Saint Bernards famously have a calm, easygoing personality and even temperament. They fit well into most homes, even ones with older children or other animals, as their gentle nature lets them get along with almost everyone. 

While they’re usually quiet and relaxed, some Saint Bernards do have a playful side – and playing with a dog that weighs over a hundred pounds is not for the faint of heart. They do know how to hold back so as not to hurt their playmates, but an excited Saint Bernard is a sight to behold. They aren’t known to bite or be aggressive, though being nudged by one can be more than enough to topple a full-grown man. 

Saint Bernards are quick to make friends with everyone they meet, whether it be new people or other dogs. They have a deep affection for their owners as well as other friends and family, and will happily join you on any adventure. They don’t tend to be pushy with their affection, and are often content to lay down beside you as you go about your day. 

Saint Bernards are a working breed, but they have only moderate energy levels. Their immense bodies make them unsuited to high speed, so exercise with a Saint Bernard is unlikely to be very intense. They do enjoy getting to run around a little bit in a fenced yard, but only for a little while. 

Most Saint Bernards are unsuited to hot weather – they’re at their best in colder climates, and may tire quickly if they are unable to cool down. Walking your Saint Bernard should be done in the early morning or evening when the temperatures are cooler. Around 30 to 45 minutes of light exercise is enough for a Saint Bernard. 

Despite their relatively low energy, this daily exercise is crucial for your Saint Bernard to stay lean and healthy. Under-exercised Saint Bernards tend to become overweight, putting more pressure on their bodies and possibly causing arthritis. 

Saint Bernard puppies also need some extra care, and should not be allowed to jump or run excessively until their joints are fully formed. Waiting until they are fully developed will help prevent joint problems in the future. 

Saint Bernards have a coat that is thick and dense, suited to the brutally cold weather conditions in the Swiss Alps. There are two types of coats for Saint Bernards: a short, smooth coat, or a thicker rough coat. Either type of coat will shed regularly, and will require brushing two to three times a week. 

Because the Saint Bernard has a double coat, they will shed more than normal once or twice a year in a phenomenon called “blowing coat”. This will happen during spring or summer, as well as during the fall. Deshedding your Saint Bernard may help alleviate some of this shedding, whether you do it yourself at home or have it done professionally. 

Most Saint Bernards will need bathing around once a month or every other month. Their skin can be sensitive, so take care when choosing a dog shampoo, and try to use one that is gentle to avoid removing all the natural skin oils. Be mindful of getting water into their ear canal, and dry around the area carefully, as their floppy ears may become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Painful tooth and gum conditions can be avoided with regular tooth brushing. Daily brushing is recommended. Nail trimming should be done every month or so if your Saint Bernard does not wear down their nails on their own. 

Training is crucial for any Saint Bernard, as their sheer size and weight make them able to knock over furniture and people with very little effort. Teaching a Saint Bernard proper behavior around the house and outdoors is one of the biggest tasks an owner will have. 

Luckily, Saint Bernards are happy when their owners are happy, and are generally eager to learn and perform tasks. Positive reinforcement will be the best method to teach a Saint Bernard, as scolding and punishment tend to make them frustrated or uncooperative. They require patient and consistent training for best results. 

The reward for this effort is a Saint Bernard that is well-behaved, gentle, and calm in almost any situation. They also excel at cart-pulling and obedience trials, if the owner is interested in competition dog sports. 

Saint Bernards are sadly not as long-lived as other breeds, with a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years. Saint Bernards may be prone to:

• Entropion – a condition in which the eyelid rolls inward, causing irritation and possible damage to the eyeball
• Hip dysplasia – an inheritable condition that causes the hip bone to not fit properly into the hip socket, causing pain and lack of mobility 
• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus – a life-threatening condition usually known as bloat, which may result from the dog eating too quickly, causing the stomach to twist and fill with gas
• Epilepsy – a neurological condition that may cause mild or severe seizures

Saint Bernards are an extra-large dog breed, with immense bodies and the weight to match. Most male Saint Bernards may weigh between 140 and 180 pounds, while females weigh between 120 and 140 pounds. They’re tall but heavyset dogs, standing between 28 to 30 inches at the shoulder for males, and 26 to 28 inches for females. 

It goes without saying that Saint Bernards need space to stretch out. However, due to their relatively low energy and moderate exercise requirements, they don’t need as big of a space as one would think. 

While they may not be well suited to apartment living, owners of moderately-sized homes will be able to accommodate a Saint Bernard so long as they have some outdoor space in which the dog can exercise. Saint Bernards can be trained to be careful around the household. 

While the Saint Bernard’s coat protects them from the elements, they are not suited to being alone and will want to stick to their owners like Velcro. They need to be part of the family and participate in most activities.