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Dog · FCI group 2

Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is a giant, benevolent dog breed developed in the Swiss Alps for mountain search and rescue. These dogs display a calm demeanor, immense physical strength, and a protective attachment to their families. Their large frame and thick double coat require devoted space, regular grooming, and consistent cool environments.

  • Calm
  • Dignified
  • Benevolent
  • Self-assured
  • Loyal
  • Patient
Saint Bernard
OriginSwitzerland
Size
Giant
Adult weight
54.4 to 81.6 kg
Lifespan
8 to 10 years

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

How big does a Saint Bernard get?

An adult Saint Bernard weighs 54.4 to 81.6 kg.

AKC standards specify minimum heights of 70 cm for males and 65 cm for females, without setting maximum height cutoffs. Primary veterinary records document an average adult weight of 65.1 kg across the breed.

[S5][S6][S7][S8]

How long does a Saint Bernard live?

A Saint Bernard lives 8 to 10 years.

National population studies record a median lifespan of 9.3 years, while giant-breed cohorts report overall medians between 8.42 and 9.3 years.

[S7][S9][S10][S11][S12][S13][S14]

What health problems are common in the Saint Bernard?

The most common in the Saint Bernard are: Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), Ectropion and Entropion, Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), Inherited Polyneuropathy / Laryngeal Paralysis.

6 to 18 months, or later as secondary osteoarthritis

Hip Dysplasia [S24][S25][S26][S27]

Abnormal formation of the hip socket leads to joint instability and secondary osteoarthritis.

Ask your vet about:

  • OFA pelvic radiographs at or after 24 months
  • PennHIP distraction index testing
5 to 12 months

Elbow Dysplasia [S24][S25][S26][S27]

Developmental joint malformations in the front legs cause lameness and pain.

Ask your vet about:

  • OFA elbow evaluation radiographs at 24 months
2 to 7 years

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) [S25][S28]

The stomach fills with gas and twists on its axis, cutting off blood supply.

Ask your vet about:

  • Abdominal radiography
  • Elective prophylactic gastropexy consultation
Puppyhood to 3 years

Ectropion and Entropion [S19][S26][S27][S29][S30]

Eyelids roll outward or curl inward against the eyeball, causing irritation.

Ask your vet about:

  • Annual ACVO veterinary ophthalmologist eye examination
4 to 8 years

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) [S19][S24][S31]

Heart muscle weakens and dilates, reducing the heart's pumping efficiency.

Ask your vet about:

  • OFA Advanced Cardiac evaluation
  • Echocardiogram and Holter ECG monitor
8 years and older

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) [S19][S21][S32][S33]

Progressive neurological degradation of the spinal cord leads to hind-limb weakness.

Ask your vet about:

  • SOD1 gene mutation DNA testing
Juvenile to middle-aged

Inherited Polyneuropathy / Laryngeal Paralysis [S21][S34][S35][S36]

Genetic nerve dysfunction impairs movement and vocal cord function.

Ask your vet about:

  • Genetic panel testing for CNTNAP1, ARHGEF10, and GJA9 gene variants

What is a Saint Bernard's temperament like?

The Saint Bernard is calm, dignified, and deeply loyal to its household. It acts with watchful benevolence and develops strong bonds with family members.

[S13][S15][S16][S18]

How much exercise does a Saint Bernard need?

A Saint Bernard needs 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day.

Adult dogs maintain mobility and prevent weight gain through daily low-impact leashed walks. High-impact activity and jumping must be avoided during skeletal growth.

  • Energy2 / 5
[S12][S13][S19]

How does a Saint Bernard handle heat and cold?

A thick, weather-resistant double coat provides excellent protection against cold temperatures. The breed tolerates heat poorly, showing high vulnerability to heatstroke in temperatures above 24°C.

  • Handles heat1 / 5
  • Handles cold5 / 5
[S13][S20][S21]

How much does a Saint Bernard shed, and how do you groom it?

