The Saint Berdoodle is one of the newest designer dogs that you can bring home to your family. This unique dog is a mixed breed between a purebred Standard Poodle and a Saint Bernard. Often called a companion breed, the dogs are very smart but also friendly. That friendliness can do them well in therapy situations and makes the pet a good therapy dog.
While designer dogs are popular today, the Saint Berdoodle is a little rarer than you might expect. This friendly dog is smaller than a standard Saint Bernard but larger than a Poodle and sometimes hard to control. You can learn more about this fluffy Poodle mix before looking for Saint Berdoodle puppies for sale.
The Saint Bernard Poodle Mix
As a crossbreed, this dog breed inherited the top traits from both of its parent breeds. It has the loyalty that you expect from a Saint Bernard with the social nature that you associate with Poodles. Even experienced breeders do not know what traits a litter of puppies will have because they can pick up traits from both parents.
There is no guarantee that all the puppies from the same litter will look or behave the same way too. Breeders essentially work hard to ensure that each puppy is smart, social, loyal and affectionate. As you work with your new puppy, you can encourage the traits that you love.
St. Bernard
You might remember seeing St. Bernards in films where they wore little first aid packages around their necks and helped skiers and other lost in the wild. This breed began in the Swiss Alps region and was especially popular in Switzerland and Italy. Early breeders focused on these dogs as a way to help the search and rescue organizations in the region. The Great St. Bernard Hospice was a lodge for visitors in Great St. Bernard Pass. It was home to many monks known for their search and rescue efforts. Those monks would don heavy clothing and search for missing visitors. They would often send their trained dogs to search for people too.
Most St. Bernard owners now treat these dogs as companions and members of their families rather than trained workers. They don’t always realize that they’re large dogs and may try to curl up in your lap or at your feet. This breed does well in certain sports, including carting events and weight pulling.
Poodles
Though Poodles also come from Europe, this breed started in France. Breeders often lived on the border between that country and Germany. Originally known as gundogs, they were responsible for helping their owners find and bring home prey. Hunters would shoot some of the wild birds and watch as they fell to the ground. Poodles would run into the bushes and bring back the animals. Owners today use Poodles as both companions and show dogs. Both new and experienced owners have an easy time training these dogs because they are so smart.
Designer Dogs
St. Bernards became popular during the 16th century. Poodles first appeared during the 18th century. It wasn’t until more recent years that breeders found that could create a mixed breed that used both dogs. The first of these puppies likely appeared during the 1980s in the United States, which is when the popularity of designer breeds began. This was also when breeders began looking at ways to combine two breeds to create adorable or beautiful dogs with inherited traits.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not officially recognize the Saint Berdoodle because it does not recognize any mixed breed. It did receive recognition from the American Canine Hybrid Club that recognizes all hybrid dogs. Both the Designer Dogs Kennel Club and Designer Breed Registry recognize it too. As this dog is so rare, you won’t find any rescue groups devoted to the breed. Rescue groups that take in Poodles and St. Bernards may have some dogs that need homes though.
Saint Berdoodle Characteristics
Saint Berdoodle puppies are large, but the adult dogs grow even larger. They can reach a maximum size of 24 to 30 inches and a weight of up to 200 pounds. Those that inherited their size from their St. Bernard parents can reach a higher weight. Some of these dogs may weigh as little as 50 pounds. They also have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. The lifespan of a St. Berdoodle can increase with proper care.
Also known as a St. Berpoo, these dogs come in multiple colors. White, black, cream, brown, silver and red are some of the common colors. Blue dogs are those that have a soft gray coat that resembles the color blue. You’ll also find some with a cafe au lait coat, which is a rich and soft shade of brown. A Saint Berpoo can have a mixed color coat that incorporates more than one color too.
Puppy Basics
Breeders can set the prices for Saint Berdoodle puppies because they know that there aren’t many breeders. You can find some puppies priced at $700 or less, but other breeders will charge as much as $1,000 or more for a puppy. They use the money that new owners pay to cover the cost of veterinary appointments and the care that both the mother and puppies need. That mother can have a litter with as many as 10 puppies, but it’s more common for litters to consist of six puppies. If the mother was a Poodle, the litter may be much smaller.
As with other breeds, the Saint Berdoodle will stop growing when it hits the two-year mark. Until your dog becomes two-years-old, it is still a puppy. You might notice the dog growing significantly over the years and after you bring it home.
Most puppies can leave their mothers at the age of two months or eight weeks and weigh between eight and 14 pounds. By the time they reach the third month, those puppies can weigh as much as 39 pounds or as little as 12 pounds.
They’ll weigh between 26 and 80 pounds by six months of age. Those that inherit more traits from the St. Bernard side can weigh more than 110 pounds when they hit the nine and 12-month marks. You can’t guess what your puppy will weigh because it depends on various factors.
Temperament of a Saint Berdoodles
Unlike other crossbreeds, Saint Berdoodles do not have any specific traits. They are generally very confident and self-assured, which can make them seem co*cky. This type of dog can easily identify a threatening situation and know when it or its family is in danger. The hunting instincts that they get from their Poodle parents only remain if the breeders and owners foster those instincts. You’ll want to make sure that the dog gets the right training and that it spends time outside. If one of the dog’s parents still works in search and rescue, you’ll have an easier time fostering those traits.
Though St. Bernard and Poodle breeds are good watchdogs, the puppies of these breeds don’t always respond in the same way to the same situations. They are not very vocal and likely won’t bark or howl at a threat. The puppies and adult crossbreeds are not aggressive and can handle living around small kids. You do need to make sure that the dog and children feel comfortable with each other and that the kids do not act aggressive towards the dog.
