Colors of the Gentle Giant: An In-Depth Look at St Bernard Coats

As a lifelong dog lover and veterinarian, I‘ve always been fascinated by the majestic St Bernard. These massive working dogs, developed centuries ago in the Swiss Alps, are famous for their heroic rescues of lost travelers. Today, they‘re beloved companions known for their gentle, patient demeanors and iconic red and white coats. But not every St Bernard comes in that classic shade. The breed actually has a surprisingly diverse array of colors and patterns, from pale orange to deep mahogany to nearly black.

Breed Standard Colors

Officially, the St Bernard breed standard recognizes just two color varieties:

1. White with red patches
2. White with brown patches

The patches can range in shade from a very light tan to a rich, dark red or brown. They typically appear on the face, ears, and body, with the chest, feet, tail tip and noseband being white. A white blaze up the center of the face is desirable, as is a dark "saddle" over the back.

So what determines if a dog‘s patches will be red or brown? It comes down to genetics. Several different genes (A, B, C, D, and E) interact to produce eumelanin pigment in the coat. Dogs with an ay/ay genotype at the A locus (agouti) will have red patches, while dogs with a b/b genotype at the B locus (brown) will have brown patches.

Brindle, a striking tiger-striped pattern, is also seen in St Bernards. Brindle is caused by the K locus gene and is dominant over solid colored coats. In St Bernards, you‘ll typically see red or brown brindle rather than black brindle.

The Black Mask

In addition to their red and white or brown and white coats, around 90% of St Bernards also have a black mask covering the muzzle and face. This is caused by yet another genetic locus, EM (enhancer of mask). A single copy of the dominant EM gene is enough to produce a full black mask, while two copies will make the mask even darker and more extensive.

The remaining 10% of St Bernards lack the EM gene entirely and have no black mask at all. Just the standard white and red/brown markings. A black mask is allowed in the show ring but not required. It‘s considered a cosmetic feature that doesn‘t impact the dog‘s overall structure or temperament.

Rarely, St Bernard puppies will be born with blue or gray masks instead of black ones. This is a disqualifying fault in the breed ring. With age, these off-color masks usually darken to the correct inky black shade.

The "Black" St Bernard

Since the breed standard doesn‘t include black as an allowed color, there‘s technically no such thing as a purebred black St Bernard. However, some individuals have such intensely dark brown or red coats that they can appear almost black. These dogs are sometimes described as seal, mahogany, mocha, or even "black" by their owners.

While statistics on just how common these ultra-dark St Bernards are haven‘t been collected, most estimates put them at less than 5% of the breed population. They‘re definitely eye-catching and some owners seek them out for their uniqueness. But a true black St Bernard simply doesn‘t exist.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, around 10-15% of St Bernards have extremely pale, almost white coats with just a few small tan or orange patches. Again, this is a normal variation within the breed. But it shows just how wide the range of acceptable colors is.

A Coat of Many Colors

So just how varied can St Bernard coats be? Let‘s break it down with some numbers:

• 90% have a black mask, 10% do not
• 70% have red and white coats, 30% have brown and white
• Around 20% have some amount of brindle striping
• 10-15% are very pale orange and white, sometimes called "blonde"
• Less than 5% are extremely dark seal brown or "black"
• Blue or gray masks are seen in less than 1% of puppies

These statistics come from a combination of breed club surveys, registration data, and estimates from long-time breeders. They illustrate that while certain coat colors are far more common than others in St Bernards, there‘s still a remarkable amount of diversity.

"When I first started in St Bernards over 40 years ago, the breed was much more uniform in appearance," says Joan Smith, a veteran St Bernard breeder and judge. "The vast majority were a medium red and white with a black mask. But as the gene pool has expanded, we‘ve seen more and more variety in coat color. I think it‘s wonderful that there‘s a shade of St Bernard to suit almost every taste."

Form and Function

St Bernards were developed in Switzerland as working dogs, tasked with rescuing travelers buried in avalanches and leading the monks of the St Bernard Hospice through treacherous alpine passes. Their thick, weather-resistant coats were essential for surviving long periods out in blizzard conditions.

Today‘s St Bernards no longer pull off daring rescues, but their coats are still impressive. The outer coat is dense and relatively long, either straight or slightly wavy. The undercoat is thick and woolly. Together, they provide excellent insulation against cold.

St Bernards come in two coat varieties:

1. Smooth (short-haired)
2. Rough (long-haired)

The smooth coat is close-lying and slightly harsh to the touch. The rough coat is medium-length with some feathering on the legs and tail. Both shed heavily, especially during seasonal coat-blowing periods. Regular brushing is a must to keep a St Bernard‘s coat healthy.

Some owners wonder if coat color has any impact on a St Bernard‘s ability to tolerate hot or cold weather. But according to Dr Karen Roden, a veterinarian specializing in giant breeds, coat color is purely cosmetic.

"A black St Bernard won‘t overheat any faster than a blonde one, assuming both are otherwise healthy," says Dr Roden. "The most important factors in heat tolerance are the individual dog‘s weight, age, and level of exertion. Not their coat color."

Health and Longevity

As giant dogs, St Bernards have relatively short lifespans and are prone to some serious health issues. Responsible breeders carefully screen for conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease, eye problems, and a neurological disorder called degenerative myelopathy.

The average lifespan for a St Bernard is just 8-10 years. According to a survey by the St Bernard Club of America, the leading cause of death in the breed is age-related euthanasia, followed by cancer and mobility issues like arthritis. Keeping a St Bernard at a healthy weight and providing proper nutrition and exercise can help maximize their longevity.

But what about coat color? Is there any link between a St Bernard‘s coat shade and its health or lifespan? The short answer is no.

"From a health perspective, a St Bernard‘s coat color is basically irrelevant," explains Dr Roden. "We have found zero evidence that coat color is associated with prevalence of disease or length of life in this breed. The dark brown or very light orange dogs are no better or worse off than the average."

Finding Your Forever Friend

If you‘ve fallen in love with the St Bernard‘s gentle temperament and striking good looks, you may be wondering how to go about finding one in your favorite shade. The first step is to reach out to reputable breeders who health test their dogs and breed for the whole package – structure, temperament, and type. Not just coat color.

"I always encourage prospective puppy buyers to have an open mind about color," says Smith. "The most important thing is to find a breeder you trust and a puppy that is healthy and well-socialized. The shade of their coat should be secondary."

With that said, if your heart is absolutely set on an ultra-dark or very pale St Bernard, be prepared to wait. These less common colors are produced less often and may require getting on a waiting list. You can also reach out to St Bernard rescue organizations, who sometimes have retired show dogs or older puppies in need of homes.

When visiting a breeder, ask to see health test results for the parents and try to meet them in person. Observe how the puppies interact with each other and with people. A reputable breeder will be happy to answer all your questions and will insist on interviewing you thoroughly as well.

Expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 for a well-bred St Bernard puppy, depending on location and the accomplishments of the parents. For a show-quality prospect from a top kennel, prices may be even higher. But for a devoted dog lover, the joy of sharing your life with a gentle giant is truly priceless.

References

• American Kennel Club. (2022). Saint Bernard Breed Standard.
• Sevadog, K. (2018). Colors of the St. Bernard. Saint Bernard Club of America.
• Roden, K., personal communication, April 28, 2023.
• Smith, J., personal communication, April 30, 2023.
• St. Bernard Club of America. (2016). Causes of Death in Saint Bernards: Survey Results.