Continued Info On Saint Bernards

The Saint Bernard's traditional coloring consists of white, red, and a black mask. The coloring on puppies is rather muted. The red is usually a mousy gray, varying from light to dark. The white is still white and the black mask is black. By the time they are six months old; their red coloring has replaced the mousy gray. The actual red color can vary from a light reddish blonde to a rich deep red. Their black mask encircles their eyes, edges up to the top of their heads and flows into their ears. The white starts from their nose up over the top of the head, flows around their head, to their chests, belly, legs, and usually three quarters of their tail, including the tip is white. The red coloring rests almost like a blanket on them, draping down their sides. They are so beautiful! Sometimes a Saint Bernard has a unique marking on the top of their head called a monk's cap. It is a somehwat circular patch that is either black or red. Another unique marking is a hospice ear. One of the ear's is usually dapple colored, muted black or gray with white spots on the ear. I personally prefer the traditional coloring and markings on Saint Bernards. I have had two Saint Bernards with monk's cap. There are splash coats, brindle coloring, half-masks, it is all a matter of personal preference. I encourage you to seek out what you desire.

There are two coat types with Saint Bernards, long, also called rough, and short, also called smooth. The short or smooth coat is the original coat of the breed, which dates back to the rescue dogs in Switzerland. The long or rough coat was developed later by breeding with longer haired dogs. In many litters, you can find both the rough and smooth types. Saint Bernard breeders often breed a smooth and rough together. This way you have a good chance of getting smooth and rough puppies. I have had three smooth Saint Bernards all the others have been roughs. There is quite a bit more grooming required with the roughs, regular brushing keeps their coats smooth and tangle free. It has been my experience that the smooth or short coat Saint Bernards shed far more than a long or rough coat. I was very surprised by this, as I had been told by countless individuals that the smooths were so much easier to maintain. I currently have two smooths and one rough. It is staggering how much fur is shed from the two smooths versus our rough.

BRANDYKEGS will have more information for you to read in later posts.