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Breed profile

Saint Bernard

Huge, gentle mountain dog with a calm manner and plenty of drool. Lifespan is short, and size makes training urgent.

Young short-coated Saint Bernard standing in falling snow with a ball at its feet
A young short-coated Saint Bernard, in its element.Photo: Sarbjit Bahga / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
54–82 kg119–181 lb
Height
66–76 cm26–30 in
Lifespan
8–10 yrs
Group
Working
Origin
Switzerland
Popularity
#63 US#75 UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogsCold climates

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Gentle, Patient, Friendly, Calm.

Health problems to know about

  • Bloat (GDV)
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
  • Skin problems (skin-fold and lick dermatitis)

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

One long walk or half-hour play session a day; avoid hard exercise while growing. Weekly brushing, more in the moult. Keep cool in hot weather.

A good fit for

Calm families with space, cool climates, and owners happy to live with drool.

Probably not ideal for

Hot climates, small homes and cars, tight budgets (food and vet bills scale with size).

Sources

  1. Saint Bernard Dog Breed Information | American Kennel Club
  2. St. Bernard | Breeds A to Z | The Royal Kennel Club
  3. St. Bernard (dog breed) | Wikipedia

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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