Saint Berdoodle Breed Information: Saint Bernard Poodle Mix

The Saint Berdoodle is the best of both his parents. It mixes the gorgeous Saint Bernard and the ever-popular standard-sized Poodle. He is also known as the Saint Berpoo or simply the Saint Bernard Poodle mix. This newly mixed hybrid puppy is an excellent choice for those who cannot choose between these two lovable breeds. Because with the Saint Berdoodle, you get a 2-for-1 designer deal.

His large size, combined with his bouncy and fun personality, means that he needs lots of space. As well as a family who can guarantee him plenty of exercise and playtime outdoors. This complete guide is a must-read for those considering this beautiful boy because this mix is not suited to every family.

But, those who can provide him with what he needs are in for a sweet surprise. He is adorable, sweet, and has lots of fun. So, let’s find out if you and the Saint Berdoodle are compatible buddies.

Parent Breeds

It’s crucial to know where the Saint Berdoodle comes from, as it will help you to understand what you can expect from him. By understanding his parents, you are taking the necessary steps to make sure that he is the right mixed dog for you. Unfortunately, many owners fail to research dog breeds, which is why so many of them end up back in rescue shelters.

Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is undoubtedly one of the most famous dogs in the world. He is one of four Swiss mountain breeds and the largest of them all. The Saint Bernard stands between 26 and 30 inches tall, and he weighs a whopping 120 to 180 pounds. He was traditionally used to rescue stranded travelers in the treacherous Swiss Alps, thanks to his immense power. So, you can be sure that this guy is a hardworking canine.

He is also a sweet pooch who is part of the gentle giant doggy club. Saint Bernards are devoted to their family and make strangers feel welcome with their warm smiles and cuddly appearance. He is also probably one of the best canine babysitters that you could ask for! Hence why he was given the role of Nana in the Peter Pan stories – you guessed it, the kid’s nanny.

He is playful, charming, and a charismatic canine who is adored by all. Except for those who aren’t a fan of doggy drool! But, if you can forgive him for this, you can expect a loyal sidekick for around 8 to 10 years. Saint Bernards are becoming more popular as crossbreeds, with the Saint Berhusky as a fine example.

Poodle

The Poodle is just as recognizable, but thanks to his smaller and more accommodating size, he is more popular with families. There are three sizes of Poodle, and it is the standard-sized Poodle that is the chosen one here. He must measure over 15 inches in height, and he weighs between 40 and 70 pounds.

The standard-sized Poodle was initially bred to be a duck hunter in Germany. The French nation then fell in love with him and bred him down so that they could enjoy him as a lapdog too. All three sizes have a lot of playful energy. And when you combine that with his intelligence, you can be sure that he needs a lot of stimulation to keep him happy.

He has a curly and hypoallergenic coat, which is why he is one of the most popular dogs to mix with other dogs. Not only is he easier on those with allergies, but he also sheds less too. And he adds that teddy bear cuddliness that everyone loves. There are many more common doodle mixes than the Saint Berdoodle. Some of them include the Bernedoodle or the increasingly popular Shepadoodle.

Saint Berdoodle

The Saint Berdoodle is a mixture of his two parents above, and it’s essential to research them in detail. It’s also vital to find out from your breeder whether he is bred from a standard-sized Poodle or a miniature-sized Poodle. Thankfully, both sizes usually inherit the best of both worlds.

We will touch briefly on the size and price of the miniature Saint Berdoodle, but this guide is primarily for the standard-sized Saint Berdoodle.

Temperament

Not all people like big dogs (crazy, we know), but this big dog likes all people. He is super friendly and wants to be everyone’s playmate. This is great for those that love dogs too. And it makes him a great addition to a social family that is forever having parties and gatherings at the weekend. He doesn’t care who visits because he knows that he is in for lots of fuss.

For this reason, he makes an awful guard dog. He is far too friendly and trusting. So, if you are thinking that because of his size, he is going to make a fantastic family protector, you are sadly mistaken.

Because he is so friendly and always looking for attention, he has a playful and fun personality. And one that will keep you and the whole family entertained for hours on end. He loves everyone, from infants to the elderly, and makes a great family pet.

You need to have the energy and time to give him, but playing fetch and frisbee isn’t too much to ask, right? Well, not for all. But if you are wondering whether you have the time for this guy, he isn’t the dog breed for you. He can be quite an intense canine, and he’ll always be by your side. Not all like this trait, but it’s something you need to be prepared for.

He is also a fan of a cheeky afternoon snooze, too, thanks to his laidback St Bernard influence. So, if you are looking for a marathon Netflix partner, he is definitely up for this.  His eagerness to please and craving for human companionship means that without company, he’ll become very sad. An unhappy or anxious dog can quickly become a destructive and problematic one.

Size & Appearance

It’s clear that this guy is going to be a large dog, but just big are we talking about? If his Poodle parent is a standard-sized Poodle, he will measure between 20 and 26 inches tall and weigh anywhere between 70 and 150 pounds. He’s going to be a large dog at the very least, but the larger Saint Bernard Poodle mix will fall into the giant dog category. This is something to bear in mind when it comes to his nutrition, which we’ll walk you through later on.

