Saint Bernard — Adult Care
Care recommendations — Adult stage
In adulthood, the priority for a Saint Bernard shifts toward maintaining an ideal body weight through portion-controlled meals and shorter, gentler walks and low-key play, since Saint Bernards are typically content with a calmer pace. The dense coat, whether short or long, sheds heavily and needs brushing at least twice a week, along with regular cleaning of facial folds and drool-prone jowls. Pairing this with a yearly wellness exam and routine dental checks helps catch subtle changes early, even while the dog seems to be thriving.
⚠️ Watch for
In adult Saint Bernards, it's worth staying alert for early signs such as a bunny-hop gait, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, or stiffness after resting or front-leg lameness, a shortened stride, or reluctance to fully extend the elbow. These can be subtle at first, so raising them during an annual exam rather than waiting for them to worsen is a sensible approach given this breed's health background.
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