Travelling with a Saint Bernard: car, crate and rules
Saint Bernard : A van or large estate car with a divider and loading ramp is practically mandatory, as no standard harness is designed for this weight. Air conditioning is a must, and never leave it waiting in a parked vehicle, even in the shade.
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Reflective vest harness + 1.5 m leash for small dogs (€36.90) · the whole shop
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Folding wire dog crate 24 in (61 cm), single door, with tray ($62.90, ships from the US) · the US shop
Outside our shipping area? The downloadable practical guide: Raising Your Puppy: The First Six Months (€19)
In short: Giant dog of 55 to 90 kg, short or long double coat, low to moderate energy. A placid, protective giant built for the mountains, remarkably patient with its family. The historic rescue dog of the Great St Bernard hospice, it combines an outsized frame with plentiful drool: all of its gear must be planned in XXL, from the bed to the boot ramp.
In the car with a Saint Bernard
At 55 to 90 kg, the only genuinely safe option is a crash-tested crate of about 135 cm secured in the boot — failing that, a solid partition grille. An unrestrained dog of this weight becomes a projectile under braking — and a possible fine for distracted driving.
Trains, planes, holidays
Too big for the cabin, the Saint Bernard flies in the pressurised hold in an IATA-approved crate — an ordeal to reserve for unavoidable trips. On trains, a muzzle and lead meet the rules. Tame the crate weeks ahead — open in the living room, seeded with treats — so that on the day, your Saint Bernard walks in by itself.
Identification and good habits
A Saint Bernard travels chipped and vaccinated — EU passport and rabies shot whenever a border or boarding kennel is involved. And in summer, the absolute rule: never alone in the car, where temperatures turn lethal within minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What crate size for a Saint Bernard?
About 135 cm long: able to stand without hunching and turn around freely. For flying, check the model’s IATA dimensions.
Can a Saint Bernard fly in the cabin?
No, it exceeds the cabin limit (8 kg including the bag): it travels in the pressurised hold in an IATA crate — avoid it when you can.
The guides that apply to you
- Retractable or standard leash: which one for your dog?
Safety, leash training, comfort in town: retractable or standard leash, the comparison to choose the right lead for your dog and your walks.
- Dog ramp or stairs: reaching the car and the sofa without injury
Incline, non-slip surface, maximum load: how to choose a dog ramp or steps suited to the car, the bed or the sofa.
- Dog car safety harness: what are crash tests really worth?
Dog car harness: what independent crash tests reveal about the actual strength of straps and anchor points.
- Motion sickness in dogs: what the maropitant clinical trial measures
Two randomized trials quantify maropitant's effect on vomiting from motion sickness in dogs: up to an 86% reduction compared with placebo.