Differences and Similarities between the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard.

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King Shepherd Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd or the Saint Bernard.

King Shepherd versus Saint Bernard

King Shepherd versus Saint Bernard: Overview

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

Furthermore, the King Shepherd belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.

On the other hand, the Saint Bernard belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs 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.

King Shepherd versus Saint Bernard: Comparison Table

The table below compares the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard

Factor King Shepherd Saint Bernard
Life Span 10 to 11 years 8 to 10 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Height 25 to 31 inches 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s
General Health 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 75 to 150 pounds 120 to 180 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 9.0 years
Average Price $1560 $1320
Price Range $700 – $2500 $875 – $1525
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 84.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • 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
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saint Bernard is 81 out of 125.

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

    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 King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard

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

  • King Shepherds can tolerate hot weather. However, Saint Bernards cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • The Similarities Between the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard

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

  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard are very playful.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of King Shepherd versus Saint Bernard

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

    King Shepherds weigh 75 to 150 pounds when fully grown. King Shepherds are 25 to 31 inches 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 King Shepherd versus Saint Bernard

    The lifespan of King Shepherds is between 10 to 11 years . The average lifespan of King Shepherds is 10.5 years.

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

    King Shepherds live longer than Saint Bernards.

    Temperament of the King Shepherd Versus the Saint Bernard

    The King Shepherd has a better temperament than the Saint Bernard.

    This is because the temperament score for the King Shepherd is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Saint Bernard is 84.9 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 100.0 percent, the King Shepherd has an above-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 King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard by measuring the temperaments of 1 King Shepherds and 53 Saint Bernards.

    Price of King Shepherd versus Price of Saint Bernard

    The average price of the King Shepherd puppy is $1560. The price of the King Shepherd typically ranges from $700 – $2500. However, the price of a King Shepherd can be as low as $150 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 34 King Shepherd 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. However, the price of the Saint Bernard can be as low as $200 and as high as $3550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 163 Saint Bernard puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The King Shepherd is more expensive than the Saint Bernard.

    King Shepherd Saint Bernard
    Average Price $1560 $1320
    Price Range $700 to $2500 $875 to $1525

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of King Shepherds. 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 King Shepherd 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: King Shepherd versus Saint Bernard

    King Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Saint Bernards do not like to be left alone.

    Do King Shepherds shed more than Saint Bernards?

    King Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the King Shepherd or the Saint Bernard

    King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the King Shepherd or the Saint Bernard?

    King Shepherds are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the King Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saint Bernard?

    King Shepherds 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.

    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 King Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Saint Bernards?

    King Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can King Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?

    King Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Saint Bernards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: King Shepherd vs. Saint Bernard

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?

    King Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    King Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Saint Bernards get along very well with other dogs.

    Are King Shepherds good family dogs? What about Saint Bernards?

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherds and Saint Bernards?

    King Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the King Shepherd Easier to Train than the Saint Bernard?

    King Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Saint Bernards are not easy to train.

    Is the King Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Saint Bernard?

    King Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Saint Bernards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    King Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the King Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the King Shepherd that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the King Shepherd:

  • Chinook (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Saint Bernard vs Chinook.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Saint Bernard vs Shiloh Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saint Bernard

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Saint Bernard that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Saint Bernard:

  • Newfoundland (68 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the King Shepherd vs Newfoundland.
  • Spinone Italiano (68 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the King Shepherd vs Spinone Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the King Shepherd and how the Saint Bernard compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the King Shepherd and of the Saint Bernard to other breeds:

    King Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    King Shepherd versus Chinese Shar-Pei     King Shepherd versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     King Shepherd versus Tibetan Spaniel     King Shepherd versus Kai Ken     King Shepherd versus German Longhaired Pointer     King Shepherd versus Brussels Griffon     King Shepherd versus English Setter     King Shepherd versus English Setter     King Shepherd versus Lowchen     King Shepherd versus Puggle     King Shepherd versus Kishu Ken     King Shepherd versus Lhasapoo     King Shepherd versus Collie     King Shepherd versus Berger Picard     King Shepherd versus Skye Terrier     King Shepherd versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     King Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel     King Shepherd versus Papillon     King Shepherd versus Yorkipoo     King Shepherd versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     King Shepherd versus Chow Chow     King Shepherd versus Dutch Shepherd     King Shepherd versus Aussiedoodle     King Shepherd versus Pomchi     King Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     

    Saint Bernard Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saint Bernard versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Spanish Mastiff     Saint Bernard versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Saint Bernard versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Saint Bernard versus Cockalier     Saint Bernard versus West Highland White Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Australian Shepherd     Saint Bernard versus Bulldog     Saint Bernard versus Australian Kelpie     Saint Bernard versus Karelian Bear Dog     Saint Bernard versus Black Russian Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Saint Bernard versus Cesky Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Bordoodle     Saint Bernard versus Schnoodle     Saint Bernard versus Sloughi     Saint Bernard versus Australian Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Irish Wolfhound     Saint Bernard versus Field Spaniel     Saint Bernard versus Border Collie     Saint Bernard versus Cesky Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Akita Chow     Saint Bernard versus Chinese Crested     Saint Bernard versus Irish Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Miniature Schnauzer     

    Conclusion: King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Saint Bernard better suits you and your family.