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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. Full-grown, they typically weigh 120-180 pounds and stand 26-30 inches tall.

Saint Bernards are generally excellent with children of all ages. 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. They're relatively quiet and don't bark much.

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. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

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. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Saint Bernards are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. 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. They are moderately trainable with consistent effort.

Mastiffs are far from the imposing beasts they may appear to be. This breed is the heaviest dog around, but judging by their personalities, most of that weight lies in their hearts. Mastiffs are kind, gentle souls who protect if needed but would choose a hug over hostility any day.

English Mastiffs are generally not the best fit for families with young kids. Mastiffs are good with children and get along well with other dogs and pets with socialization. Their good-natured temperament lends well to families with children, and they often put up with playing, pranks, and hijinks without batting an eye. They're relatively quiet and don't bark much.

In spite of their imposing size, the adult Mastiff doesn’t need a ton of exercise. These dogs enjoy walks around the block, a light job, or playtime in a large, fenced-in yard. Mastiff puppies shouldn’t be overly exercised because they need all of their energy to grow strong bones and put on weight. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

Mastiffs have a short-haired, fawn (light-yellow brown) coat that ranges in color from silver to apricot to dark brindle. These dogs are recognizable by their black mask, ears, and nose. Because their hair is so short, the Mastiff’s coat needs little attention; brushing them with a rubber brush once in a while should do the trick. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

English Mastiffs are best suited for a house with a good-sized yard. Mastiffs are ill-suited for hot weather and prefer life indoors where they can relax on a soft pillow or cold tile. Because of their size, Mastiffs aren’t practical for apartments and will be more comfortable in homes with a yard. They are moderately trainable with consistent effort.