Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard: What Are The Differences

Let’s start with the Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Saint Bernard debate.

The primary variations between Saint Bernards and Bernese Mountain Dogs (also known as Berner) are size, appearance, lifespan, origin, and temperament. Bernese mountain dogs and Saint Bernards frequently have larger and heavier frames. In addition, although the Saint Bernard and Bernese mountain dogs are related, their origins are different.

For instance, the Western Alps of Italy and Switzerland are where the Saint Bernard originated, whereas the Berner is from the Swiss canton of Berne.

For more details, continue reading.

Breed History: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

First, let’s take a closer look at their histories and how they are linked to one another. A dog’s original breed purpose can often give you insight into how they will behave as family pets. So, it’s a great place to start.

Bernese Mountain Dog

We will refer to the Bernese Mountain Dog in this guide as “the Berner” because of how commonly people refer to them.

Contrary to the Saint Bernard, this man is from Bern in Switzerland and belongs to a more recent breed. Over 12,000 dairy farms still exist in this region of Bern, which is renowned for its lovely rolling pasture lands. The Berner helped his farmer master drove cattle, protect the farm, and pull heavy carts full of cheese. The Berner fell out of favor when farmers started to favor tractors for transportation, and his numbers decreased.

In an effort to preserve the breeds as well as other Swiss mountain dogs, Albert Heim, a Swiss doctor and one of the most well-known dog breeders of his time, founded a breed club in 1907.

Kansas received a pair of excellent Berner specimens in 1926, and the rest is history. He is the most popular Swiss mountain dog, and celebrities such as Michelle Gellar and Courtney Cox are infatuated with the breed.

Saint Bernard

Contrary to popular belief, one of the four mountain dogs is not the Saint Bernard. But the reason they resemble each other is because they have common ancestors. Like the Berner, his sheer size forced him to work on farms. His extraordinary bond with people, however, has made him the most well-known figure. Established over the years in the Swiss Alps where he originates from.

His ancestors were Roman war dogs that crossed the Swiss Alps, and he stayed there to help the local monks. A hospice was established to assist wayward travelers, and it was the Finding them and returning them to safety was Saint Bernard’s responsibility.

He began to sense the impending avalanches. Over the course of his three centuries at the hospice, he is believed to have saved 2,000 lives. They are well-liked parent breeds for many designer dogs due to their size and handsome appearance.

Appearance: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

These dogs are both large, but the St. Bernard is slightly bigger.

Depending on the gender, St. Bernards can reach a height of 26 to 30 inches at the shoulder.

They can be as heavy as 180 pounds.

With a large, blocky head that frequently has a somber expression, they are powerful and well-proportioned.

Long and short haired varieties are available.

But even the long-haired version of this dog has medium-length, straight or wavy hair rather than being shaggy or curly.

In addition, their coloring is unique.

The nose, feet, tail tip, and chest are all white.

Large patches of red, rust, or yellow, brown color cover the rest of the body.

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Depending on the gender, the Bernese mountain dog can weigh up to 115 pounds and stand 23 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder.

Additionally, they have a tall, powerful frame.

However, they are agile enough to work on a farm.

Comparatively speaking, their face is a little more refined than the St. Bernard, and compared to the male dogs, the females have a distinctly feminine quality.

These dogs have a long, tricolored coat with black as the dominant color.

The rusty color between the white and black areas on their legs and faces contrasts with their white chest, feet, and tail tip.

Like a Doberman or Rottweiler, the rust also develops a dot above the eyes. See more about Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie Mix

Temperament: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

They are both kind and gentle dogs.

But there are some variations in terms of activity levels.

The Bernese mountain dog is renowned for being loving, patient, and eager to please.

They make excellent therapy dogs due to their patience. Because of their desire to please, they are very simple to train.

Even though they are calm and persistent, they still enjoy a good run.

It would be incorrect to misinterpret their composure for laziness.

The St. Bernard is also docile and eager to please.

These dogs require training, not because they are aggressive, but rather because of their enormous size. They are fortunately simple to train.

It’s well known that St. Bernards naturally gravitate toward kids.

Again, because of their size, it is still best to be cautious to prevent any accidents from happening while playing.

St. Bernards do not require a lot of exercise and are generally content to stay close to their family.

As a result, they don’t require a lot of space.

However, they still require adequate space for movement.

If they are living largely indoors, frequent walks are advisable for the health of the dog.

Trainability: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

When it comes to training, both breeds are intelligent and eager to please their owners. Due to their openness to learning, both have historically excelled in jobs that involve working with people. And with a treat in your possession, you can be sure that positive reinforcement training will be the most successful way to train them.

However, it is crucial to start instructing your St. Bernard right away, especially if it will be inside a lot. Since it is still a puppy, it is best to have professional training to make sure it fully comprehends social cues and commands. Bernese mountain dogs are simple to train and respond favorably to praise and treats. See more about Bernese Mountain Dog Mixed With Husky

Exercise: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

Bernese Mountain Dogs need more exercise than the other two breeds.

Approximately 30 to 45 minutes of exercise per day are all that the Saint Bernard needs. He has no interest in strenuous activities like jogging or mountain hiking. The local park is where he prefers to take leisurely strolls. The Berner needs around 60 minutes a day. In-depth activities are not something that this guy enjoys. He could, however, occasionally keep up with a mountainous walk.

It is safe to say that the Berner is a better option for an active family looking for a dog to accompany them on light adventures. Bear in mind that they are both giant dogs, and their activities shouldn’t be too impactive, as this can cause issues with their joints. Both of these breeds are therefore not the best choice if you are a very active person looking for a jogging partner. This gentle giants’ guiding principle is “mild, not wild.”

