Owning a Saint Bernard is one of the most satisfying and rewarding things you will likely do in your life. Ask any Saint Bernard owner and they will vouch for this fact. These gentle giants make very good family dogs that shower love and affection on their family members.
If you have already set your heart on owning a Saint Bernard and want to know how much Saint Bernard puppies cost, read on, this guide will answer all your questions!
How Much Does a Saint Bernard Cost? (The Short Answer)
The average price of a Saint Bernard puppy from a reputable breeder is between $600 and $2000. Adopting Saint Bernard dogs is cheaper – about $500. The first year cost of owning a Saint Bernard puppy is almost $2000. The estimated annual cost of owning a Saint Bernard puppy after the first year is $900 to $4000. Over its lifetime, you could spend almost $10,000-$30,000 on your pet.
Price of a Saint Bernard Puppy: How Much Do Saint Bernard Puppies Cost?
Reputable breeders charge between $600 and $2000 for Saint Bernard puppies as they are purebred dogs. This price can increase if the parent dogs are championship winners or show dogs. Breeding dogs takes effort, and naturally, most breeders recover those costs from their customers.
Some Saint Bernard breeders might also charge for the initial vaccinations, deworming, and shipping if they are located away from you. Saint Bernard puppies from puppy mills are cheaper but these dogs tend to have health issues and even behavioral problems.
Dog lovers can choose to adopt a Saint Bernard from American Kennel Club rescue homes for a lot less. Most animal shelters charge an adoption fee of $400-$500 for a rescue dog and this cost sometimes covers vaccinations, deworming, and spaying/neutering.
Cost of Basic Supplies for Saint Bernards
Saint Bernard owners tend to spend between $50 and $250 on basic supplies for their Saint Bernard pups. These include toys, training tools, a crate, grooming tools, and other necessities like bowls, beds, leashes, collars, etc. Here is a list showing you a breakup of these items:
- Dog bowls for food and water – $5-$10
- A crate – $50-$100
- Bed and blankets – $30-$50
- Chews and toys – $10-$40
- Grooming tools – brush, shampoo, – $10-$40
- Leash and collar or harness – $20-$30
Total cost – $100-$250.
The Cost of Dog Food for Saint Bernard
The average cost of dog food for large dogs like Saint Bernards can cost between $500 and $750 a year depending on the brand you choose. It is very important to select high-quality dog food and a healthy diet that is free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
Choose high-quality dog food for your Saint Bernard and you will likely spend a lot less on vet bills. Saint Bernard puppies will need 4 meals a day, whereas adult dogs or fully grown Saint Bernard will need about 2 meals per day.
As your Saint Bernard grows, discuss the best adult dog diet with your vet. A senior dog might also need special food based on its overall health.
- On average, most Saint Bernard owners and pet lovers spend between $50-$100 a month to feed their giant dogs.
- Some Saint Bernards tend to have food allergies or sensitivities. If your senior dog or adult dog needs a special diet such as veterinary therapeutic food or freshly cooked food, then expect to pay almost $200-$350 per month.
Training Costs
If you want a well-behaved dog, dog training from a very young age is a must. You can choose to enroll your Saint Bernard puppy in a training school. If so, expect to pay between $20-$50 per session.
Private training can cost even more and there are board-and-train options with costs that can run into thousands of dollars. Here are your options in canine education from a young age:
- Training videos at home – $0
- Private lessons with dog trainers – average $40 to $120
- Group classes – $10 to $50 per class
- Board and train – $500-$1250 per week.
Cost of Veterinary Care
Vet bills or vet visits are a major expense for any dog lover. First-time dog owners can be shocked by the amount they need to spend – so it is important to be aware of these costs.
Your Saint Bernard pup will need several vaccinations in the first year of its life along with boosters in the years that follow. These are very important to prevent diseases like distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, etc.
Many Saint Bernards develop issues like hip and elbow dysplasia, surgery for which can cost $1400 to $4000. Life-threatening conditions like bone cancer are also prevalent in the Saint Bernard breed and can cost nearly $5000 for treating.
Pet insurance can take care of some of these costs. If you buy pet insurance for your Saint Bernard, expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $90 per month.
Here are some of the typical medical expenses for giant dogs:
- The initial cost of vaccines and spaying neutering is $100 to $500
- Flea/tick prevention – $140-$185 per year.
- First-year medical cost for Saint Bernard puppy – $375 to $1875
- Annual medical expenses (preventive care) – $500
- Vet visits – $40-$75 for routine checks.
- Emergency costs – $1000-$4000.
- Pet insurance – $300 to $1000 annually.
Other Costs of Saint Bernard Ownership
In addition to food, training, and medical costs, you could also spend on the following:
Grooming
Saint Bernards don’t need special haircuts but they do need professional grooming every 3 to 4 months to keep their coat manageable. This can cost around $100. You can choose to save money by grooming your Saint Bernard at home.
Travel/Dog Boarding
If you travel a lot, you’d need to board your Saint Bernard at the pet hostel or hire a pet sitter. The charge per night for dog boarding cost range is $20-$75 while sitters charge $35 to $75 per day (depending on the tasks).
Traveling with your Saint Bernard can cost almost $250 one way for flight tickets.
Dog Walker Costs
Hiring a dog walker to exercise your Saint Bernard can set you back by a cost range of $10- $40 per day for a single walk of 30-45 minutes. To save money, you can walk your dog yourself.
Dog License
This costs around $10 per month for spayed/neutered dogs and slightly more for non-spayed/neutered dogs.
Summary of Saint Bernard Cost
As can be seen, Saint Bernards can be fairly expensive dogs. You could pay a cost range between $1000 and $3000 in the puppy’s first year.
Most reputable breeders charge between $600 and $2000 for healthy Saint Bernard puppies. Alternatively, you can opt for rescue dogs as a family pet for around $500.
After the first year, be prepared to spend between $2000 and $4000 per year on Saint Bernard dog ownership including vet bills, food costs, etc.
This cost can increase if your large breed Saint Bernard dog’s health deteriorates in its senior years. Most Saint Bernards live for 8-10 years, so, the cost of owning this dog breed can run up to $10,000 to $30000 over its lifetime.