Wipe loose facial lips daily to control moisture from drool and prevent skin inflammation. Inspect and clean drop ears regularly to avoid moisture buildup and ear infections.

Short-haired smooth or long-haired rough with a dense undercoat

  • Shedding4 / 5
[S1][S7][S8][S15][S16][S22]

Is a Saint Bernard good with children and other pets?

Saint Bernards show gentle patience with children, though their massive weight creates an accidental knocking risk. They live peacefully with other pets when socialized, but tight apartment spaces and stairs present substantial physical challenges.

  • With children4 / 5
  • With other pets4 / 5
  • In an apartment1 / 5
[S12][S13][S15][S16][S23]

Is a Saint Bernard easy to train?

Teach leash manners and jumping inhibition during early puppyhood before the dog reaches giant physical strength. Reward-based training and consistency produce dependable results, whereas punitive handling causes defensive resistance.

  • Ease of training3 / 5
[S7][S13][S16]

What does a Saint Bernard eat at each life stage?

  • PuppyFeed a dedicated giant-breed puppy food with controlled energy density and precise calcium-to-phosphorus ratios to promote steady bone growth.
  • AdultDivide daily rations into two or more measured meals and restrict physical activity right before and after eating to reduce bloat risks.
  • SeniorUse a reduced-calorie senior food to avoid weight gain and consult your veterinarian regarding joint support nutrients.

Where does the Saint Bernard come from?

Monks at the Great Saint Bernard Pass hospice kept large molosser farm and guard dogs starting in the seventeenth century. By the eighteenth century, hospice monks and mountain guides used these dogs to find and rescue travelers lost in heavy snow. Heinrich Schumacher established pedigree records in 1867, and the International Canine Congress recognized the breed in 1887.

Country of origin: Switzerland.

[S1][S2][S3]

Fun facts about the Saint Bernard

  • Painter Edwin Landseer invented the depiction of a Saint Bernard carrying a brandy barrel around its neck in an 1820 painting. [S3][S38]
  • A hospice dog named Barry saved more than 40 human lives in the Alps between 1800 and 1812. [S38][S39]
  • The hospice maintains a tradition of keeping at least one dog named Barry at all times. [S39]
  • The preserved body of the original hero dog Barry is displayed at the Natural History Museum of Bern. [S38][S39]
  • A Saint Bernard named Leon was the very first dog entered into the Swiss Dog Stud Book in 1884. [S1]

Tips by life stage and weather

  • PuppyPrevent running and high-impact jumping until your dog reaches 18 to 24 months to protect developing growth plates.
  • PuppyStart loose-leash training immediately so your puppy learns controlled walking before gaining adult body mass.
  • AdultSchedule 30 to 60 minutes of low-impact walking every day to support joint health without overstressing the skeleton.
  • AdultWipe your dog's mouth and facial folds every day to remove drool and keep the skin dry.
  • SeniorMonitor your dog's weight carefully to reduce stress on aging joints.
  • SeniorConsult your veterinarian about mobility screenings and senior joint care strategies.
  • Hot seasonProvide air-conditioned shelter and shade when outdoor temperatures rise above 24°C to prevent heatstroke.
  • Hot seasonSchedule all outdoor walks during the coolest morning hours.
  • Cold seasonAllow your dog to enjoy outdoor time during cold weather, as their insulated double coat handles cold conditions well.
  • Cold seasonMaintain daily exercise routines during cold seasons to keep large muscles and joints active.
  • Rainy seasonInspect and dry your dog's floppy ears thoroughly after rain to stop trapped moisture from causing ear infections.
  • Rainy seasonTowel-dry the dense undercoat and facial folds after wet walks to avoid moisture-related skin problems.

In the Kiba Vet app, your pet's breed profile shows a tip of the day based on its age and the weather where you live.

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

Checked against sources; veterinary review pending. Updated on September 29, 2026.

Written with the help of AI from the cited sources and checked fact by fact against them by a second model.

Sources

Every health fact and every number on this page comes from these sources. Identifiers from Wikidata (CC0).