How to Groom a St. Bernard: 8 Vet-Approved Tips & Tricks

St. Bernards are quite hairy, so they need a decent amount of grooming. While they aren't as high-maintenance as some other breeds, they are very large. Therefore, even a basic brushing session will take quite a while!

Besides their coat, you also need to pay attention to your dog's feet and around their face. These areas may even need to be trimmed. Plus, you also have to worry about your dog's teeth.

That may seem like a lot, but we're here to lay it all out clearly. Here's how to groom a St. Bernard.

The 8 Tips on How to Groom a St. Bernard

1. Clean Around Their Mouth & Face

St. Bernards are known for drooling quite a bit, so you’ll need to pay close attention to the fur and skin around their mouth and face. Saliva can build up quickly in these areas, especially around the lips and facial folds. Over time, the constant moisture can lead to odor, skin irritation, or even mild skin infections.

Using a soft cloth to gently wipe your dog’s mouth and face every day can help keep them comfortable and clean. You may also want to dry the area after your dog drinks water or spends time outside in wet weather. Keeping the fur around the mouth clean can also help reduce staining and matting.

2. Brush, Brush, Brush

The longest part of your grooming routine will be brushing your dog's coat. You'll need to use a slicker brush to remove dead hairs and prevent matting. Choosing a large brush is important here, as a St. Bernard is on the larger size.

Brushing also helps keep your dog clean. It can remove dirt and dust, elongating the time between baths.

You'll want to brush at least every other day. Sometimes, you may need to brush even more, depending on how much your dog is currently shedding. During shedding season, your dog may shed significantly more than usual, so you'll need to adjust as necessary.

3. Use a Comb

Even if you brush your dog regularly, their coat may still get tangled. These tangles should be removed with a comb—choose a stainless-steel option for durability.

There isn't a particular amount you should comb your dog, as it depends on how often you find tangles. It's best to have the comb on hand when brushing your dog. That way, if you find a tangle, you can brush through it right away.

4. Bathe Occasionally

Dogs need baths just like people. However, dogs do not need nearly as many baths. Too much bathing can dry out your dog's skin and remove their natural oils. In time, this may cause dryness and eventually cause your dog's coat to shed even more.

Therefore, you should only bathe your dog when you absolutely need to. If your St. Bernard rolls in mud, you should probably give them a bath. However, there is no need to implement a weekly bathing schedule.

We highly recommend picking up a high-quality shampoo formulated for dogs, too. This will help limit these more negative side effects.

5. Trim Their Toe Fur

While St. Bernards don't need their whole coat to be trimmed, they do need the fur between their toes trimmed. This hair can get matted easily and cause pain. Plus, it can "snowball" in snowy weather, making it hard for your dog to walk properly.

This fur doesn't have many benefits when long, so there isn't much of a need for it. It's often best to give it a quick trim. You can do this yourself or go to a groomer. You don't have to trim the fur super close, just enough to prevent it from sticking out between their toes.

6. Trim Their Nails Regularly

Like all dogs, St. Bernards need their nails trimmed regularly. Because these dogs are so large and heavy, overgrown nails can become especially uncomfortable and may affect how they walk. Long nails can also snag on carpeting or crack if they become too overgrown.

You don’t need to trim your dog’s nails extremely short, but you should keep them from touching the floor when your dog is standing still. Many dogs dislike nail trims, so starting slowly and rewarding your dog with treats can make the process much easier. If you aren’t comfortable trimming your dog’s nails yourself, a groomer or veterinarian can do it for you.

7. Check Their Ears

St. Bernards have longer fur in their ears. This fur needs to be trimmed, as well. It can hold onto dirt and moisture, which may contribute to ear infections. You'll also need to keep an eye out for dirt and debris inside your dog's ears. If necessary, you can use a damp cotton ball to clean around your dog's ears. (Never stick anything down into your dog's ears; just clean the outside.)

If your dog has particular trouble with their ears, you can speak to your vet about ear-cleaning drops. These have a bit of extra oomph that can help keep your dog's ears cleaner. Using a cleanser may be necessary for some dogs.

8. Dental Care

Your St. Bernard also needs their teeth taken care of—dental health is extremely important for dogs. Poor dental care can contribute to serious health problems, as abscesses can form, opening up the body for infection.

Luckily, preventing these issues is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is brush your dog's teeth a few times a week with canine-safe toothpaste. This helps prevent dental problems before they occur.

Furthermore, you may need to pay for professional cleanings from your vet. However, these will be fewer and farther between if you brush your dog's teeth regularly.

Conclusion

St. Bernards are usually considered to need moderate maintenance. While they only need to be brushed and have some other basic hygiene tasks done, their larger size makes these grooming sessions take longer. Their longer fur can also get matted, so grooming isn't optional.

You should set aside 30 minutes to groom your St. Bernard every other day. However, you may need to groom them every day during the heavy-shedding season.

Featured Image Credit: audreyelizabeth, Shutterstock