Saint Bernard

Personality

A Saint Bernard is a big, soft-hearted dog that usually greets the world with calm friendliness. The breed is known for patience with children, loyalty to family and a relaxed pace indoors, which is why it has long been a favorite family giant in cool climates.

Do not mistake gentle for effortless. A young Saint can be clumsy, enthusiastic and capable of knocking over a toddler or a coffee table without any bad intent. Early training, steady house rules and supervision around small children are essential.

Most Saints are friendly toward strangers, although some are reserved, and their sheer size acts as a deterrent more than any aggression. They are people-oriented dogs that dislike being left alone for long periods and may become destructive or sorrowful if isolated.

Temperament varies with breeding and upbringing, so meet the parents when you can. A well-bred, well-socialized Saint is steady, affectionate and sensitive to the mood of the household.

History

The Saint Bernard takes its name from the Great St. Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps. According to the American Kennel Club, a monk named Bernard of Menthon established a hospice there around the year 1050 to aid pilgrims on their way to Rome. Crossing the pass was treacherous, and over several centuries the hospice monks developed powerful working dogs able to find travelers buried by drifts and avalanches. Records place dogs at the hospice from the 1660s.

A dog named Barry became the most famous of these rescuers and is credited with saving many lives, though the popular image of a barrel of brandy around the neck is a myth. Later, after avalanches killed many of the breeding dogs, the monks crossed the survivors with Newfoundlands and other breeds, which changed the dogs' appearance.

The breed was standardized and named in the 1800s, and the American Kennel Club recognized it in 1885. Saint Bernards are no longer used for Alpine rescue. Today the breed is a family companion and a favorite of cartoons and films.

Appearance, coat & colors

This is one of the largest dog breeds. According to the AKC, males stand about 28 to 30 in (71–76 cm) at the shoulder, with the breed standard setting a minimum of 27.5 in, and females about 26 to 28 in (66–71 cm). Males typically weigh 140 to 180 lb (64–82 kg) and females 120 to 140 lb (54–64 kg). The body is powerful, extraordinarily muscular and slightly longer than tall, with a broad chest and strong bones.

The head is massive, with a wrinkled brow, a short muzzle and dark eyes that give an intelligent, friendly expression. Ears hang close to the head and the tail is long and heavy.

There are two coat types, shorthaired and longhaired. The smooth coat is short, dense and flat. The longhaired type has a medium-length, slightly wavy coat with feathering on the legs and tail. Colors include red, orange, rust, mahogany and brindle, always combined with white markings.

Training

Start training the day your Saint Bernard comes home. A cute puppy will grow into a dog weighing well over 100 lb (45 kg), so manners such as not jumping, walking on a loose leash and waiting at doors must be taught while the dog is small.

Saints are intelligent but can be slow-moving and stubborn, and they respond best to calm, consistent, reward-based methods. Heavy-handed training tends to make them withdrawn or resistant. Use treats, praise and short sessions, and be patient with a breed that is slow to mature, both mentally and physically.

Socialize widely in the first months with different people, places and surfaces. A well-fitted harness gives you control without straining the neck, and a front-clip design can help with pulling. Group puppy classes are excellent practice. Teach a reliable recall and a firm leave-it, because a dog of this size can be difficult to restrain if a lesson was never learned. Our crate training guide is a useful starting point.

Exercise

Despite its size, the Saint Bernard needs only moderate exercise. The AKC says one long walk or a half-hour play session a day is enough to keep a healthy adult happy, and many Saints are glad to go along on longer hikes or camping trips. Walks are best taken in cool conditions, since a big, heavy-coated dog can struggle in heat.

Puppies need care in particular. Rapid growth makes the joints vulnerable, so avoid forced running, jumping from heights, repeated stair climbing and long hikes until your vet confirms that growth plates have closed. Free play on soft ground and short outings are much safer than structured jogging.

Many Saints enjoy sniffing, pulling a cart and light hiking in cold weather, and some compete in carting and drafting. In summer, exercise early or late, carry water and offer shade and a cooling mat afterward. A move from air conditioning straight into high heat can cause serious distress, so watch for heavy panting or sudden slowing. Our exercise guide has more on matching activity to your dog.

Grooming

Saint Bernards come in longhaired and shorthaired varieties, and both coats need the same care. Weekly brushing removes dirt and loose hair, and any tangles can be worked out with a slicker brush or metal comb. Shedding season comes twice a year, when brushing becomes a daily job and saves your vacuum cleaner. The longhaired type tangles more behind the ears and on the feathering.

