Saint Berdoodle: Saint Bernard and Poodle Mix Size, Personality and Care

Saint Berdoodles, of Saint Berpoos, is a cross between a purebred St. Bernard and a purebred Standard Poodle. There are also Mini Saint Berdoodles which is a cross between a Saint Bernard with a mini Poodle. These gentle giants are known for their loyalty and companionship, and they crave love and attention. Although they are a quite large and active breed, they get along with other household pets and are quiet and calm when around children. However, if you are looking for a guard dog, then the Saint Berdoodle is probably not the best candidate as this breed tends to be very social and friendly with strangers.

If you are thinking of adding a Saint Berdoodle to your family, you should know that they come in basically two sizes. Miniature Saint Berdoodles weigh between 35-70 pounds and stand roughly 18-22 inches tall, while the Standard Saint Berdoodle weighs between 70-200 pounds and stands about 22-30 inches tall. Depending on whether or not you want a miniature or a standard variety, read on for some interesting facts about the breed.

Characteristics

These dogs are particularly known for their hypoallergenic coats and patient temperament and they have several additional characteristics which make them great canine companions.

Size

St Berdoodles range in size depending on whether or not they are crossed with a standard or miniature poodle. “Miniature” Saint Bernadoodles will weigh in at around 35-70 pounds and stand roughly 18-22 inches tall. The “Standard” St Berdoodle will weigh approximately 70-200 pounds and stand about 22-30 inches tall.

Health

Hybrid breeds are typically healthy because there is less inbreeding, and it is suggested that Saint Berdoodles tend to have fewer health issues than purebred Saint Bernards. The genetic diversity of blending two breeds contributes to a healthier pet.

Coat Colors

Saint Berdoodles come in various color combinations. The most common color pattern is black, but other colors include white, grey, black and white, brown and white, apricot, fawn, mahogany, or silver.

Hypoallergenic

St Berdoodles are known to be hypoallergenic and, like poodles, have low-to-non shedding coats. Berdoodles are a good choice for people with allergies, but it should be noted that they still shed and require regular grooming.

Activity

Saint Berdoodles are great family companions, and believe it or not, they do not need as much exercise as the sporting or hunting breeds. Although poodles can be energetic, the Saint Bernard heritage contributes to its more “mellow” and relaxed attitude. As a result, this breed can be happy with one or two walks a day, and make good apartment dogs if you have the space.

Lifespan

St Berdoodles typically live a bit longer than purebred Saint Bernards and can live up to 10-12 years.

Hair Coat and Grooming

The Saint Berdoodle comes in several colors, and their fur can range from curly to wavy and is often of medium length. At least once a week, a good brushing is recommended for Saint Berdoodles and maybe more frequent for more curly-haired dogs.

Temperament

Saint Berdoodles are known for their gentle, loving, and loyal nature, and they love attention and human companionship. However, some Saint Berdoodles can show symptoms of separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. This is a consideration if you work long hours and are not able to offer them enough attention and companionship.

Intelligence

Poodles are known for their intelligence as a breed, and Saint Berdoodles are quick learners. The St. Berdoodle inherits its intelligent nature from the poodle and loyalty from St Bernard.

Family Dogs

Saint Berdoodles are great family dogs and love to be involved in any or all family activities. These dogs love to be social and are generally great with other dogs, animals, and children. However, proper socialization in puppies and early training is always important.

No Drooling

Unlike Saint Bernards, most Saint Berdoodles do not drool.

Good Hiking Partner

Although Saint Berdoodle is a low-energy breed, they make great walking and hiking companions. Although a St Berdoodle is not a runner like a Goldendoodle or a Labradoodle, Aussiedoodle they do enjoy long walks and outings.

READ MORE: Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: Size, Intelligence, and Care

Breed History

The Saint Berdoodle is often referred to as a designer dog, and it is unclear when this breed first emerged. This hybrid made its first appearance in the 1980s when the designer dog fad started.

At this time, dog breeders started crossing Poodles with several different breeds creating the “doodle” mixes that are so popular today. We do know that Saint Bernard originated in Europe in the 1800s and was first inducted into the American Kennel Club in 1885. The poodle breed originated in Germany around 1874 and was bred as a hunting dog. The combination of the loyalty of Saint Bernard and the intelligence of the poodle make for a wonderful and easy-to-train canine companion.

READ MORE: All About Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle Mix

Interesting Facts

In addition to their loyal and intelligent natures, there are some facts that owners should be aware of.

