How to groom your Saint Bernard

Saint Bernards are huge, adorable dogs. As members of the working dog group, they were originally bred to help with mountain rescues in Switzerland. They are loyal, well-tempered dogs who are wonderful with children and make excellent pets if you have the space.

However, don’t buy a Saint Bernard unless you are prepared to spend some time and/or money grooming him. Since these dogs originated from the snow and cold of Switzerland, Saint Bernards have a thick, dense coat.

There are varieties of long-haired and short-haired breeds. Grooming is a bit easier for the short-haired type. A bristle brush is a good all-purpose brush for the breed, but the Saint Bernard’s coat can also benefit from some specialized brushes.

A slicker brush can be used to remove matting and dead hair, especially during shedding season. Your dog will shed its undercoat twice a year. To stimulate your Saint Bernard’s circulation and remove a maximum amount of loose hair, try to brush the coat opposite to how it naturally lays.

Brushing your Saint Bernard daily is key to controlling shedding and keeping your dog clean. The process, once mastered, should only take about 5 minutes a day.

Bathing your Saint Bernard can be a daunting task. Unlike other smaller breeds, Saint Bernards must be bathed outdoors or in a large bathtub. Use a hot water hose and gently soak your dog’s fur. Once the coat is completely wet, wash your dog with a mild pet shampoo.

You want to avoid wearing anything too rough, no matter how dirty your dog gets. A mild shampoo will not strip the natural oils from your dog’s coat. It is recommended to wash and rinse your Saint Bernard with the shampoo at least twice.

Rinse well to prevent residue from remaining on the dog’s undercoat. You can dry your dog damp and dry with towels and, depending on the season, allow the dog to air dry or blow dry the coat.

Many Saint Bernard owners use special varieties of shampoo to help lighten the white part of the dog’s coat. The white parts of the coat can be stained with dirt from other waste. These products can be added to regular shampoo or used in place of regular dog shampoo. Certain varieties of bleaching shampoo should be left on the coat for five to ten minutes before rinsing it out.

If you want to soften your Saint Bernard’s coat, you can use a small amount of humane conditioner. As a final step, you can use a flea rinse. Flea rinses generally protect your dog for 10 to 14 days after use.

Be very careful when administering the flea rinse. Read all instructions carefully and dilute the product appropriately. Avoid your dog’s eyes when applying the rinse.

Saint Bernards are prone to weeping eyes, which can cause spots on the face. There are special products available such as “Diamond Eyes” that can gently remove these spots. Between treatments, you can gently wipe away any residue with a wipe.