Breed profile

Saint Bernard

Explore the care, lifestyle and household factors that matter before making a commitment.

Saint Bernard
SizeGiant
ExerciseModerate
GroomingModerate
ChildrenGood
BarkingModerate
HealthHigh
What this means

Source-linked data has been researched to help you make an informed decision about life with this breed.

Read how evidence is handled

At a glance

Key facts

Size classGiant
Adult weight54 to 81 kg
Exercise needModerate
Energy levelModerate
BarkingModerate
Grooming effortModerate
Health burdenHigh

Breed profile

Life with this breed

Home and lifestyle

Flat suitability
Poor fit
Alone tolerance
Moderate
Energy level
Moderate
First-time owner fit
Possible

Care and training

Minimum daily exercise
60 minutes
Mental stimulation
Moderate
Trainability
Moderate
Grooming effort
Moderate
Professional grooming
Low maintenance
Shedding
Moderate

Household fit

Children
Good
Dogs
Moderate
Cats
Moderate
Prey drive
Moderate
Visitors
Moderate

Health and evidence

Health burden
High
Heat tolerance
Moderate
Cold tolerance
Moderate

Health-burden evidence confidence: Medium.

Recorded health considerations

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)
  • Entropion
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy

These are breed-level considerations, not a diagnosis or a guarantee that an individual dog will be affected.

Children and pets need supervision and careful introductions. Individual behaviour varies.

Sources for this breed