Saint Berdoodle - Colors | Size | Temperament | Shedding | Price | Training (2024)

Saint Berdoodle are a cross between a Saint Bernard and a Poodle.

This is a relatively uncommon mixed breed when you think about some of the other Poodle mixes that you find across the world.

The Saint Berdoodle have started to gain some popularity in the past couple of decades as Doodles prove popular dogs with allergy sufferers.

Likened to a bear given their cuddly appearance, the Saint Berdoodle can rival the Bernese Mountain Dog and Newfoundland for size.

These dogs will usually loyal to their pet owners as well as friendly with other people and other dogs.

Saint Berdoodle have the potential to be hypoallergenic if they inherit the low-shedding trait of their Poodle parent.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at all things Saint Berdoodle, including Saint Berdoodle appearance, Saint Berdoodle size, Saint Berdoodle temperament, Saint Berdoodle shedding and much more.

What is a Saint Berdoodle?

Saint Berdoodles are a cross between a Saint Bernard and a Poodle.

The result of cross breeding between these two well-established dog breeds is a relatively big dog that is usually loving, loyal and sociable.

Saint Berdoodles are also known by a variety of other names, such as Saint Berpoo, St Berpoo and St Berdoodle.

While the American Kennel Club recognize the Saint Bernard and the Poodle as dog breeds, the organization haven’t granted the Saint Berdoodle status as a so-called designer dog.

The Saint Berdoodle are recognized by the following organizations: American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America and International Designer Canine Registry.

Saint Berdoodle size

Saint Berdoodle can vary in size depending on the size of the Poodle bred with the Saint Bernard. The mixed dog can range from 15 to 30 inches in height and 40 to 180 pounds in weight. Usually, the Saint Bernard will be cross bred with a standard Poodle to result in a large dog.

John provided an insight into the size of his Saint Berdoodle Rosie.

Rosie is about 80 lbs in size but looks much bigger. People are always shocked when we tell them she only weighs 80lbs. Her mother was a saint Bernard and father a standard poodle.

Saint Berdoodle appearance

Saint Berdoodle can vary in appearance given the potential for a number of different coat colors and coat types. The most common Saint Berdoodle color is white and brown or white and black, which are shades usually associated with their Saint Bernard parent. However, there is scope for Saint Berdoodle to come in red and white or a mixture of brown, black, red and white. With respect to their coat’s texture, they can have a curly and wiry coat like their Poodle parent or a longer and smoother coat like their Saint Bernard parent. Other physical traits include brown or amber eyes, black or brown nose.

Amber described the appearance of her Saint Berdoodle Mae.

Mae, our Saint Berdoodle looks like a big, fluffy, 80 pound teddy bear! She is a phantom Poodle, so she turned gray early. Her color pattern is similar to a Saint Berdoodle, but she is various shades of gray and white. She is an F1, and her hair texture is soft by very curly.

Saint Berdoodle temperament

Just like with their appearance, Saint Berdoodle appearance can vary depending on whether they take after their Poodle or Saint Bernard parent. They’ll usually be affectionate, loving, friendly and loyal dogs. They can develop a deep connection with their pet parents, something which is associated with the Saint Bernard breed. They’re usually patient dogs that are robust. While they’re loving dogs, they’ve got a high IQ too.

John explained that Rosie is “super affectionate”.

Rosie is super affectionate, really enjoys cuddling and laying in your lap whenever possible, until she gets too hot. She has a nightly routine of hopping up on the bed to say goodnight for about a minute, then gets to hot, moves to the floor or bathroom floor for the rest of the night.

Do Saint Berdoodles suffer from separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a chronic canine disorder that can affect any dog, irrespective of breed or mix. It usually occurs when pet parents leave the home and their dog is left behind alone. The symptoms of separation anxiety include incessant barking, howling and whining, destructive chewing and digging as well as defecating and urinating. If you want to learn more about separation anxiety, take a look at our interview with a dog separation anxiety trainer.

John hasn’t experienced any separation anxiety with Rosie so far.