Saint Berdoo puppies and adults are quite friendly. We don’t know as much about this breed as we do others because it is still fairly rare. With obedience training, you can cut down on the hunting instincts that the dog gets from the Poodle side to make sure that it doesn’t attack other animals. If you do not work on training the dog, there’s a chance it might chase a neighbor’s cat when you’re outside. The large size of the dog makes it easy for the pup to get away from you.
As Poodles and Saint Bernards are gentle and sweet, the crossbreed puppies of these dogs will be too. They are also very sensitive and can shy away from owners who use loud voices or noises in their training. Not only do they love their owners, but they also love anyone else they come across. St. Berdoodles do well on walks and in dog parks because they like seeing other dogs and view them as their new best friends. Kids of all ages do well with these dogs too. As they are large and a little clumsy though, they can run into or knock over smaller children.
Appearance of a Saint Berdoodles
An adult Saint Berdoodle can weigh more and be taller than other adults from this breed based on how many genes they get from the Saint Bernard size.
Some of the smallest dogs in this group weight just 50 pounds as adults, but others can reach up to 200 pounds or more. If you chart the growth of your puppy over the first two years, you can get an idea of how much it will weigh and its overall size as an adult.
Their large size makes them part of the giant dog group. They usually have the same coat that a Poodle does.
Saint Berdoodles are unique because they can have the same color coat as a Saint Bernard or a Poodle. They often have white patches around their snouts and on their stomachs with similar patches on their chests and legs. The rest of their coat can be a soft or dark brown color. If the dog inherits more genes from the Poodle side, it can come in even more colors.
The texture of their coat can also vary due to their traits. Some dogs look more like a Saint Bernard and have a coat that feels silky and smooth. This is a type of double coat with a shorter layer of hair closest to the skin and a longer layer of hair on top. Dogs that inherit more from the Poodle side an have a coarser coat made of curly hair that feels rough. These dogs are good for those with allergies to pet hair and dander because they are hypoallergenic and shed less than other breeds do.
Grooming a of a Saint Berdoodles
You generally need to brush a Saint Berdoodle every day to ensure that the coat remains silky and free of debris. Those that look more like Poodles only need brushing once a week. If you want your dog to have a clean look with short hair, you can send the dog to a professional groomer once a month.
Groomers can also examine your dog’s nails to look for signs of infection and other issues. Their nails can grow rapidly and grow under, which can cause the dog some pain. Though this dog doesn’t suffer from the dental problems that plague other breeds, you can still give your dog dental chews and chew toys to reduce the risk of plaque and tartar.
How to Feed a Saint Berdoodle
A Saint Berdoodle needs quite a lot of food due to its large size. You’ll want to feed most of these dogs 2,000 or more calories every day or up to five full cups of dry dog food. Many companies make dog food for giant breeds that contain more protein and fewer filler ingredients. Most owners find it helpful to feed the dog at least two times every day, which gives the dog time to digest its food.
If your St. Berdoodle turns its nose up at dry food, you can try using wet or canned food. You can also pour some warm or hot water onto the dry food. This will soften the bits and release the smell of the food, which can entice the dog into eating. Some dogs will never go back to dry food after eating canned food.
Walking a Saint Berdoodle
Saint Berdoodle dogs require more exercise than other breeds do. They prefer walks of at least 60 minutes that do not have a lot of hills or other obstacles. Dogs that are more active and have energy will need walks f at least 90 minutes.
The large size of these dogs makes running and faster walking difficult because it puts more pressure on their joints and can cause them some discomfort. You can give the dog the stimulation that it needs and some exercise with trips to the dog parks. The Saint Berdoodle is one of the only dogs that love swimming too.
Training Basics
Most types of training work with this type of dog. As it is as smart as a Poodle, it will love playing games where it needs to find treats hidden in your home or work through puzzles to find a reward. The Saint Bernard side of the dog makes it learn quickly and pick up on the basics. It’s often helpful to incorporate your kids into the training sessions, to play with their dog toys as this will socialize the dog and make it comfortable around them. Positive reinforcement training in which you reward the dog for simple actions can also help.
You should know that the Saint Berdoodle requires a lot of stimulation daily. They can easily grow bored when there aren’t any people or toys around. Bored dogs tend to act on in destructive ways such as chewing on shoes or furniture. If no one is home for long hours, keep puzzles and toys within the dog’s reach. Puzzle feeders ask dogs to solve a simple puzzle to get a small reward. This can keep your dog occupied until you get home from work.
Saint Berdoodle Lifespan
The life expectancy of a Saint Berdoodle ranges from 10 to 12 years. Knowing about the possible health conditions of this breed can help you keep an eye on the dog and make sure that it stays happy and healthy. The Saint Berdoodle is prone to the same conditions that affect other large breeds and big dogs, including bloat and hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia causes pain in the hip joint and can lead to inflammation and even lameness. Your vet can recommend medications for this condition and might suggest hydrotherapy.
Big dogs that suffer from bloat often exhibit symptoms after eating, including uncontrollable panting, gas, pain and distention in the stomach and drooling. Bloat occurs when the stomach turns and twists. These dogs are also prone to ear infections because they have large and floppy ears. While your groomer can help you look for signs of ear infections, your vet can treat those infections. You’ll also find products you can use at home to keep your dog’s ears clean.
The Saint Berdoodle is a designer or hybrid dog of the St. Bernard and Poodle. While it gets its intelligence and hunting instincts from the Poodle side, it gets its affectionate and loyal nature from the St. Bernard side.
These dogs are large and can weigh as much as 200 pounds. As they are often clumsy, they can knock objects in your home over as well as people. An easy way to make sure that the Saint Berdoodle is the perfect family dog for you is with a look at this gentle giant, including its temperament and personality.
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