Height:
24-30 inches
Weight:
110-220 pounds
Lifespan:
10-12 years
Colors:
Black, white, brown
Suitable for:
Families with older kids, large houses, large yards
Temperament:
Social, Loving, Affectionate
A Saint Berdoodle is a cross between a Saint Bernard and a Poodle. If you know anything about either the Saint Bernard or the Poodle, you will probably have already realized that the Saint Berdoodle is not a small dog. A Saint Berdoodle is kind of like having a big teddy bear. These are large, loving dogs that can make a great addition to the right family.
There are, however, some things you should know about the St Bernard Poodle mix before you go and pick up one of those not-so-little puppies. In this guide, we will try and give you a breakdown of everything a good Saint Berdoodle owner should know and understand.
Saint Berdoodle Puppies – Before You Buy…
What’s the Price of Saint Berdoodle Puppies?
A Saint Berdoodle puppy is not going to be cheap. Considering that this is a large breed dog that consists of two higher-end large dogs, you will have to spend a bit of money on this puppy. The average Saint Berdoodle puppy is going to go for around $1500. You will very likely find breeders charging closer to $2500 for a Saint Berdoodle if they have very distinguished family lines.
3 Little-Known Facts About Saint Berdoodle
1. They Can Be A Bit Clumsy
A Saint Berdoodle is known for being a bit clumsy. This is just because they are much larger than they realize. A Saint Berdoodle will often try to squeeze into places or behind pieces of furniture where they have no chance of fitting. Kind of like when they try and curl up on your lap, all 160 pounds of them!
2. They Are Very Social
If your kids run to the door to greet grandma, your Saint Berdoodle will likely beat them. The Saint Berdoodles love to be around people. As much as they love your family, they will want even more attention from the friends and extended family that come over to visit. A Saint Berdoodle will get very excited to see a person they’ve never met before. This makes them even more lovable – but it also makes them a terrible watchdog!
3. They Have Low Exercise Limits
Try not to get eager when it comes to taking your Saint Berdoodle for a long walk. These dogs do not have endless energy, and after some time, they may decide they are just done with the walk. Being a few miles from home with a giant teddy bear that won’t move off the sidewalk can be a bit of a problem. Start with a short walk and increase slowly but keep in mind that these dogs will hit an exercise limit and not be willing to travel much further.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Saint Berdoodle
Some people are scared of big dogs. Those people should be exposed to a Saint Berdoodle. The Saint Berdoodle is going to do everything in its power to get you to cuddle and love it. This dog may very likely grow to weigh more than their owners. For that reason, they are often affectionately referred to as the gentle giant.
The Poodle is a brilliant and well-behaved dog with plenty of energy. Saint Bernard is an easy-going, affectionate sweetheart. When you combine the two, you end up with a well behaved, moderate energy animal that just wants to be your friend.
The Saint Berdoodle is a people pleaser, and they will want to be around you the entire day. As you cook dinner, as you relax on the couch, as you try and leave for work, your Saint Berdoodle is going to try and come along. If you are looking for a companion and a new best friend, you will find it with the Saint Berdoodle.
In addition to their companionship, you will also be getting a very highly intelligent dog. A Saint Berdoodle will pick up on training very quickly and easily. If you can provide positive reinforcement and praise, your dog will continue the wanted behaviors and stop the unwanted ones. Your dog’s intelligence will also help him to know when you are leaving and when you will be gone for a long time. This is something you will have to watch our for, and we will touch on this more when we get to training.
Overall you will find it very difficult not to get along with a Saint Berdoodle. Although all dog’s personalities can differ, the majority of Saint Berdoodles are giant, loveable teddy bears.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
A Saint Berdoodle will prefer to be part of a family, but there are a few exceptions that should be considered.
When you start looking into Saint Berdoodle puppies, you will quickly realize that this dog does not stay puppy size for very long. If you have small children, they will soon be overpowered by your Saint Berdoodle. Even though the Saint Berdoodle is not an overly excited puppy, their size can be dangerous for young children.
You can teach a young child how to handle a puppy, but it is going to be challenging to teach your Saint Berdoodle how to manage their size and goofiness. Any harm that a Saint Berdoodle would cause to a child would likely be entirely accidental. However, it’s still not fair to put your dog or your child at risk.
Older kids can learn to handle and deal with the strength of the Saint Berdoodle. A Saint Berdoodle will love having an older child as a companion and playmate as well. Saint Berdoodles don’t enjoy being left alone. If they are left alone for long periods, they tend to act out.
If you are a busy family that is barely home to keep an eye on your Saint Berdoodle, you may want to consider another breed. If you have the time and the love to give to a Saint Berdoodle, than this is a perfect match. This is a dog that will be ready and excited about snuggling up for a movie night with the family.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
The Saint Berdoodle does very well with other pets. These are mild-mannered dogs that want to get along with everyone. The only problem you may see is the Saint Berdoodle fighting for your attention. They love to get human interaction, and if there is another animal that is trying to steal that interaction, they may become upset or withdrawn.
If you make sure that your Saint Berdoodle gets a fair amount of attention, even with the other pets in the house, there should be no issue.
