Saint Bernard Dog Breed Guide

Saint Bernards are a giant breed dog and require complete and balanced dog food formulated to support their unique needs. While these gentle giants consume more food than smaller dogs, it's important to ensure portion control by using a kitchen scale to weigh their meals.

Look for a complete and balanced dog food that will provide your Saint Bernard with all the nutrients they need. Saint Bernards may benefit from foods enriched with omega-6 fatty acids to support their skin and coat, prebiotics to support healthy digestion and omega-3 fatty acids to support their brain, joints and kidneys.

Puppies: Saint Bernard puppies grow very quickly. To help them grow at a healthy pace and support healthy joint and bone development, a large-breed puppy food is very important. Balanced calcium and phosphorus levels are critical at this stage, Many large-breed puppy foods have balanced levels of nutrients to promote healthy muscle and joints.

Adults: When your Saint Bernard reaches up to two years of age, they are considered an adult. Your vet can help you figure out the best time to transition. The process usually takes over a week, moving from large-breed puppy food to a large-breed adult dog food. These formulas can help maintain lean muscle.

Seniors: Saint Bernards are considered "senior" at about 6 years old. Some senior dog foods, especially for large-breed dogs, may contain fish oil to support brain, joint and kidney health.

Weight management: Saint Bernards are not overly active and are prone to weight gain if they are overfed. If your Saint Bernard needs to shed some pounds, your veterinarian can help you determine if therapeutic nutrition is right for your dog.

Saint Bernards are, of course, large! But they are sweet, sometimes comical and can get along with people and pets. They do require a bit of care, both mentally and physically, to maintain good health. They are certainly not a breed for everyone, but those who have them love them fiercely.

Before adopting any breed of dog, it's a good idea to speak to a veterinarian to determine if their health and care needs fit with your household, budget and lifestyle. Understanding common veterinary needs can also help you decide if they are a good fit for your home.

Best for: Large-dog aficionados who love a fun dog, moderate energy and a good time; pet parents with experience training large dogs.

Good with: People of all ages, other dogs, kids. Always monitor children around dogs.

Less suitable for: Small homes and apartments; people who cannot stand drool or messes.

Saint Bernards are large dogs but they require surprisingly less exercise than one might expect. Of course, puppies and young dogs need to run, play and get their energy out. But once they mature, Saint Bernards can hang out on the couch after a short walk. 

For organized activities, Saint Bernards can be trained to pull carts in competition — or simply pull the kids in a wagon around the block. Saint Bernards also can enjoy agility and obedience work. Try a few activities and see what clicks with your Saint Bernard.

Saint Bernards can be either food- or praise-motivated, and clicker training tends to work particularly well for this breed. Positive reinforcement and consistency are also key to you and your Saint Bernard understanding each other.

While breed standards provide a guide, remember that personality, physical traits, and health status are affected by many factors and vary within the same breed.

Saint Bernards are generally healthy, but their giant size makes them prone to certain conditions. Complete and balanced nutrition, regular veterinary exams, and weight management all support long-term wellness.

Orthopedic problems and arthritis: Saint Bernards are prone to developmental joint disorders, including hip and elbow dysplasia. A high-quality breeder will screen their dogs to identify these conditions early. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best ways to help manage clinical signs and support joint health. To ensure accuracy, always measure the amount you feed them on a kitchen gram scale. If your dog is struggling with weight, your vet may recommend therapeutic nutrition.

Heart disease: Another potentially inherited disease is a specific heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy. This condition can shorten a dog's life; therefore, it is vital to work with a responsible breeder who performs cardiac health screenings.

Osteosarcoma: Saint Bernards may be prone to an aggressive bone cancer called osteosarcoma. This painful disease typically affects the limbs. Early detection through regular veterinary exams is essential to improving outcomes and maintaining quality of life.

Saint Bernards will benefit from regular brushing, and many enjoy it. Brushing your fluffy kiddo is usually a good outdoor activity. Fortunately, many Saint Bernards don't need their hair cut or trimmed, except sometimes on the paws or if they happen to mat. Saint Bernards need regular nail trims. Large dogs have thick nails, so a large, strong nail trimmer would be a good and well-used investment.

Saint Bernards are sweet and loving but are not for everyone. Many pet parents of Saint Bernards realize they can't have just one and eventually become families of multiple Saint Bernards. The breed has a tendency to grow on people. Low energy requirements and a loving personality make Saint Bernards overall great pets.