Saint Bernard
GentleWatchfulPatient
Switzerland / Italy · 8–10 years
About the Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is a legendary giant breed originally developed by monks at the Great St. Bernard Hospice in the Swiss Alps for mountain rescue. These massive, powerful dogs have saved over 2,000 lives throughout their history, locating stranded travelers buried in snow. Despite their imposing size — males can exceed 180 pounds — Saint Bernards are gentle, patient, and remarkably good-natured. They are calm, affectionate family dogs that are especially patient with children, earning them the nickname 'nanny dogs.'
Breed stats
- Height
- 26–30 in
- Weight
- 120–180 lbs
- Lifespan
- 8–10 years
- Group
- Working
- Coat
- Short or long, dense double coat
- Origin
- Switzerland / Italy
Coat colors
- Red and White
- Brindle and White
- Brown and White
Temperament & ratings
Compatibility
Exercise & feeding
Daily exercise
30–60 min
per day recommended
Daily food
4–6 cups
high-quality dry food
Common health issues
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Osteosarcoma
Not every Saint Bernard will develop these conditions, but awareness helps with early detection. Regular veterinary checkups and choosing a responsible breeder who health-tests their dogs are the best preventive measures.
Can Saint Bernards eat...
- Can dogs eat blueberries?Safe
- Can dogs eat grapes?Toxic
- Can dogs eat bananas?Safe
- Can dogs eat chocolate?Toxic
- Can dogs eat watermelon?Safe
- Can dogs eat cheese?Caution
- Can dogs eat almonds?Caution
- Can dogs eat apples?Safe
Frequently Asked Questions
- Yes, Saint Bernards are notorious droolers. Their loose, pendulous jowls make drooling virtually constant, and it increases dramatically after eating, drinking, or when they smell food. Many Saint Bernard owners keep towels strategically placed around the house and learn to wipe their dog's face regularly. Drool can end up on walls, furniture, clothing, and visitors. If drool is a deal-breaker, this breed is probably not for you. Some Saint Bernards with tighter lip structure drool less, but all drool significantly compared to most breeds.
- Saint Bernards are exceptionally good with children and have a well-deserved reputation as gentle giants. They are patient, tolerant, and naturally protective of young family members. Their calm, steady temperament means they rarely react aggressively even when accidentally poked or climbed on by small children. However, their enormous size is a consideration — an adult Saint Bernard can easily knock over a toddler simply by wagging its tail or turning around. Supervision is always recommended with very young children, not because of temperament concerns but purely due to the size difference.
- Saint Bernards were bred for cold alpine conditions and do not tolerate heat well. Their thick double coat and massive body make them prone to overheating in warm climates. They can live in warmer areas if owners provide air-conditioned indoor living, limit outdoor activity to cooler hours (early morning and evening), ensure constant access to fresh water, and watch for signs of heatstroke. They should never be left outdoors in hot weather. If you live in a consistently hot climate, a Saint Bernard may not be the ideal breed choice.
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