St. Bernard is a very large dog among petsdogs, so it looks powerful and majestic. The St. Bernard is one of the largest pet dogs in the world, but its temper is very docile, and it has saved many people by virtue of its size. This dog is especially popular in Denmark. Then what kind of physical characteristics does St. Bernard have? After we know it, we can identify it as well, and over time, it will become a pet master.

St Bernard

Shorthair Type

Characteristics

Strong, well-proportioned and well-rounded, every part is strong and muscular, powerful head and Very smart look. The face has a dark mask to make the expression appear stern but not vicious.

Head

Like the body, the head appears powerful and imposing. Large head, broad, slightly arched and sloping on both sides (upper cheekbones), forming an elegant curve, firm in outline. A deep groove begins at the base of the muzzle, runs between the eyes, and runs through the entire head. The first half is very clear and gradually disappears in the posterior occipital bone. The side profile of the head diverges from the outer corner of the eye to the back of the head. The skin of the forehead, above the eyes, should ideally have distinct wrinkles, more or less, but clear, gathering into the deep grooves. Wrinkles are more when he's alert or noticing something, but doesn't create a scowling look. Exaggerated wrinkles are not welcome. A sudden and steep transition (stop) from head to muzzle would be ideal. The muzzle is short, not tapered, and the vertical depth of the muzzle is greater than its length. The bridge of the nose should not be rounded and straight, and some dogs sometimes look truncated. The muzzle is broad and prominent, with a shallow groove on the bridge of the nose from the base of the muzzle to the nose. The upper lip is well developed and cannot be very neat, but forms a graceful curve over the lower jaw, slightly drooping. The lower lip should not sag deeply. Teeth are neat and strong, with a scissors or pincer bite, although some very good dogs will have a chin bite, but it is not ideal, and an upper jaw bite is a defect. The roof of the mouth (ceiling) is preferably black.

Nose

Very solid, broad, with wide nostrils, like lips, and must be black.

Ears

Medium size, higher position would be better, with well developed edges at the base of the ear, the base of the ear erects on the head so that the ear is close to the head. The head is set a little further away, the ears are drooping, the edges are against the head, and there is no rotation. The ear fins are soft rounded triangles with slightly longer tips. When he's alert, the front edge of the ear is firmly against the edge of the head, and the back edge is slightly further away from the head. If the ears are placed lightly on the head, with the base of the ear resting directly on the head, the oval appearance of the head will be unobtrusive, whereas the strong base of the ears will form a square head that is broad and very striking.

Eyes

Most forward, not profile, medium size, dark brown, bright, friendly eyes, good depth, technically down The eyelid does not fit completely over the eyeball because wrinkles in the skin can turn the eyelid inward. Eyelids that are too droopy, red, nictitating membranes that are too thick, and eyes that are too light are all faults.

Neck

Set high and very strong, lifts up when he is alert or paying attention, and rests horizontally or slightly at other times Down. There is a distinct dent at the junction of the neck and head. The nape is very muscular and round, and the neck appears short when viewed from the side. Throat and neck fat is very noticeable; but exaggerating it is bad.

Shoulders

Sloped, broad, very muscular and powerful, with strong withers.

Chest

Very well rounded, moderately deep, reaching the elbows.

Back

Very broad, very straight to the waist, slightly sloping at the rump, combined with a very slight tail.

Hindquarters

Fully developed, with very muscular legs.

Abs

Well below the very strong waist with a very slight lift.

Tail

Very powerful and broad from the rump, the tail is long and strong at the tip. At rest, hanging vertically, with only the last 1/3 of it bent slightly upwards, is not considered a defect. In most dogs, the tail hangs slightly diagonally, so it is in the shape of the letter f. When alert, all dogs will, more or less, curl their tails up, but never too high or behind their backs. A slightly curled tail is permitted.

Forearm

Very strong and muscular.

Forearm

Straight and strong.

Back legs

Moderate hock angle, dewclaws are not desired, and if so, should not affect gait.

Paws

Broad, strong toes with slightly tight toes, preferably higher toe joints. Sometimes dewclaws on the inside of the hind legs are the result of bad genes, they are of no use to the dog itself, are not considered in judgment, and are generally surgically removed.

Coat

Very dense, short (short-haired), laying smoothly, hard but not rough to the touch. The hair on the thighs is thicker, and the hair on the base of the tail is slightly longer and denser, gradually shortening towards the tip of the tail. The tail is bushy but not like a flag.

Color

White with reddish or reddish with white, red includes red spots, fragments of varying concentrations, with white markings. Red and tan are the same. Required markings are white on the chest, feet and tail tip, and a collar or markings on the neck, ideally with white stripes on the face. There can never be just one color or no white. Defects: Any color other than a dark mask on the face and ears is a defect. Color can be divided into cape type and patch type.

Shoulder height

The minimum height at the withers for males is 27.5 inches; the minimum height for females is 25.5 inches. The female body structure is more beautiful and delicate.

Major Defects

Any deviation from the standard is a defect, such as: concave back, disproportionate back length, too large hock angle , too straight hindquarters, with upward growth of hair between the toes, valgus elbows, bull legs or weak ankles.

Longhair type

Longhair type is roughly the same as shorthair type, except instead of short hair, the hair is medium length and slightly wavy Hair, the hair should not be curly or rough, especially the hair from the waist to the buttocks. The hair is thick and dense, of medium length. Curly hair and flag-like tails are all faults. The hair on the face and ears is short and soft, long hair at the base of the ears is permissible, the forelegs are slightly feathered, and the thighs are densely haired.