The Saint Bernard, also known as “Alpine Mastiff” or St. Bernard, is an intelligent Swiss breed that can live for 8 to 10 years.
It is known to be a rescue dog for travelers who were missing and injured in the Italian-Swiss border. It is a large breed which was grouped as working dog.
Although Saint Bernard is only ranked 49th of 194 in the American Kennel Club Registrations, it is still one of the famous breeds in the world.
This dog is white in color with markings that can be red, mahogany, black, brindle or tan.
Contents
Saint Bernard Purchase Price
Saint Bernard is one of the most expensive breeds. Its average cost is $450 to $2,000 at Puppyfind.com. The price depends on the age of the puppy; the younger it is, the more expensive it becomes.
Aside from the dog itself, here are the things you have to consider at least once as a new parent of your puppy:
- Shipping and Transport Costs
The shipping fee depends on the breeders. It may cost you $150 to $350 depending on your location. The choice is yours whether you want it delivered or you want to pick it up from the breeder’s facility.
- Obedience Training
All dogs show undesirable behavior if not trained. You must give them full attention when training, otherwise they’ll get bored. It is important to give them the right kind of training that’s why you should enroll your dog in obedience classes from a young age.
Individual training class at Petsmart.com costs $119. It also offers bundled packages starting at $199 to $299.
It also has special offers for private sessions which start from $35 to $200 depending on the number of sessions.
- Registration
If you want to register your dog at American Kennel Club, it will cost you $34.99 for the cheapest and will cost more depending on the type of package that you will choose.
Saint Bernard Maintenance Cost
In taking care of a Saint Bernard, here are the things you have to consider:
- Food Costs
Saint Bernards are very prone to bloating. The food you should give to your dog will depend on its age, weight, and its level of activity. High-quality dog foods are preferred by most dog owners. A 5.5-oz. canned dog food starts at $1.48.
Some of the commercial dog foods available for your Saint Bernard are the 5 lbs. Pure Balance Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe Food for Dogs which costs $8.98 and the Purina Dog Chow Complete with Real Chicken Adult Dry Dog Food – 20 lb. bag for $11.96.
- Grooming Expenses
If you want your expenses to be less, you should do the grooming of your dog by yourself. You should clean its teeth regularly to avoid plaque build-up and any other dental complications. You can buy dog dental treats like Greenies Dental Dog Treats & Dog Chew for $19.99.
Dental services will cost you around $198 for cleaning and polishing and it may cost you $396 to $550 if they need to do tooth extraction.
There are grooming services like Grooming Angel Pet Salon which offers full grooming for your Saint Bernard. It will cost you $75 to $95 depending on your dog’s condition. Full Groom package includes the following:
- Bath, conditioner and hand fluff drying
- Nail trimming and dremeling, if desired
- Free consultation
- Haircut of your choice
- Anal glands expression
- Ear cleaning and ear hair pulling
- Bows or bandana
- Perfume of your choice
Always wipe the eyes of your Saint Bernard with a damp cloth because tear stains can develop around the eyes and also check its ears regularly.
- Medical Expenses
This is where it gets more expensive. Saint Bernard dogs are known to develop many health issues such as Hip Dysplasia, Entropion, etc. which make the veterinary bills high. You should bring your pet to a veterinarian for physical examinations to prevent complications.
Here are the following things you have to consider for the medical expenses:
- $30 for physical exam
- Vaccines start at $15
- Deworming costs around $12
- Spay or neuter costs $70 for male and $40 for female
There are also potentially expensive costs if ever there are medical issues with your dog.
Factors That Can Affect the Saint Bernard Price
This breed’s purchase costs are affected by the following factors:
- Age – breeders typically price the puppies based on how much costs they have spent in caring them. The longer the dogs have been in their care, the more expensive they become.
- Condition – if the dog is perfectly healthy or has health issues.
- Source – reputable breeders offer the highest prices among all sources, while shelters and rescue facilities offer the least cost.
- Warranties – these ensure that the Saint Bernard you purchase doesn’t have any hidden health issues. The assurance, otherwise known as “peace of mind” definitely has a price tag.
- Inclusions – if you purchase includes registration papers, health guarantee, health certificate, pedigree, veterinarian examination, and a starter bag of puppy food would definitely increase the price.
Tips for Buying and Caring for a Saint Bernard
Here are extra tips in buying a Saint Bernard:
- You should always check if it has health issues and ask for proof of health screenings.
- You should check the breeder’s facility to ensure the living conditions of the dog prior to your purchase.
- Look for breeders who are registered in AKC marketplace.
- Make sure to save a copy of your contract for your record.
Because Saint Bernard is a large breed, it can often have specific nutritional needs but do not overfeed it. Make sure to always socialize with your puppy and give the proper exercise it needs.
Saint Bernard requires special care. In spite of its size, it is good for family and well-behaved children. It is eager to please which makes the training easier.
If you have decided to buy a Saint Bernard, then, you just made a good choice.
