Weighing up to 180 pounds, St. Bernards are truly gentle giants. This should be no surprise, considering they have a rich history of helping others. Saint Bernards helped locate and rescue travelers who had lost their way or were buried by avalanches in the Snowy Alps.

They’re large, hairy, and tend to drool buckets, but they’re also some of the most loyal and good-tempered canines you’ll meet. They’re great for families who want to spend a lot of time with their furry friend since they thrive on human interaction. In this article, we will explore the breed's characteristics, correct grooming procedures, and common pet grooming practices to ensure that your St. Bernard looks its best.

Quick Overview of Breed Facts & Characteristics

The St. Bernard is a beloved breed from Switzerland. These magnificent dogs are impressive in size, have gentle demeanors, and have a distinct coat that requires proper care to maintain their majestic appearance.

• Country of Origin: Switzerland
• Height at Shoulder: 25½" to 28½"
• Coat Length/Type: Combination/Heavy
• Color: All shades of red combined with white. The colors should be clear patches. A black mask and ears are common and desirable.

The End Goal: A Shiny, Airy Coat

The St. Bernard's coat should be nothing less than spectacular—shiny, light, and airy, allowing it to bounce and float as the dog moves. Achieving this goal requires a specific grooming routine and a few essential tools.

How Often Should You Groom a St. Bernard?

Regular grooming is crucial to keep your St. Bernard looking its best. Bathe your St. Bernard once a week to once every 12 weeks, depending on its activity level and outdoor exposure.

The Best St. Bernard Grooming Process 

Pre-grooming Steps 

Before diving into grooming, there are a few essential steps:

• Nail Care: Trim or grind your dog's nails every four to six weeks to maintain a healthy foot structure.
• Ear Cleaning: Clean the ears by swabbing with a mild ear cleaning solution.
• Loosen Skin Dander: Use a rubber curry, shedding blade, undercoat rake, pumice stone, carding tool, fine stripping knife, or natural bristled brush to loosen skin dander and remove loose coat.
• High-Velocity Dryer: Quickly blow-dry your dog with a high-velocity dryer to lift dirt and debris away from the skin and loosen the coat.
• Mat Removal: Brush or remove matting in the longer coated areas. If the tangles are loose enough so water can fully penetrate the area, remove them after the bathing and drying stages. If water cannot penetrate, remove the mat or tangle before bathing.

Brushing

Proper brushing is crucial to maintaining your St. Bernard's coat. Follow these steps:

• Line brush: Work in sections until the dog is entirely tangle-free.
• Use a firm slicker brush: When finished, there should be little, if any, fur still being removed.
• Double-check the work with a wide-toothed comb and your hands. Go over the entire body, feeling for any inconsistencies in the density levels of the coat. Rework any areas that seem moist or fuller than the rest of the coat.
• Pay extra attention to areas where mats, tangles, and excessive coat tend to accumulate. These areas include behind the ears, around the ruff, the thigh area, the undercarriage, and the tail.

Sanitary Area

Ensuring a clean and healthy sanitary area is crucial for your St. Bernard. Here's what you should do:

• If your dog has a sanitation problem under the tail, lightly trim this area with thinning shears. Remove only enough coat to accomplish the goal while keeping it looking natural.
• Trimming the groin area is not recommended unless there is a sanitary problem. If trimming is necessary, do so lightly to prevent irritation.

Feet & Hocks

The feet and hocks also require special attention:

• Trim the pads with a close-cutting action blade ranging from a #15 to a #40. Use a gentle touch to clean the pads of long hair.
• If there is long fur between the toes, back brush the fur so it stands up and away from the foot. Then, trim off the excess with thinning shears, creating a neat, natural-looking foot with well-arched toes.
• Tidy the outside edge of the foot with small detailing shears if needed.
• For dogs with longer hock hair, trim lightly with thinning shears to maintain a neat, clean area.

Detail Finish

To achieve a polished look, consider these finishing touches:

• Lightly edge the ears with thinning shears to neaten while maintaining a natural appearance.
• Hand-pluck any long, wispy, flyaway hair from around the ears.
• Removal of whiskers on the muzzle is optional, based on client preference.
• Finish with a fine mist of coat polish on the body for added shine. Applying bows and mild cologne is also optional for a final touch of elegance.

Special Note:

Understanding your St. Bernard's coat requires more than just visual inspection. Learn to feel for differences in coat density levels. Areas that feel heavier or denser than others need special attention when bathing, brushing, and drying.

Suggested Tools & Equipment for Grooming St. Bernards

To ensure your St. Bernard's coat remains in pristine condition, have the following tools and equipment on hand:

• Nail Trimmers
• Styptic Powder
• Ear Cleaning Solution
• Cotton Balls
• Clippers
• #40 and #15 Blades for Pads
• #4F for Feet & Hocks (optional)
• Slicker Brush
• Wide-Toothed Comb
• Rubber Curry
• Undercoat Rake
• Dematting Tools
• High-Velocity Dryer
• Small Detailing Shears
• Curved Shears
• Thinning Shears

Wrapping Up 

By following these grooming practices and using the recommended tools, you can ensure that your St. Bernard maintains its regal appearance. Your gentle giant will look its best and feel comfortable and happy, making grooming a positive experience for both of you.

If you want to become a pet groomer, we offer a complete training program involving essential physiology, safety, practical skills, and business knowledge modules. Additionally, you get the added benefits of access to an online community, weekly workshops, course updates for an entire year, and a certificate of completion. 

With the proper education and certification from Groomers University, a world of opportunities opens up for you. You’ll be able to pursue career options like roles in pet grooming salons, veterinary clinics, mobile grooming services, or even the establishment of a personal grooming business.