German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2022

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German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer or the Saint Bernard.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard: Overview

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

Furthermore, the German Shorthaired Pointer belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard

FactorGerman Shorthaired PointerSaint Bernard
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Height1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s
Life Span12 to 15 years8 to 10 years
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/55/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
Does NOT Drool4/51/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/55/5
General Health3/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/54/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/51/5
Dog Friendly4/55/5
Does NOT chew on things2/53/5
Weight45 to 70 pounds120 to 180 pounds
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/52/5
Easy To Train5/52/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Low Prey Drive1/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/54/5
NOT Rambunctious1/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years9.0 years
Average Price$1140$1480
Price Range$800 – $1300$900 – $1650
Temperament Score78.1 percent84.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – min age 24 months
  • Cone Degeneration
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exams until age 6 recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s 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
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds1049
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)1765
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saint Bernard is 81 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Saint Bernard, we still believe that the German Shorthaired Pointer is a better pet than the Saint Bernard.

    This is because German Shorthaired Pointers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the German Shorthaired Pointer will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the German Shorthaired Pointer :-). We are for the German Shorthaired Pointer. So get a German Shorthaired Pointer!

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard

    Below is a list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard are most different:

  • German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Saint Bernards can tolerate cold weather.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers do not have the tendency to drool. However, Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather. However, Saint Bernards cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom. However, Saint Bernards require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train. However, Saint Bernards are not easy to train.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers 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.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Saint Bernards do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • German Shorthaired Pointers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Saint Bernards have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard

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

  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer weighs 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The German Shorthaired Pointer is 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Saint Bernard weighs 120 to 180 pounds when fully grown. The Saint Bernard is 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Size of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Size of Saint Bernard

    Appearance (Colors) of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard

    German Shorthaired Pointer Colors

    The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Bicolor
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    Saint Bernard Colors

    The Saint Bernard comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Bicolor
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    The Saint Bernard comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • White / Cream
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn

    Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard

    The lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 13.5 years.

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

    The German Shorthaired Pointer lives longer than the Saint Bernard.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard

    Temperament of the Saint Bernard Versus the German Shorthaired Pointer

    The Saint Bernard has a better temperament than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Saint Bernard is 84.9 percent while the temperament score for the German Shorthaired Pointer is 78.1 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 78.1 percent, the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard by measuring the temperaments of 137 German Shorthaired Pointers and 53 Saint Bernards.

    Price of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Price of Saint Bernard

    The average price of the German Shorthaired Pointer puppy is $1140. The price of the German Shorthaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1300. However, the price of a German Shorthaired Pointer can be as low as $350 and as high as $2695. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 453 German Shorthaired Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Saint Bernard puppy is $1480. The price of the Saint Bernard typically ranges from $900 – $1650. However, the price of the Saint Bernard can be as low as $200 and as high as $14000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 336 Saint Bernard puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Saint Bernard is more expensive than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Saint Bernard
    Average Price $1140 $1480
    Price Range $800 to $1300 $900 to $1650

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

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers. 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard

    Adopting the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Adopting the Saint Bernard

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Shorthaired Pointers and many Saint Bernards are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male German Shorthaired Pointer named Rodney that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Shorthaired Pointers like Rodney on pefinder.com.

    Also, like German Shorthaired Pointers, Saint Bernards are also available for adoption. For example, Adonis is a Male Saint Bernard that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Saint Bernards like Adonis that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Blue is the name of another German Shorthaired Pointer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Leo is an adorable Male Saint Bernard on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    German Shorthaired Pointers and Saint Bernards are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

    You can find more German Shorthaired Pointers and Saint Bernards that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus the Intelligence of the Saint Bernard

    German Shorthaired Pointer Saint Bernard
    Intelligence Rank 17 out of 130 dog breeds 65 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 German Shorthaired Pointer has an obedience intelligence rank of 17 out of 130 dog breeds. The German Shorthaired Pointer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that German Shorthaired Pointers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is more intelligent than the Saint Bernard.

    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.

    The Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Popularity of Saint Bernard

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shorthaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Saint Bernard. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 10 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saint Bernard is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of Saint Bernard

    Popularity of Saint Bernard

    Year German Shorthaired Pointer Popularity Rank Saint Bernard Popularity Rank
    2013 13 47
    2014 12 51
    2015 11 50
    2016 11 49
    2017 10 48
    2018 9 48
    2019 9 48
    2020 9 52
    2021 9 53

    Health Problems of German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Saint Bernard.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Shorthaired Pointer than for the Saint Bernard.

    7 health tests are recommended for German Shorthaired Pointer while 6 tests are recommended for the Saint Bernard.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Shorthaired Pointers and in Saint Bernards.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Health Problems

    German Shorthaired Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – min age 24 months
  • Cone Degeneration
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exams until age 6 recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shorthaired Pointers 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in German Shorthaired Pointers and Saint Bernards

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the German Shorthaired Pointer Breed is Cone Degeneration problems.

    This is because the German Shorthaired Pointer ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Cone Degeneration problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1475 German Shorthaired Pointers, 1 of them had Cone Degeneration problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Shorthaired Pointers, and how common these diseases are in German Shorthaired Pointers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Cone Degeneration problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 12 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 42 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 55 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 68 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 69 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 118 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 121 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 174 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Saint Bernard Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Saint Bernard ranks 7 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2618 Saint Bernards, 1295 of them had Hips problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Saint Bernards, and how common these diseases are in Saint Bernards relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Hips problems: Rank 7 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 23 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 33 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 45 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 99 out of 145 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in German Shorthaired Pointer and in Saint Bernard and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard:

    Disease German Shorthaired Pointer Rank Saint Bernard Rank
    Cone Degeneration problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Shoulder problems 12 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 42 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 55 out of 70 dog breeds 45 out of 70 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 68 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 69 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 118 out of 182 dog breeds 23 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 121 out of 144 dog breeds 33 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 174 out of 198 dog breeds 7 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 99 out of 145 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Saint Bernards do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Saint Bernards?

    German Shorthaired Pointers 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 is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Saint Bernard?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Saint Bernard?

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Saint Bernards get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Saint Bernards?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Saint Bernard?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Saint Bernards are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Saint Bernard

    German Shorthaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Saint Bernards?

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saint Bernard?

    German Shorthaired Pointers 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 German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Saint Bernards?

    German Shorthaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Saint Bernards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Saint Bernard

    German Shorthaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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 German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Saint Bernard?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Saint Bernards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Saint Bernard?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the German Shorthaired Pointer compares to other breeds aside from the Saint Bernard. So, see below the links to the comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer to other breeds:

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Papipoo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Doberman Pinscher     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Standard Schnauzer     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Stabyhoun     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Shetland Sheepdog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Boykin Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Affenhuahua     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Maltese     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Spinone Italiano     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bich Poo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Frenchton     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Akbash     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Shichon     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Basset Hound     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Puggle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sealyham Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Tibetan Mastiff     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Harrier     

    Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Saint Bernard better suits you and your family.