DP wants to get a Saint Bernard pup when we live in a small terraced house

[pedigreecapers]

Hello everyone. My partner (who is usually rational and level-headed) has recently become enamoured with the idea of us getting a Saint Bernard pup. He has never owned a large breed before and neither have I. I think it's a terrible idea because we simply don't have the space for such a large dog. He says he knows people who have large breeds in small houses and that the dogs seem fine. I also have to mention that Saint Bernard pups from respected breeders are among the most expensive breeds locally. A Saint Bernard pup is several times more expensive than a JRT pup for example. There is also the cost of food, grooming and vet bills which are higher compared to smaller breeds. What are your thoughts? Is having a large dog in a small house really such a bad idea or am I being a bit unreasonable here?

Is he usually such a dipshit?

Just give him a Paddington stare and say 'No'. Then walk away. It's not even up for discussion.

He’s a twat.

hth

Obviously not!

the dogs seem fine

’Fine’ isn’t good enough though. This is an animal with needs.
Terrible idea.

They are huge. Not just tall but wide. They walk like a horse.

My parents had one. It ran towards me when it first saw me and I ran! 😂

Soppy but just huge gets fur everywhere. If I remember they cannot go for long walks because of their size / weight.

Has he researched how much it’s all going to cost?
It’s a hell of a lot of dog isn’t it, are there no other breeds he would consider.

They are huge dogs and ideally need quite a bit of space to move around and there will be slobber and hair.
I think it would feel like I was living with the dog rather than the dog living with me. The dog will need bowls, a bed, - where’s it all going and it’ll take up a lot of space.

I don’t think it it’s an ideal first dog to be honest, they’re very high maintenance.

Remember -- do not under any circumstances go and see puppies with him.

Even the most rational person would fall for one as they're just gorgeous.

If this really is a good time in your life to be getting a dog at all, perhaps you need to start your own research into breeds that you think are a better fit, and then tempt him

the dogs seem fine

But what about the people?? Were they fine???

Cockapoos are nearly as adorable and smaller and don't tend to shed their fur.

It’s entirely possible to have large dogs in small houses. What matters is exercise, mental stimulation, a good garden (IMO) and space for the dog.

I have three dogs in a three bed (loft conversion) semi. BUT I have a side-wrap around garden (1/2 acre), they get 2 hours exercise a day and they get lots of mental stimulation.

A StB doesn’t need as much exercise but it needs space to meander about, lay down and take itself off and mental stimulation. So yes, a small terrace is not enough space. They are bloody expensive to insure (and vets bills you will have will necessitate insurance), feed and maintain. They’ll need regular trips to a groomers. They come with soooo many health issues. They live 6-8 years. They drool everywhere. They’re very strong. I’d also think about what you’ll do when it gets old and arthritic and can’t walk (in about six years). How are you going to pick it up to get it in the car to take it to the vets?

TBH I wouldn’t get one if I was paid.

Years ago a friend of ds's had 5 New Foundlands in a regular terraced house.. Had a cuppa there once. Absolutely no chance of putting the cup down... Very well behaved... Very space consuming....

Our next door neighbour has one...they're HUGE and their fur goes everywhere. I've also never met a breed of gog who slathered as much as a Bernard....just saliva constantly dripping from their mouth! I like them but I'd not have one in a small house!

Poor dogs. It’s terrible that dogs are bred to have such defects.

Sounds like a breed that should be allowed to die out.

I have a St Bernard pup.

She is great, but I have a 5 bed house and a large garden, and even then she takes up a lot of space.

They shed like mad, I hoover 3 times a day, and it never looks hoovered.

Training has been a long and hard process, they aren't quite as quick to pick up training as a lot of other dogs. A St on a lead getting the zoomies bloody hurts while you keep them under control too.

My St went through a phase of chewing my skirting boards, and she literally has me with her 24/7,goodness knows what damage could be done if she were alone.

The drool situation is fine until 9/10 months but its absolutely mad, she can't walk past me without a large amount of slobber.

I didn't get a crate for her, but someone I know has a crate for theirs and they had to get it imported from America at an eye watering cost.

My insurance is £120 a month, food is extortionate too.

If you have kids then you need to think hard about the puppy nipping stage, it's bad enough with a small dog, can you imagine what it's like with a St?

