Gentle Giants: 15 Majestic Dog Breeds Similar to the St. Bernard

As a lifelong dog lover and veterinarian, I‘ve always been drawn to the gentle giants of the dog world. There‘s something so endearing about a massive, fluffy dog that just wants to love and be loved. The St. Bernard is perhaps the quintessential gentle giant, known for their heroic history of Alpine rescues, sweet temperament, and iconic "sad" expression. But there are many other giant breeds that share similarities with the beloved St. Bernard. If you‘re considering bringing one of these majestic dogs into your life, read on to learn more about your options and what to expect.

The Legendary St. Bernard

The St. Bernard‘s history dates back to the 1600s, when monks at the Great St. Bernard Hospice in the Swiss Alps began breeding large dogs to help with rescues on the treacherous mountain pass. These early St. Bernards were smaller and had shorter coats than today‘s breed standard. In the early 1800s, Newfoundlands were introduced to the breeding program, increasing the size and coat length of the breed. The long-haired or "rough-coated" variety of St. Bernard was especially popular in the 19th century but is now less common than the short-haired or "smooth-coated" type.

The St. Bernard‘s legendary rescues made them famous around the world. The most celebrated St. Bernard was Barry, who lived at the hospice from 1800-1812 and saved over 40 lives. Today‘s St. Bernards may not be doing dramatic rescues, but they maintain the breed‘s signature calm, patient, and people-loving disposition.

St. Bernard at a Glance

As this overview shows, the St. Bernard is a very large dog with moderate care requirements in terms of exercise and grooming. They are typically mellow and agreeable dogs that respond well to training. However, their size alone can make them challenging for novice owners. St. Bernards also drool quite a bit and shed heavily. Sadly, they are prone to many health issues common in giant breeds and have a relatively short life expectancy.

Meet the St. Bernard‘s Cousins

Now that we‘ve covered the key traits of the St. Bernard, let‘s meet some other giant breeds that share their gentle spirit and impressive stature. While no two breeds are exactly alike, these dogs have a lot in common with the St. Bernard in terms of appearance, temperament, and care needs.

1. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Hailing from the same region of the Swiss Alps as the St. Bernard, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (or Swissy) is a strong, sturdy working breed with a short tricolor coat. Weighing 85-140 pounds, they are a bit smaller and more agile than the St. Bernard but still a very large dog. Swissies have a similar gentle, friendly temperament and patience with children. However, they tend to be more energetic and require ample daily exercise. With proper training and socialization, they make calm, confident companions.

2. Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is another Swiss breed that looks like a longer-haired, more color-saturated version of the St. Bernard. Berners have a gorgeous tricolor coat of black, white, and rust. Males weigh 80-115 pounds and females weigh 70-95 pounds on average. They share the St. Bernard‘s sweet, affectionate nature and love being around their people. Berners shed heavily and need regular brushing to maintain their fluffy coat. They have moderate exercise needs and relatively low energy levels. Like St. Bernards, their expected lifespan is sadly short at just 7-10 years.

3. Newfoundland

Considering their role in developing the modern St. Bernard, it‘s no surprise that Newfoundlands (Newfies) have a very similar gentle giant temperament. These massive, fluffy dogs weigh 100-150 pounds and excel at water rescue work. Newfies come in solid black, brown, gray, or black and white (Landseer). They are famous for their sweet, patient nature and natural affinity for children. Newfoundlands need daily exercise but are generally quite mellow. They do shed and drool profusely. Potential health problems include hip and elbow dysplasia, heart issues, and a lifespan of 8-10 years.

4. Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is a striking livestock guardian breed from the Pyrenees Mountains of France and Spain. Standing up to 32 inches tall and weighing up to 160 pounds, Pyrs rival the size of the St. Bernard. They have a majestic, thick white coat that may have markings of gray, tan, or badger. Great Pyrenees are known for their calm, patient demeanor and devotion to family. They can be aloof with strangers and need careful socialization. Pyrs have moderate exercise needs but still require space to roam. They are prone to hip dysplasia and have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.

5. Leonberger

The impressive Leonberger was developed in Germany as a combination of St. Bernard, Newfoundland, and other large breeds. Weighing 90-170 pounds, Leos have a regal, lion-like presence with their long, wavy coats in red, reddish-brown, sandy, or yellow-brown. They are friendly, gentle companions that love being around people. Leonbergers are moderately active and need regular exercise but are not overly energetic. They shed moderately and need brushing a few times a week. Health concerns include hip dysplasia and a lifespan of 8-9 years.

