10 Best Saint Bernard Breeders (2024 Updated)

Saint Bernard breeders top picks

There is no shortage of places where you can find a Saint Bernard puppy for sale. But if you want quality, you should always choose a reputable and credible Saint Bernard breeder.

Saint Bernards are one of the most popular and well-loved giant dog breeds, so finding a Saint Bernard breeder will not be difficult. However, when buying any puppy, you should ensure that you are getting the best.

Fortunately, you have come to the right place! This article lists ten of the best Saint Bernard breeders in the United States, hailing from different states and cities, where you can find the right Saint Bernard breeder.

10 Best Places to Buy Saint Bernard Puppies

Places to buy Saint Bernard puppies

Saint Bernard dogs are well-known for being gentle giants. Despite their massive sizes, they are very loving, mild-mannered, and easygoing pups.

Before you look for a Saint Bernard breeder, it is best to learn about the breed, particularly its diet, exercise, and care requirements. This can be a great help in identifying a quality, ethical breeder.

To help you get started, this guide lists ten of the best Saint Bernard breeders based on their credentials, expertise, and experience with the breed.

All breeders listed here are registered with the Saint Bernard Club of America (SBCA), the national parent club of the Saint Bernard breed, so rest assured that each breeder adheres to the AKC standards and practices.

1. Cache Retreat Saint Bernards – Utah

Led by Ivan Palmlad, Cache Retreat Saint Bernards boasts over 50 years of breeding quality Saint Bernard puppies whose kennel is nested in the picturesque, mountainous valleys of Utah.

This sprawling facility aims to prioritize the health and welfare of their Saint Bernard puppies, providing a well-maintained environment for exercise and socialization — factors crucial to Saint Bernard rearing.

Most of the Saint Bernard puppies for sale here come from champion bloodlines, which is unsurprising considering that the breeder has bred 268 AKC-champion Saint Bernards.

The breeder is also a well-respected member of the Saint Bernard Club of America, serving as its president for six years. Moreover, he is also an eight-time winner of the Breeder’s Achievement Award and a four-time judge at the National Speciality.

This breeder is undoubtedly a qualified expert in all things about Saint Bernard, and it shows with the quality of his Saint Bernard puppies and breeding program.

Cache Retreat Saint Bernards Breeder Information and Details:

2. Slaton Saints – Ohio

For over 48 years, the breeding program at Slaton Saints has prioritized three aspects of Saint Bernard breeding: temperament, health, and conformation to the breed standard.

Thanks to the devotion of owners Shirley & Joe Wolf, their Saint Bernard puppies for sale are hailed for their beauty, sweet temperament, intelligence, and devotion to their owners.

These breeders have produced over 100 AKC-champion Saint Bernards and are three-time National Speciality winners. They have also held the record for the most wins in Best in Show with their stellar Saint Bernards.

The screening process at Slaton Saints is quite thorough to ensure that their Saint Bernard puppies will have access to proper nutrition, clean water, veterinarian care, personal attention, and training in the future.

With the amount of experience, care, and attention the breeders give, it is guaranteed that a Saint Bernard puppy from Slaton Saints is of the highest caliber and potential.

Slaton Saints Breeder Information and Details:

3. Woodcrest Saint Bernards – California

Woodcrest Saint Bernards has been the home of specialty-winning Saint Bernards for over 30 years, thanks to the love and dedication of owners Joe & Bobbie Bustos for the breed.

Located in the high desert of Southern California, their Saint Bernard puppies all come from multi-generation, champion-bred lines. As such, their breeding program has produced over 50 AKC champions.

The Woodcrest Saint Bernards is well-known for the type, soundness, size, and temperament of their Saint Bernard puppies for sale, making them suitable for being both companion pets and show dogs.

Above all, their breeding program constantly strives to improve the quality of the Saint Bernard breed in accordance with the breed standards by consistently studying and learning from noted breeders in the United States.

As such, their screening process prioritizes owners who are willing to invest the time and energy needed to take care of a Saint Bernard.

Woodcrest Saint Bernards Breeder Information and Details:

4. SkyDancer Kennels – California

SkyDancer Kennels boasts a breeding program that has produced over 30 AKC-champion Saint Bernards. With 25 years of breeding experience, owner Lori Latimer is highly esteemed in the Saint Bernard community.

