Saint Bernard Characteristics
Life expectancy: 9 – 10 years
Adult weight: 140 – 180 lbs.
Adult height: 28 – 30 in.
Origin – Switzerland
Saint Bernard (or St. Bernard for people who don’t want to type those letters in the middle) is a very large dog breed from the Western Alps of Switzerland. This breed goes centuries back, originally being bred as rescue workers for the travelers of the Great St Bernard Pass. Owing their name to a monk, these dogs are also called ‘Saint dogs’ or ‘Noble steeds’.
Being associated with rescue operations from the start, these dogs have been known to show immense compassion and empathy towards humans. Their giant-intimidating physique is just an exterior. On the inside, they are sweet, gentle, affectionate, and social. They are great with adults as well as children, but training them is recommended early on to help with their socialization. Luckily they aren’t very stubborn, so training them shouldn’t be too difficult.
This magnificent breed has saved more than 2,000 lives by working at several rescue operations. Among the many rescue stories is a famous story about a St. Bernard dog called ‘Barry.’ There is even a movie about this rescue operation on YouTube called ‘Barry of the Great St Bernard.’ This breed’s most popular appearance has been in the movie Beethoven (1992). These rescue dogs are now being used as companions, show dogs, and sporting dogs because of their agility and strength.
What is the price of a Saint Bernard?
For a dog as noble as this one, the price can vary on many factors. We will break down the price by categorizing it by initial buying/adoption costs, vaccinations, diets, medical costs, and grooming. This way, you can get a better idea of the costs associated with owning a Saint Bernard.
Buying: $1000 – $1500
A St Bernard’s price could be influenced by factors like the type of breeder you get it from, the dog’s age, gender, coat color, and bloodline, to name a few. If you choose to buy a Saint Bernard from a breeder, you can expect to pay around $1000-$1500. With reputable breeders, the price of a Saint Bernard puppy can be as high as $2500. The color of the coat for a St. Bernard also influences the cost of the dog. These dogs come in a variety of colors, including black, white, and shades of brown like reddish-brown, orange, mahogany and white, and brindle. Another option is to get one from a puppy farm. Puppy farms could charge around $800 for a Saint Bernard, but you should research the organization beforehand and check the health of the pup before you decide to bring it home.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, adopting a St Bernard from a shelter could be a good choice for you. On average, the adoption fee is around $100-$300, which typically covers the cost of care most shelters provide the puppy with before adoption.
Monthly costs for a St. Bernard
Diets: $80-$95
Being one of the heaviest dog breeds with a weight that can reach 150 lbs, these dogs will need a good supply of food to help maintain their physique. A pup will eat around 40 lbs of food per month in the initial years and around 45 lbs as an adult. A good quality vet-recommended kibble could cost you around $60-$75 per month. Add another $20 for the treats you’ll want to give your dog.
Grooming: $50-$70
These dogs come in both long and short-haired varieties. Typically, Saint Bernard’s can be groomed at home because their maintenance requirements are relatively low. Weekly brushing, an occasional bath, nail trimming, and teeth and ear cleaning supplies could cost around $50-$70. If you decide to take your dog to a professional groomer, each session could cost around $60-$80.
Medical Costs: $700-$1200
During the first years, it is recommended you take your pet to the vet about 3-4 times annually. Vet fees can range from $100 to $300 and could include things like annual wellness exams and blood tests, among other recommended preventive care treatments. Other examinations and tests could cost you another $300-$400.
Like all breeds, St Bernards are at risk for developing health conditions during their lifetime. Some common conditions this breed may experience include- Hip Dysplasia, Entropion, Cancer, and Cardiomyopathy. Treatment costs could be:
Hip dysplasia - $2000-$4000
Entropion – $900-$1200
Cardiomyopathy - $800-$2000 per year
One-time costs for a Saint Bernard
Initial Costs: $500-$600
The bigger the dog, the bigger the supplies they will need. A big bed, big crate, leashes and collars, food and water bowls, poop scooper, toys, and chewies are some items needed when you decide to get a dog. You can expect these initial costs to be around $500-$600.
Microchipping: $50-$70
90% of the lost pets in the U.S. are not found. This is where microchipping can help. 70-80% of microchipped pets find their way back home. The cost can vary from state to state, but the average cost is around $50. Along with a dog license, it could cost an additional 10-20 bucks.
Vaccinations: $250-$300
There are certain core vaccinations that a Basenji would need. These include distemper, parvovirus, Adenovirus, type 1, Adenovirus, type 2, and rabies. All of these could cost you around $150-$200.
There are certain non-core vaccinations as well that are recommended by most vets for a Basenji. These include parainfluenza, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. The cost of these vaccines can be around $130-$150.
Miscellaneous: $200-$250
Dog walking, dog sitting, trips, and park visits, are some additional costs that may come up during your dog’s lifetime. You should keep aside around $200-$250 per year for these expenses.
Lifetime Saint Bernard Cost
Adding the buying/adoption cost, initial set-up costs, one-time and recurring costs, and multiplying them by the average life span, we can estimate that a St Bernard could cost around $20,000-$24,000 in its lifetime. This estimation does not include the cost of medical emergencies or illnesses, should they happen to your pet.
How can Spot Pet Insurance help?
Spot Pet Insurance accident & illness pet insurance plans offer a wide variety of coverages, from microchip implantation to surgeries and prescription food and supplements prescribed to treat your pet’s unexpected accidents and illnesses. (Prescription food and supplements used for general health or weight maintenance are not covered). For an extra cost, Spot dog insurance plans offer preventive care coverage add-ons to help cover the costs of certain routine vaccinations, annual wellness exams, and other preventive care treatments. You can view the add-on preventive care coverage options. Get in touch with us to know more!
Conclusion
This loyal, hard-working, compassionate, empathetic, and beautiful dog breed from Switzerland, Saint Bernard, will always be a noble dog breed. The lifetime cost of owning one will all feel worth it with their presence in the house. And anyway, you can worry less knowing Spot plans can cover up to 90% of your eligible vet bills for covered conditions! So go ahead and get your Saint Bernard home!