Sometimes, breeders will use the miniature-sized Poodle, and then he’ll be known as the miniature Saint Berdoodle. These guys are rarer, and the mom is always the St Bernard parent for safety reasons. A miniature Saint Berdoodle will measure, on average, between 15 and 20 inches tall and 40 and 70 pounds.

Typically, the standard-sized Saint Bernard Poodle mix will look like a smaller St Bernard with the curlier coat of the Poodle. We try to be impartial when it comes to dogs because everyone has different tastes. But this guy is totally adorable, and you will have total strangers stop you in the street for pets and selfies. Add an extra 20 minutes to your journey time if you want to be on time.

He has long floppy ears that frame his face and always flops down rather than stand erect. His button nose and big round eyes are usually dark in color. Unfortunately, blue eyes in either of his parents are seen as a fault in the breed, so different-colored eyes are rare.

Coat & Colors

The Saint Berdoodle’s coat is almost always curly. His curls aren’t usually tight like the Poodle’s coat, and instead, they are typically loose and soft. If he takes after the Poodle more, he will shed less, and if he is more like his St Bernard parent, he will be more of a moderate seasonal shedder.

Either way, never count on the Saint Berdoodle to be a hypoallergenic dog like his Poodle parent. No dog is totally hypoallergenic. But being mixed with a heavy shedder like Saint Bernards, you are definitely in for a few hair hurricanes.

He has a wide variety of colors to choose from, thanks to his Poodle parent. He can sport apricot, black, blue, brown, cream, white, gray, silver, and red. His two most popular colors are white and black and white and brown. Sometimes with a little red thrown into the mix. Those who take the typical Swiss colors tend to carry a higher price tag as they are seen as more desirable.

Because of his thick coat and hardy St Bernard genes, he is well-equipped for colder climates. And although he can live in warmer environments, his thick jacket makes him better suited to cooler states.

Exercise & Living Conditions

The Saint Berdoodle is an energetic dog who needs around 45 minutes of exercise every day. He is calmer than the Poodle, but he needs more exercise than a St Bernard does. His exercise doesn’t need to be intense, and it shouldn’t be either. It’s important to protect his joints from heavy impact.

Instead, this guy will like leisurely strolls around a pretty park, a swim in the nearest lake, or a visit to the local doggy playground. Because he is intelligent like his Poodle parent, you should look to spice up his exercise schedule with different activities to keep him interested.

It goes without saying that the Saint Berdoodle needs a larger home with plenty of space both inside and outside. Although he isn’t fussy. Unfortunately, a small apartment just isn’t going to do it for an active breed this size. You should also plan to provide your pup with some bigger dog toys so that they don’t have durability problems, as your Saint Berdoodle makes good use of them.

His St Bernard parent is renowned for being super fond of children, which is why he is known as the nanny dog. His other parent is also great with kids. So you can be sure that as long as he is socialized well as a pup, he will do fantastically in a home with children. Just like all dogs, especially ones who are big like this guy, you always need to supervise him just in case he bumps them with his sizable derriere.

Training

The Saint Berdoodle is, as Mary Poppins would say, practically perfect in every way. But he doesn’t just become that way on his own. He needs guidance from his owner and someone to teach him polite puppy etiquette.  This is where you, as his mom or dad, need to step up. He’s a big dog, and if he becomes problematic, he is going to be a handful.

Firstly, he needs to be socialized. A reputable breeder will begin this process as soon as he can walk. His own mom, and his littermates, will also teach him some ground rules too. Then, as soon as you get him home, you need to continue the good work. Introduce him to unfamiliar people, other dogs down the local doggy park, and loud noises that he is likely to be exposed to too.

Positive reinforcement training is the best way to train him to do anything. Thankfully, the Saint Bernard Poodle mix is relatively simple to train, and you don’t have to be an experienced dog owner to handle him. His Poodle intelligence, crossed with his eagerness to please nature from the Saint Bernard makes him willing to learn. He might have a few off days (but who doesn’t). And with consistent obedience training, he’ll be a well-behaved pup in no time.

The Saint Berdoodle is likely to suffer from separation anxiety, so it’s crucial that you leave him a little when he is a pup. Otherwise, his anxiety can become unbearable. It’s also a great idea to crate train and leash train your Saint Berdoodle. You don’t want a large unruly pup on your hands that becomes difficult to handle as they age.

Health

The Saint Berdoodle is a relatively healthy dog that will enjoy a lifespan of 9 to 13 years. This is an excellent lifespan for a big dog, which is mostly down to the health of his Poodle parent.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia: both of his parents suffer from hip dysplasia, and his St Bernard parent also suffers from elbow dysplasia. Joint dysplasia is essentially the malformation of the hip and elbow joint sockets, which will cause problems with mobility in later life.
• Eye conditions: both of his parents suffer from a variety of eye concerns. The most common are progressive retinal atrophy, diamond eye (which is combined entropion and ectropion), and cataracts. All can lead to blindness if left untreated.
• Degenerative myelopathy: his St Bernard parent is predisposed to this condition. It is a spinal disease that eventually leads to paralysis and other complications in later life.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy: also known as DCM, his St Bernard parent is especially prone to this condition. This is where his heart becomes enlarged and weak, and it cannot function properly.

