Large, lovable, and loyal are three words that describe the iconic Saint Bernard breed. These gentle giants love nothing more than hanging out with their families and watching over them.
Saint Bernards hail from the snowy Alps of Switzerland. This breed has a reputation for their attentive nature and calm personality. Their large size, however, means their pet parents need to have confidence about handling and socializing a giant breed.
To put it simply, Saint Bernards often make great family dogs, but they’re not always ideal for first-time dog parents!
Read on to learn all about Saint Bernards and discover whether they’re a good fit for you.
Breed Characteristics
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: Switzerland
- Size:
- Weight: 120-180 pounds
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Good with strangers: yes
- Good with cats:
- Shedding:
- Hair type: Long, double coat
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
- Drooling level:
Appearance
The first thing many people notice about Saint Bernards is their massive size. They weigh between 120-180 pounds and stand up to 30 inches tall at the shoulder. Females are often a little lighter and smaller than males.
“As a giant breed, they’re slow to mature, and they continue to grow in size until they’re approximately 2 years old,” says Dr. Amy Attas, veterinarian and author of Pets and the City: True Tales of a Manhattan House Call Veterinarian.
Saint Bernards have a multicolored coat with patches of white and shades from brown to red, including mahogany, brindle, and rust. They often have distinctive white markings on their muzzle and a black mask.
Dan Sayers, Editor-in-Chief and Dog Expert at Showsight Magazine, says Saint Bernards can have two different types of coat, either short or long—but whatever the length, their double coats are dense and water-resistant.
Origin And History
Saint Bernards appear to have descended from the Asian Molosser. These dogs came to Switzerland with the Romans and were used Alpine farmers to guard and herd their flocks.
By the 11th century, they guarded the Great Saint Bernard Hospice founded by the monk Bernard of Menthon. Located in the high Alpine pass between Switzerland and Italy, the hospice sheltered pilgrims making their way to Rome.
The breed developed into the Saint Bernard by the 17th century. Saint Bernard dogs became known for helping pilgrims navigate their way across the pass. Their keen sense of smell helped rescue people who got lost or trapped by avalanches.
They did not, however, carry brandy in barrels around their necks to revive avalanche survivors—this is just a myth. The barrels typically held food and supplies.
Saint Bernards eventually gained worldwide popularity for their gentle nature. In 1885, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed. In 1888, Saint Bernard lovers founded the Saint Bernard Club of America.
Some Saint Bernards you might recognize from TV shows and movies include:
- Nana (Disney’s Peter Pan)
- Beethoven (Beethoven)
- Hercules (Sandlot)
- Mac (The Incredible Journey)
- Chauncey (The Big Bang Theory)
Personality
“Saint Bernards are truly gentle giants and make great family pets with patient and loving temperaments,” says Dr. Sehaj Grewal, veterinarian and founder of The Melrose Vet.
Due to their size and health needs, they’re best suited to attentive pet parents who will make sure they get exercise, eat a healthy diet, and socialize early with other dogs and people, he adds.
After this initial socialization period, Saint Bernards generally get along very well with everyone, says Petrina Firth, dog trainer, certified animal behaviorist, and founder of The Pet Coach.
Firth says Saint Bernards aren’t generally a vocal breed but may bark when they feel threatened or frustrated. “And then, oh boy, their bark is quite something!” Firth says.
Ideal Environment
Even though they’re a giant breed, Saint Bernards don’t necessarily need a huge amount of space or exercise. “While it’s much easier to have acres of gardens they can romp through, Saint Bernards are pretty lazy and will adapt well to living in a large apartment, provided they get enough mental and physical exercise,” Firth says.
“Despite their size, Saint Bernards only require a moderate amount of exercise,” Sayers adds. “One long walk or 30 minutes of play is enough to keep them healthy and fit.” He adds that it’s crucial to balance the intensity of their activities and make sure they stay engaged without becoming overexerted.
These dogs can do all right home alone for short periods, but they’re happiest when watching over their people, and they thrive with plenty of social contact.
They may not have a high risk of developing separation anxiety, but they do need to be taught and trained to be happy at home alone, Firth says.
Saint Bernards make excellent family dogs, but because of their large size, it’s important to supervise their interactions with small children, Sayers emphasizes.
Training
“As a giant breed, care needs to be taken to train Saint Bernards properly, to keep everyone safe,” Firth says. This includes teaching them to walk nicely on the leash.
“They’re plodders, but that doesn’t mean if they see something they want, they won’t pull you towards it, unless they’ve been taught not to!” Firth says
Socialization is also critical, especially given their breed instinct—they instinctively want to protect and guard their people and their property, according to Firth. Socialization training involves helping your dog adapt to new situations and people.
“While it would be impossible to prepare your Saint Bernard for every single thing they come across, you can try your best by exposing them to a broad spectrum of people, animals, vehicles, surfaces, and sounds. This gives them the ability to cope with novelty better later on,” Firth says.
Training timeline
Training should start as soon as you bring your puppy home.
“They’re little sponges, and you can teach them all of those good habits you want to see while they’re still small,” Firth says.
She also notes that while most Saint Bernards are motivated by food, they’re also low-energy dogs. “They tend to check out after a few repetitions,” she says.
That means you’ll do best when keeping training sessions short and sweet!
