Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is a majestic working breed with a remarkable history rooted in Alpine mountain rescue.
Originally developed to locate and assist stranded travellers in the treacherous Swiss Alps, these impressive dogs combine formidable strength with gentle sensitivity.
25-34kg
Weight
Large
Size
8-10yrs
Lifespan
About the Saint Bernard
Today, they remain one of the most recognisable and beloved large dog breeds worldwide. Standing 51–61 cm tall and weighing 25–34 kg, Saint Bernards are undeniably substantial dogs with a distinctive long coat that requires regular grooming to manage shedding. Their noble appearance belies a warm, patient temperament that earns them the affectionate nickname "gentle giant." Despite their imposing size, they are never aggressive or fearful. Saint Bernards are people-oriented companions that thrive on family life, showing particular patience and affection towards children. Whilst naturally protective with an instinct to watch over their household, they are eager to please, making early socialisation and training an enjoyable process. Their temperament ranges from calm and steady to playfully boisterous, especially when young. Saint Bernards make wonderful devoted companions for families with adequate space and experience with large breeds. They require consistent companionship, daily exercise, and mental stimulation to flourish, making them ideal for owners committed to meeting their substantial care needs.
Saint Bernard at a Glance
- Group
- Working
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 25–34 kg
- Height
- 51–61 cm
- Lifespan
- 8–10 years
- Coat
- Long
- Typical price
- £700–£1500
Saint Bernard Temperament
The Saint Bernard is a gentle, people-oriented breed that is friendly, loyal, and particularly fond of family life. Their temperament ranges from calm and steady to cheeky and boisterous, especially as youngsters. They are eager to please, which makes socialisation and training from an early age an enjoyable process for both dog and owner. With their history as protectors and rescuers, many Saint Bernards retain a natural instinct to watch over the household, often barking at strangers and requiring a proper introduction before welcoming visitors. Despite their size, they are never aggressive or fearful. Patient with children and affectionate with family, they make wonderful, devoted companions.
Dog Food for Saint Bernard
Top-rated foods for Large breeds, ranked by FurScore. How we score →
Recommended Food for Saint Bernard
Saint Bernard Food Costs
Estimated based on a typical Saint Bernard weighing around 30 kg, using the food prices shown above.
Per day
£5.22 - £5.57
Per month
£157 - £167
Per year
£1906 - £2032
Saint Bernard Characteristics
The Saint Bernard benefits from regular walks and some off-lead time and is easy to train. They are one of the most child-friendly breeds you'll find and are among the more independent breeds and cope well without constant company. The coat is manageable with a regular brushing routine and sheds steadily throughout the year. Exceptionally clever, they thrive when given jobs to do or puzzles to solve.
Saint Bernard Pros & Cons
Pros
- A true gentle giant, patient and affectionate with children of all ages
- Forms strong social bonds, making them loyal and devoted family companions
- Happily adapts to moderate living spaces as long as they get enough daily exercise
- Intelligent and trainable, with a steady and calm disposition that makes handling enjoyable
Cons
- Their thick coat sheds significantly and requires regular grooming to stay on top of
- Can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods
- Care must be taken to avoid overheating them in warm weather, especially during exercise
- Prone to certain hereditary conditions including hip dysplasia and bloat, which require careful monitoring
