April

Despite their big, brawny bodies, the Saint Bernard’s heart is much bigger than their bite. They may be one of the largest and heaviest breeds around, but all these family-friendly dogs want is to love and be loved in return. Full-grown, they typically weigh 120-180 pounds and stand 26-30 inches tall.

Saint Bernards are generally excellent with children of all ages. Saint Bernards are friendly with children, other dogs, and pets. They are quite large, even as puppies, so it’s wise to keep an eye on them around small kids and dogs to prevent accidents. They're relatively quiet and don't bark much.

Saint Bernards need daily exercise but not as much as you might think. A walk or run each day will keep them satisfied, but exercise should definitely be part of their routine to keep them from getting obese. When walking your Saint Bernard as a puppy, teach them not to pull on the leash. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

The Saint Bernard’s coat is typically white with black, red, brindle, and/or tan markings. Most dogs have black ears, and show dogs may have white hair on their legs, chest, collar, tail tip, and blaze (the vertical line between their eyes). Saint Bernards shed twice a year to get rid of their summer and winter coats. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Saint Bernards are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. Because of their size, Saint Bernards are better suited for homes with large yards instead of apartments, and they prefer to be indoors. They can develop bad habits (like barking, digging, and stealing food from the table) if they’re bored or left unsupervised for too long, so keep an eye on them even when they’re inside. They are moderately trainable with consistent effort.

Originally bred in Turkey, Kangals are guardians of sheep, goats… and families. Kangals are naturally suspicious toward new people and dogs and should be socialized as puppies. However, they are generally gentle and trustworthy family companions! Full-grown, they typically weigh 90-145 pounds and stand 28-32 inches tall.

Kangal Dogs are generally excellent with children of all ages. Kangals are a great match for experienced owners, families with children, and farmers with livestock. They are guardians who also enjoy family time. They're fairly vocal dogs that bark regularly.

Kangals tend to exercise both their bodies and their minds when working, so when these dogs are not given a job to perform, they will need mental exercise in addition to daily rigorous physical activity. Walks, runs, and hikes on the leash are all great ways to safely socialize these dogs and stretch their legs! Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

Kangal Dogs have a short, dense double coat. They shed seasonally. During these times, you’ll need to increase the brushing routine from occasional to weekly maintenance. Grooming-wise, this breed is moderate.

Kangal Dogs are best suited for a rural property or home with a large yard. In addition to socializing, you’ll need to make casual introductions between your Kangal and new guests coming into your home. They need a secure backyard with tall, deep fencing; kangals are determined and athletic enough to scale tall enclosures and smart enough to create tunnels underneath fencing. They are moderately trainable with consistent effort.