Male vs. Female Saint Bernard: 4 Key Differences

Saint Bernards are giant dogs. Both males and females can reach a massive size, though they tend to be pretty laidback and friendly – when they are adults, anyway. Owning a Saint Bernard can be a lot of work. Despite their “gentle giant” name, they’re often boisterous and bouncy.

Purchase from a good breeder is also vital. Saint Bernards can develop some nasty health problems, and different genders are more prone to certain issues. A breeder that does health and temperament testing is vital, as an aggressive Saint Bernard can also be a huge issue.

Some differences between male and female Saint Bernards are important regarding their care. For instance, spaying a Saint Bernard differs from neutering a Saint Bernard. Males and females also go through different hormonal changes.

We’ll discuss all the vital differences between male and female Saint Bernards below.

Male vs. Female Saint Bernard: Size

Males tend to be larger than females, no matter what breed you’re talking about. However, the difference is often more pronounced in larger dogs like the Saint Bernard. In smaller dogs, there may only be a half a pound of difference, which practically no one will pick up on.

In Saint Bernards, you’re looking at around a 60-pound difference. That’s a lot! Males will look far more substantial than females. You will not find a female that is larger than a male (even if you compare the largest female with the smallest male, he will still be bigger).

Males typically reach around 180 to 200 pounds as an adult. Females reach closer to 120 to 140 pounds.

This size difference plays an obvious role in finding room for the dog. Saint Bernards are large and need plenty of space to lay down. Males will be significantly bigger than females, so they will need even more room.

While size doesn’t matter much in many breeds, many potential owners decide to purchase a female Saint Bernard because they’re smaller.

Male vs. Female Saint Bernard: Temperament

Males and females also have some temperament differences. However, these are less certain than size differences. It’s hard to change physical characteristics. Temperament traits are far more changeable based on socialization and training, though. Therefore, while these differences are typical of male and female Saint Bernards, there are many exceptions to the rule.

Females can go through many more hormonal changes in their lives if left intact. Females will experience regular heat cycles, which can change their temperament. Some females become more affectionate during their cycles, while others become more aloof. Each cycle and dog is different.

Males don’t undergo these hormonal changes, but they take longer to mellow out. Males aren’t going to develop slightly different personality traits every few months, but they will act like a puppy for longer.

Males also take longer to grow than females, so they are puppies for longer. Their larger size means it takes them longer to reach their full size.

Male vs. Female Saint Bernard: Energy Level

Saint Bernards are commonly sold as easygoing, docile dogs. However, this is only true of docile Saint Bernards. Puppies can be very boisterous and energetic. (These dogs remain puppies for 3 to 4 years – almost half of their lifespan).

You will get a more laidback dog eventually, but you have to make it through the puppy years first!

Females tend to mellow out a bit before the males, though. They often hit puberty first, which translates to becoming adults sooner. Males can be especially energetic and may take a while to come into their adulthood.

You can’t just take these dogs on long walks to wear them out, either. Because they are prone to joint issues, these dogs must be exercised with caution. In the end, this often means putting up with some extra hyperactivity from a very large dog.

Male vs. Female Saint Bernard: Health

All breeds have some differences in health problems that are pretty obvious. For instance, males and females can get different kinds of cancer. Females cannot get prostate cancer, for instance, because they don’t have prostates!

Besides these obvious differences, there are more subtle health differences, too. For instance, males are much larger, so they’re more prone to health problems related to their size. They have a higher chance of getting joint issues, for instance. They also have a higher chance of bloat, a deadly disease that requires quick treatment.

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