She hasn’t had separation anxiety at all but might start to after this pandemic! We leave her home for 8-12 hours at a time and she never has an accident in the house. She tore up 1 shoe when she was a puppy, but isn’t afraid to do a little counter surfing if you leave something out!

Do Saint Berdoodles make great family pets?

Saint Bernards have long been associated with protectors of the family. Traditionally the breed served as guardians of the hospice. They protected lonely monks who brought these dogs on long pilgrimages in the wilderness. In the 20th century, the Saint Bernard was portrayed as a family-friendly dog in films. While Saint Berdoodles can be loving dogs, you should never leave any dog alone with children. Their sheer size mean they can inadvertently cause injury to small children if left unsupervised.

John has no qualms about recommending a Saint Berdoodle as a family pet.

Saint Berdoodles make EXCELLENT family pets and she is very tolerant with our toddler. Super gentle, even when stealing snacks from little hands.

Are Saint Berdoodle easy to train?

Given the intelligence of the Poodle, it won’t come as a surprise that Saint Berdoodles are usually smart dogs. The Poodle is rated as the second-smartest dog breed in the world behind the Border Collie. While Saint Bernard may not have the high IQ of Poodles, they’re still considered relatively intelligent dogs. Therefore, Saint Berdoodles will usually be quick to learn new commands and follow instruction. Having said that, it’s a good idea to start training from a young age.

Do Saint Berdoodles get along with other dogs?

Saint Berdoodles are usually friendly dogs that get along with other canines. To heighten your chances of owning a well-rounded Saint Berdoodle, you may want to sign up your Saint Berdoodle for socialization classes.

Mae is sociable with other dogs.

Mae is ultra sweet and LOVES other dogs. We haven’t spent time with any other animals.

Are Saint Berdoodles hypoallergenic?

Saint Berdoodle are a cross between a Poodle and a Saint Bernard. These designer dogs are often described as being hypoallergenic. However, you should be wary of claims made about the breed. The American Kennel Club write on their website that there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog breed. However, the organization put forward 19 breeds that they believe to be more hypoallergenic.

This particular mixed breed are part Poodle so they could inherit the hypoallergenic traits of the Poodle parent. However, some Saint Berdoodles could inherit a coat and shedding patterns more similar to the Saint Bernard. These mountain dogs do shed. So there’s so guarantee your Saint Berdoodle won’t shed a little. While dog hair is one allergen to consider, other allergens include dander, salvia, urine and pollen.

Mae explained that in her case, Mae turned out to be a low-shedding Saint Berdoodle.

Saint Berdoodle’s can be hypoallergenic depending on the generation. Mae is and F1 and she inherited the Poodle coat. She rarely sheds.

Do Saint Berdoodles shed?

As we mentioned above, Saint Berdoodles could be low-shedding dogs if they inherit the hypoallergenic qualities of their Poodle parent. Saint Bernard go through a shedding season twice a year when they’ll need to be brushed daily. Some Saint Berdoodle could inherit the shedding of the Saint Bernard. However, Rosie doesn’t shed at all.

Rosie, for the most part, does not shed. We have her on an eight-week grooming schedule, and usually around week 7-8 you may see some tufts around the house from her starting to scratch a little bit. The key is to find a good groomer and set up recurring appointments!

Do Saint Berdoodle need regular grooming?

If you’re fortunate enough to get yourself a low-shedding Saint Berdoodle, you’ll still need to brush your mixed breed regularly. This cross can have coats of different textures and types. They’ll need to be brushed a few times a week to maintain the appearance, health and quality of their coat.

It’s a good idea to check your Saint Berdoodle’s ears and eyes regularly to ensure there’s no potential infections or sores.

Amber has to groom Mae regularly to maintain the heath of her coat.

Saint Berdoodles need regular grooming if they inherit the poodle coat. Our doodle, Mae, does have the poodle coat. We pay around $120 (including top) every 6 weeks, so grooming bills add up quickly!

Are Saint Berdoodles fussy eaters?