Other Giant Breeds Related to St. Bernards

In addition to the breeds detailed above, here are some other giant dogs that share key traits with the St. Bernard:

• Tibetan Mastiff: Ancient guardian breed weighing 70-150 pounds with a thick coat and impressive mane. Loyal, protective, and aloof with strangers. Sheds heavily.

• Anatolian Shepherd: Turkish livestock guardian weighing 80-150 pounds with a thick, short to medium coat in fawn, brindle, or white. Fearless, independent, and protective.

• Tornjak: Rare livestock guardian from Bosnia and Herzegovina weighing 62-110 pounds with a long, thick coat. Calm, friendly, and protective.

• Caucasian Shepherd: Powerful Russian guardian breed weighing up to 170 pounds with a thick, long coat. Fearless, strong-willed, and devoted.

• Kuvasz: Ancient Hungarian guardian breed weighing 70-115 pounds with a thick white coat. Loyal, fearless, and protective. Sheds heavily.

• Spanish Mastiff: Giant Spanish guardian breed weighing up to 200 pounds with a dense coat in solid or bicolored patterns. Calm, noble, and protective.

• Estrela Mountain Dog: Portuguese livestock guardian weighing 65-130 pounds with a thick coat in shades of yellow or gray. Intelligent, loyal, and protective.

• Landseer: Striking black and white variant of the Newfoundland bred for water rescue, weighing 110-180 pounds. Sweet, gentle, and patient.

Is a Giant Breed Right for You?

As a veterinarian, I always encourage potential dog owners to carefully consider whether they can meet a breed‘s needs before bringing a new dog home. With giant breeds like the St. Bernard and their relatives, there are some important factors to keep in mind:

1. Space: Giant breeds need room to move and stretch out. They are not well-suited for small homes or apartments. A large house with a securely fenced yard is ideal.

2. Exercise: While many giant breeds have relatively low energy levels, they still need daily walks and playtime to stay physically and mentally healthy. Plan on at least 30-60 minutes of exercise per day.

3. Training: Giant breeds need early socialization and consistent positive reinforcement training to learn good manners and prevent behavior issues. Enrolling in a puppy class is highly recommended.

4. Grooming: Most giant breeds have thick coats that shed heavily and require regular brushing. Some also drool quite a bit. Be prepared for dog hair and slobber to be a part of your life.

5. Feeding: Giant breed puppies have special nutritional needs to support their rapid growth and development. Look for a large breed puppy food and follow feeding guidelines closely. Adults will eat much larger quantities of food compared to a smaller dog.

6. Health: Unfortunately, giant breeds are more prone to orthopedic problems, heart issues, bloat, and other health concerns. Choose a responsible breeder who performs health screenings and be prepared for potentially expensive vet bills.

7. Lifespan: Sadly, giant breeds have significantly shorter lifespans on average compared to smaller dogs. While each dog is an individual, most giant breeds live only 8-10 years.

As a dog lover myself, I understand the appeal of these magnificent gentle giants. There is truly nothing like the love and loyalty of a big fluffy dog that just wants to be by your side. But I also know firsthand the heartbreak of losing them too soon and the challenges of managing their health issues.

Ultimately, only you can decide if a giant breed is the right match for your lifestyle and family. If you have the time, space, and resources to devote to one of these majestic creatures, you will be rewarded with an incredible bond and a lot of laughs along the way. There‘s just something about the way a St. Bernard or Newfie leans against you or gazes up at you with those soulful eyes that makes all the drool and hair worth it.

If you do decide to bring a St. Bernard or one of their giant cousins into your life, be sure to find a responsible, experienced breeder who puts health and temperament first. Steer clear of anyone offering "rare" colors or oversized dogs. Meet the puppy‘s parents and ask about health clearances and genetic tests. A reputable breeder will welcome your questions and want to ensure their puppies go to loving, committed homes.

Welcoming a gentle giant into your heart and home is not a decision to make lightly. But for those of us who can‘t resist their endearing wrinkles, floppy paws, and sweet spirits, the rewards are immeasurable. With proper care, training, and a whole lot of love, your St. Bernard or similar gentle giant will be a cherished companion for many years to come.

References

• American Kennel Club. (2021). St. Bernard.
• American Kennel Club. (2021). Bernese Mountain Dog.
• American Kennel Club. (2021). Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
• American Kennel Club. (2021). Leonberger.
• American Kennel Club. (2021). Newfoundland.
• Gough, A., Thomas, A., & O‘Neill, D. (2018). Breed predispositions to disease in dogs and cats. Wiley Blackwell.