Saint Bernard

Temperament & Personality

You’ll find the Saint Bernard to be a gentle giant with a famously patient, mellow nature. Saints are typically affectionate and great with families – they’re “watchful, patient, and careful with children”. Early socialization further brings out their friendly, benevolent side. While generally friendly toward strangers, they can be quietly protective of their home, stepping between their loved ones and any perceived threat. Young Saint Bernards can be goofy and rambunctious, but adults settle into a calm, easygoing demeanor. Keep in mind this breed hates being isolated – a Saint that’s left alone too long may become anxious or destructive. They thrive on being included in family life (often trying to sit on your lap despite their size!). Overall, this breed’s loving temperament makes it a devoted companion, as long as you’re prepared for lots of drool and fur along with all that love.

Care, Living Environment, & Grooming

Saint Bernards do best in a spacious home where they have room to stretch out – a house with a yard is ideal. They can adapt to indoor living since adults are calm, but a small apartment will be challenging given their size (and powerful tail swipes!). These dogs tolerate cold weather very well (they love snow days) but overheat easily in hot, humid climates. In summer, you’ll want to keep your Saint mostly indoors with air conditioning and exercise them during cooler mornings or evenings. Moderate daily exercise is sufficient for this breed: two or three leisurely walks or play sessions per day will keep them fit. Avoid strenuous exercise or long runs – Saints aren’t built for distance running and their joints can be stressed by high-impact activity. Also, always provide access to fresh water and shade, as their thick coat can cause them to overheat if they play too hard.

Grooming a Saint Bernard is a significant but manageable task. Saints have a dense double coat (either short or longhaired) that sheds heavily, especially during spring and fall. You’ll want to stay on top of grooming to keep them (and your home) tidy:

• Brushing – Brush your Saint Bernard at least once a week, and daily during heavy shedding seasons. This helps remove dead undercoat and reduces the tumbleweeds of fur.
• Drool & Face Care – Keep a cloth handy to wipe your Saint’s face after meals or drinks. Their jowls tend to fling drool, so daily “drool patrol” will prevent messes and skin irritation around the mouth.
• Bathing – Bathe your Saint Bernard every couple of months or as needed (more often if they’ve been drooling in the dirt!). Use a gentle dog shampoo, and be prepared for a long drying time due to that thick coat.
• Nails & Ears – Trim their nails about once a month and check their ears weekly. Those floppy ears can trap moisture, so a quick clean with a vet-approved ear wash helps prevent infections.

Regular grooming sessions are also a nice bonding time – your Saint will usually enjoy the attention. In terms of feeding, be sure to use an age-appropriate large/giant breed diet to support their slow growth (in puppies) and maintain healthy weight. It’s better to feed two measured meals a day (rather than free-feeding) to help prevent bloat. Always prevent vigorous activity right after meals for the same reason.

Training & Socialization

Training a Saint Bernard early is important simply because they grow so big so fast. The good news is that Saints are typically eager to please and respond well to gentle, consistent training. Positive reinforcement methods – using treats, praise, and affection – work best with this sensitive breed. Harsh training is not necessary (and may hurt their feelings). Focus first on basic obedience and manners: leash walking without pulling, not jumping up on people (a 150-pound Saint can bowl you over with a friendly hello), and commands like sit, stay, and recall. Start in puppyhood if possible, when that giant frame is still pint-sized and manageable.

Early socialization is equally crucial. Expose your Saint Bernard pup to a variety of people, dogs, and environments so they grow up confident and unflappable. Luckily, most Saints are naturally social butterflies that are tolerant of other animals. They don’t have a strong prey drive, so many can live peacefully with cats or smaller dogs if introduced properly. Still, supervised interactions and puppy classes are great for teaching your Saint polite play. You’ll also want to get them accustomed to car rides, vet visits, and grooming from a young age. A well-socialized, well-trained Saint Bernard will be a wonderfully polite giant who draws adoring looks everywhere you go. Consistency is key – even though they have a calm temperament, don’t let that fool you into skipping training. A dog of this size must learn boundaries (for example, your Saint should respond when you say “enough” to playtime or they could accidentally knock someone over). With patience and kindness, you’ll find Saint Bernards are quite trainable and keen to make you happy.

