Bullmastiff versus Saint Bernard. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Bullmastiff Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Bullmastiff and for the Saint Bernard. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Bullmastiff or the Saint Bernard.

Bullmastiff versus Saint Bernard: Overview

Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard are similar in size. The Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard are both giant-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard are Working Dogs. This means both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Bullmastiff versus Saint Bernard: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bullmastiff to the Saint Bernard based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard

FactorBullmastiffSaint Bernard
Does NOT Shed5/52/5
Weight100 to 130 pounds120 to 180 pounds
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/51/5
General Health2/52/5
NOT Rambunctious4/53/5
Height24 to 27 inches at the shoulder2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/55/5
Easy To Train3/52/5
Intelligence3/54/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/54/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/55/5
Dog Friendly4/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Does NOT Drool1/51/5
Easy To Groom5/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Life Span8 to 10 years8 to 10 years
Average Lifespan9.0 years9.0 years
Average Price$2230$1320
Price Range$1500 – $3000$875 – $1525
Temperament Score80.1 percent84.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Kidney Disease
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – Min Age 24 Months
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia – Min Age 24 Months
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 22 Months
  • Hip Dysplasia – Min Age 24 Months
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)6965

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bullmastiff in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Saint Bernard. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Bullmastiff is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saint Bernard is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Saint Bernard is a better pet than the Bullmastiff. So, you should get the Saint Bernard!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard

    Below is a list of where the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard are most different:

    • Bullmastiffs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Saint Bernards shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Bullmastiffs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Saint Bernards are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Bullmastiffs are very easy to groom. However, Saint Bernards require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.

    The Similarities Between the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard

    The Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard are most similar:

    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard have a very high tendency to drool.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Bullmastiff versus Saint Bernard

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard.

    Bullmastiffs weigh 100 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Bullmastiffs are 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Saint Bernards weigh 120 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Saint Bernards are 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Bullmastiff versus Saint Bernard

    The lifespan of Bullmastiffs is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Bullmastiffs is 9.0 years.

    The lifespan of Saint Bernards is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Saint Bernards is 9.0 years.

    Temperament of the Saint Bernard Versus the Bullmastiff

    The Saint Bernard has a better temperament than the Bullmastiff.

    This is because the temperament score for the Saint Bernard is 84.9 percent while the temperament score for the Bullmastiff is 80.1 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 80.1 percent, the Bullmastiff has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 84.9 percent, the Saint Bernard has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard by measuring the temperaments of 151 Bullmastiffs and 53 Saint Bernards.

    Price of Bullmastiff versus Price of Saint Bernard

    The average price of the Bullmastiff puppy is $2230. The price of the Bullmastiff typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 94 Bullmastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Saint Bernard puppy is $1320. The price of the Saint Bernard typically ranges from $875 – $1525. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 163 Saint Bernard puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Bullmastiff is more expensive than the Saint Bernard.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Bullmastiff and Saint Bernard. For different price points, the charts show how many Bullmastiff puppies or how many Saint Bernard puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bullmastiffs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bullmastiffs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Saint Bernards

    A breakdown of the prices of Saint Bernards

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bullmastiff puppy or the Saint Bernard puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Bullmastiff versus the Intelligence of the Saint Bernard

    `
    Bullmastiff Saint Bernard
    Intelligence Rank 69 out of 130 dog breeds 65 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Bullmastiff has an obedience intelligence rank of 69 out of 130 dog breeds. The Bullmastiff belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Bullmastiffs tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Saint Bernard has an obedience intelligence rank of 65 out of 130 dog breeds. The Saint Bernard belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Saint Bernards tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Saint Bernard is more intelligent than the Bullmastiff.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Health Problems of Bullmastiff versus Health Problems of Saint Bernard

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Saint Bernard is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Bullmastiff.

    6 health tests are recommended for Bullmastiff while 6 tests are recommended for the Saint Bernard.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bullmastiffs and in Saint Bernards.

    Bullmastiff Health Problems

    Bullmastiffs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bullmastiff puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Bullmastiff puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bullmastiff breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Bullmastiffs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Kidney Disease

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bullmastiffs here.

    Saint Bernard Health Problems

    Saint Bernards are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Saint Bernard puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Saint Bernard puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Saint Bernard breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Saint Bernards for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – Min Age 24 Months
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia – Min Age 24 Months
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 22 Months
  • Hip Dysplasia – Min Age 24 Months

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Saint Bernards here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bullmastiff versus Saint Bernard

    Bullmastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Saint Bernards do not like to be left alone.

    Do Bullmastiffs shed more than Saint Bernards?

    Bullmastiffs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Saint Bernards shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Bullmastiff or the Saint Bernard

    Bullmastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bullmastiff or the Saint Bernard?

    Bullmastiffs are very easy to groom.

    Saint Bernards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Bullmastiff Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saint Bernard?

    Bullmastiffs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Saint Bernards have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Bullmastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Saint Bernards?

    Bullmastiffs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Saint Bernards are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Bullmastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bullmastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Saint Bernards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bullmastiff vs. Saint Bernard

    Bullmastiffs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Saint Bernards do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Bullmastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bullmastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Saint Bernards cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bullmastiff or the Saint Bernard?

    Bullmastiffs get along very well with other dogs.

    Saint Bernards get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Bullmastiffs good family dogs? What about Saint Bernards?

    Bullmastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Saint Bernards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Bullmastiffs and Saint Bernards?

    Bullmastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Saint Bernards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Bullmastiff Easier to Train than the Saint Bernard?

    Bullmastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Saint Bernards are not easy to train.

    Is the Bullmastiff Better for Apartment Owners than the Saint Bernard?

    Bullmastiffs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Saint Bernards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bullmastiff or the Saint Bernard?

    Bullmastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Saint Bernards are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Bullmastiff versus Saint Bernard. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Bullmastiff and the Saint Bernard better suits you and your family.