Saint Bernards are very popular in Europe. Although they are huge, their temperament is generally very mild. The breed was developed by Swiss monks and was once used to rescue travelers trapped in Alpine avalanches. Because of that history, they are often described as dogs with a Christ-like spirit of devotion.
1. Their Size Is Extremely Large
The Saint Bernard is a giant breed and one of the largest and heaviest dog breeds in the world. Because of its powerful build, the owner must have solid experience in dog keeping and training. If the dog is not trained well, it may attack people, and once it acts out, it is difficult for the owner to control its movement.
2. The Potential Harm Is High
In general, the larger the dog, the greater the potential damage if a conflict occurs. Saint Bernards are giant dogs and also have a strong sense of territory. In densely populated cities they frequently come into contact with strangers and other dogs, which makes conflict easier to trigger and raises the perceived risk.
3. Low Social Acceptance
A standing Saint Bernard can be nearly as tall as an adult person, so even when it does not hurt anyone, it can still be intimidating in public and make people highly wary or even frightened. In addition, this breed needs a large living space and is not well suited to narrow urban environments.
Because of local policy in some cities, dogs taller than 36 centimeters may fall within restricted ownership rules, so Saint Bernards can be banned there. In reality, their temperament is still very gentle and they do not usually attack people proactively. However, adult Saint Bernards eat a lot, so the cost of keeping them is high, which is another reason relatively few people choose to raise them.