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Most people are familiar with the Saint Bernard! You’ve probably seen a Saint Bernard in a movie or a cartoon with a small barrel under his chin! These large dogs are famous around the world!
Are you thinking about adopting a Saint Bernard? Then you first need to learn how much it costs to adopt one of these beautiful dogs. It’s also essential to know about the initial setup costs for a dog like this.
In this article, we’ve put together information about Saint Bernards, how much they cost to adopt, and how much it can cost to buy the necessary items for a dog like this. Let’s get started!
What is a Saint Bernard?
Let’s start with the history of the Saint Bernard, first. These dogs originally come from Switzerland and were probably a combination of several already dog breeds. It’s thought the Saint Bernard was bred with Mastiff-type dogs brought through the Alps by the Roman army.
No matter their origin, the dog we know as the Saint Bernard was bred near the Saint Bernard Pass pass. The dogs were bred by monks who lived near the Saint Bernard Pass, which is notoriously difficult to cross at the best of times. The monks built a hospice to help travelers who had a hard time crossing the pass. The hospice used the dogs to guard the grounds and help search for lost travelers.
Today, Saint Bernards are treasured as a loving family companion. The dogs are highly intelligent, gentle, and kind. They’re also good-natured. This is a giant dog breed that has a large muscular body and a large, square-shaped head.
While these dogs are large, they do quite well in the house. That’s surprising for many people. They may a quiet indoor dog and a loving family companion. Though the dogs do well indoors, they do require space to move around. They can live in a small home; however, the Saint Bernard a long daily walk or other types of exercise.
Be aware that these dogs shed quite a bit and do drool. If you don’t like a lot of dog fur and drool on your possessions, then this may not be the right dog breed for you.
Saint Bernards are not aggressive dogs; however, they will bark to let you know there’s someone near. They’re very protective of their families. In addition, these dogs are very good with kids. The dogs are not exactly playful, but they will snuggle with kids. Since these are such large dogs, they’re best suited for families that have older children. The reason is their size. A Saint Bernard could easily knock down a young child with one swish of their tail. It’s possible a small child could be hurt by accident.
When many people see a Saint Bernard, they automatically assume the dog needs a lot of exercise. However, these dogs really don’t require that much exercise. In addition, the dogs are not well-suited for hot, humid climates. They can easily develop heat exhaustion. These are dogs that love the snow; however, never they should never be left out in the snow or the heat. They need to be inside where it’s comfortable. Saints also love being with their families.
How Much Does a Saint Bernard Cost?
The cost of a Saint Bernard varies depending on several factors. For instance, adopting from a reputable breeder will cost more, while adopting from a rescue is easier on the wallet. In addition, if you plan on showing your Saint Bernard, the dog will cost much more.
In addition, adopting a dog in an urban area generally costs more than adopting a dog in a smaller town or a rural area.
When adopting from a reputable breeder, a Saint Bernard may cost between $550 to $2,000. However, adopting a dog from a rescue can cost between $100 to $300.
You may be wondering why dogs from a reputable breeder cost more than a dog from a rescue. There’s a reason for this variance in the adoption costs. For one thing, a reputable breeder pays for grooming, dog food and other supplies, training, medical care, licenses, microchipping, and more. And we can’t forget that the breeder must also house all of their dogs.
A shelter, on the other hand, does have similar costs. However, these organizations are non-profits. They take in pets that need a home and care for them. The rescue must pay for shelter, medical care, dog food, and more. The adoption fees cover this care and are then used to help save other pets.
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Ask a Vet Live NowOther Costs of Adopting a Saint Bernard
In addition to the adoption fee, you’ll also need to account for other costs involved when you get a Saint Bernard. These are costs that cover everything the dog will need.
It’s a good idea to buy all the supplies your new fur baby needs before bringing him home for the first time. We’ve put together a list of things your canine companion will need and the cost for each one.
- Food & water bowls: $10 to $40
- Dog collars: $10 to $40
- Leash: $10 to $30
- Harness: $40 to $70 (for a large dog)
- ID tag & phone number/name: $5 to $20
- Dog bed: $30 to $110 (make sure the bed is large enough for your dog)
- Dog crate: $50 to $165 (make sure to buy a crate that fits your canine companion)
- Toys: $50 to $155
- Brush: $5 to $45
- Shampoo: $5 to $20
These are the basic necessities your Saint Bernard needs when you bring him home. What could be more welcoming than coming to a home that’s all set for him?
Summing It Up
So, there you have it! You’ve learned something about these giant dogs and a little background of the Saint Bernard, along with their adoption costs.
If you choose one of these large, sweet dogs, you’ll have a loving companion for years to come!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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