Also called St. Bernard, St. Bernhardshund, Bernhardiner, Alpine Spaniel (historic) · Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs · Switzerland
A kind, easygoing dog with a steady, calm to lively nature.
A kind, easygoing dog with a steady, calm to lively nature. Saint Bernards are affectionate with their family, usually friendly toward strangers and other dogs, and keep a quiet eye on their home. Early training matters simply because of their size, and they respond well to patient, consistent handling.231
how to spot oneSaint Bernard coat and colours
double coat, short-haired or long-haired
Two coat types exist. The short-haired dog has a dense, smooth, close-lying outer coat over plenty of undercoat, with slightly bushier hair on the thighs and tail. The long-haired dog has a straight, medium-length outer coat with feathering on the forelegs, 'trousers' on the thighs and a full, bushy tail. Both have a massive, muscular frame and a large head with a friendly, attentive expression.23
Comes inwhite with red patcheswhite with a red mantle (clear to dark red)white with broken red mantlered-brown/brownish-yellow and whitebrindle and whitewhite markings on chest, feet, tail tip, noseband, blaze and collar or nape234
a typical week and yearThe care rhythm
A typical home-care rhythm for a Saint Bernard. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery week
Deshedding spring and autumnExtra brushing while the coat blowsevery day
Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
Bathevery 10 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseAbout 45 minutes a dayevery day
Heat care summerWalk in the cool morning and eveningevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 6every year
how busy a day looksSaint Bernard exercise needs
Low to moderate. Hill's describes a laid-back breed that needs little intense exercise; The Royal Kennel Club suggests up to an hour a day of steady walking. They enjoy cool weather and relaxed outings more than high-speed play.14
where they are happiestSaint Bernard at home
Needs a home with space for a very large dog and a secure garden. The dense coat makes them happiest in cool climates; in warm weather provide shade, fresh water and a cool place indoors. They like to live close to their people.142
who they like aroundSaint Bernard with people and other pets
Very people-focused and happiest as part of family life; generally sociable with other dogs and visitors.31
the hands-on bitsSaint Bernard grooming and care
Brush more than once a week (The Royal Kennel Club), and more often during the two heavy seasonal sheds in spring and autumn. Long-haired dogs need extra attention on the feathering and trousers. Keep a towel handy, as many Saint Bernards drool.412
what goes in the bowlSaint Bernard food and feeding
A complete diet made for large or giant breeds, fed in measured portions. Because they are calm and need less exercise, they often need fewer calories per kilo than their size suggests, so avoid overfeeding and keep them lean.1
the things everyone asksOwner questions
How often should I feed my Saint Bernard, and at what times?
Feed at least two measured meals a day to help prevent bloat and keep weight steady. Puppies need three to four smaller meals. Follow the food label for portions and ask your vet for a plan tailored to your dog's age and activity.17
What should a Saint Bernard eat, and which foods are dangerous?
A complete diet made for large or giant breeds is best, fed in measured portions to keep your dog lean. Avoid chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and other foods listed by the ASPCA as toxic for dogs.18
How often should I bathe a Saint Bernard?
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath about every 10 weeks, but you can bathe more often if your dog gets dirty. Use a gentle dog shampoo and always rinse thoroughly.9
How often does a Saint Bernard need brushing?
Brush more than once a week, and daily during the heavy seasonal sheds in spring and autumn. Long-haired dogs need extra attention on the feathering and trousers. This helps manage shedding and keeps the coat healthy.412
How do I trim a Saint Bernard's nails, and how often?
Trim nails about every four weeks, or sooner if you hear clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick (the pink part). If you are unsure, ask your vet or a groomer for a demonstration.9
How much exercise does a Saint Bernard need?
About 45 minutes to an hour of steady walking each day is enough. They enjoy cool weather and relaxed outings rather than high-speed play. Walk in the cool morning and evening during warm weather.14
How do I look after a Saint Bernard's teeth and ears?
Brush teeth two to three times a week using a dog-safe toothpaste, ideally daily. Check and dry the floppy ears weekly to prevent moisture buildup, and never push anything into the ear canal.9
How long does a Saint Bernard live?
Saint Bernards typically live 8 to 10 years. Senior years usually start around age 6, so regular vet check-ups become especially important then.14
Is a Saint Bernard good with children and other pets?
Yes, they are affectionate with family, generally friendly toward strangers and other dogs, and have a calm, steady nature. Early training and supervision with children is important simply because of their size.231
Can a Saint Bernard be left alone?
They are very people-focused and happiest as part of family life, so they do not like being left alone for long periods. If left alone, provide a comfortable space and consider a pet sitter or doggy daycare.31
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
what to watchSaint Bernard health problems
The conditions the breed clubs and health schemes name for the Saint Bernard. Most animals of the breed never get them; this is what to ask a breeder or an insurer about.
