Newfoundland vs Saint Bernard

A Newfoundland
Photo: Reba Spike
A Saint Bernard
Photo: Rafael Dominguez Rodriguez

Side by side

Newfoundland
Saint Bernard
Adult weight
Males 59–68 kg (130–150 lb); females 45–54 kg (100–120 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 64–82 kg (140–180 lb); females 54–64 kg (120–140 lb) (breed club figure)2
Lifespan
Median 11 years3
Median 9.3 years3
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes4
14 months, both sexes4
Group
Pinschers & molossoids5
Pinschers & molossoids6
Coat
Long coat5
Short coat or coat of medium length6
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Daily brushing
No sourced figure
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Inward-rolling eyelid (far more likely); Outward-drooping eyelid (far more likely)7
Class
Family
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Saint Bernard is a little larger on average: about 66 kg (145 lb) as an adult, against 57 kg (125 lb) for the Newfoundland.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Newfoundland lives longer: a median of 11 years, against 9.3 for the Saint Bernard.
Temperament
They differ most on loyalty (Newfoundland: friendly with everyone; Saint Bernard: bonded to its family) and on intelligence (Newfoundland: learns readily, likes games; Saint Bernard: easy-going, simple routines).
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

Newfoundland
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant

In temperament the Newfoundland is sweet, patient and devoted, with a calm, gentle manner and a long-standing reputation for kindness to children.

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 Newfoundland page →The Saint Bernard page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Newfoundland
Saint Bernard
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Needs steady training
Needs steady training
With people
Newfoundland
Saint Bernard
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Friendly with everyone
Bonded to its family
Independence
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Newfoundland
Saint Bernard
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
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 behaviour8. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home9,10.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Saint Bernard grows to the heavier adult, about 68 kg against the Newfoundland's 57 kg.
Newfoundland
Saint Bernard
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More comparisons

Compare the Newfoundland with
Bernese Mountain Dog vs Saint BernardBernese Mountain Dog vs NewfoundlandLeonberger vs NewfoundlandGreat Dane vs Saint BernardMastiff vs Saint BernardGreat Pyrenees vs NewfoundlandAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·