Saint Bernard
聖伯納犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Saint Bernard is the genial giant of the Swiss Alps, famous for rescuing lost travellers and now a watchful, patient family companion with a well-known fondness for children. Saints need only moderate exercise but a great deal of room, early obedience training because of their sheer size, and careful management in heat; expect drool and hair. Their lifespan is short, and bloat and joint problems are the main health concerns.
Facts
| Size | Giant |
|---|---|
| Height | 65–76cm |
| Weight | 54–82kg |
| Life expectancy | 8–10years |
| Breed group | AKC: working FCI: 2 |
| Role | Working |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 1/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Heat sensitivity
Heat-related illness is a recognised risk for this breed. Ask your vet about summer precautions, especially in Hong Kong humidity.
Behaviour
Kindly, patient, loves children
The CKC says the Saint is good-natured and kindly, a relatively easygoing dog with a gentle nature that is especially understanding and lovable with children; the AKC calls Saints watchful and patient companions, kind-hearted and eager to please, but says training and socialisation are absolutely required for a dog this big so it learns not to jump on people or knock into small children.
Moderate exercise, lots of room, mind the heat
The AKC says one long walk or a half-hour play session a day is enough, that a Saint can handle hot weather only with a cool place to rest and lots of water — moving from air conditioning into high heat can cause serious distress — and that it wants to be with its family; the CKC says this giant takes life easy but needs lots of room indoors and out plus regular daily exercise.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 1/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Saint Bernard
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Saint Bernard (Working Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — St Bernard
Breed characteristics (size extra large, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan under 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — St Bernard (standard no. 61, group 2)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's care page tells owners never to let a Saint puppy get overweight, to feed several smaller meals rather than one large one and wait at least an hour between meals and strenuous exercise to reduce bloat risk, to provide shade, cool water and air conditioning in hot weather — if it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog — and to start grooming training as a puppy; drool is simply part of the breed.”
— Saint Bernard Club of America — Caring for your Saint Bernard via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Saint Bernard — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Saint Bernard — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]St Bernard — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]St Bernard — FCI standard no. 61 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Caring for your Saint Bernard — Saint Bernard Club of America — Saint Bernard Club of America (public education pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.