Dog health

Saint Bernard health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Saint Bernard, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 23 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 6 health issues to plan for: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, inherited eye disease, heart disease, bloat and degenerative myelopathy. A typical vet bill for a giant dog runs $350 – $1,373.

Health problems linked to the Saint Bernard

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Hip dysplasiaNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The hip joint forms loosely, so the ball and socket rub and wear. Over time this usually leads to arthritis and pain. [2]Hip surgery (owner bills): $2,500–$5,500 (estimate) [3]
Ongoing arthritis care: $500–$2,500 total [4]
Elbow dysplasiaNamed by: breed club screening [6]The bones of the elbow don't grow together quite right, which causes lameness in the front legs and early arthritis. [5]Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [7]
Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [8]
Inherited eye diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]Breed clubs ask for regular exams by a veterinary eye specialist to catch inherited eye problems before they cause trouble. [9]Sick visit (owner bills): $160–$525 [10]
Heart diseaseNamed by: breed club screening [6]Breed clubs ask breeders to have hearts checked, often by a cardiologist, because some inherited heart problems run in the breed. [11]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [12]
Bloat (GDV)Named by: AKC breed page [1]The stomach fills with gas and can twist. It is a life-threatening emergency that usually needs surgery right away. [13]Stomach emergency (owner bills): $550–$1,750 [14]
Hospital and ICU, median invoice: $1,261 (typical $505–$4,177) [8]
Degenerative myelopathyNamed by: breed club screening [6]A slow, painless disease of the spinal cord that weakens the back legs in older dogs. There's no cure, but rehab can help. [15]Dog MRI (owner bills): $900–$2,900 [16]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: Other conditions sometimes seen in the breed include hip dysplasia and eye disease. Large and deep-chested breeds can develop bloat, a sudden, life-threatening stomach condition. [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Hip Evaluation, Elbow Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test. [1][6] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 1 DNA health test for the Saint Bernard, including Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [17] One health test costs $58 there. [18]

What to budget

For a giant dog like the Saint Bernard, a typical vet bill runs $350 – $1,373 (median $607). [19]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Saint Bernard at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,500. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 8–10 years and you get roughly $7,000–$14,800 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [19][20] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [21] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [22] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [23]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Saint Bernard?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, inherited eye disease, heart disease, bloat and degenerative myelopathy. That doesn't mean every Saint Bernard will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Saint Bernard?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For giant dogs, a typical vet bill runs $350 – $1,373 (median $607).

Should I get pet insurance for a Saint Bernard?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Saint Bernard breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Hip Evaluation, Elbow Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Saint Bernard live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 8–10 years.

Saint Bernard breed guideHip dysplasia in dogsElbow dysplasia surgery cost for dogsCarprofen (Rimadyl)Dog ACL (TPLO) surgery costArthritis treatment cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (23) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Saint Bernard breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Hip dysplasia in dogs
  3. VetReceipt – Dog Hip Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  4. VetReceipt – Dog Arthritis Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. OFA – Elbow dysplasia
  6. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  7. VetReceipt – Dog X-Ray Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  8. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  9. OFA – Eye certification
  10. VetReceipt – Dog Sick Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  11. OFA – Cardiac disease
  12. VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  13. VCA – Bloat (GDV) in dogs
  14. VetReceipt – Dog Vomiting & Stomach Emergency Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  15. VCA – Degenerative myelopathy in dogs
  16. VetReceipt – Dog MRI Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  17. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Saint Bernard DNA tests
  18. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  19. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  20. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  21. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  22. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  23. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)