Akita vs Saint Bernard
A side-by-side breakdown of size, cost, grooming load and lifestyle fit — with a straight answer on which suits which household.
Short answer
These two are closely matched. The decision comes down to cost and coat rather than temperament — pick Akita if monthly budget is the deciding factor.
Comparison table
| Attribute | Akita | Saint Bernard |
|---|---|---|
| Species | dog | dog |
| Origin | Japan | Switzerland / Italy |
| Weight (kg) | 32–50 | 54–82 |
| Height (cm) | 58–70 | 65–90 |
| Lifespan (years) | 10–13 | 8–10 |
| Monthly cost (USD) | $123 | $143 |
| Yearly cost (USD) | $1476 | $1716 |
| Purchase price (USD) | $2700 | $2900 |
| Grooming need (1–5) | 4 | 4 |
| Shedding (1–5) | 5 | 5 |
| Energy (1–5) | 3 | 2 |
| Trainability (1–5) | 3 | 3 |
| Apartment fit (1–5) | 1 | 1 |
| Good with kids (1–5) | 3 | 4 |
| Vocal (1–5) | 1 | 2 |
What the numbers mean
- Akita weighs 32–50 kg and lives 10–13 years; Saint Bernard weighs 54–82 kg and lives 8–10 years.
- On estimated monthly cost, Akita runs about $123/month versus $143/month for Saint Bernard — a difference of roughly $20 a month, or $240 a year.
- Both have the same apartment suitability score (1/5).
- Both have the same shedding score (5/5).
- Both have the same grooming requirement (4/5).
- Akita has the higher energy level (3/5 vs 2/5) — higher means more daily exercise.
- Both have the same trainability score (3/5).
- Saint Bernard has the higher kid-friendliness score (4/5 vs 3/5).
- Saint Bernard has the higher vocalisation score (2/5 vs 1/5) — higher means more barking or meowing.
Cost over ten years
At the estimated monthly rates above, ten years of routine care (food, treats, grooming, medication, vet visits and supplies — excluding insurance, emergency treatment and purchase price) works out to roughly $14,760 for Akita and $17,160 for Saint Bernard. The gap is $2,400 — usually larger than the difference in purchase price.
Health profile
Akita
Saint Bernard
Which one should you pick?
- Choose Akita if you want a more substantial dog to work with, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $123 a month.
- Choose Saint Bernard if you want a more substantial dog to work with, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $143 a month.
- Neither, if you cannot tolerate heavy shedding — both score 4 or higher and will coat your furniture.