As with any mixed breed, he can inherit health concerns from either parent, so it’s essential to take a closer look at the problems of both breeds. This way, if the unfortunate does happen, you know what symptoms to look out for and get them seen to right away. Always keep up to date with regular vet appointments and vaccinations for his best health.

Nutrition

The St Berdoodle is a big boy who has a big bowl. He will consume between three to five cups of food a day. This is dependent on how heavy he is, how old he is, and what his activity levels are like. You should feed him the best quality food that your budget will allow because this will have a positive impact on his overall health.

He needs food that is designed for the nutritional needs of large or giant breeds, again, depending on how big he is. Nutrition is particularly important for giant breeds during puppyhood because they will control the rate at which their bones grow. In turn, this can lower the risk of him developing bone diseases such as joint dysplasia.

A well-balanced diet includes high-quality protein, carbohydrates, fiber, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. A high level of glucosamine is also essential because it will support his large joints. Foods high in this are meat meals, fish oils, and green-lipped mussels.

The St Berdoodle is at risk of suffering from a condition called gastric torsion, which is also known as bloat. This is a problem more commonly seen in large dogs, so you must make yourself aware. Essentially, it’s where a dog’s stomach distends and twists, and it is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate attention. To avoid it, never feed your St Berdoodle immediately before or after exercise.

Grooming

The Saint Berdoodle is likely to have a big fluffy coat that is loosely curled. He is also likely to have a double coat that sheds moderately. If you’re lucky, he might take after his Poodle parent and shed minimally throughout the year.

Look to brush him several times a week to keep his coat healthy, prevent tangles, remove dead hair, and spread his natural coat oils. It also acts as a bonding opportunity for him too. Look for a slicker brush that will be able to work through his curls and keep him looking smart.

He needs to be bathed once every four to eight weeks or as and when it is required. Never wash him more than this amount because you risk damaging his natural skin oils. With his eye problems in mind, it is essential to check his eyes over once a week and take note of any changes. If you notice any changes, it’s worth a visit to the vet to try and catch problems early.

Breeders & Puppy Costs

The cost of a Saint Bernard Poodle mix puppy from a reputable breeder is, on average, between $1,500 and $3,000. The importance of working with a reputable breeder cannot be stressed enough. They will take care of the health of your pup, and only breed them from healthy parents.

The Saint Bernard Poodle mix is becoming very popular, and with that comes the increase of bad breeders. Puppy mills do not care for the health of their puppies, and instead only care about making maximum profit from them. They offer a lower price to lure you in, but this is because they spend little to no money on their health and development. So please, avoid, avoid, avoid!

The price is dependent on a lot of factors, including supply and demand, location, reputation, and lineage. A puppy with unusual markings or the ‘perfect’ St Bernard coloring is also likely to command a higher price.

Always be sure to find out what size the Poodle parent is because this will determine the size of your pup. And trust us when we say that the size difference can be huge! Miniature Saint Berdoodles are also more expensive than standard-sized Saint Berdoodles because of the extra precautions, skill, and effort put into the mating process.

Rescue & Shelters

If you are thinking about rescuing a Saint Bernard Poodle mix, you may have to join the queue. Not only is it rare to find one of these guys in a rescue center, but he will be snapped up super quick. Spend some time visiting your local rescue centers, speak to staff, and get your interest known.

You might increase your chances of rescuing one of these pups by getting in contact with dedicated breed rescue organizations. Across America Poodle Rescue lists dogs for adoption, and the St Bernard Rescue Foundation lists dogs by state. Both rescue their breeds and breed mixes, including the Saint Berdoodle, when he comes up.

As Family Pets

• The Saint Berdoodle is a friendly pooch who gets along with everyone.
• He is affectionate and loves receiving fuss and attention.
• This mix hates to be left alone.
• He needs to live in a large house with access to a large yard.
• Saint Bernard Poodle mixes are fond of children and will super gentle.
• He makes a great addition to a multi-pet household.
• He needs 45 minutes of exercise every day and playtime with his family.
• The Saint Berdoodle is a light to moderate shedder.

Final Thoughts

The Saint Berdoodle is a gorgeous cuddly pup who everyone loves and adores. From friends to strangers, you will no longer be the center of attention, he will. He is a large canine who needs plenty of space in the home and access to a large yard to be happy. He also needs a family that can spend most of their time with him, as he is a secretly sensitive soul.

If you think that you can provide him with his needs, he will return the favor in endless love, loyalty, and kisses. For the next 9 to 14 years, you will have the best buddy you could ever wish for. He’ll join you in your exercise endeavors, help you keep the kids entertained, and he’ll sit by your side as you watch the latest box set.

You might not be able to fit him into your purse, but he’ll expect to go everywhere with you. Thankfully, with his cute face, you won’t be able to resist!