Common Health Concerns

As with every breed, even hybrids, Saint Berdoodles can be susceptible to some of the health problems characteristic of Saint Bernard and the Poodle. Some of the more common genetic disorders to watch for include elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion or GDV, hip dysplasia, and ear issues. However, due to the genetic diversity from crossing these two breeds, the hybrid nature of the Saint Berdoodle can be a bonus towards overall health.

AKC

Unfortunately, the hybrid nature of the Saint Berdoodle does not qualify it to be a member of the American Kennel Club. However, the Saint Berdoodle is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Dog Registry of America, Inc., the Designer Breed Registry, the International Designer Canine Registry, and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club.

Separation Anxiety

Because Saint Berdoodles are so loyal and loving, they can suffer from separation anxiety,  especially if they don’t get enough attention and companionship. Make sure your St. Berdoodle gets plenty of attention and love to avoid destructive behavior due to separation anxiety.

Hair Coat

As mentioned above, the Saint Berdoodle comes in several colors, and its fur can range from curly to wavy and is typical of medium length. The Saint Berdoodle often inherits its hair coat from the Standard poodle rather than Saint Bernard. Saint Berdoodles have typically curly, coarse, or silky hair; they are low to moderate shedders, and are considered hypoallergenic. Grooming and hair coat care of the Saint Berdoodle depends on the length and type of hair coat,  but daily brushing and combing are recommended and keeping the ears and eyes clean.

Pros And Cons

There are several pros and cons to getting a Saint Berdoodle, and these are listed below.

Temperament and Personality

The Saint Berdoodle is an affectionate and loving fur baby who loves being the center of attention and loves being a part of any family activity. Since this breed is so very social, it’s important to note that they do not do well with being left alone, and maybe prone to acting out and chewing on the couch or remote control if left alone for long hours. Although loving and intelligent, they can also be somewhat suspicious of strangers and defend their family and territory if they think either is threatened.

As a group, Saint Berdoodles combines the best of the poodle and Saint Bernard worlds. They are friendly, intelligent, and loyal but can be precocious and mischievous too. Due to their size, puppies may be a bit clumsy until they grow into their adult stature. Due to their friendly and caring personality, Saint Berdoodles are also used as service dogs in some settings.

Activity

As a large breed dog, it does not require as much exercise as a sporting or hunting breed; regular exercise and walks will help keep him mentally and physically active. Also, since the breed is considered large, it’s important to note that the ideal owner can handle his large frame and bulky size. If starting with a puppy, early leash training is important to teach good habits. If possible, off-leash dog parks and hikes will provide him with a great outlet to burn off excess energy and enjoy running and playing in the great outdoors.

Training

Saint Berdoodles are known for their intelligence and willingness to please, which makes them an easy breed to train. While training, it’s important to use positive reinforcement as they are quite sensitive and do not respond well to heavy-handed approaches. When training this breed, starting early will produce the best results and help manage the dog as he grows larger and stronger. Socialization from an early age is also just as important so that your best friend can act more comfortably and appropriately in different situations with different people and animals.

As mentioned above, the Saint Berdoodle comes in a large breed, which may not be the best canine companion for families with young children or toddlers. However, these dogs can learn to be gentle and cautious around youngsters with proper training. The Saint Berdoodle does great with other dogs, pets, and family members and loves to be the center of attention. For this reason, training can be a snap as long as positive reinforcement is used.

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Adoption and Rescue

It may be challenging to find a Saint Berdoodle in a shelter or a rescue, although it would be worth it to research organizations in your area that rescue and adopt out Saint Berdoodles. If you suffer from allergies, you may opt for the non-shedding variety of the Saint Berdoodle or a pup whose coat is more like the Poddle than Saint Bernard. If you purchase from a breeder, the breeder can tell how long the hair will be on a particular puppy by five weeks of age. To find more information about adoptions and rescues, visit the American Canine Hybrid Club at achclub.com or the Dog Registry of America at dogpapers.com.

Conclusions

For owners looking for a larger dog that makes a furry, lovable, loyal, and huggable roommate, the Saint Berdoole fits the bill. The Berdoodle may be big and a little goofy, but this dog can bring years of companionship and love to you and your family.

Saint Berdoodle is smart, loyal, and sociable, and can be a great loveable addition to any household. Over the past several years, this breed has quickly gained popularity across the globe. They are intelligent, love people, and make good therapy or service dogs. These designer dogs were bred for their affection, companionship, and loyalty, and their sociable nature makes them a joy to be with.

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