Sometimes dogs can be fussy with their food. This could occur for a variety of different reasons. It could be a sign of a behavioral problem or a health concern. In my experience, I find feeding fresh dog food is the best option for pet parents. You may prefer to consider custom dry food or raw fed diets.

John revealed that Rosie hasn’t shown any pickiness at mealtime.

Saint Berdoodles are not fussy eaters, she has been on the same food for most of her life. We don’t mix it up because she continues to eat it (eventually!). She may leave food in her dish and revisit for a snack session when she is hungry, oftentimes, right before bed.

If your Saint Berdoodle is picky with their food, you may find it beneficial to get a dog allergy test.

Do Saint Berdoodles have any health problems?

Although most mixed breeds are healthy dogs, they can still suffer with some health issues just like any other type of canine. Here are some health problems to keep in mind.

• Distichiasis
• Gastric Torsion
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Sebaceous Adenitis
• Hip Dysplasia
• Heart Conditions
• Addison’s Disease
• Mitral Valve Disease
• Wobbler’s Syndrome Eye Conditions

Amber shed light on some health problems that they can have.

They can have health problems. They are prone to getting hip dysplasia. Luckily, Mae has not shown any signs of the disease.

Saint Berdoodle price?

Saint Berdoodles can be quite costly, hence why they’re categorized as “designer dogs”. If you’re thinking about getting a Saint Berdoodle, you should do careful research about breeders. It’s a good idea to contact a number of different breeders, ask to see your pup’s parents, request to view health records and proof of vet checkups, look at the AKC documentation of the parents and more. Based upon our research, Saint Berdoodles could set you back in the region of $2,000.

Are Saint Berdoodles expensive?

While you may have saved for the initial cost of purchasing your Saint Berdoodle puppy, there are other costs to consider once you’ve brought your new arrival home. There are monthly costs such as dog food, pet insurance, vet and grooming costs to consider. You’ll need to create a budget to make sure you can afford all the expenses associated with owning a dog.

Would you recommend Saint Berdoodles to a first-time dog owner?

If you’re thinking about getting a Saint Berdoodle but you haven’t owned a dog before, Amber would have no hesitation recommending Saint Berdoodles to a first-time dog owner.

Absolutely yes! She was a quick learner on potty training, and is very eager to please, so she has been a delight.

Saint Berdoodle to follow on Instagram

If you want to learn more about Saint Berdoodles, you may find it beneficial to check out some examples of the cross breed on Instagram.

• Mae Bea the Saint Berdoodle (@maebeaby)
• Rosie the Saint Berdoodle (@saintberdoodle).

Saint Berdoodle Pictures

Saint Berdoodles Pros and Cons

Saint Berdoodle Pros

Amber/Mae: Saint Berdoodles are gentle giants! Our Saint Berdoodle, Mae, is a real sweet heart and loves to cuddle and play.

John/Rosie: The pros of a Saint Berdoodle are energy levels, she really takes a lot of the Saint Bernard genes and we always call her ‘smart and lazy’. She is excellent family dog, and enjoys walks around the neighborhood. She plays with other dogs, but has to be in the right mood to really get after it.

Saint Berdoodle Cons

Amber/Mae: While we have loved having a big dog, it brings up a few issues. Because of her size, we have to be very careful when friends bring their toddlers into our home. It’s never happened before, but she could accidentally knock a toddler down without realizing it. It also took a few years for my youngest son to be able to walk her without me holding the leash because of her size.

John/Rosie: The only con I can think of is that no one really knows how long they will live as they are a newer cross breed.

Anything Else To Consider?

Like we mentioned above, when you’re researching about Saint Berdoodles or any type of dog, you should be careful of big claims made by breeders. It’s good practice to speak to a number of different breeders rather than zoning in on one.

Wrapping Up

We’ve reached the end of our feature on Saint Berdoodles.

They’re a cross between a Poodle and a Saint Bernard to result in a big, friendly and loyal dog.

Saint Berdoodles have the potential to be low-shedding dogs with hypoallergenic qualities.

They’re usually outgoing and sociable with other people and other dogs, while they can excel around children provided they’re being supervised at all times.