Breed comparison
Bernese Mountain Dog vs Saint Bernard
Bernese Mountain Dog or Saint Bernard? Both are gentle Swiss giants with huge hearts and thick coats, so families who want a big, kind dog often cross-shop them. The short answer: the Bernese Mountain Dog is the lighter, more active and heavier-shedding dog, while the Saint Bernard is bigger, calmer and much droolier. Both overheat easily, both have short life spans, and both need a budget for vet bills. Your choice mostly comes down to how much shedding, drool and sheer size you can live with.
Photo: FriendlyToaster · CC BY 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Blanky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Saint Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Giant |
| Height | 23–27.5 in (58–70 cm) | 26–30 in (66–76 cm) |
| Weight | 70–115 lb (32–52 kg) | 120–180 lb (54–82 kg) |
| Life span | 7–10 years | 8–10 years |
| Group | Working | Working |
| Coat | Moderately long, silky double coat, slightly wavy or straight | Short smooth coat or longer coat, both dense |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | No |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
The Saint Bernard is the larger dog, at 26 to 30 in (66 to 76 cm) and 120 to 180 lb (54 to 82 kg). The Bernese stands 23 to 27.5 in (58 to 70 cm) and weighs 70 to 115 lb (32 to 52 kg). A typical Saint outweighs a typical Bernese by a wide margin. Neither suits small spaces, with apartment scores of 1 out of 5 for the Saint and 2 for the Bernese.
Energy and exercise
The Bernese scores 3 out of 5 for energy and exercise, and PetMD describes it as generally calm but easily enticed to play. The Saint scores 2 for energy and 3 for exercise, and PetMD suggests about 30 minutes a day, more if you offer it. Both score 1 out of 5 for heat tolerance. Walk in cool weather and keep both indoors on hot days.
Coat and grooming
The Bernese has a moderately long, silky double coat and scores 5 out of 5 for shedding and 4 for grooming. PetMD says to brush it several times a week, if not daily. The Saint comes in short and long coats, sheds a little less (4 out of 5) and scores 3 for grooming. The bigger difference is drool, where the Saint scores 5 out of 5 and the Bernese 2.
Temperament and training
Both score 5 out of 5 for affection and for kids. The Bernese is the more biddable of the two (4 versus 3 for trainability), and PetMD describes it as exceptionally smart and eager to please. The Saint is also smart and eager to please, but can be slow-moving and stubborn, and size makes handling harder. The Saint is friendlier with strangers (4 versus 3) and barks a little less (2 versus 3).
Health and life span
Berners typically live 7 to 10 years and Saints 8 to 10 years, and PetMD gives the same ranges for both breeds. Both are at risk of bloat and hip and elbow dysplasia, and both are prone to ear infections. PetMD adds histiocytic sarcoma and other cancers for the Bernese, and bone cancer, lymphoma and Wobbler syndrome for the Saint. Our health meter rates the Bernese lowest of the pair (1 versus 2 out of 5).
Cost and care
Giant-dog costs add up quickly. The Saint eats the most and needs the most space, while the Bernese needs the most brushing. Both need strong cleaning routines, pet insurance and an emergency plan for bloat, which needs urgent veterinary care. Keep a cool, shaded spot and fans or air conditioning in summer.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Bernese Mountain Dog if you want a gentle, trainable and somewhat more active giant, and you can handle heavy shedding, regular brushing and a high cancer risk. Choose the Saint Bernard if you want a calmer, larger, more easygoing house giant, and you are ready for serious drool and the biggest food and space needs. Both are heavy, hot-weather-averse dogs with short lives, so pick a breeder who health tests the parents, price pet insurance early and go in knowing you will likely have fewer years together than with a smaller breed.
Bernese Mountain Dog profile Saint Bernard profile
Frequently asked questions
Which sheds more, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Saint Bernard?
The Bernese, at 5 out of 5 versus 4 for the Saint. PetMD says the Bernese sheds heavily year-round and more with the seasons.
Which drools more, a Saint Bernard or a Bernese?
The Saint Bernard, at 5 out of 5 versus 2 for the Bernese. PetMD notes heavy drooling because of the Saint's large head.
Which lives longer, a Bernese or a Saint Bernard?
They are close. Our profiles list 7 to 10 years for the Bernese and 8 to 10 years for the Saint.