It is a good idea to socialize your Saint Berdoodle from the time they are a young puppy. Getting them accustomed to being around other animals is only going to help in the long run.
Things to Know When Owning a Saint Berdoodle:
At this point, we are sure you have fallen in love with these sweet dogs. Before you run out and get yourself a Saint Berdoodle puppy, it is a good idea to have a general understanding of what life with a Saint Berdoodle is like. Without spoiling any of the information below, they are not that high maintenance as far as a large dog breed is concerned.
Food & Diet Requirements
Saint Berdoodles have one requirement when it comes to food — they need a lot!
We’re kidding, sort of. In all seriousness, you are going to need to feed your Saint Berdoodle a good amount of food. For some dogs, it could be as much as ten cups of food. When you set up your monthly budget or estimate the costs of owning an animal, be sure to calculate this factor as well.
If you noticed at the beginning of this guide, we gave the weight range for the Saint Berdoodle as 110-220 pounds. The reason that this is such an extensive range is that this is a relatively new breed, and it all depends on the cross you get. It will take a long time for there to be a standard as far as the Saint Berdoodle breeding is concerned.
If you end up getting a slightly smaller dog, the food requirements will be lower, but you can expect that it will take a great deal of food to keep your Saint Berdoodle healthy and growing. It is essential to work on a diet with your vet. Only he or she will know the exact requirements for your particular dog.
As your puppy ages into an adult and they start growing less and running around less, the food requirements will likely change. Although Saint Berdoodle is a large animal, you don’t want them to become overweight.
Exercise
A lot of large dogs are high energy. The beautiful thing about the Saint Berdoodle is that they are cross between the Poodle, who is high energy, and Saint Bernard, who is low energy. What you get is a dog who loves to play ball for a little bit or go for a walk around the block. After a bit of exercise, your Saint Berdoodle will be ready for a nap.
If you are looking for a dog to take on your next hiking trip with you, this is not the best choice. Saint Berdoodles will tire out rather quickly because of their size.
On hot days you will want to make sure that your Saint Berdoodle stays hydrated while exercising. You have to consider the power it takes a dog to move a 150-pound body around compared to a dog that may only be 20 pounds.
Training
Lots of smart dogs still struggle when it comes to training. Luckily with the Saint Berdoodle, this is not an issue. Saint Berdoodles have the perfect mix of intelligence and a desire for companionship. If your Saint Berdoodle thinks you are happy, that will make them happy.
The only way to properly train a Saint Berdoodle is by positive reinforcement and love. This is not a dog (nor is any dog) that you will want to get firm or harsh with. They will not respond well, and it will be detrimental to your dog.
You should start training a Saint Berdoodle from a very young age. Because of their size, there are bound to be things around your house that will end up broken or destroyed. Try to teach them the behaviors they need to properly and calmy exist as a family member of your household. If you start the training young, it will only get easier on you as they age.
One of the most significant behavioral issues you see with Saint Berdoodles is when they act out due to separation anxiety. The Saint Berdoodle can be left alone for some time, but if it is an everyday occurrence for long periods, they will very likely act out. The reason behind these behaviors is because they want your attention and your love. Try to keep this in mind when you come home and find a pair of your shoes that didn’t make it through the day!
Grooming ✂️
Since a Saint Berdoodle is partly Poodle, they don’t shed all that much. The Saint Berdoodle is not going to be considered a hypoallergenic dog, but it may affect people with allergies a bit less than a standard Saint Bernard would.
The coat of your Saint Berdoodle will vary. Some will have more curly hair like the Poodle, and others will have longer hair like Saint Bernard. Depending on how your dog’s coat is, you will have to vary your grooming techniques. If the hair is longer, you will likely need to brush your dog every other day. If it is shorter, you can probably get away with a few times a week.
As far as bathing is concerned, it is probably only necessary to bathe your Saint Berdoodle about once per month. Start this process with them when they are young, so they become accustomed to the idea of taking a bath. It’s essential to keep your Saint Berdoodle’s ears clean. Since they are part Poodle, they will be prone to ear issues if you don’t keep them clean.
Health and Conditions
Overall the Saint Berdoodle is a healthy breed, especially for its size. You will see that some Saint Berdoodles struggle with certain conditions that affect the Poodle and Saint Bernard.
- Ear infections
- Bloat
- Skin conditions
- Hip displaysia
- Wobbler syndrome
Male vs. Female
The only real difference you are going to notice between the male and the female is the size. The male Saint Berdoodle is going to be slightly larger than the female. This difference in size is not going to be significant. Both the male and the female Saint Berdoodle are extra large dogs.
Final Thoughts
There are not too many negative things we can say about a Saint Berdoodle. You must be ready and willing to have a dog in your house that is very likely the same size, if not bigger than you are. If you can handle a large dog, then you will quickly fall in love with this breed. It’s hard to complain about a friendly, smart, and lovable dog that wants to give as much love as it receives. The Saint Berdoodle is a newer breed, but there will likely be more and more of these dogs as their popularity grows.
Featured Image: Kaylee1229, Shutterstock
