The Saint Bernard was first noted sometime during the late 1600s in the Swiss Alps.
Breeder Nancy Nosiglia is very familiar with these dogs, and knows it takes a special person to be a good pet parent to this big hunk of love.
"You have to be the type of person that is going to put the time into the dog, the type of time where you are exercising the dog and training the dog," Nosiglia said. "This is not the type of dog that you can leave for days on end and come back and it will just be hanging out."
Saint Bernards can make great family dogs, but their size and curious friendly nature make socialization and obedience extremely important.
Usually they will stand at least 27 and half inches tall, but many are larger.
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St. Bernard
Lisa Chelenza explores the curious nature of this dog.
 
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A cute white, tan and black teddy bear of a puppy will quickly grow into a very large, shedding, drooling and outgoing dog.
"They are just big wonderful happy dogs, and that is why I love them," Nosiglia said.
As with any breed, there are common hereditary defects you need to be aware of such as hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, bad temperament, heart defects and eye problems. Specifically, they have "entropian," which is an inward rolling of the eyelid. It can be corrected with surgery.
Keeping those factors in mind, it's a smart to choose your breeder wisely.
You should meet the parents of the puppies, get references, be provided with AKC registration papers and an OFA certificate with each dog.
Keep in mind that high prices do not guarantee high quality.
Before you bring home any dog, make sure it's the right one for your family and everybody is going to help.
All puppies are cute, but make your decision based on what the puppy will be like when they grow up.
Be realistic about your home, time and resources.