Health Considerations

Saint Bernards have a relatively short lifespan of around 8 to 10 years. As a giant breed, they are prone to certain hereditary and size-related health issues. Reputable breeders will perform screening tests (hips, elbows, heart, and eyes) to reduce the risk of inherited problems. Keep your Saint at a healthy weight and on a good preventive vet care schedule – it makes a big difference for their long-term health. Common health concerns in the Saint Bernard include:

• Hip & Elbow Dysplasia – Malformed joints in the rear or front legs can lead to arthritis and mobility problems. It’s widespread in large breeds, so ask your vet about early screening or supplements. Watching your Saint’s weight is crucial, since extra pounds strain their joints.
• Bloat (GDV) – Like many deep-chested breeds, Saints are at risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), where the stomach fills with gas and twists. Bloat is a life-threatening emergency that can occur suddenly. Learn the signs (e.g. unproductive retching, a swollen hard belly) and seek vet care immediately if you suspect bloat. To help prevent it, use divided meals and avoid heavy exercise right after eating.
• Bone Cancer & Other Cancers – Unfortunately, Saint Bernards have higher incidences of certain cancers. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is one example that tends to affect the leg bones. Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes) is another seen in the breed. Early detection and veterinary care are important, so don’t skip those yearly check-ups – your vet may spot warning signs.
• Eye Disorders – Those droopy eyelids can sometimes cause problems like entropion, where the eyelids roll inward and irritate the eye, or ectropion, where lids sag outward. Cherry eye (a prolapsed tear gland) can also occur. Many eye issues can be corrected with surgery if needed. Regularly wiping any eye discharge and watching for redness or squinting will help catch issues early.
• Heart Conditions – Some Saints develop heart diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy (an enlarged, weakened heart). A cardiac evaluation is one of the recommended health tests for the breed. Keeping your Saint at a lean weight and in good fitness can support heart health. If your vet detects a murmur or arrhythmia, they may suggest further testing or medications.

Staying proactive with vet care is the best way to keep your Saint Bernard healthy and happy for as long as possible. Many owners also choose to carry pet insurance for this breed, given the potential for costly orthopedic surgeries or emergency bloat surgery. With regular check-ups, a quality diet, and mindful exercise, your gentle giant has the best chance at a full, tail-wagging life.

Cost of Ownership

Owning a Saint Bernard comes with a significant financial commitment. The average annual cost is around $2,200 when you factor in all the basics. Food will be one of your biggest expenses – a Saint Bernard eats a lot! High-quality large-breed dog food can run about $600–$800 per year for an adult. Routine veterinary care (wellness exams, vaccines, flea/heartworm prevention) might be roughly $300–$500 a year. Given this breed’s health predispositions, many owners also invest in pet insurance, which could be about $500 per year (premiums are higher for giant breeds). Grooming costs for a Saint are moderate: you may spend $200 or so annually on professional baths or grooming tools (though many tasks you can do at home, like brushing and nail trims). Don’t forget miscellaneous needs like treats, toys, a jumbo-sized bed, and possibly larger quantities of cleaning supplies – drool rags and lint rollers will become your friends!

First-year costs tend to be higher. A Saint Bernard puppy can easily incur $2,000+ in initial expenses between the purchase/adoption fee, spay/neuter surgery, first-year vaccinations, and all the gear needed (think gigantic crate, heavy-duty leash, food bowls big enough for a giant, etc.). Their rapid growth means you’ll be sizing up collars or harnesses frequently that first year. It’s wise to budget extra for puppy training classes as well, given the importance of early obedience for this breed.

