Saint Bernard health: what owners should know
Conditions the Saint Bernard is known to be prone to, breeder screening and everyday habits that help.
Like most giants, the Saint Bernard has a shorter life, often 8 to 10 years. Known predispositions include hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, dilated cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle), bone cancer, and eyelid problems such as entropion and ectropion. Responsible breeders score hips and elbows, have hearts and eyes checked, and should talk openly about how long dogs in their lines tend to live.
Everyday habits help: keep your dog lean, use a ramp instead of letting it leap from the car, and manage heat carefully. Regular vet checks from middle age, which for this breed means about 5 years, can pick up heart changes early. Contact a vet quickly if you notice a cough, fainting or a sudden drop in stamina, a limp or swelling on a leg that does not improve within a few days, or eyes that are red, weeping or squinting.
Numbers worth knowing
Life expectancy
8 to 10 yrs
Senior care
Individual assessment
age alone does not define care needs
Typical breed weight
54 to 82 kg