Getting mine was 20 years of research and getting the right time in my life to have one. And I wouldn't be without her, I honestly adore the very bones of her, but they aren't a dog to get on a whim because they are cute or whatever.

You can't have such a large dog in a small house, it would be totally unfair.

I wouldn't, your home isn't suitable.

Their breath stinks and they have a lot of eye problems and drool.

The grooming is immense.

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/gentle-giant-12-stone-pooch-20367566

To echo pp the grooming is crazy, I was cheaper doing a dog grooming course and buying the equipment myself, so I do my pup.

To get her done at a groomers around here would be a minimum of £85.

When my Old English Mastiff shook his head drool could flick up the walls to over 6ft high. At least he didn’t shed.

Bear in mind that drugs, including worming and flea treatments are prescribed by weight so you may be paying 20 times what a lapdog owner pays for the same treatments.

Giants also have shorter lifespans, sadly. If they are ill or injured you won’t we able to lift them. If they refuse to move you are stuck until they change their mind.

My boy wasn’t as expensive to feed as you’d think. He didn’t eat huge amounts. His poos were ENORMOUS though 😂

My friend has a beautiful St. Bernard.

He's the approximate size of a Shetland pony. Could you comfortably fit a small pony in your house, all the time?

Absolutely terrible idea.

Awful idea, it’s cruel to get a dog at all unless you are both very committed to doing so.

I live in a small terrace with a very energetic medium/ large sized breed. I would never consider anything bigger like a st Bernard. We have our dog in daycare every day we're at work and we walk him at least 2 hrs a day otherwise and truthfully there's still some days where I'm trying to cook in the kitchen, there's clothes horses up with clothes drying in winter and the dog is right under my feet every step I take and it feels very overwhelming. A bigger dog would feel like you've lost a lot of your living space. I would prioritise moving to somewhere bigger if you're really wanting such a large dog. The expense is not to be sniffed at either. They need to sit down and do the maths. Never mind the amount of training you'd need to do because they get so large well before they mentally mature and will be just as boisterous as a small puppy. I think you go for a smaller dog and try to find a breed that naturally fits your lifestyle. If they don't want to be walking 3/4 times a day then it's not the dog for you. Would they fit comfortably in your car with you and all you'd need for a weekend away?

There is a newfoundland dog up the road from us, enormous, hairy and slobbery. Beautiful friendly dog , he gets too hot inside and likes to be his yard. The owners have a very big house with a high secure fence and locked gates so the dog is mainly outside. All the local children fuss him through the gate , good job he is so placid. Most terrace houses are not set up like this!

My lovely neighbor has a St Bernard.
he really is the size of a Shetland. She has very night ceilings. But they get drool on them when he shakes his head - which is often.
i always go round in old/non clean clothes and I will be guaranteed to be covered in drool
asap.
he has developed a form of epilepsy- imagine a dog that size having a fit and then also trying to get to the Vets.
They also have to b v careful about walking him- they get very hot and also prone to hip issues.
He is basically like a huge lap dog. When my friend goes away he refuses to eat.
It’s a huge (pun intended) commitment.
They are also very willful. He has to be tied to a tree when they are out walking and he sees a horse as my friend can’t hold him. He is too strong.

We have leonberger which are about the same size. I have a large 4 bedroom house with decent gardens.

Actually, I don’t think house size matters too much because no matter what they insist on sitting beside me. If I had a mansion I still think they would try and squish themselves into the toilet if that’s where I was.

But, do not underestimate the damage to your house. Dogs like this are big, heavy, have huge claws that gouge out your floor (or wall if they sleep upside down like mine!) and shed constantly. They track mud in 24/7 and I clean most of the day. If they are wet they smell and you’ll need somewhere to put them until they are dry or your floors will be ruined. In the summer they get hot and need to be able to move around to find somewhere cool, we have the doors open most of the year.

The cost of buying one is nothing compared to insuring and keeping one.

Giants actually would suit a wide range of families. They don’t need lots of exercise, they are generally giant lap dogs, they mostly are calm and friendly. But it’s really a lifestyle not a pet and both owners need to be really enthusiastic for it to work!

I would love a St Bernard, they are beautiful, but I currently have a pug in a 5 bed house and I still trip over the little bugger! I assume St Bernards get the zoomies?!