Mastiff vs Saint Bernard
Compare the Mastiff to the Saint Bernard. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Mastiffs and Saint Bernards.
Quick Summary
- Owner Experience - The Saint Bernard is an okay choice for new or inexperienced owners, but the Mastiff is not recommended for new owners.
- Children - Both the Mastiff and Saint Bernard are great with children.
- Grooming - The Mastiff is easier to groom than the Saint Bernard.
- Barking - The Mastiff has an average tendency to bark. The Saint Bernard will rarely bark.
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| Breed Name | Mastiff | Saint Bernard |
| General Details | ||
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| Is Hypoallergenic | No | No |
| Lifespan | 6-10 yrs. | 8-10 yrs. |
| Height | 27-32 in. | 25½-27½ in. |
| Weight | 120-220 lb | 110-200 lb |
| Intelligence | Below Average | Average |
| History | ||
| Origin Country | China (Tibet) | Switzerland |
| Origin Year | 700 BC | 1695 AD |
| Temperament | ||
| Overall Friendliness | ||
| Family Friendly | ||
| Kid Friendly | ||
| Pet Friendly | ||
| Stranger Friendly | ||
| Personality | ||
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| Living Environment | ||
| Apartment | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor | Yes | Yes |
| Small Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Medium Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Large Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature Tolerance ¹ | 30°F to 80°F | 20°F to 85°F |
| Barks/Howls | ||
| Exercise Needs | ||
| Energy Level | Medium | Low |
| Exercise Required | Medium | Low-Medium |
| Top Running Speed | 24 mph | 20 mph |
| Strength | Very High | Very High |
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Coat Maintenance | Medium | Medium |
| Shedding | Medium | Medium |
| Dander | Medium | Medium |
| Drool Amount | High | High |
¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
| Breed Name | Mastiff | Saint Bernard |
| Breed Mentality | ||
| Dominant/Alpha | No | No |
| Family/Pack | Yes | Yes |
| Independent | No | No |
| Breed Focus | ||
| Distracted Easily | No | No |
| Average | Yes | Yes |
| Focused & Patient | No | No |
| Breed Instincts | ||
| Aggression | Below Average | Below Average |
| Burrow/Digging | Below Average | Very Low |
| Chasing | Below Average | Below Average |
| Follow Commands | Below Average | Below Average |
| Fighting | Average | Below Average |
| Guarding | Average | Below Average |
| Herding | Below Average | Average |
| Hunting | Below Average | Below Average |
| Protection | High | Below Average |
| Remove Vermin | Very Low | Below Average |
| Sledding | Average | High |
| Watch | Average | Below Average |
| Breed Name | Mastiff | Saint Bernard |
| Lifespan | ||
| Lifespan | 6-10 yrs. | 8-10 yrs. |
| Common Health Issues | ||
| Allergies | No | Yes |
| Bloat | Yes | Yes |
| Cancer | Yes | No |
| Cataracts | No | Yes |
| Cystinuria | Yes | No |
| Dilated Cardiomyopathy | No | Yes |
| Elbow Dysplasia | No | Yes |
| Entropion | No | Yes |
| Epilepsy | No | Yes |
| Hip Dysplasia | Yes | Yes |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy | Yes | No |
| Seizures | Yes | No |
| Breed Name | Mastiff | Saint Bernard |
| Coat | ||
| Fur | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Type | ||
| Double Coat | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Texture | ||
| Straight | Yes | Yes |
| Rough | No | Yes |
| Coat Length(s) | ||
| Short | Yes | No |
| Medium | No | Yes |
| Coat Color(s) | ||
| Apricot | Yes | No |
| Brindle | Yes | No |
| Fawn | Yes | No |
| Brindle Grizzle | No | Yes |
| Brown & White | No | Yes |
| Mahogany & White | No | Yes |
| Orange & White | No | Yes |
| Red & White | No | Yes |
| Rust & White | No | Yes |
| White & Brown | No | Yes |
| White & Orange | No | Yes |
| White & Red | No | Yes |