patient temperament. According to the American Kennel Club, St. Bernards are eager to please and respond well to training as long as it is positive and reward-based. They are gentle giants that generally get along well with everyone due to their loving nature. The Hill’s Pet Nutrition Guide for St. Bernards describes them as placid, docile, and extremely tolerant of children. Their instinctive friendliness helps offset the initial intimidation some people may feel when meeting such a large breed. St. Bernards are loyal and make great companions for families.
Intelligence and Trainability
St. Bernards are considered to have average working and obedience intelligence according to canine experts. The AKC ranks them 123rd out of 138 breeds for intelligence. They are eager to please and respond well to positive reinforcement training, but can have a stubborn streak.
St. Bernards are fairly quick to pick up on basic commands like sit, stay, come, down, and heel. Consistent, patient training is key with this breed. Short 5-15 minute training sessions are ideal to keep their focus. St. Bernards may take a little longer to master more complex tasks, but their willing nature makes them trainable dogs overall.
One area where St. Bernards excel is their ability to learn search and rescue skills. Their excellent sense of smell paired with their strength and size makes them well-suited for finding lost people in challenging terrain and snow. Historically, St. Bernards aided monks in alpine rescues which is where the breed’s reputation for saving lives originated.
With proper socialization and training, St. Bernards can be adaptable family companions. But their substantial size and strength requires an experienced owner who can provide structured leadership.
Guarding Instinct
Despite their imposing size, St. Bernards do not have an innate guarding ability or strong protective instincts according to this source. While some individual St. Bernards may show guarding tendencies, especially if not properly socialized, the breed overall tends to be quite friendly and docile. Their original purpose was as rescue dogs in the Swiss Alps, not guard dogs. So they have been bred more for their gentle dispositions than any protective qualities.
St. Bernards are not wary of strangers by nature and will generally welcome guests into the home, according to the American Kennel Club. Their affectionate and mellow personalities make them poor choices as guard or watch dogs. Owners cannot rely on a St. Bernard to sound an alarm or scare off intruders. They do not have an aggressive or defensive bone in their large bodies.
While some St. Bernards may bark when people approach the home, this is not necessarily an indication of protectiveness. It is more likely signaling their desire for attention and interaction. According to experts, it’s wishful thinking to expect guarding behavior from this extremely laidback and amiable breed.
Barking Tendencies
Despite their intimidating size, St. Bernards are not known to be excessive barkers. They tend to only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owners of strangers approaching or potential threats. According to iHeartDogs, while St. Bernards can be prone to reactive barking, they do not bark without reason and are generally quiet dogs. Their calm demeanor and lack of excessive vocalization makes them well-suited to apartment living, unlike some other large guardian breeds that are more prone to barking.
The St. Bernard’s mellow personality and infrequent barking contributes to their reputation as gentle giants. While they may have an intimidating bark when provoked, most of the time St. Bernards are peaceful, obedient dogs that do not make a lot of noise. Their guarding instincts are limited to alert barking rather than persistent, loud barking throughout the day and night.
Family Life
St. Bernards are known for being gentle, loving, and exceptionally good with families, especially children. They have a reputation as “nanny dogs” because of their patience, loyalty, and protectiveness towards kids. According to the AKC, “St. Bernards are gentle giants that are eager to please and very tolerant of children climbing all over them.”
The Hill’s Pet website says, “Saint Bernards are loving, placid dogs. Their instinctive friendliness is likely to offset a stranger’s initial fear of approaching such a large dog.” This friendly nature makes them ideal for households with children who want a gentle, tolerant companion.
St. Bernards will often watch over children protectively, but their massive size means small kids should always be supervised during play. Overall, their sweet personality alongside their dedication to their family make St. Bernards a wonderful addition to households with kids.
Professional Opinion
When considering whether St. Bernards make good guard dogs, it’s helpful to get the views of professional dog experts like breeders and trainers. According to the Quora article, most experts do not view St. Bernards as ideal guard dogs given their friendly and gentle temperament. Their size may be intimidating but they tend to be more welcoming than suspicious of strangers. One trainer notes “Saint Bernards are not typically considered good guard dogs. They are known for their gentle and friendly nature.”
However, some experts point out that St. Bernards can have protective instincts when it comes to their family and property, even if they aren’t aggressive watchdogs by nature. As this article on St. Bernard traits mentions, “Their intense desire to please their owners usually makes them easy to train and ideal house protectors.” So with proper training and socialization, some St. Bernards may become decent guardians and alert barkers.
Overall, most professionals do not view the St. Bernard as a breed that excels at being an aggressive, formidable guard dog. Their gentle nature makes them better suited as loving family companions. However, their size and loyalty can sometimes lend itself to being protective watchdogs for their household, even if they aren’t likely to attack or intimidate strangers.
Conclusion
While St. Bernards are an impressively large breed and were originally bred to be working dogs, they ultimately do not make for good guard dogs. Their gentle nature, tolerance of strangers, and low levels of aggression and territorial instincts mean they lack the appropriate temperament for guarding. Their large size may initially give off the impression that they could intimidate intruders, but their actions speak louder than their looks. Well-socialized and trained St. Bernards are more likely to greet an intruder with kisses than confront them. Their historically ingrained traits as rescue dogs also make them poor choices for patrol or defense. While a St. Bernard may bark to alert their owner of a stranger’s presence, they are not likely to take actual protective action. Their friendly nature simply wins over any potential guarding tendencies. For those seeking a dedicated guard dog breed, more suitable choices would include breeds like Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers. The St. Bernard’s size may be imposing, but their personality tells the real story – they are gentle giants not meant for guard duty.
