Any Saint Bernard owners?

[HarryPot]

I'm looking to get a new dog, specifically a St. Bernard.

But I have one doubt, regarding their tolerance to hot weather. Currently I have a Golden Retriever, he handles the heat OK. We have plenty of shades in the backyard, a small pool and when it gets too hot, we let him in. He's also in whenever someone is in the house during the day.

But I'm not sure how a St. Bernard would handle hot weather. Where I live the mean temperature is 73F, but it can get, sometimes, as hot as 107F in some days of summer. Reaching 95F is not rare during summer. In those hot days the humidity is around 30-50%.

Anyone here has a St. Bernard and lives in a similar weather?

Thanks.

 

[GoreVidal]

Not a St. Bernard owner personally, but my neighbors here in the Mid-Atlantic have a beautiful one. They take her on short walks (probably 3-5 a day) vs. 2-3 long ones. It's just about managing exposure. There are several huskies in my neighborhood where it's been 100 degrees+humidity. They all do short walks and a lot of water and avoid running too hard at the park. Dogs will adapt to temperature, and their coats allow them to regulate fairly well.

That being said, just don't leave a "cold weather" dog out in the heat and don't turn your AC off when you're gone, just keep it below 80. If you have tile in your home, he or she will likely lay there to keep cool or find a ground AC vent like my dogs do and lay on that.

Also, please rescue if possible and again, don't leave your dogs outside in extreme heat.

 

[Hastings101]

It's about the same where I live, 90's in the summer with a week or two of 100 +temperatures. I'm currently a St. Bernard owner and have owned two others before. As long as you don't leave them out for long periods of time (anything more than two or three hours) they'll be fine.

You definitely need to keep your house COOL, give the dog plenty of cold water, and make sure that if they sleep in a kennel or have a bed that it gets plenty of ventilation and cool air. I ended up losing my first one to heat but have never ever had another problem like that

Just so I don't sound like an awful pet owner, the second one lived a long and happy life of eleven years

 

[HarryPot]

Thanks for the answers.

Yes, I can give him water and a cool place to stay. And walk him in the night.

Do you think a room that is around 70F with a fan can be a good place to leave him when I'm not home? Or what temperature are you meaning with "cool"?

 

[Hastings101]

Thanks for the answers.

Yes, I can give him water and a cool place to stay. And walk him in the night.

Do you think a room that is around 70F with a fan can be a good place to leave him when I'm not home? Or what temperature are you meaning with "cool"?

That would be an excellent place to put him when you're not home. As for cool, I was thinking anything under 80F.

 

[iJohnHenry]

I am of the school that thinks dogs, being social animals, should not be left alone for too long. I think 3-4 hours for this large a dog would be max, IMO.

Cats don't really give a ****, god bless them.

Smaller dogs may do better, particularly if they have company.

Just a thought.

 

[HarryPot]

I am of the school that thinks dogs, being social animals, should not be left alone for too long. I think 3-4 hours for this large a dog would be max, IMO.

Cats don't really give a ****, god bless them.

Smaller dogs may do better, particularly if they have company.

Just a thought.

I agree, my Golden really gets crazy whenever he is not included in family activities.

Still, he is rarely completely alone. Between 9am-3pm there's always someone with him. Not always playing, but do has some company. The time when he is mostly alone is between 3-7pm. After that he always have company.

One thing I also like of the St. Bernard is that they don't need a lot of exercise. Right now my Golden is old and no longer needs much activity, but when young he had never ending energy.

 

[HarryPot]

One thing that is also bugging me is how will me old Golden react to a new puppy?

I've had friends dogs come to my house, and he gets along well. Tho I noticed that the dog of one friend, being much younger (2 years old Lab) was trying to dominate my Golden (11 years) constantly. And I really got pissed at this (all this happened at my house).

Now, I know one dog need to eventually take the leadership between them. But how would the new dog being a puppy change this?

 

[iJohnHenry]

Now, I know one dog need to eventually take the leadership between them.

But how would the new dog being a puppy change this?

I would guess that, being a puppy, he would defer to the dominate male.

I think you will be fine, and it will be a good introduction to the household until the Lab "leaves".

Then you might have a separation issue, which is not nice for the younger dog.

 

[GoreVidal]

One thing that is also bugging me is how will me old Golden react to a new puppy?

I've had friends dogs come to my house, and he gets along well. Tho I noticed that the dog of one friend, being much younger (2 years old Lab) was trying to dominate my Golden (11 years) constantly. And I really got pissed at this (all this happened at my house).

Now, I know one dog need to eventually take the leadership between them. But how would the new dog being a puppy change this?

You just need to establish order in your pack. The new puppy is at the bottom of the chain, while your older Golden is between you (the alpha) and the puppy. You'll have to spend some time correcting aggressive playful behavior if you find your golden isn't taking too well to it.

You'll face a number of issues including what I already mentioned, but also the fact that your golden will need shorter walks depending on it's age, won't be as spry at the park as your St. Bernard pup, etc. But I find that if you can make friends with a local butcher or market that sells beef marrow bones, and you give them to your pups before you leave for the day (frozen), they'll be occupied for a while and will suffer less from separation anxiety. You'll really need to keep a close eye on the pup and correct it if it starts chewing or mouthing on your stuff. Once it learns the rules of the house you'll be fine.

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I would guess that, being a puppy, he would defer to the dominate male.

I think you will be fine, and it will be a good introduction to the household until the Lab "leaves".

Then you might have a separation issue, which is not nice for the younger dog.

And seconded this. It's one of the bigger issues having an older dog and a puppy. The puppy becomes attached to the older dog, and if they are together a few years, and it's "time" for the older dog, the younger dog will likely mourn and get separation anxiety, at which time you'll need to either decide to get another dog, or help your younger dog adjust.

 

[HarryPot]

Then you might have a separation issue, which is not nice for the younger dog.

And seconded this. It's one of the bigger issues having an older dog and a puppy. The puppy becomes attached to the older dog, and if they are together a few years, and it's "time" for the older dog, the younger dog will likely mourn and get separation anxiety, at which time you'll need to either decide to get another dog, or help your younger dog adjust.

I've been dreading this day, but I know it is going to come sooner than later. I'm already taking some steps to be sure I'm prepared to bury him. Many think I'm crazy, but I want to bury him in my backyard.

And I think I'll get another Golden when mine "leaves". They are such great dogs.

 

[harrisonw1998]

I'm looking to get a new dog, specifically a St. Bernard.

But I have one doubt, regarding their tolerance to hot weather. Currently I have a Golden Retriever, he handles the heat OK. We have plenty of shades in the backyard, a small pool and when it gets too hot, we let him in. He's also in whenever someone is in the house during the day.

But I'm not sure how a St. Bernard would handle hot weather. Where I live the mean temperature is 73F, but it can get, sometimes, as hot as 107F in some days of summer. Reaching 95F is not rare during summer. In those hot days the humidity is around 30-50%.

Anyone here has a St. Bernard and lives in a similar weather?

Thanks.

I have a Saint Bernard. He should be ok, but they really like cold weather. In NJ its cold in the winter and hot in the summer, and he's ok in the summer. Make sure you feed him some ice and change his water A LOT (LIKE TWICE AN HOUR) they drool when they drink like crazy. You will love your saint bernard!!!