Newfoundland vs Saint Bernard
Overview
Newfoundland vs Saint Bernard: The Quick Answer
Both are giant breeds with reputations for being notably patient with children and gentle by breed temperament. Both were bred for rescue work in extreme environments. The decisive differences: Newfoundland is the water specialist (bred for ocean rescue, exceptional swimmer, loves water) and Saint Bernard is the snow specialist (bred for Alpine rescue, not a water breed, prefers cold weather). Drool is not a differentiator - the AKC rates both breeds 5 of 5 for drooling.
Choice often comes down to whether your household lifestyle includes water (lake house, beach, regular swimming) - Newfoundland's water orientation is a major asset in those settings. For purely land-based households, Saint Bernard's calmer temperament and lower exercise needs may suit better, as long as you accept the drool reality.
Side by Side
Specs Compared
| Attribute | Newfoundland | Saint Bernard |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Newfoundland, Canada - water rescue + fisherman's companion | Swiss Alps - mountain rescue at hospice |
| Original purpose | Water rescue, hauling fishing nets | Snow rescue, locating lost travelers |
| Size | 100-150 lbs, 26-28 in | 120-180 lbs, 26-30 in |
| Lifespan | 9-10 years | 8-10 years |
| Coat | Moderately long, water-resistant double coat | Short OR long, dense double coat |
| Coat colors | Black (most common), brown, gray, Landseer (black-and-white) | Red with white, or white with red (shades of red/brown) |
| Shedding | Moderate most of the year; heavy during twice-yearly coat blows | Moderate most of the year; heavy during twice-yearly coat blows |
| Drooling | Heavy - deep jowls | Heavy - deep jowls |
| Swimming ability | Exceptional - bred for water rescue | Not a water breed - many dislike or tire in water |
| Energy level | Moderate | Low-moderate |
| Exercise needs | 30-60 min daily + swimming if possible | 30-45 min daily |
| Heat tolerance | Poor - very thick double coat | Poor - heavy build + thick coat |
| Trainability | Good - eager to please | Moderate - calm and patient |
| Family-friendliness | Excellent - patient with children (AKC 5 of 5); supervise for size | Excellent - patient with children (AKC 5 of 5); supervise for size |
| Main health risks | Subaortic stenosis (heart), hip dysplasia, cystinuria, bloat | Hip/elbow dysplasia, bloat, DCM, entropion |
| Cost (reputable) | $1,500-$3,000 | $1,500-$3,500 |
| Apartment-friendly | No - large size + shedding | No - large size + drool |
| Best for | Families near water; outdoor active households | Calm households; tolerant of drool and bulk |
Origins
Rescue Origins: Sea vs Mountain
Newfoundland: bred for the ocean
Newfoundlands were developed on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland (Canada) to assist fishermen - hauling nets to shore, retrieving lost gear, and rescuing crew who fell overboard. The breed's physical adaptations are specific to water work: webbed feet, a water-resistant double coat, powerful swimming musculature, and a powerful stroke that owners often describe as closer to a breaststroke than a typical dog paddle. Modern Newfies retain a strong instinct to swim toward distressed swimmers. The breed is used today in water rescue training and therapy work.
Saint Bernard: bred for the Alps
Saints were developed at the Great St. Bernard Hospice in the Swiss Alps - a refuge for travelers crossing dangerous mountain passes. The breed's role was to locate lost or buried travelers during winter storms. The famous brandy-cask collar is largely legend (popularized by 19th-century artwork) but the rescue work was real. Modern Saints have largely outgrown the active rescue role but retain the calm-under-stress temperament selected for that work.
Water Behavior
Swimming: Newfoundland's Defining Trait
If your household lifestyle involves a lake, beach, pool, or regular swimming activities, Newfoundland will become a deeply integrated participant. The breed is a strong, powerful swimmer, and trained Newfoundlands can tow a person to shore - the Newfoundland Club of America runs water rescue tests built around exactly this work. Many Newfs are reluctant to leave the water once they're in, and many will happily swim in cold water.
Saint Bernards are not a water breed. They lack the Newfoundland's water-adapted features and were developed for mountain snow rather than water work - some Saints enjoy a paddle, but many are indifferent to water or tire quickly in it, so supervise any swimming. Saint owners who want a water-loving dog will likely be disappointed. For purely land-based households, this difference is irrelevant - Saints excel in their preferred element (cool weather, calm indoor life).
Personality
Temperament: Two Gentle Giants
Newfoundland: 'sweet of nature, soft of soul'
The Newfoundland breed standard explicitly describes 'sweetness of temperament' as a defining trait. Modern Newfies are notably patient with children, gentle with other dogs and pets, and slow to anger. Energy level is moderate - they enjoy outdoor activities and swimming but are content with moderate daily exercise. The breed is famously eager to please and trainable.
