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

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Kishu Ken Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken or the Saint Bernard.

Kishu Ken versus Saint Bernard: Overview

A very important difference between the Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Kishu Ken is a medium-sized dog while the Saint Bernard is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard are Working Dogs. This means both the Kishu Ken 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.

Kishu Ken versus Saint Bernard: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard

Factor Kishu Ken Saint Bernard
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Height 17 to 22 inches 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Weight 30 to 60 pounds 120 to 180 pounds
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Life Span 9 to 13 years 8 to 10 years
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 9.0 years
Price Range No Data $875 – $1525
Average Price No Data $1320
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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken is 79 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 Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard

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

  • Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs. However, Saint Bernards get along well with other dogs.
  • Kishu Kens are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Saint Bernards are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Kishu Kens do not have the tendency to drool. However, Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Kishu Kens have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Saint Bernards have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard

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

  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Kishu Ken versus Saint Bernard

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

    Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 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 Kishu Ken versus Saint Bernard

    The lifespan of Kishu Kens is between 9 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Kishu Kens is 11.0 years.

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

    Kishu Kens live longer than Saint Bernards.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Kishu Ken versus Saint Bernard

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Saint Bernards do not like to be left alone.

    Do Kishu Kens shed more than Saint Bernards?

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Ken or the Saint Bernard

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Kishu Ken or the Saint Bernard?

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Does the Kishu Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saint Bernard?

    Kishu Kens have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not 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 Kishu Kens Bark and Howl? What about Saint Bernards?

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Saint Bernards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Kishu Ken vs. Saint Bernard

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

    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 Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Kishu Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

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

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Saint Bernards get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Kishu Kens good family dogs? What about Saint Bernards?

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Kishu Kens and Saint Bernards?

    Kishu Kens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Kishu Ken Easier to Train than the Saint Bernard?

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Saint Bernards are not easy to train.

    Is the Kishu Ken Better for Apartment Owners than the Saint Bernard?

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Saint Bernards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Ken

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken:

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (76 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Saint Bernard vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Saint Bernard vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Kai Ken (79 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Saint Bernard vs Kai Ken.
  • 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 Kishu Ken vs Newfoundland.
  • King Shepherd (71 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs King Shepherd.
  • Spinone Italiano (68 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs Spinone Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Kishu Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kishu Ken versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Kishu Ken versus Afghan Hound     Kishu Ken versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Brittany     Kishu Ken versus Portuguese Water Dog     Kishu Ken versus Irish Wolfhound     Kishu Ken versus Yorkshire Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Carolina Dog     Kishu Ken versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Kishu Ken versus Pomchi     Kishu Ken versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Kishu Ken versus Lancashire Heeler     Kishu Ken versus Boykin Spaniel     Kishu Ken versus Frenchton     Kishu Ken versus Basset Hound     Kishu Ken versus West Highland White Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Akbash     Kishu Ken versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Kishu Ken versus Toy Poodle     Kishu Ken versus Morkie     Kishu Ken versus Border Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Great Pyrenees     Kishu Ken versus Belgian Sheepdog     Kishu Ken versus Chihuahua     

    Saint Bernard Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saint Bernard versus Fila Brasileiro     Saint Bernard versus American Bulldog     Saint Bernard versus Australian Kelpie     Saint Bernard versus Field Spaniel     Saint Bernard versus Cavapoo     Saint Bernard versus Doberman Pinscher     Saint Bernard versus Bernedoodle     Saint Bernard versus Pomsky     Saint Bernard versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Saint Bernard versus Goldador     Saint Bernard versus Brussels Griffon     Saint Bernard versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Saint Bernard versus Tibetan Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Boxerdoodle     Saint Bernard versus Sloughi     Saint Bernard versus Spinone Italiano     Saint Bernard versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Saint Bernard versus Papipoo     Saint Bernard versus Pomchi     Saint Bernard versus Shichon     Saint Bernard versus Valley Bulldog     Saint Bernard versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Saint Bernard versus Gordon Setter     Saint Bernard versus Belgian Sheepdog     Saint Bernard versus English Setter     

    Conclusion: Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken and the Saint Bernard better suits you and your family.