Saint Bernard
Overview
Bred by monks at the Great St Bernard Pass to find and rescue travellers in the Alps, the Saint Bernard is the archetypal gentle giant — calm, patient and wonderful with children. It suits homes with space who can manage heavy shedding, drooling and giant-breed costs, and who'll keep this affectionate mountain dog cool and lean.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Saint Bernard is excellent with children of all ages and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a quiet, and as a guide they are manageable for committed beginners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Saint Bernard typically needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (roughly 30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is regular brushing and shedding is high. Brush regularly (a few times a week) to keep the coat healthy and remove loose hair. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Saint Bernard should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a giant breed will eat a fair amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Gentle, patient and superb with children
- +Calm and affectionate family companion
Things to consider
- –Enormous size, heavy shedding and drooling
- –Giant-breed costs and a shorter lifespan
Is a Saint Bernard right for you?
On space, a Saint Bernard is needs plenty of space — they really need plenty of room and a lot of daily activity. For experience level, they are manageable for committed beginners. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Saint Bernard
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Saint Bernards good with children?
Excellent with children of all ages. As a general guide, Saint Bernards tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Saint Bernard need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Saint Bernard needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Saint Bernards shed a lot?
High shedding. Coat upkeep is regular brushing — brush regularly to keep the coat in good condition.
Are Saint Bernards easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Saint Bernards are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Saint Bernards bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Saint Bernards good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Saint Bernards suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Saint Bernard really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.