Great Dane vs Saint Bernard

A Great Dane
Photo: Arabsalam
A Saint Bernard
Photo: Rafael Dominguez Rodriguez

Side by side

Great Dane
Saint Bernard
Adult weight
Males 64–79 kg (140–175 lb); females 50–64 kg (110–140 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 64–82 kg (140–180 lb); females 54–64 kg (120–140 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
Males 80–90 cm; females 72–84 cm (breed club figure)1
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 10.6 years3
Median 9.3 years3
Fully grown
12 months, both sexes4
14 months, both sexes4
Group
Pinschers & molossoids5
Pinschers & molossoids6
Coat
Short coat5
Short coat or coat of medium length6
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
No sourced figure
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Bone cancer (far more likely); Inward-rolling eyelid (far more likely)7,8
Inward-rolling eyelid (far more likely); Outward-drooping eyelid (far more likely)8
Class
Companion
Companion

Which suits you

Lifespan
In UK vet records the Great Dane lives longer: a median of 10.6 years, against 9.3 for the Saint Bernard.
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Great Dane sheds through the year, the Saint Bernard moults most as the seasons change.
Temperament
They differ most on sensitivity (Great Dane: average; Saint Bernard: hardy, takes a busy home in its stride) and on prey drive (Great Dane: chases; needs managing; Saint Bernard: usually fine with small pets).
Alike
They are much the same size as adults, about 64 kg (141 lb) for the Great Dane and 66 kg (145 lb) for the Saint Bernard.
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Great Dane
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant

In temperament the Great Dane is friendly, patient and dependable. It is affectionate with its household and usually calm indoors, but watchful with strangers.

Saint Bernard
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant

In temperament it is calm, gentle and good-natured, playful with its household and watchful towards strangers without being quick to aggression.

The Great Dane page →The Saint Bernard page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Great Dane
Saint Bernard
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Easy-going, simple routines
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Needs steady training
Needs steady training
With people
Great Dane
Saint Bernard
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Bonded to its family
Bonded to its family
Independence
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Great Dane
Saint Bernard
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Quiet
Quiet
Prey drive
Differs
Chases; needs managing
Usually fine with small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour9. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home10,11.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 66 kg.
Great Dane
Saint Bernard
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More comparisons

Compare the Great Dane with
Bernese Mountain Dog vs Saint BernardGreat Dane vs Irish WolfhoundNewfoundland vs Saint BernardDoberman Pinscher vs Great DaneMastiff vs Saint BernardGreat Dane vs MastiffAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·