Saint Bernard

Mellow mountain teddy

Gentle, patient, and enormous. Often great with kids — bring towels for the drool and a big food budget.

giantmedium energyapartment challengingfirst-time friendlyvery high shedding

Size

giant

Energy

medium

Shedding

very high

Barking

low

Grooming

medium

Trainability

medium

Apartment

challenging

First-time owner

yes

Kid-friendly

high

Pet-friendly

high

Alone tolerance

medium

Monthly cost

very high

Best for

Drool, heavy shedding, short lifespan, joint issues, and high feeding costs.

30–60 minutes of moderate exercise; avoid heat.

Grooming: medium. Shedding: very high. Plan your brushing routine — and budget — around this.

Barking is typically low. Trainability is medium. Early socialization and consistent training go a long way.

Apartment fit: challenging. Possible in apartments, but expect real effort around barking, energy, or grooming. Kid-friendliness is generally high.

Cost level: very high. Costs typically scale with size, grooming, and likelihood of vet visits.

Heat tolerance is typically low and cold tolerance is typically high. Avoid midday walks in summer and watch for overheating.

Drool, heavy shedding, short lifespan, joint issues, and high feeding costs.

Educational matching content — not veterinary advice.

• Can I realistically meet the exercise and grooming demands every week, not just on weekends?
• Have I met adult dogs of this breed — not just puppies?
• If buying from a breeder, can they show health screening for the parents?
• Is there a breed-specific rescue near me? Adult dogs can be a great fit.
• What does my monthly budget look like for food, grooming, and routine vet care?
• Who handles the dog if I'm away or my schedule changes?