Great Dane vs Saint Bernard

Side-by-side comparison of two popular breeds — temperament, exercise, grooming, lifespan and common health issues. Use it to decide which breed fits your home.

Great Dane vs Saint Bernard — at a glance

The Great Dane (50–82 kg, 7–10 years) and the Saint Bernard (64–82 kg, 8–10 years) sit in different — or sometimes overlapping — corners of dog ownership. Here's how they really compare for an everyday Irish or UK family.

Energy levels are well-matched between the Great Dane and Saint Bernard — both need similar daily exercise.

Grooming is where these breeds really diverge: the Saint Bernard needs significantly more brushing, washing and coat care. Factor in €30–€80 every 6–8 weeks for a professional groomer if you don't do it yourself.

Insurance premiums for breeds with brachycephalic, joint or cancer predispositions run 20–40% above average — check before you commit. We have a free quote calculator here.

	Great Dane	Saint Bernard
Group	Working	Working
Origin	Germany	Switzerland
Weight	50–82 kg	64–82 kg
Height	76–86 cm	66–76 cm
Lifespan	7–10 years	8–10 years
Energy level
Trainability
Grooming needs
Good with kids
Good with other pets
Hypoallergenic
Watchdog instinct
Novice-owner OK

Great Dane

Temperament

Friendly, patient, dependable. Great Danes are usually gentle with children and sociable with other dogs and pets. They tend to be "leaners" — physically affectionate with their humans.

Exercise

60 minutes a day of moderate exercise. Avoid impact in puppies under 18 months — long walks and jumping can damage developing joints.

Grooming

Short coat, weekly brush. Bathing every 6–8 weeks.

Health

Bloat / GDV (the #1 cause of death — feed twice daily, slow feeders, never exercise around meals). Cardiomyopathy. Hip dysplasia. Wobbler syndrome. Bone cancer (osteosarcoma). Lifespan tragically short — 7–10 years.

Full Great Dane profile →

Saint Bernard

Temperament

Gentle, patient, friendly, quiet. Saints are renowned for their tolerance with children and other animals. They're slow to mature mentally — expect puppy behaviour for years.

Exercise

45–60 minutes of moderate daily exercise in cool weather. Heat-sensitive — limit summer exercise.

Grooming

Long-haired and short-haired varieties. Long: brush 3× weekly. Short: weekly brush. Drool requires bibs.

Health

Hip and elbow dysplasia. Bloat / GDV. Cardiomyopathy. Cancers. Wobbler syndrome. Heat stroke.

Full Saint Bernard profile →

Which is right for you?

Pick the Great Dane if

Calm families with space, owners who can budget for giant-breed food and vet care.

Pick the Saint Bernard if

Families with children, large homes, cool climates.

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