Newfoundland 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.

Newfoundland vs Saint Bernard — at a glance

The Newfoundland (45–68 kg, 9–10 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 Newfoundland and Saint Bernard — both need similar daily exercise.

Both have manageable grooming routines — the Newfoundland demands slightly more, but neither needs daily fuss.

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.

	Newfoundland	Saint Bernard
Group	Working	Working
Origin	Canada (Newfoundland)	Switzerland
Weight	45–68 kg	64–82 kg
Height	66–71 cm	66–76 cm
Lifespan	9–10 years	8–10 years
Energy level
Trainability
Grooming needs
Good with kids
Good with other pets
Hypoallergenic
Watchdog instinct
Novice-owner OK

Newfoundland

Temperament

Sweet, calm, patient, loyal. Newfoundlands bond closely with their family, are remarkably tolerant with children of all ages, and tend to get along with other animals.

Exercise

45–60 minutes of moderate daily exercise. Swimming is ideal — they're built for it (webbed feet, water-repellent coat). Avoid impact exercise in puppies.

Grooming

Heavy double coat — brush 3–4× weekly, daily during seasonal moults. Bathe every 6–8 weeks. Drool is significant.

Health

Cardiomyopathy / aortic stenosis. Hip dysplasia. Cystinuria (DNA test). Bloat / GDV. Lifespan averages just 9–10 years.

Full Newfoundland 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 Newfoundland if

Families with children, large homes, cool climates, owners near water.

Pick the Saint Bernard if

Families with children, large homes, cool climates.

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