Drool is part of the package. Keep towels or cloths in the usual spots and wipe the lips and jowls after meals and drinks. The facial folds should be cleaned and dried to prevent irritation. Check the eyes, which can droop and collect debris, and clean the ears weekly, since heavy folds trap moisture.

Trim nails regularly, because overly long nails are painful, and brush the teeth regularly; our tooth-brushing guide shows how. Bathe occasionally using a gentle dog shampoo and dry the coat thoroughly. A giant dog is easier to groom if taught from puppyhood to stand calmly on a non-slip mat, so practice early.

Feeding

A Saint Bernard eats a lot, but it should not eat freely. The AKC suggests a high-quality diet ideally formulated for large breeds, and a puppy should be kept lean rather than chubby. Your vet can help set a growth plan.

Adults need a complete diet suited to a giant breed, and portions depend on age, activity and condition. Our dog food calculator offers a starting estimate. Keep treats to roughly 10 percent of daily calories and check body condition often; see our overweight guide.

Saints, like other large, deep-chested breeds, can experience bloat, a life-threatening condition in which the stomach distends and twists. The causes are not fully understood, but experts agree that several small meals a day and avoiding vigorous exercise around mealtimes may help reduce the chances. A slow feeder can help if the dog gulps. Ask your vet about your dog's specific risk. Fresh water should always be available, and expect it to be shared with the floor.

Health

Giant breeds have shorter lives, and the AKC lists 8 to 10 years for the Saint Bernard. Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) is the best-known emergency in the breed, and the AKC highlights it for deep-chested giants like the Saint. Signs include a swollen hard belly, unproductive retching, restlessness, drooling and collapse. Go to an emergency vet right away; do not wait to see if it passes.

Hip dysplasia and eye disease are also seen. Loose lower eyelids (ectropion) can cause irritation or infection. Older dogs can develop laryngeal paralysis, which causes noisy breathing. The parent club recommends hip, elbow, cardiac and eye screening for breeding dogs, plus a DNA test for degenerative myelopathy, a spinal cord disease.

A responsible breeder tests breeding stock and openly discusses lifespan and health in their lines. Regular veterinary visits, weight control and keeping your dog cool will help it live comfortably. Ask your vet when to schedule heart checks as your dog ages.

Health conditions to know about

• Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) — A life-threatening twisting of the stomach in large, deep-chested dogs.
• Hip and elbow dysplasia — Joint malformation that can cause pain and arthritis.
• Eye disease including ectropion — Sagging lower eyelids cause irritation and infection.
• Heart disease — The parent club recommends a cardiac exam for breeding dogs.
• Laryngeal paralysis — Can develop in older dogs and cause noisy breathing.
• Degenerative myelopathy — A progressive spinal cord disease; a DNA test is available.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation
• Elbow evaluation
• Cardiac exam
• Eye exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist
• Degenerative myelopathy DNA test

Read more: bloat (gdv), hip dysplasia, luxating patella.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Saint Bernard

This is not an apartment dog. A Saint Bernard needs space to turn around, a cool, shaded area, and a home where stairs and slippery floors will not be a danger to heavy joints. A securely fenced yard is ideal, although the dog should live indoors with its family rather than outside.

Cool climates suit the breed best. In hot weather, air conditioning, fans and cooling mats are important. Plan for practical matters too: a large crate or a big bed, a vehicle that can carry 150 lb of dog, strong leashes, and a budget for food, vet care and grooming that is considerably larger than for a typical pet.

Saints tend to be fine with children, other dogs and cats, particularly when raised with them. Drool, shedding and the occasional house-wide wag are part of life. They are not happy left alone for long hours, so a household with someone home during the day is a better match. A baby gate and ramp for the car can protect backs and joints as the dog ages.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Saint Bernard puppies vary widely in price, and ownership costs over a lifetime are high because of food, veterinary care and equipment. Be cautious about inexpensive litters from unknown sources.

Look for a breeder who is active in the national parent club or in local breed activities, who health tests the parents, and who will show you the mother and explain the line's health history. Ask about hip and elbow evaluations, cardiac and eye exams, and the degenerative myelopathy DNA test, and how the puppies are socialized. A good breeder will ask you plenty of questions, offer a written contract and take a dog back at any time.

Rescue is a worthwhile option. Breed-specific rescues regularly place adult Saints, whose temperament and size are already known. Plan for a vet check in the first few days, early training classes, and our puppy first week checklist. Remember that you are committing to an animal that will weigh as much as an adult person for around a decade.