Saint Bernard: calm, patient, quieter
Saint Bernards are notably calm and slow-paced. They tend to be quieter than Newfoundlands - less activity around the house, more time spent lounging on cool floors. The AKC calls Saints famously patient and careful with children, but at this size toddlers still need close supervision. Independence is slightly higher than Newfoundland; Saints are loyal and affectionate with family.
Health
Health: Different Cardiac Risks
Newfoundland main risks
Subaortic stenosis (SAS) is the breed-defining cardiac concern - the Newfoundland Club of America notes it is most commonly seen in Newfoundlands, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers. A cardiac exam by a veterinary cardiologist is part of the breed's CHIC health testing. Cystinuria (kidney stone formation from amino acid metabolism issue) at elevated rates - DNA testable. Hip and elbow dysplasia. Bloat/GDV.
Saint Bernard main risks
Hip and elbow dysplasia at very high rates (size-driven). Bloat/GDV elevated. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in some lines. Entropion and ectropion (eyelid abnormalities) requiring surgical correction in many individuals. Osteosarcoma rates somewhat elevated due to size.
Cost
Cost: Similar Range
| Attribute | Newfoundland | Saint Bernard |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (reputable) | $1,500-$3,000 | $1,500-$3,500 |
| First-year total | $5,000-$8,500 | $5,500-$10,000 |
| Annual ongoing | $2,800-$4,500 | $2,800-$5,000 |
| Food (giant breed) | $1,000-$1,800/yr | $1,200-$2,000/yr |
| Pet insurance | $700-$1,400/yr | $800-$1,500/yr |
Prices are typical U.S. breeder ranges and vary widely by region and breeder.
Decision
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Newfoundland if you...
Live near water (lake, ocean, river) and want a dog who will enjoy it with you. Want an eager-to-please, trainable giant breed. Tolerate seasonal heavy shedding and heavy drool (both breeds drool a lot). Will supervise closely around toddlers - at 100-150 lbs, even a gentle Newf can knock a small child over. Live in a cool to moderate climate.
Choose Saint Bernard if you...
Want a calm, low-key giant dog. Don't need a swimming companion. Tolerate heavy drool as part of breed ownership. Have a household that prefers indoor calm over outdoor adventure. Live in a cool climate (Saints overheat readily in summer).
Choose neither if you...
Live in a hot climate. Can't accommodate the size (vehicle, indoor space, vet costs scale with weight). Are emotionally unprepared for 8-10 year lifespans. Consider Bernese Mountain Dog (similarly gentle and smaller, though also heat-sensitive and with a similarly short 7-10 year lifespan), Labrador for a water-loving family dog in a more manageable size, or Golden Retriever for family gentle temperament without giant-breed costs.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is heavier, Newfoundland or Saint Bernard? +
Saint Bernard, typically. Adult Saint males weigh about 140-180 lbs; Newfoundland males about 130-150 lbs. Both are large enough that the weight difference affects daily reality (vehicle selection, lifting onto exam tables, medication doses) but isn't dramatic. Females of both breeds are lighter: about 120-140 lbs for Saints and 100-120 lbs for Newfoundlands.
Do Newfoundlands actually rescue people from drowning? +
Yes. The breed is still used in active water rescue training (notably in Italy with the Italian School of Water Rescue Dogs) and modern Newfies have made documented rescues. The AKC describes the breed as having natural lifesaving abilities. The breed's webbed feet, water-resistant coat, and powerful swimming musculature are real physical adaptations. Not all Newfies will reliably perform rescue work without training, but the underlying behavior is breed-typical.
Which drools more? +
It's close - the AKC rates both breeds 5 of 5 for drooling. Both have heavy jowls (flews) that trap saliva and dispense it, especially after eating and drinking. If drool is a deal-breaker, neither of these two giants is a good fit.
Can either breed live in an apartment? +
Both are challenging in apartments, but Saint Bernard handles smaller spaces slightly better due to lower energy. The combined factors of size (100-180 lbs), seasonal heavy shedding, and daily exercise needs make both breeds genuinely difficult for apartment life. If you're committed to a giant breed in an apartment, plan for: (a) multiple daily walks regardless of weather, (b) a vacuum cleaner running daily, (c) a vehicle capable of transporting the dog comfortably, (d) downstairs neighbors tolerant of footstep impact.
What about Leonberger as a related alternative? +
Worth considering. The Leonberger was deliberately bred (in Germany) to combine traits of Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, and Great Pyrenees - so it offers a middle-ground temperament between Newfie's water orientation and Saint's calm. Leonbergers are similar size and have a similar 'gentle giant' reputation, though the AKC lists a shorter life expectancy of about 7 years. The downside: rarer breed, fewer reputable breeders in North America, higher puppy cost.
