Saint Bernard
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Breed Group | Working |
| Size | Large (120-180 lbs) |
| Height | 26-30 in |
| Lifespan | 8-10 years |
| Temperament | Playful, Charming, Inquisitive |
| Good with Kids | Excellent |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate |
| Grooming Needs | High |
Recommended for Saint Bernards
A short life at a huge size
Saint Bernards stand about 26 to 30 inches and weigh 120 to 180 pounds. They are playful as youngsters and slower as adults. Exercise is moderate walks. A puppy should not be jogged, and an adult should not be asked to hike in July. They are usually excellent with children if the children are not trampled by enthusiasm.
Shed is moderate and the drool is not. Keep towels. Keep a floor they can stand up on without slipping. Vet care, food, and a car that fits are the budget. A Saint that cannot rise smoothly may be orthopedic, cardiac, or simply too hot.
Heart, bone cancer, and the twisted stomach
Dilated cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, osteosarcoma, and entropion are common enough to expect a conversation, not a surprise. Bloat is the middle-of-the-night emergency. Unproductive retching in a dog this size is a drive to a surgeon. VCA's bloat article is the one to read on a calm evening. The vomiting guide is the other tab.
Saint Bernard questions
Do Saint Bernards drool that much?
Yes. After meals, after water, and when they are excited. If drool on the ceiling bothers you, the breed will bother you every day.
Are they outdoor dogs?
No. The coat is not a license to live in a yard. They overheat, they are social, and a lonely giant becomes a barker with hip pain.
When should you talk about bloat surgery?
At the spay or neuter, ask about a gastropexy. It is a tack of the stomach. It is not a guarantee, and it is more useful than any bowl-height theory.
A Saint Bernard is a giant, short-lived dog. Many are old by seven or eight. Gastric dilatation-volvulus, osteosarcoma, and hip disease are the expensive endings, and drool plus a large food bill start on day one. They do not belong in a hot apartment or up a flight of stairs every day. A gastropexy is a conversation to have at the spay or neuter, not after the stomach twists.
The consistency you bring to these routines matters more than any grand gesture.
Buying Guides for Saint Bernard
The height floor is different for each sex
The 26 to 30 inch line in the quick facts spans both sexes. The American Kennel Club standard sets a minimum of 27.5 inches for males and 25.5 inches for females, inside a weight band of about 120 to 180 pounds. Rough coats and smooth coats are both Saint Bernards. Exercise stays a moderate walk, and summer heat is the limit on how far that walk goes. A gastropexy at the time of altering is a surgical tack of the stomach worth discussing with the surgeon. It lowers the chance of a twist, and unproductive retching is still an emergency drive because bloat can happen anyway. Hip dysplasia, entropion, dilated cardiomyopathy, and osteosarcoma are the other adult conversations to expect.