Families who love giant dogs often narrow their search to two breeds: the Saint Bernard and the Newfoundland. Both are big, gentle, cold weather dogs with deep roots in working life. Both drool, both shed, and both need owners who are ready for a dog that will outweigh many adults. Yet anyone who has lived with both breeds will tell you they are not the same dog in a different coat. This guide compares the Saint Bernard vs Newfoundland from the point of view of a preservation Saint Bernard breeder, so you can see where the breeds overlap and where they part ways.
Two Breeds, Two Different Jobs
The Saint Bernard developed in the Swiss Alps, where dogs at the Great St. Bernard Hospice worked alongside the monks who sheltered travelers crossing the pass. They guarded, hauled, and became famous as pathfinders in deep snow. You can read more of that story on our Saint Bernard history page.
The Newfoundland developed on the coast of Newfoundland as a water dog. Newfoundlands hauled nets, pulled loads, and earned a reputation for pulling people from the water. Their webbed feet, oily coat, and love of swimming all point back to that maritime work.
Those different jobs shaped different dogs. One was built for snow, altitude, and mountain trails. The other was built for cold water and shoreline work.
Build and Structure: Stocky vs Slender
Side by side, the clearest difference is structure. In my view, the Newfoundland is the more slender of the two breeds. The Saint Bernard is stockier and leans toward the Mastiff side of the giant breed family, with a powerful, broad head, a strong muzzle, and substantial bone and body.
A good Saint Bernard should look massive and powerful, but balanced. The head is a defining feature of the breed, and its expression should be intelligent and kind. A Newfoundland head is broad as well, but the overall picture of the dog is different, and an experienced eye can tell the two apart at a glance even in silhouette.
If you want to understand how a Saint grows into that frame, our Saint Bernard size and growth guide walks through the puppy and adolescent stages.
Coat: Langhaarig, Stockhaarig, and the Newfoundland Coat
Newfoundlands carry one coat type: a dense, water resistant double coat of moderate length.
Saint Bernards come in two coat varieties. The Langhaarig is the rough or long coat. The Stockhaarig is the smooth or short coat, dense and close lying. Both varieties belong to the same breed and can appear in the same litter. Our smooth vs rough coat Saint Bernards page explains the differences in detail.
History connects the two breeds here. Newfoundland blood was introduced to the Saint Bernard in the 1800s, and that cross is commonly credited with bringing the longer coat into the breed. Because of that history, old breeders cautioned that a Langhaarig Saint should never go “too Newfy.” Their warnings included details as specific as excessive hair between the toes. A correct Langhaarig coat is medium length, straight to slightly wavy, and still clearly belongs on a Saint Bernard, not on a Newfoundland.
Color and Markings
The Saint Bernard is a red and white dog, with shades of red, brindle patches, and white markings in a range of patterns. The mask and markings on the head are a big part of the classic Saint expression.
Newfoundlands are commonly black, brown, gray, or the black and white pattern called Landseer. If you picture a solid black giant dog swimming out to a boat, you are picturing a Newfoundland.
Temperament
Both breeds are known as gentle, devoted family dogs. Differences are about shading, not about one breed being kind and the other not.
Saint Bernards tend to be calm, steady, and deeply attached to their people. Many are a little more reserved with strangers and can be watchful of their family. They learn readily but can show an independent streak, so patient, consistent, reward based training matters, and it matters early, before the dog is too big to manage by strength alone.
Newfoundlands are often described as very outgoing with strangers and eager to please. Many owners find them sensitive and responsive in training.
Individual dogs vary in both breeds, and the breeder’s selection and the puppy’s raising make a large difference. Our Saint Bernard temperament page goes deeper into what to expect from a well bred Saint.
Exercise and Activity
Neither breed is a jogging partner. Both need daily walks, play, and mental work, along with sensible limits during the growth period. A Newfoundland usually wants water, and swimming is one of its favorite activities. A Saint Bernard is happiest doing things with its family: walking, exploring, carting, or simply being where the people are. Both breeds prefer cool weather and need care in summer heat.
Drool and Shedding
Both breeds drool. Both breeds shed. Neither is a good choice for someone who wants a tidy, hair free home. Saint Bernards shed year round with heavier seasonal coat loss, in both the Langhaarig and Stockhaarig varieties. For practical routines, see our Saint Bernard care and grooming guide.
Which Breed Is Right for You?
Choose a Newfoundland if you want a water loving giant with one coat type and you live near places to swim. Choose a Saint Bernard if you are drawn to the stockier, Mastiff leaning build, the classic red and white Saint head and expression, the choice between Langhaarig and Stockhaarig coats, and a calm companion with an Alpine heritage.
Whichever breed you choose, work with a breeder who knows the breed’s history and standard and who will be honest about whether the breed fits your life. Our guide to buying a Saint Bernard puppy in New England is a good next step, and you can learn about FzyBr Saints or visit our puppies page when you are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Saint Bernard bigger than a Newfoundland?
Both are giant breeds and overlap in size. The Saint Bernard is usually the stockier dog, with a broader, more Mastiff leaning build, while the Newfoundland is more slender in overall outline.
Are Saint Bernards related to Newfoundlands?
Yes, in part. Newfoundlands were crossed into Saint Bernard lines in the 1800s, and that cross is commonly credited with introducing the long coat. The breeds have been developed separately since.
What does “too Newfy” mean in a Saint Bernard?
It is an old breeder warning about Langhaarig Saints whose coat or type drifts toward the Newfoundland, such as excess hair between the toes or a coat that no longer looks correct for a Saint Bernard.
Which breed drools more?
Both breeds drool, and the amount varies by dog. Anyone choosing either breed should plan for drool. See our Saint Bernard myths and facts page for more.
Which breed is better with children?
Both have strong reputations as family dogs. With either breed, early training and adult supervision around children are essential because of their size.