While Saints aren’t cheap to keep, most owners will tell you their gentle, loving presence is well worth it. If you prepare for the costs – and maybe set aside an emergency pet fund – you’ll be in good shape to care for your big furry family member.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Gentle, patient, and excellent with children (a true family dog)
• Devoted and protective of their family, with a natural instinct to watch over loved ones
• Generally calm and well-mannered indoors (not a hyper breed)
• Eager to please and responsive to training, despite their giant size

Cons

• Very large size – requires plenty of space and can be awkward in small homes
• Lots of drooling and heavy shedding, which can be messy for tidy households
• Short lifespan (around 8–10 years) and prone to various health issues
• Not tolerant of hot weather; can overheat easily in warm climates
• Can develop separation anxiety or boredom if left alone too long

Fun Facts

• The Saint Bernard originated as a rescue dog in the Swiss Alps. A famous Saint Bernard named Barry lived at a mountain hospice in the early 1800s and is credited with saving about 40 people lost in the snow – the breed was even once nicknamed the “Barryhund” in his honor.
• The iconic image of a Saint Bernard with a brandy barrel on its collar is mostly legend. Monks at the Saint Bernard Hospice did not actually outfit their dogs with barrels of brandy – that myth became popular after an 1820 painting. (In reality, alcohol would have worsened hypothermia for rescue victims!)
• The Saint Bernard was officially recognized as the national dog of Switzerland in 1887. Today, they remain an enduring symbol of Alpine life and are beloved as gentle mascots and therapy dogs, in addition to their family pet role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Saint Bernards shed a lot?

Yes – Saint Bernards are heavy shedders. They have a thick double coat that sheds year-round and “blows” seasonally in spring and fall. You’ll definitely be dealing with fur on your furniture and clothes. Regular brushing (especially during peak shedding seasons) will help control the fluff. Many Saint owners invest in a good vacuum and embrace the dog-hair decor! On the plus side, their coat is pretty low-maintenance in terms of clipping – it just sheds profusely.

Are Saint Bernards good apartment dogs?

Generally, Saint Bernards are not ideal for apartment living. Their giant size alone can be an issue in tight spaces – imagine a huge Saint trying to navigate a studio apartment or ride in a small elevator. They also can knock things over with an enthusiastic tail wag. While adult Saints are calm indoors, they still need room to sprawl out comfortably. Another factor is the stairs and heat of many apartment buildings; Saints can struggle with too many stairs (not great for their joints) and they overheat easily if there’s no A/C. If you have a very large ground-floor apartment and are diligent about daily outdoor exercise, it’s possible – but most first-time Saint owners will do better in a home with a yard.

How much exercise does a Saint Bernard need?

Despite their working-dog history, Saint Bernards have moderate exercise needs. They are not super high-energy dogs. Plan on at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be a couple of nice long walks around the neighborhood and maybe a short play session (many Saints enjoy a gentle game of fetch or splashing in a kiddie pool). Puppies and young Saints will be more playful and may need a bit more activity to tire out. Avoid intense exercise like running miles or jumping from heights – their joints aren’t built for extreme impact. Also be cautious exercising during hot weather. A well-exercised Saint Bernard will be content to snooze at your feet for the rest of the day.

Can first-time owners handle a Saint Bernard?

A first-time dog owner can handle a Saint Bernard if they are well-prepared and committed, but it is a challenging choice. The breed’s easygoing temperament actually makes them somewhat beginner-friendly in personality – they are sweet-natured and not as stubborn as some breeds. However, the sheer size and maintenance of a Saint is what can overwhelm newcomers. You’ll be managing a dog that could weigh 120–180 lbs, with corresponding food needs, waste output, and potential veterinary expenses. First-time owners must be comfortable training a giant breed (enrolling in puppy obedience classes is highly recommended) and should have a living situation that accommodates a large dog. If you’re up for the grooming, drool cleanup, and the patience required to train a big, slow-maturing puppy, a Saint Bernard can be an incredibly rewarding first dog. Many novice owners do just fine – just go in with your eyes open and perhaps find a mentor or join a Saint Bernard owner community to swap tips. With love and consistency, your gentle giant will repay you with endless affection.

References

1. AKC - Saint Bernard
2. Lassen Veterinary Services - Saint Bernard
3. PetMD - Saint Bernard
4. AKC - St. Bernard Health Statement