Saint Bernard Guide: Size, Temperament, Lifespan and Rescue Adoption
What is the origin of the Saint Bernard dog?
The AKC lists Switzerland as the Saint Bernard's origin and places the breed in the Working Group. Monks at the St. Bernard hospice began keeping large alpine farm dogs as guardians and draft animals, and the dogs became famous as finders of lost travelers.
History of the breed
VCA describes the breed as the original search and rescue dog, credited with locating more than 2000 people over roughly 300 years. A breeder outside the hospice, Heinrich Schumacher, developed a standard and kept breeding records, and all modern Saints trace back to his dogs.
Saint Bernard size and weight
The AKC puts the Saint Bernard in its XLarge size category. The AKC publishes a height of 28-30 inches for males and 26-28 inches for females. Its published weight is 140-180 pounds for males and 120-140 pounds for females.
Saint Bernard temperament and personality
The UKC standard describes a friendly, eager-to-please gentle giant that is affectionate with family and typically not aggressive with other dogs. VCA says the breed tends to be somewhat aloof toward strangers and makes a calm, well-mannered housedog. VCA describes the breed as gentle and generally good with children, though it may be overly protective of them around strangers and may not be playful enough for them. As with all large dogs, VCA advises that dogs and children be supervised at all times.
Exercise needs
VCA says the breed needs a moderate walk or short jog each day. It enjoys cold weather but does not do well in warm weather.
Do Saint Bernards shed? Coat and grooming
Yes, the AKC rates shedding as 3 of 5 and drooling as 5 of 5 for the breed. The Saint Bernard has a dense, insulating double coat that comes in shorthaired and longhaired types. For a smooth coat St Bernard, VCA describes the hair as dense and tough, while the long coat is medium length, straight to slightly wavy. The coat needs only occasional brushing, about once a week, to remove dead hair.
Training
VCA says the breed does best with a firm owner who combines reward-based training with good control and leadership. Obedience training is described as essential for control and for the mental exercise it provides.
How long do Saint Bernards live? Lifespan and health
The AKC gives a general life expectancy of 8-10 years for the Saint Bernard. The AKC lists these breed screenings: hip evaluation, elbow evaluation, cardiac exam, ophthalmologist evaluation and a degenerative myelopathy DNA test. VCA notes that the breed often keeps a healthy weight or runs a little heavy, and suggests restricting calories if an adult starts gaining too much. Ask a veterinarian which screenings make sense for an individual dog.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Saint Bernard as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Working Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1885
- Height (AKC published)
- 28-30 inches (males), 26-28 inches (female)
- Weight (AKC published)
- 140-180 pounds (male), 120-140 pounds (female)
- General life expectancy
- 8-10 years
- AKC size category
- XLarge
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 3 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 3 of 5
- Trainability: 3 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 2 of 5
- Shedding: 3 of 5
- Vocalization: 1 of 5
- Drooling: 5 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 3 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 5 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 5 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Hip Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 9, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Saint Bernard | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
- Saint Bernard | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 7, 2026
- Saint Bernard - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
