Mastiff vs Saint Bernard

A Mastiff
Photo: ocean yamaha
A Saint Bernard
Photo: Rafael Dominguez Rodriguez

Side by side

Mastiff
Saint Bernard
Adult weight
Males 73–104 kg (160–230 lb); females 54–77 kg (120–170 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 70–77 cm; females 70–77 cm3
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 9 years4
Median 9.3 years4
Fully grown
15 months, both sexes5
14 months, both sexes5
Group
Pinschers & molossoids6
Pinschers & molossoids7
Coat
Short coat6
Short coat or coat of medium length7
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); Blood-vessel cancer of the skin (far more likely)8
Inward-rolling eyelid (far more likely); Outward-drooping eyelid (far more likely)9
Class
Watchdog
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Mastiff is a little larger on average: about 77 kg (170 lb) as an adult, against 66 kg (145 lb) for the Saint Bernard.
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Mastiff sheds through the year, the Saint Bernard moults most as the seasons change.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Mastiff: affectionate on its own terms; Saint Bernard: a lap or leaning dog) and on loyalty (Mastiff: sticks close to its people; Saint Bernard: bonded to its family).
Alike
Both are rated the same on intelligence: easy-going, simple routines.
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

Mastiff
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant

By nature it is calm, dignified and good-natured with its household, while staying watchful and reserved with strangers. It tends to guard by its presence rather than by aggression.

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 Mastiff page →The Saint Bernard page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Mastiff
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
Mastiff
Saint Bernard
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Bonded to its family
Independence
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Mastiff
Saint Bernard
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Quiet
Quiet
Prey drive
Usually fine with small pets
Usually fine with small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour10. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home11,12.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Mastiff grows to the heavier adult, about 79 kg against the Saint Bernard's 68 kg.
Mastiff
Saint Bernard
0501001502m4m6m9m12m18m
0501001502m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Mastiff with
Bernese Mountain Dog vs Saint BernardNewfoundland vs Saint BernardGreat Dane vs Saint BernardGreat Dane vs MastiffBullmastiff vs MastiffCane Corso vs MastiffAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·