Hip dysplasia
The hip joint does not fit together well, which in a giant breed often means stiffness and arthritis from middle age. UK KC: a significant concern in the breed, hip scheme is good practice; no rate published on club pages ↗
Elbow dysplasia
A growth problem in the elbow joint that causes front-leg lameness, often from a young age. UK KC: a significant concern in the breed, elbow scheme is good practice ↗
Eyelid problems (entropion and ectropion)
Loose or inward-rolling eyelids leave the eyes sore and weepy; surgery fixes bad cases, and judges are asked to watch for exaggerated features. UK KC Breed Watch category 3 (conformation concerns); eye scheme is good practice ↗
Heart disease
Giant breeds can develop a weak heart muscle (dilated cardiomyopathy); a heart check before breeding is on the US club list. no published rate; cardiac exam is on the Saint Bernard Club of America CHIC list ↗
Degenerative myelopathy
A slow nerve disease of older dogs that weakens the back legs; a DNA test shows whether a dog carries the risk genes. no published rate; DNA test is on the CHIC list ↗
Short lifespan and giant-breed risks (bloat, bone cancer)
Saints usually live under 10 years and share the giant-breed risks of the stomach twisting (an emergency) and bone cancer, so an insurance check is worth it. UK KC lists lifespan as under 10 years; bloat and osteosarcoma are generic giant-breed risks with no breed rate published ↗
Tests a good breeder can show you
Hip evaluation (OFA or BVA/KC) Saint Bernard Club of America (CHIC) / UK Kennel Club good practice ↗
Elbow evaluation (OFA or BVA/KC) Saint Bernard Club of America (CHIC) / UK Kennel Club good practice ↗
Eye exam (BVA/KC Eye Scheme or ACVO) Saint Bernard Club of America (CHIC) / UK Kennel Club good practice ↗
Cardiac exam Saint Bernard Club of America (CHIC) ↗
Degenerative myelopathy DNA test Saint Bernard Club of America (CHIC) ↗
From the breed club or a health scheme. Not veterinary advice: for your own animal, ask your vet.
per year, in your countryWhat a Saint Bernard costs
Running costs for a Saint Bernard, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
by countryIs the Saint Bernard legal where you live?
1 of the 61 countries we check have a rule that names the Saint Bernard. Check the law before you travel or move, the details change.
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
homemade and simpleTreats they will love
Saint Bernard tip
Use kibble from your Saint Bernard's daily meal allowance as training rewards, and avoid fatty snacks or human food to help prevent obesity and digestive upset.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
for the dinner tableFun facts
1
Barry, the most famous hospice dog, is credited with saving more than 40 people; his preserved body is on display at the Natural History Museum of Bern.10
2
The picture of a Saint Bernard with a little brandy barrel on its collar comes from paintings by Edwin Landseer, not from the hospice's actual practice.4
3
When the Swiss stud book opened in 1884, its very first entry was a St. Bernard named Leon.2
4
The hospice keeps up a tradition of always having one dog named Barry.10
5
The Barry Foundation, which took over the hospice's 300-year-old kennel in 2005, breeds about 20 pedigree puppies a year.11
6
The dogs of the Great St Bernard Pass are credited with saving well over 2,000 people across three centuries.1
7
Famous screen Saint Bernards include Beethoven from the 1992 film and Nana in some adaptations of Peter Pan.6
the story behind itWhere the name comes from
The breed is named after Saint Bernard of Menthon, an 11th-century Catholic archdeacon who founded a famous hospice and hostel for travelers at the treacherous Great St. Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps, where the dogs were later developed by monks for rescue work.12
stars of the breedFamous ones
Barry The most famous St. Bernard rescue dog, credited with saving over 40 lives in the early 1800s.12
Beethoven The titular character of the 1992 family comedy film 'Beethoven'.13
Cujo The rabid St. Bernard antagonist of Stephen King's 1981 novel and 1983 film adaptation.13
Nana The Darling children's nursemaid dog is a St. Bernard in Disney's 1953 film Peter Pan, though in J.M. Barrie's original story she is a Newfoundland.14
I wake up slowly, heavy and warm on my bed. My human opens the door and I lumber over, tail wagging like a happy metronome. We go for a steady walk, sniffing every bush and lamppost. I greet every dog and person with a gentle nudge. Back home, I find my spot by the window and watch the birds. My family pats my head and I lean into them, a big warm shadow. When the mailman comes, I give a low 'woof' just to say hello. At dinner, I lie nearby, hoping for a stray crumb. At night, I snore softly, dreaming of snowy mountains and long naps.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
for a film nightOn screen
Films and series picked by Oskar, who made Pet Wiki.
Peter Pan1953
Nana, a big dog nursemaid, looks after the Darling children in London.
The breed takes its name from the hospice at the Great St Bernard Pass (2,469 m), founded in the 11th century by the monk Bernard of Menthon to shelter travellers crossing the Alps. Large dogs are recorded there from the second half of the 17th century, first as guards and companions to the monks. By the 18th century they were escorting travellers and finding people lost in snow and fog. The most famous of them, Barry (1800-1814), is credited with saving over 40 lives. Harsh winters from 1816 to 1818 cut the kennel's numbers, and from around 1830 dogs from local farms and Newfoundlands were brought in, which also produced the long-haired variety. Heinrich Schumacher began breeding from hospice lines in 1855, the Swiss stud book opened in 1884 with St. Bernards as its first entries, the breed was officially recognised on 2 June 1887 and became the Swiss national dog. The name 'St. Bernard' only became standard in the later 19th century. The Saint Bernard Club of America was founded in 1888. The last recorded rescue by the hospice dogs was in 1955, and since 2005 the Barry Foundation in Martigny has run the historic hospice kennel.215641110
Standard No. 61 (St. Bernard), Group 2, Section 2.2 Molossian type, mountain type; short-haired and long-haired varieties; definitive acceptance 28 Aug 1954; current standard published 4 Apr 20165
Swiss Kennel Club (SKG)
Officially recognised as a Swiss breed on 2 Jun 1887 and regarded as the Swiss national dog; the Swiss stud book opened in 1884 with St. Bernards as its first entries2
Leonberger
Newfoundland
Bernese Mountain Dog
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Pyrenean Mastiff