Bernese Mountain Dog vs Saint Bernard
Which breed is right for you?
Bernese Mountain Dog
A gentle giant with a heart of gold.
vs
Saint Bernard
The gentle giant of the Alps
Quick verdict
Both are gentle, calm Swiss working dogs that adore their families and are excellent with children, but the Saint Bernard is a giant breed (64 to 82 kg) while the Bernese Mountain Dog is merely large (32 to 52 kg). The biggest practical difference is size and drool: the Saint Bernard is heavier, slightly lower energy and a notorious drooler, whereas the Bernese is a touch more trainable and easier to manage. Either way you get heavy shedding, a short lifespan and a big appetite.
At a glance
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Saint Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Working | Working |
| Size | Large | Giant |
| Weight | 32-52 kg | 64-82 kg |
| Height | 58-70 cm | 65-90 cm |
| Lifespan | 7-10 yr | 8-10 yr |
| Origin | Switzerland | Switzerland (Western Alps) |
| Energy | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Trainability | 4 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Friendliness | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Shedding | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Barking | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Good with kids | Excellent | Excellent |
| With other dogs | Good | Good |
| With cats | Usually fine | Good |
Choose the Bernese Mountain Dog if:
Choose the Bernese Mountain Dog if you want a large but more manageable gentle giant that is a little more eager to please and trainable, with a striking tricolor coat and less drool than a Saint Bernard.
Full Bernese Mountain Dog profileChoose the Saint Bernard if:
Choose the Saint Bernard if you have the space, budget and tolerance for a true giant that is calm and low energy indoors, exceptionally patient with kids, and you do not mind constant drooling.
Full Saint Bernard profileFrequently asked questions
Which is better for families with kids?
Both are rated Excellent with children and are famously gentle and patient. The Saint Bernard is especially tolerant of kids, while the Bernese is also wonderful, so the deciding factor is usually size, since the Saint Bernard's giant frame needs more supervision around toddlers.
Which breed is easier to train for a first-time owner?
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a little easier, rated 4 out of 5 for trainability and described as sensitive and eager to please. The Saint Bernard is rated 3 out of 5 and can be stubborn, and both should be socialized and trained early while still a manageable size.
Which one sheds and drools less?
Both shed heavily (4 out of 5) and need brushing several times a week, so neither is low maintenance for hair. For drool the Bernese is the cleaner choice, since the Saint Bernard's loose jowls make it a heavy, frequent drooler.