St. Bernard vs Bernese Mountain Dog
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| St. Bernard | Bernese Mountain Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Giant | Large |
| Adult weight | 54.4 to 81.6 kg | 31.8 to 52.2 kg |
| In pounds | 120 to 180 lb | 70 to 115 lb |
| Adult height | 66 to 76 cm | 58 to 70 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | High |
| Grooming | Moderate | Moderate |
| Coat | Short smooth and rough and double | Medium double |
| Shedding | Moderate | High |
| Lifespan | 8 to 10 years | 7 to 10 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | Switzerland | Switzerland |
The main differences
- The St. Bernard is the bigger dog: 54.4 to 81.6 kg against 31.8 to 52.2 kg for the Bernese Mountain Dog.
- The Bernese Mountain Dog needs more exercise: high energy against moderate for the St. Bernard.
- Grooming is moderate for both.
- Life expectancy is similar: 8 to 10 years for the St. Bernard and 7 to 10 years for the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Temperament
St. Bernard: Gentle, patient and calm, the Saint Bernard is a Swiss mountain rescue breed that is tolerant with children and slow to anger, though very large and heavy to manage.
Bernese Mountain Dog: Calm, good natured and strong, the Bernese Mountain Dog is generally placid but is always up for a romp with the owner they live to please.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
St. Bernard
- Bloat and gastric torsion, a surgical emergency in deep chested dogs
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
- Entropion and ectropion, eyelid faults found on veterinary eye examination
- Dilated cardiomyopathy, detected by cardiac auscultation and echocardiogram
- Osteosarcoma, a bone cancer of giant breeds, diagnosed by x-ray and biopsy
- Heat intolerance, managed with shade, water and a cool place to rest rather than tested for
Bernese Mountain Dog
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for under the hip and elbow scoring schemes
- Cancer, picked up on a veterinary examination with imaging and biopsy of any new lump
- Bloat and gastric torsion, a surgical emergency in deep chested dogs
- Von Willebrand's disease and eye disorders including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, the first detectable by DNA or blood test and the second by an ophthalmologist eye examination
Common questions
Which is bigger, the St. Bernard or the Bernese Mountain Dog?
The St. Bernard. Adults weigh 54.4 to 81.6 kg, against 31.8 to 52.2 kg for the Bernese Mountain Dog, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the St. Bernard or the Bernese Mountain Dog?
The published life expectancy is 8 to 10 years for the St. Bernard and 7 to 10 years for the Bernese Mountain Dog. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the St. Bernard or the Bernese Mountain Dog better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin