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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+10
Dogs
# The Saint Bernard: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Switzerland
A gentle and protective giant, famous for its calm and its rescue instinct.
Size GiantLife expectancy 8–10 yearsBudget ≈ €183/monthPuppy €900 – €1,200
[Find a breeder 33](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=saint-bernard)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Excellent
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Limited
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Limited
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very affectionate: He develops a strong bond with his family and readily seeks closeness.
- Balanced protector: He knows how to watch over his home without being an aggressive dog by nature.
- Excellent with children: His gentleness and patience make him a highly appreciated family companion.
- Very demanding format: Its weight, size and strength require space and real day-to-day organization.
- Sensitivity to heat: High temperatures clearly limit its comfort and activity.
- Regular maintenance: Brushing, eye care and drooling require a consistent routine.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Families with a house: The breed thrives best in spacious housing with easy access to the outdoors.
- Calm and consistent owners: It suits people who can train without being harsh and maintain a stable framework.
- Households looking for a gentle dog: The Saint Bernard appeals with its peaceful temperament and reassuring presence.
Not recommended for
- Apartment living: The lack of space and the heat of small homes are poorly suited to this giant dog.
- People who are often absent: This breed, attached to its family, poorly tolerates a relationally impoverished life.
- Owners poorly prepared for a large size: Its size, strength and maintenance budget are not suitable for all profiles.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
78 cmSaint Bernard
- Height at the withers
- 65–90 cm
- Weight
- 50–90 kg
- Coat
- Long or short, double
- FCI group
- 2
- Origin
- Switzerland
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Saint Bernard in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Saint Bernard owes its name to the Grand-Saint-Bernard pass, in Switzerland, where the monks of the hospice bred large, sturdy dogs for guarding, assistance and the rescue of travelers lost in the snow. Its reputation as a rescue dog established itself over time, notably after the passage of Napoleonic troops through the region, then the breed was structured in Switzerland with the creation of the Saint Bernard club in 1884.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Saint Bernard is a very large mountain dog, massive, powerful and harmonious. Its head is broad and expressive, the body is muscular with a firm back and a well-developed chest, and the tail is long and heavy. The coat is white with red-brown markings more or less extensive, and the coat exists in a short-haired or long-haired variety, always with a protective undercoat.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
The Saint Bernard is a gentle, peaceful dog and deeply attached to its family. It is very affectionate, patient with children and naturally protective without being unnecessarily aggressive. Its calm temperament can be accompanied by a certain stubbornness, which requires a consistent framework from the youngest age.
Affectionate Intelligent Easy to train Sociable Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
On a daily basis, the Saint Bernard is rather calm, but it must not be reduced to inactivity. It enjoys regular walks, time spent with its family and environments where it can move around freely. Its territorial instinct is real and its size requires serious management of its habits, especially in adulthood.
Training
## Training and socialization
The education of the Saint Bernard must start early, with stable rules, firm and caring handling and regular socialization. The breed learns well, but its size and sometimes stubborn temperament require consistency. Brutal methods should be avoided, as they harm the cooperation of a sensitive and intelligent dog.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Saint Bernard
The purchase price of the Saint Bernard varies depending on origin, the quality of the breeding, the lineage and the follow-up offered. Beyond the initial cost, you must anticipate a high maintenance budget linked to size, food, bedding, transport and care.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/saint-bernard/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Saint Bernard is generally quite hardy, but its very large size exposes it to several points of vigilance, particularly on the orthopedic, ocular and digestive levels. Well-managed growth, controlled weight and regular veterinary follow-up are essential to preserve its comfort and mobility.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/saint-bernard/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Saint Bernard's diet must support very rapid growth and then maintain a substantial mass without promoting overweight. The quality of the ration has a direct impact on bone development, musculature, digestion and the functional longevity of this giant dog.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/saint-bernard/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Saint Bernard remains one of the most famous rescue breeds in the world. Its image as a mountain rescue dog has strongly marked popular culture, even if the famous little barrel around its neck is mostly a matter of legend. Its spectacular growth, from less than a kilo at birth to several dozen kilos before adulthood, also makes it a particularly impressive breed to follow.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Saint Bernard
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Saint Bernard suited to apartment living?
No, this breed is generally not suited to apartment living. Its very large size, its need for space, and its sensitivity to heat make it more comfortable in a house with outdoor space.
### Is the Saint Bernard a good family dog?
Yes, the Saint Bernard is known for its gentleness, its attachment to the family, and its patience with children, provided it is well trained and properly socialized.
### Is the Saint Bernard easy to train?
It learns well and understands quickly, but its size and slight stubbornness require training started early, regular, and consistent.
## Find a Saint Bernard breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Saint Bernard breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Saint Bernard breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes6](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [Saint Bernard breeders in Pays de la Loire5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/pays-de-la-loire) [Saint Bernard breeders in Hauts-de-France5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/hauts-de-france) [Saint Bernard breeders in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/provence-alpes-cote-dazur) [Saint Bernard breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/nouvelle-aquitaine)
### Saint Bernard breeders by country
[33 breeders of Saint Bernard in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard) [31 breeders of Saint Bernard in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/germany) [21 breeders of Saint Bernard in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/italy) [11 breeders of Saint Bernard in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/denmark) [8 breeders of Saint Bernard in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/austria) [8 breeders of Saint Bernard in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/finland) [7 breeders of Saint Bernard in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/united-kingdom) [6 breeders of Saint Bernard in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/spain) [3 breeders of Saint Bernard in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/netherlands) [1 breeder of Saint Bernard in Belgium](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard/belgium)
[All breeders of Saint Bernard in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard)
## Ready to welcome a Saint Bernard?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saint-bernard)
## Compare Saint Bernard with other breeds
- [Saint Bernard vs. Leonberger](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare/saint-bernard-vs-leonberger)
## Discover other breeds
[Broholmer
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/broholmer)
[Great Dane
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/great-dane)
[Landseer
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/landseer)
[Leonberger
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/leonberger)
[Mastiff
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/mastiff)
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