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St. Bernards are one of the biggest dog breeds you can buy, and the costs of caring for them are jumbo-sized as well. From the cost of feeding them to bigger dog beds and accessories, St. Bernards simply cost more than, say, a Pomeranian.
That’s not to say they’re expensive puppies, though. St. Bernard puppies cost between just $500 to a shiny $1,500 on average, with $1,000 being a more reasonable mid-range price. Saint puppies with a pedigree can cost upwards of $2,000, but it’s not really necessary to shell out that much if you’re just looking for a family dog.
Don’t forget that dogs cost a lot more than just the upfront cost of taking them home. You should expect to pay for vet appointments, vaccinations, and all the other stuff that your pup needs to thrive. How much are St. Bernards after factoring in all those things? Let’s dive into a more detailed explanation of those costs below so you have a better idea of how you’ll need to budget for your new St. Bernard.
Bringing Home a New St. Bernard: One-Time Costs
Just the cost of bringing your new St. Bernard puppy home will be significant unless you’re lucky and find one for free. Adoption is a cheaper alternative to breeders, but you might have to grapple with health conditions or behavioral problems from past owners. Let’s discuss each in further detail below.
Free
It’s difficult to find a St. Bernard for free, whether a puppy or an adult. Your best bet is to check nearby animal shelters or rescue organizations to see if any are available for free or for a minimal adoption fee. Other possibilities are accidental litters on Facebook, Craigslist, or other community websites.
Adoption
- $50–$300
Sadly, many big dogs end up in shelters when people buy them as puppies and don’t realize they can’t care for them when they reach their massive adult size. Saints in shelters also may not always be in the best shape if their previous owners neglected to stay on top of vet appointments and other lifestyle considerations like exercise or diet.
The St. Bernard price at a shelter or rescue depends on the facility you adopt from, but you can usually get an idea of what you’ll pay on an organization’s website. Failing that, you can always just call them up and ask if there are any St. Bernards for adoption and what they cost to adopt. These adoption fees go toward covering the previous care of not only that dog but to continue helping other animals too.
Breeder
- $500–$1,500
Breeders are the best and most reputable source of St. Bernard puppies, providing essential care during the early weeks of a puppy’s life. This means you’ll pay extra to help cover the cost of a puppy’s initial vet appointments, vaccinations, and so on.
Cheap puppies from breeders, under $500 or so, are very rare and might be a sign of a puppy mill. Always be sure to check out a breeder’s references and visit their facility. Sketchy breeders don’t usually allow this, but good ones welcome visitors. Clean, spacious, and well-lit facilities are the gold standard for quality dog breeders.
Initial Setup and Supplies
- $400–$450
The stuff you need when your St. Bernard comes home for the very first time doesn’t cost a ton, but it’s not cheap either. A jumbo-sized dog crate and bed alone cost a lot more than their smaller versions, and you have to consider ongoing costs too.
List of St. Bernard Care Supplies and Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | $10–$20 |
| Spay/Neuter | $50–$500 |
| Microchip | $50–$70 |
| Dog Shampoo | $10–$15 |
| Dog Bed | $20–$50 |
| Nail Clipper (optional) | $10 |
| 2 Dog Brushes | $10–$25 |
| Enzyme Cleaning Spray for Accidents | $15–$25 |
| Food | $60–$90 |
| Toys | $50–$70 |
| Dog Crate | $140–$175 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10 |
How Much Does a St. Bernard Cost Per Month?
- $300–$450 per month
After bringing them home, your St. Bernard will have some recurring costs. You can cut corners on these in several ways, but in the end, you’ll still average a couple hundred each month on keeping your Saint happy and healthy from puppyhood to maturity and beyond. Food is the most obvious, but there are plenty of other factors to consider.
Health Care
- $150–$250 per month
Initially, you have the cost of vet visits and vaccinations, but every type of medication your Saint gets at the vet calls for bigger dosages and, therefore, bigger vet bills for you. Surgeries on bigger dogs cost more too, as a rule. Over time, St. Bernards that develop health conditions can cost much, much more than the estimates above. Adults cost more in vet bills than puppies, and senior dogs cost even more.
Food
- $60–$90 per month
St. Bernards eat a lot of food, so we highly recommend buying in bulk to save a few bucks on kibble monthly—but don’t compromise on quality! Even buying in bulk you may need to restock once or twice a month to keep up with your Saint’s appetite, especially as a voracious young puppy going through rapid growth spurts.
Grooming
- $0–$100 per month
St. Bernards need to be brushed two or three times a week, which is easily done at home with a good double-sided brush if you have the time and dedication. It saves money on trips to the dog groomer, too, but the groomer can save you time if cost isn’t a factor.
Environment Maintenance
- $40–$50 one time
St. Bernards are happy sleeping on a cool, hard surface, but you’ll want a soft dog bed as an alternative. Sleeping on hard surfaces can be hard on their bodies, especially as puppies, and senior dogs tend to prefer having a good bed to sleep on. They’re just as happy to nap at your feet at home, too, so you won’t spend a lot here.
Entertainment
- $20–$50 per month
Saints are big dogs that don’t need as much exercise as other large breeds, but they still have modest needs as far as toys. High-quality bones, treats, and toys like rope will go a long way toward keeping your St. Bernard happy, but they’re not big chewers in general.
Pet Insurance
- $20–$40 per month
Because of the high risk of health conditions like hip dysplasia and bloat later in life, pet insurance is highly recommended for all St. Bernard owners. Big dogs equal big vet bills, and pet insurance protects you against unexpected exorbitant costs that can crop up if your Saint happens to need surgery for some reason.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a St. Bernard
- $300–$450 per month
Additional Costs to Factor In
Your St. Bernard is a big commitment, and that’s even after counting food and trips to the vet. Depending on your schedule and lifestyle, you may need to pay for services like kennels, pet sitters, and dog walkers. Saints are generally easy-going dogs, but as puppies, they can get pretty mouthy and might cost you a new pair of shoes or two.
Another important consideration is training. St. Bernards are big and strong, so you’ll want to get them leash trained ASAP and get them into obedience training early on to prevent leash tugging. It’s better that they tug on the leash while young than when they reach their full size!
Owning a St. Bernard on a Budget
Generally speaking, St. Bernards will cost you more than the average dog breed because they eat a lot and their size makes them more expensive to take to the vet or dog groomer. Giant dog crates are a lot more expensive too, but you can save some cash by looking for secondhand crates in good condition online.
Saving Money on St. Bernard Care
We strongly suggest buying food and possibly even toys in bulk to save cash over time—smaller bags of kibble end up costing you more over time. There’s not a lot you can do to cushion vet bills, but pet insurance is always a good idea to protect from accidents and other unexpected vet trips.
Conclusion
St. Bernards are far from the cheapest dog to own, though you can save a bit of money by buying stuff in bulk or buying secondhand crates. Expect to budget for a few hundred dollars each month, with a lot of the vet visits frontloaded in their first 6 months.
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Featured Image Credit: Artush, Shutterstock
