Saint Bernard

Breed Group: working

"I’m just a sweet little saint trapped in a big dog’s body!"

Breed Profile

Despite their big, brawny bodies, the Saint Bernard’s heart is much bigger than their bite. They may be one of the largest and heaviest breeds around, but all these family-friendly dogs want is to love and be loved in return.

Behavior

The Saint Bernard is the epitome of “man’s best friend.” These dogs are sweet, lovable, and good-natured, but they’ll defend their owners and territories if threatened. This loyalty (along with their mammoth size) makes them common choices for family watch dogs. When they aren’t keeping an eye on things, you can find Saint Bernards playing the day away, napping next to you, and showing their love through a healthy helping of slobber.

Coat

The Saint Bernard’s coat is typically white with black, red, brindle, and/or tan markings. Most dogs have black ears, and show dogs may have white hair on their legs, chest, collar, tail tip, and blaze (the vertical line between their eyes). Saint Bernards shed twice a year to get rid of their summer and winter coats. During that time, keep a brush and a vacuum handy because their sheer size lends itself to a lot of fur.

Lifestyle

Saint Bernards are friendly with children, other dogs, and pets. They are quite large, even as puppies, so it’s wise to keep an eye on them around small kids and dogs to prevent accidents. Because of their size, Saint Bernards are better suited for homes with large yards instead of apartments, and they prefer to be indoors. They can develop bad habits (like barking, digging, and stealing food from the table) if they’re bored or left unsupervised for too long, so keep an eye on them even when they’re inside.

Activity

Saint Bernards need daily exercise but not as much as you might think. A walk or run each day will keep them satisfied, but exercise should definitely be part of their routine to keep them from getting obese. When walking your Saint Bernard as a puppy, teach them not to pull on the leash. This habit will come in handy as they grow larger and larger. These dogs also love to run free, so the bigger your yard is, the better (as long as it’s fenced, of course).

Characteristics

Space Needs

Activity Needs

Intelligence

Playfulness

Grooming Needs

Trainability

Watch Ability

Dog-friendliness

Child-friendliness

About the Saint Bernard

These mild-mannered mammoths are about as lovable as they come. As one of the largest and heaviest breeds, Saint Bernards have massive bodies with big hearts to match. Their size and deep bark are enough to keep intruders away, but they aren’t as scary as they may seem. Contrary to their appearance, Saint Bernards are big bundles of love who enjoy being around family, taking naps, and leaving puddles of drool in their trail. They need training to break their stubborn streaks, but once they know the law, these pups will obey and love you through thick and thin.