How much time do Saint Bernards need per day?

Budget roughly 45–90 minutes per day for exercise, training, and interaction. On top of that, grooming adds around 3–5 hours per week spread across sessions.

Are Saint Bernards hard work?

Saint Bernards require consistent effort but are manageable for an engaged owner. The key is keeping to a routine — irregular exercise and sporadic training make things harder.

Is a Saint Bernard a good dog for busy people?

It depends. Saint Bernards can work for busy people who are disciplined about making time for exercise and training — but they're not a dog that looks after itself.

How much grooming does a Saint Bernard need?

Saint Bernards are heavy shedders and need brushing daily or every other day, with a full de-shedding session during peak coat blow periods. Budget around 3–5 hours per week on grooming.

Are Saint Bernards High Maintenance?

Q: Are Saint Bernards high maintenance?

Saint Bernards are moderately high maintenance. They need regular exercise, consistent training, and routine grooming — but nothing that should overwhelm a reasonably active, committed owner.

About the Saint Bernard

The Swiss rescue dog turned house pet. Impossibly large, impossibly gentle, and a drool machine of epic proportions.

Size

Giant

Weight

64–120 kg

Energy

Low

Trainability

Moderate

Lifespan

8–10 yrs

Time commitment breakdown

Owning a Saint Bernard isn't just about daily walks. Here's what the weekly time commitment actually looks like:

Grooming: 3–5 hours per week — brushing, bathing, checking ears and nails.
Exercise: 3–5 hours per week — walks, off-lead time, active play.
Training: A few 10–15 minute sessions per week — Saint Bernards learn reliably with consistency but have an independent streak.
Mental stimulation: Occasional — low-energy breeds still benefit from mental stimulation but don't demand it daily.

Grooming requirements

Grooming is one of the biggest daily commitments with Saint Bernards. They shed heavily year-round, with two particularly intense coat blow periods in spring and autumn. Expect daily brushing as the baseline, not the exception.

A de-shedding brush (Furminator or equivalent), a slicker brush, and a vacuum cleaner rated for pet hair are all non-negotiable. Some owners invest in a professional groom every 6–8 weeks to remove the bulk of the undercoat in one session — it helps.

Exercise requirements

Saint Bernards have lower energy levels — 30–60 minutes of daily walking is typically sufficient. They're content to relax once their exercise needs are met and generally don't have the restless edge of high-energy breeds.

This makes them much more practical for owners with less time, smaller homes, or a less active lifestyle.

Mental stimulation needs

Physical exercise alone isn't enough for most dogs. Saint Bernards also need mental engagement. Saint Bernards are fairly relaxed about mental stimulation — occasional training sessions and enrichment activities are appreciated but won't become an emergency if they're occasionally skipped.

What "low maintenance" actually means day to day

A Saint Bernard's maintenance needs sit at a level that rewards routine. Owners who build exercise, grooming, and training into their weekly schedule find it entirely manageable. The problems come when these get skipped — a Saint Bernard that misses a week of brushing or a few days of proper exercise will show it.

Is this breed right for your lifestyle?

Should a first-time owner get a Saint Bernard?

Saint Bernards are manageable for motivated first-timers. They have a moderate stubborn streak, so training takes more patience than an easy breed — but it's absolutely achievable with consistency and positive reinforcement.

Want the full picture on Saint Bernards?

Read the complete Saint Bernard breed guide →

Are Saint Bernards high maintenance?