Choosing a Saint Bernard

Choosing a Saint Bernard

By: Barbara Maroon


Common Diseases and Disorders

In general, the St. Bernard is a healthy dog with few medical concerns. However, the following diseases or disorders have been reported:

  • Gastric torsion, also known as bloat, is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting.

  • Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain and lameness.

  • Elbow dysplasia is the abnormal development of certain parts of the elbow joint during the growing phase.

  • Ruptured cranial cruciate ligament is a problem that results from tearing of the cruciate ligament in the knee, causing lameness that may be severe .

  • Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that typically arises in the bones of the limbs, or the appendicular skeleton.

  • Lateral patellar luxation is a disorder affecting the kneecap.


  • Congenital deafness present at birth.

  • Hot spots are areas of itchy moist skin irritation.

  • Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that develops between the ages of 2 and 5 years.

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious heart condition that results in a large, thin walled heart muscle.

  • Pyoderma refers to deep skin infections.

  • Cutaneous asthenia - is an inherited disorder of the collagen synthesis the skin resulting in fragility and hyperextensibility of the skin.

  • Lymphosarcoma (lymphoma) is a malignant cancer that involves the lymphoid system.

  • Entropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes inward rolling. Lashes on the edge of the eyelid irritate the surface of the eyeball and may lead to more serious problems.

  • Ectropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes eversion of the eyelid margin. It most commonly affects the lower central eyelid.

  • Cherry eye is a prolapse of the third eyelid. Though not a serious injury and does not cause blindness, the prolapse can be irritating to the surface of the eye and cause persistent tearing or eye pain.

  • Cataracts cause the lens of the eye to loose transparency and can result in blindness.

  • Vaginal hyperplasia an exaggerated response of the vaginal tissue to estrogen during certain phases of the heat cycle. The vaginal tissue becomes swollen and may protrude through the vulva.

    Life Span

    The life expectancy of the St. Bernard is approximately 8 to 10 years.


    We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.


    •  
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Review the Most Frequent Questions
    Answered by Dr. Jon and His Staff of Veterinarians
    Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Top Dogs for Cold Climates

      Although any breed can live in cold climates with proper care and grooming, some breeds tend to fare better than others. Dogs living in areas known for cold temperatures typically are larger dogs with...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Sporting Breeds

      The Sporting Breed group of dogs is primarily composed of dogs used to hunt birds. Some work as gun dogs and others excel in water. Most breeds alert the hunter to the presence of game as well as retrieving...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Working Breeds

      Breeds belonging to the working group are typically large in size and devoted family members. As working dogs, they are used to pull carts, guard property and search and rescue. These dogs love nothing...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4 Making of a Champion

      Presumably you don't become the winning-est St. Bernard in the history of dog shows without knowing a few tricks. But whatever strategies Trusts Gentle Ben V Slaton has locked inside his large, wrinkled...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5 How to Pick a Good Breeder

      If you pick a good breeder, the dog you choose will have a leg up on life from the start – after all, it's in the breeder's own best interests to make sure his dogs are healthy, well-socialized and the...

      Read MoreRead More
    Related Articles
    • 1Working Breeds

      Breeds belonging to the working group are typically large in size and devoted family members. As working dogs, they are used to pull carts, guard property and search and rescue. These dogs love nothing...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2How to Pick a Good Breeder

      If you pick a good breeder, the dog you choose will have a leg up on life from the start – after all, it's in the breeder's own best interests to make sure his dogs are healthy, well-socialized and the...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Making of a Champion

      Presumably you don't become the winning-est St. Bernard in the history of dog shows without knowing a few tricks. But whatever strategies Trusts Gentle Ben V Slaton has locked inside his large, wrinkled...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4Sporting Breeds

      The Sporting Breed group of dogs is primarily composed of dogs used to hunt birds. Some work as gun dogs and others excel in water. Most breeds alert the hunter to the presence of game as well as retrieving...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5Top Dogs for Cold Climates

      Although any breed can live in cold climates with proper care and grooming, some breeds tend to fare better than others. Dogs living in areas known for cold temperatures typically are larger dogs with...

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Dogs & Puppies
    Cats
    Related Articles
    • 1Working Breeds

      Breeds belonging to the working group are typically large in size and devoted family members. As working dogs, they are used to pull carts, guard property and search and rescue. These dogs love nothing...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2How to Pick a Good Breeder

      If you pick a good breeder, the dog you choose will have a leg up on life from the start – after all, it's in the breeder's own best interests to make sure his dogs are healthy, well-socialized and the...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Making of a Champion

      Presumably you don't become the winning-est St. Bernard in the history of dog shows without knowing a few tricks. But whatever strategies Trusts Gentle Ben V Slaton has locked inside his large, wrinkled...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4Sporting Breeds

      The Sporting Breed group of dogs is primarily composed of dogs used to hunt birds. Some work as gun dogs and others excel in water. Most breeds alert the hunter to the presence of game as well as retrieving...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5Top Dogs for Cold Climates

      Although any breed can live in cold climates with proper care and grooming, some breeds tend to fare better than others. Dogs living in areas known for cold temperatures typically are larger dogs with...

      Read MoreRead More