Saint Bernard weight chart
A Saint Bernard is a giant breed with a genuinely long growth period, typically not reaching full adult weight of around 55 to 90kg until somewhere between 18 and 24 months old, considerably later than most medium and small breeds finish growing. Reading a giant breed growth chart is less about hitting a number at a given age and more about steady, unhurried progress over a long timeline.
Why giant breeds grow differently
Giant breeds like the Saint Bernard put on an enormous amount of frame and bone over their growth period, and that growth happens more slowly and over a longer window than in smaller dogs, which finish growing in a fraction of the time. Rapid weight gain in a giant breed puppy is generally considered less desirable than steady, controlled growth, because developing joints under a fast-growing, heavy frame are more vulnerable to problems later in life.
This is one of the main reasons giant breed puppy foods exist as a distinct category, formulated with growth rate specifically in mind rather than simply scaling up a standard puppy recipe.
What the curve typically looks like
A Saint Bernard puppy commonly weighs somewhere around 4 to 6kg at eight weeks, then gains substantially through the first year, though the rate of gain per week is generally slower and steadier, relative to eventual adult size, than in a medium breed. Growth continues well beyond a year, tapering gradually rather than levelling off sharply the way a smaller breed's curve does.
By 12 months many Saint Bernards are still meaningfully below their eventual adult weight, continuing to fill out in frame and muscle for several more months, which is normal for the breed rather than a sign anything is wrong.
When to get a professional check
Any noticeable lameness, reluctance to exercise, or uneven growth in a giant breed puppy is worth a vet check promptly rather than waiting, given the known link between rapid growth and developmental joint issues in breeds this size. Routine weight checks at vaccination and follow-up appointments are a useful way to track progress against an objective reference.
A vet or breeder familiar with giant breeds can help judge whether an individual puppy's growth looks appropriate, which is more reliable than comparing against a generic chart alone.
Common questions
- At what age is a Saint Bernard fully grown?
- Most Saint Bernards reach close to their adult weight somewhere between 18 and 24 months, considerably later than smaller breeds. Some continue to fill out slightly in frame beyond that age.
- Is fast growth bad for a Saint Bernard puppy?
- Very rapid weight gain is generally considered less desirable in giant breed puppies because of the strain it can put on developing joints. Steady, controlled growth on an appropriate giant-breed puppy food is usually preferred over the fastest possible gain.
- How much should a Saint Bernard weigh at one year old?
- Many Saint Bernards are still noticeably below their eventual adult weight at 12 months, continuing to develop in frame and muscle for several more months. There is a wide normal range, so a vet or experienced breeder is better placed to assess an individual puppy than a single chart figure.
- Do male and female Saint Bernards grow at the same rate?
- Males typically grow to a somewhat larger adult size than females, and may take slightly longer to fill out completely, though both sexes follow a broadly similar slow, extended growth pattern typical of the breed.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.