Keep in mind, too, that you may need to adjust some activities due to their size.
“Saint Bernards do well at scent work, and while they’re not endurance swimmers, most enjoy short bursts of swimming,” Firth says.
She recommends caution when trying agility activities in younger dogs. “Saint Bernards can enjoy agility but due to their size they take longer to physically mature, so I would be careful about these types of sports before the age of two and a half.”
Grooming Needs
Saint Bernards have a stunning, thick coat—and both long and short coats need serious commitment. “Saint Bernards have a dense double coat that requires regular attention,” Sayers says. “The thick undercoat is shed biannually and, during this time, daily brushing becomes essential to manage the loose hair.”
“Outside of the shedding season, grooming a few times a week is typically enough to keep their coat in good condition,” he adds
Firth recommends using a slicker brush for regular grooming and a grooming rake or Furminator during the shedding season. A grooming session with a hairdryer to blast out all the loose fur is also really useful, she adds.
And don’t forget the drool! Saint Bernards drool a lot.
“My Saint Bernard clients have special towels to mop up the drool—it can really be like tennis shoelaces,” Firth says.
Health
Like other giant breeds, Saint Bernards mature slowly.
“They typically reach full maturity around 2-3 years old,” says Dr. Kathryn Dench, veterinarian and Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins. She adds that this extended growth period means it’s particularly important to pay attention to their diet and exercise in their early years to avoid developmental health issues.
Your vet can offer more guidance on the right diet and exercise routine for your Saint Bernard.
Dr. Attas shares some health conditions that commonly affect Saint Bernards:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia: These genetic conditions can be painful and cause lameness. Over time, elbow and hip dysplasia can also contribute to arthritis.
- Cervical spondylomyelopathy: This neurological disorder is also known as Wobblers syndrome. It affects the neck and causes compression of the spinal cord, leading to a distinctive “wobbling” gait.
- Osteosarcoma: Giant breed dogs like Saint Bernards have a higher chance of developing this type of bone cancer.
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus): Bloat is a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists. It usually affects large breed dogs. Bloat is a medical emergency that requires immediate surgical treatment.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy: This condition causes an enlarged heart and weakened heart muscle. Over time, it leads to declining cardiac function and heart failure.
- Eyelid problems: Saint Bernards can develop two different eyelid problems that require surgical treatment. Ectropion is a condition where the lower eyelids roll down, exposing and irritating the conjunctiva. Entropion is a condition where eyelids roll onto the eyeball itself.
- Saint Bernards can suffer from allergies. “These typically manifest as skin irritations or gastrointestinal upset,” says Dr. Dench. “Identifying and avoiding allergens, with the help of allergy testing if necessary, forms a key part of managing this issue,” she adds.
Saint Bernards can also have allergies, which typically show up as skin irritations or gastrointestinal upset, according to Dr. Dench. “Identifying and avoiding allergens, with the help of allergy testing if necessary, forms a key part of managing this issue,” she adds.
Many of these conditions can’t be cured completely and require ongoing treatment.
Purchasing pet insurance as soon as you bring your new dog home can help offer some peace of mind in case your Saint Bernard does develop any health issues.
The best way to monitor the health of your Saint Bernard: regular visits to your veterinarian. “Health checks are key in making sure your pet is at the proper weight and getting the right nutrition,” Dr. Grewal says, adding that your vet can help you identify concerns early and recommend helpful treatments or lifestyle changes.
Getting A Saint Bernard
If you’re ready to find a Saint Bernard to join your family, you have a few options.
Breeders
When researching breeders, always ask if it’s possible to meet the parent dogs and the rest of the litter. Trustworthy breeders will always be happy to accommodate this request. They’ll also share the results of health tests and the parents’ lineage.
Important: Make sure you know the warning signs of puppy mills and internet scams so you can avoid any heartache.
The American Kennel Club and Saint Bernard Club of America keep lists of reputable breeders, and these websites are generally the best place to start your search. Since Saint Bernards are a less popular breed, you might have to wait some time until a litter becomes available. Still, it’s always worth speaking to breeders and registering your interest.
Rescues
Some Saint Bernards may end up in shelters or rescue centers if their previous families can no longer care for them. Rescue centers will usually have a good idea of each dog’s level of training and socialization, and they’ll help match you to the perfect dog.
The Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation lists dogs across the United States waiting to be adopted. You may also find rescues serving your state only.
How much does a Saint Bernard cost?
Prices vary depending on the breeder’s location, the puppy’s lineage, and whether they’re registered as purebred or not. A Saint Bernard puppy can cost anywhere from $1500-$5000.
You’ll pay less when adopting an adult Saint Bernard from a rescue, but the price will vary widely depending on the specific rescue organization.
Alternative Dog Breeds To Consider
Saint Bernards will do best in homes with experienced pet parents who have both the time and experience required to socialize and train a giant breed.
If you love the temperament and appearance of these gentle giants but aren’t sure they’re the right fit for you, check out these breeds instead:
Resources
- About the breed. (n.d.). https://saintbernardclubofamerica.club/about-the-breed
- Attas, A (2024). Personal interview.
- Dench, K (2024). Personal interview.
- Firth, P (2024). Personal interview.
- Grewal, S (2024). Personal interview.
- Sayers, D (2024). Personal interview.