Aside from the Saint Bernard Club of America, she is also a proud member of the Sacramento-Sierra Saint Bernard Club and has been the president of the Lake County Kennel Club.

Therefore, you can be guaranteed that SkyDancer Kennels is dedicated to breeding high-quality Saint Bernards with excellent types, structures, and temperaments.

This kennel offers both pet and show-quality Saint Bernard puppies that are all screened for genetic health conditions and are bred according to the SBCA guidelines.

SkyDancer Kennels also advocates for education on the Saint Bernard breed, which is reflected in the educational content found on their website. This includes the breed standard, history, grooming needs, and health issues.

SkyDancer Kennels Breeder Information and Details:

  • Website: SkyDancer Kennels
  • Address: Morgan Hill, CA 95037
  • Phone: (408) 315-0330
  • Email: skydancrk9@aol.com 
  • Special Note: They also have kennels in San Jose and Watsonville, CA.

5. Summerlyn Saints – California

Located in Southern California, Summerlyn Saints is a small show kennel with big accomplishments. With over 25 AKC-champion Saint Bernards in their roster, their Saint Bernard puppies for sale are considered top-notch.

Through selective breeding, Summerlyn Saints has produced successful show dogs, family pets, therapy dogs, obedience dogs, and performance dogs, effectively showcasing the breed’s versatility.

Owners Jackie Schart and William Buell are both experienced Saint Bernard breeders with experience as certified pet dog trainers (CPDT) and as professional dog handlers, respectively.

Aside from the Saint Bernard Club of America, they are also proud members of the Orange Coast Saint Bernard Fanciers.

With this knowledge and expertise, their Saint Bernard puppies are undoubtedly of the highest quality. Furthermore, they come with complete pedigree documents and have been screened for hereditary problems.

Summerlyn Saints Breeder Information and Details:

6. Melon City Saints – Iowa

Located in Muscatine, Iowa, Melon City Saints is a bonafide and reputable breeder for show-quality Saint Bernards with over 20 years of breeding experience.

Jeff and Darcy Peterson, the owners and handlers of Melon City Saints, began their journey after falling in love with the breed in the late 1980s. Since then, they have produced over 20 AKC champions.

They are also esteemed members of various breed clubs, including the Northern Illinois Saint Bernard Club, the Greater Milwaukee Saint Bernard Club, and the Maumee Valley Saint Bernard Club.

Melon City Saints prides itself on their dedication and adherence to maintaining and improving the Saint Bernard standard.

Their kennel is located on a spacious farm where the Saint Bernard puppies are free to roam, explore, and exercise, which greatly contributes to the high caliber of their health and temperaments.

Melon City Saints Breeder Information and Details:

7. Cornerstone Saint Bernard Kennel – New York

The owners of Cornerstone Saint Bernard Kennel have been proud Saint Bernard Club of America members since 1985 and have been breeding and showing Saint Bernards since 1987, having produced over 15 AKC champions.

Their breeding program is guided by the principle that dogs are first and foremost friends and companions. Thus, Cornerstone Saint Bernard Kennel commits itself to bettering the breed, one litter at a time.

Thus, they have expansive, high-quality facilities with running water, electricity, heat, and even air conditioning. The puppies can also freely roam around six acres of woodlands for exercise and socialization.

Furthermore, these breeders value proper socialization and mental stimulation. This includes introducing new stimuli to young puppies, following Dr. Carmelo Battaglia’s method of puppy tactile stimulation.

Their Saint Bernard puppies for sale are spayed/neutered, dewormed, vaccinated, and given a medical health exam certificate by a licensed veterinarian at Corfu Veterinary Hospital.

Cornerstone Saint Bernard Kennel Breeder Information and Details:

8. Glidden’s Great Saints – Ohio

Glidden Great Saints is driven by the love and devotion owners Kathey and Bob Glidden have for the Saint Bernard breed. They have owned Saint Bernard puppies for over four decades, and it shows in the quality of their pups.

Aside from having 14 AKC-champion Saint Bernards on their roster, they have also been accredited as an AKC Breeder of Merit. Glidden’s Great Saints is also known as the home of the #1 All Breed Female in the Country.

Thus, most of their Saint Bernard for sale come from champion bloodlines. They also pay special attention to their puppies’ environment, nutrition, and health to ensure that they always adhere to the SBCA guidelines.

If you’re looking for an excellent Saint Bernard puppy for sale near Ohio, then Glidden’s Saints might be for you.

