How much exercise does a Saint Bernard need?

Saint Bernards are high-energy dogs requiring 60+ minutes of vigorous daily exercise and mental stimulation.

How often should I groom my Saint Bernard?

Saint Bernards require intensive grooming with daily brushing and regular professional grooming sessions.

How do I train a Saint Bernard?

Saint Bernards are highly trainable and typically respond well to positive reinforcement methods.

Are Saint Bernards good with children?

Saint Bernards are excellent with children. Their natural patience, gentle nature, and resilience make them outstanding family dogs. They typically form strong bonds with children and tend to be forgiving of the occasional accidental rough handling that can occur with younger kids. Remember that proper socialization and teaching children appropriate interaction with dogs are always important, regardless of breed.

What makes the Saint Bernard unique compared to other dog breeds?

The Saint Bernard stands out from other breeds due to its dignified appearance and bearing, rich heritage from Switzerland, specialized abilities for draft, search, rescue. This unique combination of characteristics makes them special among dog breeds and appeals to owners who appreciate these distinct qualities. Understanding these traits helps provide appropriate care tailored to their specific needs.

What should I know before getting a Saint Bernard?

Before bringing a Saint Bernard into your home, potential owners should consider: They have high exercise requirements (4/5) and need an active owner. Their coat requires significant maintenance (4/5) with regular grooming sessions. They typically excel in family environments with children (5/5 child-friendliness). They're typically highly trainable (5/5) and eager to learn. Their large size requires adequate living space. Additionally, researching reputable breeders or rescue organizations is essential for finding a healthy, well-socialized Saint Bernard. Understanding these factors will help ensure a good match between the breed and your lifestyle, leading to a happy relationship for both you and your dog.

What were Saint Bernards originally bred for?

Saint Bernards were originally bred for draft, search, rescue. As part of the Working group, they share characteristics with other breeds developed for similar purposes. Understanding your Saint Bernard's breeding heritage helps explain many of their natural behaviors and instincts, which can be channeled appropriately through training and enrichment activities. Even though modern Saint Bernards are primarily companions, these inherent traits remain part of their genetic makeup.

How long do Saint Bernards typically live?

The average lifespan of a Saint Bernard is 7 - 10 years. With proper care including quality nutrition, regular veterinary check-ups, appropriate exercise, and preventative healthcare, some Saint Bernards may live beyond this range. Genetics, environment, and healthcare all play important roles in determining longevity.

← Back to Breeds

Saint BernardImage not available

Saint Bernard

Q: What is the temperament of a Saint Bernard?

Saint Bernards are known to be friendly, lively, gentle, watchful, calm, gentle, affectionate, friendly, funny, sweet, up to date with all preventatives, knows how to sit shake and lay down, loves, brave, playful, smart, curious, independent, loyal, dog friendly, not cat friendly, kid friendly, quiet, athletic, gentle giant, good with dogs, shy, low energy, single dog home, very kissy, dignified, couch, medium energy, spayed neutered, shy at first but fast to make friends. This combination of traits makes them excellent companions for families with children. Their temperament is influenced by both genetics and proper socialization from an early age.

Written by Dr. Sarah Johnson, Veterinary Consultant

Published: January 15, 2024 • Last updated: September 18, 2025

Temperament

Friendly, Lively, Gentle, Watchful, Calm, Gentle, Affectionate, Friendly, Funny, Sweet, Up To Date With All Preventatives, Knows How To Sit Shake And Lay Down, Loves, Brave, Playful, Smart, Curious, Independent, Loyal, Dog Friendly, Not Cat Friendly, Kid Friendly, Quiet, Athletic, Gentle Giant, Good with Dogs, Shy, Low Energy, Single Dog Home, Very Kissy, Dignified, Couch, Medium Energy, Spayed Neutered, Shy At First But Fast To Make Friends

Weight

130 - 180 lbs

Height

25.5 - 27.5 inches

Life Span

7 - 10 years

Breed Group

Working

Bred For

Draft, search, rescue

Origin

Switzerland

Additional Characteristics

Good with Children5/5

Good with Other Dogs5/5

Trainability5/5

Energy Level4/5

Grooming Needs4/5

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs4/5

They are high-energy dogs that need significant daily exercise and mental stimulation.

Grooming Requirements4/5

They have high grooming needs requiring frequent brushing and regular professional grooming.

Trainability5/5

Highly trainable and quick to learn commands

Good with Children5/5

They are excellent with children and often form strong bonds with them.

Good with Other Dogs5/5

🐕 Saint Bernard Guide

📚 Explore comprehensive information about this breed

Overview

About the Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is a wonderful dog breed with unique characteristics.

Breed Purpose

Draft, search, rescue

Temperament

Finding similar breeds...

How We Find Similar Breeds

We analyze breed characteristics including temperament, size, appearance, and care needs to identify the most similar dog breeds. This helps you discover alternatives that might be a good match for your lifestyle and preferences.

Adopt a Saint Bernard

Pure Breed Only

Filter to show only purebred Saint Bernards (excludes mixed breeds and crosses)

Find Dogs Near You

Enter your location to discover adoptable pets nearby

Required

Find Your Perfect Saint Bernard Match!

Enter your location above to discover adorable Saint Bernards waiting for their forever homes near you!

With thousands of dogs available, your new best friend might be just a few miles away.

Our search covers over 6,000 adoptable dogs within 50 miles

No rescue organizations found

Try searching with a different location or contact your local animal shelter for information.

No verified breeders found for Saint Bernards

We prioritize rescue and adoption. Please consider adopting from a shelter or rescue organization.

Adoption guide not available

Please check back later for information on adopting this breed.

Saint Bernard

Temperament

Weight

Height

Life Span

Breed Group

Bred For

Origin

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Characteristics

Care Requirements

About the Saint Bernard

Breed Purpose

Temperament

Breeds Similar to Saint Bernard

How We Find Similar Breeds

Adopt a Saint Bernard

Find Dogs Near You

Adoptable Saint Bernards

Find Your Perfect Saint Bernard Match!

Rescue Organizations

No rescue organizations found

Reputable Breeders

No verified breeders found for Saint Bernards

Adoption Guide

Adoption guide not available