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

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Saint Bernard Versus Spanish Mastiff: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff 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 Saint Bernard and for the Spanish Mastiff. 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 Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff.

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

Saint Bernard versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff are Working Dogs. This means both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff 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.

Saint Bernard versus Spanish Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Saint Bernard to the Spanish Mastiff 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 Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff

Factor Saint Bernard Spanish Mastiff
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Weight 120 to 180 pounds 140 to 220 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Height 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s 26 to 35 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 4/5
Life Span 8 to 10 years 10 to 12 years
Average Lifespan 9.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1320 $1050
Price Range $875 – $1525 $1000 – $1050
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • 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
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Saint Bernard 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 Spanish Mastiff. 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 Saint Bernard is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Spanish Mastiff is 83 out of 125.

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

    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 Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Saint Bernards get along well with other dogs. However, Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Saint Bernards are very friendly towards strangers. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool. However, Spanish Mastiffs do not have the tendency to drool.

    • The Similarities Between the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff are not easy to train.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff 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 Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff are very playful.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Saint Bernard versus Spanish Mastiff

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

    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.

    On the other hand, Spanish Mastiffs weigh 140 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Spanish Mastiffs are 26 to 35 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Saint Bernard versus Spanish Mastiff

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

    The lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is 11.0 years.

    Spanish Mastiffs live longer than Saint Bernards.

    Price of Saint Bernard versus Price of Spanish Mastiff

    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 a Saint Bernard can be as low as $200 and as high as $3550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 163 Saint Bernard puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Spanish Mastiff puppy is $1050. The price of the Spanish Mastiff typically ranges from $1000 – $1050. However, the price of the Spanish Mastiff can be as low as $1000 and as high as $1200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Spanish Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Saint Bernard is more expensive than the Spanish Mastiff.

    Saint Bernard Spanish Mastiff
    Average Price $1320 $1050
    Price Range $875 to $1525 $1000 to $1050

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Saint Bernard puppy or the Spanish Mastiff 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: Saint Bernard versus Spanish Mastiff

    Saint Bernards do not like to be left alone.

    Spanish Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Saint Bernards shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Saint Bernard or the Spanish Mastiff

    Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.

    Spanish Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Saint Bernard or the Spanish Mastiff?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Saint Bernard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish Mastiff?

    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.

    Spanish Mastiffs 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 Saint Bernards Bark and Howl? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Saint Bernards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Spanish Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Saint Bernard vs. Spanish Mastiff

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

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

    Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Saint Bernards get along very well with other dogs.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Saint Bernards good family dogs? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Saint Bernards and Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Saint Bernard Easier to Train than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Saint Bernards are not easy to train.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the Saint Bernard Better for Apartment Owners than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Saint Bernards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Spanish Mastiff vs Newfoundland.
  • King Shepherd (71 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs King Shepherd.
  • Spinone Italiano (68 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs Spinone Italiano.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spanish Mastiff

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff:

  • Akbash (78 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Saint Bernard vs Akbash.
  • Hovawart (81 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Saint Bernard vs Hovawart.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Saint Bernard Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saint Bernard versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Saint Bernard versus Havanese     Saint Bernard versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Saint Bernard versus Gordon Setter     Saint Bernard versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Bearded Collie     Saint Bernard versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Saint Bernard versus Black Russian Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Standard Schnauzer     Saint Bernard versus Collie     Saint Bernard versus Papillon     Saint Bernard versus Schnoodle     Saint Bernard versus Irish Water Spaniel     Saint Bernard versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Saint Bernard versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Vizsla     Saint Bernard versus Whippet     Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu     Saint Bernard versus Portuguese Pointer     Saint Bernard versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Saint Bernard versus Sealyham Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Saint Bernard versus German Shepherd Dog     Saint Bernard versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Saint Bernard versus French Spaniel     

    Spanish Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spanish Mastiff versus Miniature Poodle     Spanish Mastiff versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Spanish Mastiff versus Samoyed     Spanish Mastiff versus Kai Ken     Spanish Mastiff versus American Bulldog     Spanish Mastiff versus Lakeland Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Australian Cattle Dog     Spanish Mastiff versus Belgian Malinois     Spanish Mastiff versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Spanish Mastiff versus Standard Poodle     Spanish Mastiff versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Spanish Mastiff versus Silky Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Shihpoo     Spanish Mastiff versus French Bulldog     Spanish Mastiff versus Bracco Italiano     Spanish Mastiff versus Miniature Poodle     Spanish Mastiff versus English Setter     Spanish Mastiff versus Tibetan Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Chinese Crested     Spanish Mastiff versus Affenpinscher     Spanish Mastiff versus Airedale Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Bichon Frise     Spanish Mastiff versus English Cocker Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Spanish Mastiff versus Norfolk Terrier     

    Conclusion: Saint Bernard versus Spanish Mastiff. 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 Saint Bernard and the Spanish Mastiff better suits you and your family.