Glidden’s Great Saint’s Breeder Information and Details:

9. Fuzzy Bear (FzyBr) Saints – Massachusetts

Although FzyBr Saints has only been breeding purebred Saint Bernards since 2018, they have already established their name as a well-respected community member.

Owner Rev. Matt Agnese first gained his love for Saint Bernard dogs in 2000. He is a member of the Saint Bernard Club of America, serving as a health advisor and board member.

Aside from independent studying and research on the breed, he has also been mentored by several experienced breeders in the Saint Bernard community.

His knowledge and expertise in the Saint Bernard breed carries over to FzyBr Saints’ breeding program, which is dedicated to genotype and phenotype consciousness.

In other words, each litter at FzyBr Saints has been carefully planned with consideration of its parents’ characteristics and traits, resulting in top-notch, show-quality Saint Bernard puppies for sale.

FzyBr Saints Breeder Information and Details:

10. Talberg Saint Bernards – Tennessee

At Talberg Saint Bernards, their three-point breeding program for quality focuses on type, structure, and temperament. To achieve this, selective breeding and socialization have been key points in their program.

Owner Jeane Anne Dugger has been in the Saint Bernard Club of America since 2003 and is also a member of the Saint Bernard Club of Greater Atlanta. She has also been mentored by top breeders in the community.

Thus, the Saint Bernard puppies for sale at Talberg Saint Bernards are guaranteed to have wonderful temperaments and conformation to the breed standard that only improves with each litter.

Talberg Saint Bernards has also produced a couple of AKC-champion Saint Bernards, so you can be assured of the excellent quality and potential of their Saint Bernard puppies.

Talberg Saint Bernards Breeder Information and Details:

If you weren’t able to find an available Saint Bernard puppy from the listed breeders, fret not, as there are other places where you can check for one! The next section will provide other sources to find a Saint Bernard for sale.

It is worth noting that although the breeders and sources listed here are credible and reputable, you should do your fair share of accountability in personally checking their backgrounds and actual breeding practices.

Other Sources to Find Saint Bernard Puppies for Sale

Three Saint Bernard puppies for sale and their mother

The Saint Bernard is by no means an uncommon breed; thus, there are plenty of other sources besides the breeders listed above where you can find Saint Bernard puppies.

In particular, there are several online platforms and resources that can help you find a Saint Bernard pup. Conveniently, most of these networks also allow the option to search for puppies in areas near you.

Here are some places where you can browse for available Saint Bernard puppies for sale:

  • AKC Marketplace – The AKC Marketplace is an online platform where you can find Saint Bernard puppies from reputable breeders who prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs. These breeders adhere to AKC standards and provide documentation for health screenings and pedigrees.
  • Greenfield Puppies – Greenfield Puppies is another online platform that connects potential buyers with reputable breeders. The platform offers a user-friendly interface where you can search for available Saint Bernard puppies by breed, location, and other preferences.
  • Lancaster Puppies – Lancaster Puppies is an online directory where users can search for available Saint Bernard puppies. The platform features listings from various breeders, allowing you to explore different options and find a puppy that suits your preferences and needs.

The sources listed above usually deny listings from breeders or sellers not up to their standards. In other words, these websites should be free from puppy mills and backyard breeders that are out to scam hopeful dog owners.

Regardless of where you find your puppy, it is still highly recommended to do research and thorough investigation to ensure a positive and ethical puppy-buying experience.

How Much Does a Saint Bernard Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses

On average, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for a Saint Bernard puppy from a reputable breeder. The cost of a Saint Bernard depends on several factors, including location, pedigree, and the breeder’s credentials.

Prices can even go higher for puppies from champion bloodlines or exceptional lineages.

In addition to the initial purchase price, remember that owning a Saint Bernard comes with other expenses, such as food, veterinary care, grooming, training, and general maintenance.

Here is a summary of the initial expenses of owning a Saint Bernard puppy:

Type of ExpenseCost 
Food and Treats$80 – $150
Bowls$15 – $40
Toys$30 – $100
Beds$50 – $300
Collars and Leashes$15 – $50
Crates and Carriers$60 – $500
Grooming Essentials$50 – $250
Initial Vet Visits$100 – $500
Initial Vaccine Shots$50 – $300
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications$40 – $300
Neutering or Spaying$50 – $500
Microchipping$40 – $60
Dog License$10 – $20
Other Essentials$30 – $80
Total Initial Cost$620 – $3,150

It’s crucial to be cautious if you come across significantly lower prices, as it could indicate a scam or a breeder who does not prioritize the health and welfare of the puppies.