Height: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

The Bernese Mountain Dog stands between 22 and 27 inches tall, making both dogs quite tall. The average height of a Saint Bernard is 27 inches; males typically stand 28 to 30 inches tall, while females typically stand 26 to 30 inches tall.

Weight: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

St. Bernard is much heavier than the Bernese mountain dog. However big, Bernard Male Bernese typically weigh between 85 and 115 pounds, while females typically weigh between 80 and 106 pounds. The weight range for Saint Bernard males is 140 to 200 pounds, whereas the weight range for females is 120 to 140 pounds.

Health: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

Both dog breeds are relatively healthy, but due to their giant size, they enjoy a shorter lifespan compared to other dogs. Their life spans are 7 to 10 years and 8 to 10 years, respectively. If they are to be bred, they should be examined for the following health issues as they have similar health issues. Ask the breeder if they can provide you with proof of their animals’ health clearances.

The Berner and the Saint Bernard are both prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. They are also more likely to develop cataracts, ectropion, entropion, progressive retinal atrophy, and other eye problems. Finally, they are both susceptible to heart diseases, particularly dilated cardiomyopathy. In addition, Von Willebrand’s disease should be checked in Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Nutrition: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

The Berner will consume between three to four cups of food every day, and the Saint Bernard eats around six cups of food a day. The food budget can be significantly affected by this, sometimes even doubling. Therefore, if you decide to take on the Saint Bernard, your financial situation is important. Their age, size, and level of energy all influence what they eat.

They will both do well on a high-quality kibble. Not only will they offer a nutritious diet, but it will also be tasty enough for your large giants to eat. They should consume kibble made for large or giant breed dogs because they are giant dogs. This is important because they have the ideal amounts of calcium and phosphorus during their developmental stages. This will assist in regulating their quick bone growth and lower their risk of contracting skeletal diseases like joint dysplasia.

They are both prone to weight gain and obesity, so do not overfeed them. Their joints will feel more strain as a result, and other health issues will follow. Their joints will benefit from kibbles that have glucosamine and chondroitin. Alternatively, fish oils or glucosamine supplements work just as well.

Grooming: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

Depending on what kind of coat the Saint Bernard has, they require different grooming regimens. If he sports a short haircut, he will only need brushing once or twice a week throughout the year.

If you adopt one with a coat that is longer, like the Bernese Mountain Dog, you will need to brush them two or three times per week. Generally speaking, the Saint Bernard will shed about the same amount as a Berner.

Both of them have two coats, and they shed at roughly the same times of year. If you want to effectively manage their shedding during the shedding seasons, you will need to brush them both on a daily basis. They are both droolers, so if you aren’t a fan of doggy drool, neither of these breeds is for you.

The breeds both need to be bathed once every 8 to 12 weeks. Similar to that, given how fluffy and thick their coat is, they will benefit from a concentrated and nourishing shampoo. Keep an eye on them both and take note of any changes or redness because they both have eye problems.

Life Expectancy: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

An average St. Bernard lives between 8 and 10 years. Some sources claim that Bernese Mountain dogs live between 6 and 8 years, while others claim that they live between 7 and 10 years. It is noticeably shorter than most other dogs in either situation.

Energy Level: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

Due to their higher level of activity than other dog breeds, Bernese mountain dogs require 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day. When you are home, they will prefer to be inside because they demand the freedom to roam, so a secure outdoor space is advised.

The St. Bernard is a calm dog with lower than average energy levels. Although they are at heart explorers, they are equally content taking naps at home. For families who are active or sedentary, a Saint Bernard makes a good companion.

Puppy Prices: Bernese Mountain Dog Vs Saint Bernard

The price of both the Berner and the Saint Bernard starts from approximately $1,500. Expect to pay significantly more for both if you want a show dog or one from a specific lineage. Do not forget that this is the puppy’s initial cost. This excludes the additional setup fees you will pay for things like crates, beds, harnesses, toys, etc. All in all, giant dog breeds are more expensive. This entails purchasing them an extra-large dog crate, as well as larger toys, beds, harnesses, and other accessories.

It’s important to work with a reputable breeder that will (hopefully) produce healthy puppies. They will examine their pups for the aforementioned health issues. Furthermore, keep in mind that they will be able to spend more time with you if they are in better health. They’ll start socializing the dogs early, which will make them happier and more obedient dogs overall.

Which Breed Makes A Better Pet?

Both of these dogs are wonderful family pets. They are patient, obedient, kind, and steady. Despite their lack of aggression, their size alone might keep unwanted guests away.

Due to their size, you should also make sure you have the money to feed such a large dog.

You must allow enough time and space for the Bernese to get enough exercise.

Both breeds require some time to train, so be ready.

Their size necessitates that they be well-mannered despite their lovely dispositions.

A properly socialized and educated Bernese or St. With the time (and money) to dedicate to one of these kind and devoted companions, Bernard will undoubtedly make a beloved addition to a family.

The End

The Berner and the Saint Bernard are both gorgeous breeds that will turn heads in the street. You and the rest of the family will both have their hearts stolen by them. They are connected, which explains why they are so comparable. However, their minute variations, such as their size, activity levels, financial obligations, and grooming requirements, should be able to resolve the breed issue for you.

They can shower you with doggy drool, kisses, and love. They both enjoy spending time with people, kids, and other animals.

Please leave a comment if you have any queries. Many thanks for reading!