Saint Bernard — Complete Breed Guide
Working · from Switzerland · AKC rank #63 (2025)
Key facts
| Breed group | Working |
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Weight | 54–82 kg (119–181 lbs) |
| Height | 66–76 cm |
| Lifespan | 8–10 years |
| Coat | short smooth or long rough |
| AKC popularity rank (2025) | #63 of 202 recognized breeds |
Trait ratings
Our editorial 1–5 scoring, based on breed-standard temperament data.
Monthly cost
Expect roughly $140–$260 per month (estimate: food, routine vet care, grooming, insurance). Larger breeds and heavy groomers sit at the higher end. Price out the years, not just the day, with our monthly dog cost calculator.
Saint Bernard coat colors and varieties
The Saint Bernard's coat is short smooth or long rough — two coat lengths of the same breed, not two breeds. Within the breed you'll come across varieties buyers search for by name — red and white, mahogany brindle and white — which usually come down to different lines and breeders rather than different dogs. Color doesn't change the temperament, exercise needs, or health picture described above.
Pick the coat for your climate and your vacuum tolerance: the long coat sheds more dramatically, the smooth coat sheds more constantly.
What does a Saint Bernard cost?
Two budgets matter: the puppy, and everything after. After: about $140–$260 per month for food, routine vet care, grooming, and insurance — larger breeds and heavy groomers sit at the higher end.
At around 6 cups of food a day, feeding is the single biggest ongoing cost, and everything else scales with 54–82 kg of dog. The puppy price has no fixed answer — health-tested parents from a breeder who'll take the dog back if life goes sideways cost more up front and usually less over the dog's lifetime. Price out the years, not just the day, with our monthly dog cost calculator.
Saint Bernard puppies: what to expect
Puppyhood is the expensive, exhausting, wonderful part — and Saint puppies grow at an alarming rate, so every mistake in feeding and exercise shows up in the joints. Plan for a first vet visit within days of bringing yours home, a vaccine series over the first few months, and training that starts the day it arrives.
The honest warning: drool, on an industrial scale, starting earlier than you'd think. And like all giant breeds, keep growth slow and steady — no forced running, and a large-breed puppy diet on your vet's advice. The temperament scores on this page assume a well-socialized dog.
Common Saint Bernard mixes
Designer mixes get a lot of searches, so here's an honest map: a mix inherits unpredictably from both parents — no guarantees on size, coat, or temperament. If a mix catches your eye, read both parent profiles where they exist and judge the dog in front of you.
- Saint Bernard × Bernese Mountain Dog — read the Bernese Mountain Dog profile too; a mix can inherit either parent's traits.
- Saint Bernard × Poodle — read the Poodle profile too; a mix can inherit either parent's traits.
Health issues to know
- hip and elbow dysplasia
- bloat (GDV)
- dilated cardiomyopathy (heart)
- eye disorders (entropion/ectropion)
- Families with children
- You live in a small apartment with no yard access
- Anyone in the home has dog allergies
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Saint Bernard live?
Typically 8–10 years. Larger individuals and lines with known health issues tend toward the lower end.
How much does a Saint Bernard cost per month?
Roughly $140–$260 per month for food, routine vet care, grooming and insurance — an estimate that varies by location.
Is the Saint Bernard good for apartments?
It scores 1/5 for apartment suitability. Not ideal — it needs space and struggles in small homes.
Is the Saint Bernard good with kids?
It scores 5/5 for kid-friendliness. Excellent family choice, with normal supervision.
Does the Saint Bernard shed a lot?
Shedding scores 4/5. Yes — heavy, year-round shedding.
Is a St. Bernard a good family dog?
One of the best-natured: it scores 5/5 for kid-friendliness and is famously patient and gentle. The honest family math is 54–82 kg of dog, industrial-scale drool, $140–$260 a month to keep, and an 8–10 year lifespan — you get fewer years than with most breeds. If the household has space and the budget is real, the temperament is the least of your worries.
Do Saint Bernards bark a lot?
Moderately — 3/5 in our dataset. They will announce visitors with a deep, carrying bark, but they are not chronic barkers. For a giant breed in a house with space, the voice is rarely the complaint; the drool and the shedding (4/5) usually rank higher.
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Health information is for general guidance only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your individual dog. Cost figures are rough estimates and vary by location.