Regardless of price, always prioritize a reputable breeder who conducts health testing, provides proper care and socialization for their dogs, and follows responsible breeding practices.

As for the initial expenses, most of them are one-time purchases only. It is highly suggested to invest in high-quality supplies that will last long to save money in the long run.

How Do You Find the Best Saint Bernard Breeders in Your Area?

Finding a good, reputable Saint Bernard breeder can be easy. However, some of them might not be located near you. Thus, finding a Saint Bernard breeder nearer and more accessible to you may require time and effort.

Fortunately, there are steps that will help you increase your chances of finding a reputable breeder near you who will provide you with a healthy and well-socialized Saint Bernard puppy.

To find a quality Saint Bernard breeder in your area, here are some tips you can follow:

  • Do your research. Look up Saint Bernard breeders in your area online. Check out breeder directories, forums, and social media groups for dog enthusiasts. Read reviews and comments from previous customers to understand their experiences with the breeder.
  • Contact local breed clubs. See if there are any Saint Bernard breed clubs in your area. These clubs can often provide you with a list of reputable breeders who are club members.
  • Attend dog shows. Attend local dog shows and events where Saint Bernards are featured. This is a great opportunity to meet breeders in person and ask them questions about their breeding practices.
  • Ask for recommendations. Reach out to other Saint Bernard owners and ask them for recommendations. They may be able to provide you with first-hand experiences and recommendations for breeders they trust.
  • Interview breeders. Once you’ve found a few potential breeders, take the time to interview them. Ask them about their breeding practices, health testing protocols, and socialization techniques. A good breeder will be happy to answer all your questions and provide you with references.

Remember to always do your due diligence and carefully vet any breeder before making a commitment to purchase a puppy. The health and well-being of your future furry friend should be your top priority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Saint Bernard close up portrait

How Do I Find the Best Saint Bernard Breeder?

Finding the best Saint Bernard breeder requires thorough research. Researching the breed, seeking recommendations from local breed clubs, and browsing through breeder directories can lead you to a quality breeder.

How Do You Tell If a Breeder Is a Good Breeder?

There are several ways to determine whether or not a breeder is up to standard. A good first step will be to check whether the breeder is registered with known or breed-specific kennel clubs.

Meeting the breeder and visiting their facilities is also highly recommended. Good breeders have extensive knowledge and expertise about the breed and should be able to address any concerns openly and transparently.

The living conditions of the dogs should also be clean and well-maintained, with proper environments for feeding, sleeping, exercise, and socialization.

What Questions Should You Ask a Breeder When Buying a Puppy?

After visiting their facilities and meeting their litters, it is also important to ask specific questions to gather further information and ensure you’re making an informed decision when buying a puppy.

Ask about the health histories of the puppies’ parents, as well as the health screenings or tests that each dog has undergone. It is also recommended to ask about health guarantees or assistance they can offer after the sale.

It is also best to ask about their breeding practices, particularly in the diet, exercise, and socialization of the puppies. Lastly, you can also inquire about references or testimonials from previous puppy buyers.

How Do You Know If a Dog Breeder Is Scamming You?

To avoid falling victim to scams, it’s essential to be vigilant and look out for warning signs. Unusually low prices are typically the first sign, especially if the breed is known for being expensive.

Other red flags to look out for are unwillingness to provide further information about the breeding program and refusal to allow visits to the facilities or, at the very least, to provide live video calls to see the puppies.

Lastly, breeders who demand a full payment upfront or pressure you to send money quickly are likely scammers, especially if they insist on payment through unconventional methods like wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

Final Thoughts

Finding a good Saint Bernard breeder can be quite overwhelming. The amount of research, time, and resources that go into the process of buying a Saint Bernard puppy should not be taken lightly.

Purchasing a Saint Bernard puppy from a credible, reputable breeder such as the breeders listed above helps you support ethical breeding practices and gives you the honor of putting a puppy into a loving, caring home.

However, whether you choose to pursue one of the Saint Bernard breeders above or purchase a Saint Bernard puppy from other sources, you should always prioritize the health and safety of the dog.

Out of the Saint Bernard breeders listed in this article, which one is your top pick? Let us know in the comments!

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