This beautiful canine is a mixed breed; as the name suggests, it’s a cross between the intelligent Poodle and mighty protective Saint Bernard.
In fact, the designer breed itself is quite remarkable. You may also be familiar with the other names it can be called, such as the Saint Berpoo, St Berpoo, and St. Berdoodle.
Its Poodle parent came from Germany and was bred to be a water dog. It would typically hunt ducks in the 1800s. It then later went to France and developed more of a distinct breed and became the national dog of France.
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Whereas the Bernards are an older breed known as a working dog, commonly found in Italy’s Western alps. The first evidence of their existence of them becoming rescue dogs, acquired by a monk in the 16th century for a hospice. This breed rescued around 2,000 people between the 17th-19th century alone.
By the 18th century, this caught the attention of many poodle breeders. They wanted to combine the hardworking and loyal nature of this breed and a Poodle intelligence. Eventually, the Saint Berdoodle came into existence in the 18th century and was believed it was first bred in the United States.
What Will You Learn? 👇
Are Saint Berdoodles good dogs to own?
If we haven’t highlighted it already, Saint Berdoodles is a fantastic addition to a home, that’s if you’re looking for a lot of affection.
In fact, good would be an understatement. We feel owning a Saint Berdoodle is an incredible experience and a fantastic match for any family.
By no means are Saint Berdoodles aggressive; they’re the exact opposite. They live off being the center of attention and will want to be around anyone in your home, whenever they can. Because of their friendly nature, they don’t do well being left alone for long periods and can develop separation anxiety.
One important tip to remember is that this mixed breed is protective, just like their non-poodle parent. They’re big and could become defensive against strangers or unfamiliar people. The best way to get around this is by socializing them from an early age.
Speaking of their size, you should always supervise at St Berdoodle around children. Generally, their size is enormous; they can grow up to 15 to 30 inches in height and weigh up to 180 pounds!
Therefore you don’t want this doodle to sit or step on a young child accidentally. Plus, they stick around for a long time; they can live up to 10 to 12 years!
If you have a busy lifestyle, then we don’t recommend getting a St Berdoodle. This crossbreed could be very active like its St Bernard parent or less active like its Poodle parent. Nevertheless, it requires daily exercise, and it’s better to do a few short walks a day instead of long ones to cater to their mixed genes.
Another factor that may influence you owning a dog is its mess. One of the most remarkable features of this doodle is that even though it’s big, it does not drool!
Are Saint Berdoodles easy to train?
By no means is a Saint Berdoodle, a dumb dog; they’re quick learners thanks to their intelligent Poodle parent. Because of this, they require frequent mental stimulation, and you should play games like fetch and use a kong toy.
They also have a fun-loving and eager to please character; this makes a St Berdoodle a fantastic breed to train. However, because they are a big dog, they will need training, and then a nap followed afterward cause they can get quickly exhausted.
Ideally, you should conduct socialization and obedience training from a young age using positive reinforcement or rewards-based training.
St. bernard poodle mix temperament
The St. Bernard doodle is a great family dog. They are gentle, loving, and make great companions. They are also very intelligent and easily trained. This mix is a good choice for families with children of all ages.
What does a Saint Berdoodle’s coat look like?
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to Saint Berdoodle; it comes in a lot of colors. The most popular colors are white and brown, alongside white and black. Another typical color is a white coat with red parts in the fur.
In terms of texture, a Saint Berdoodle can either have a wiry or curly coat, or a smooth and or rough coat like the Saint Bernard, depending on its inheritance pattern.
Likewise, if you’re someone who suffers from a lot of allergies or is just merely a clean freak, then you’ll be in luck with a Saint Berdoodle!
This crossbreed is low-shedding, and they are usually considered hypoallergenic dogs!
saint bernard and poodle mix grooming
The grooming requirements of a Saint Berdoodle can differ, though.
If it has a coat like the Poodle, it won’t need to be brushed frequently. However, you will need to take them to the groomer to have trims to prevent their coat from getting matted.
On the contrary, if its coat resembles more of a St Bernard, you should brush it weekly to prevent shedding. Similarly, it can shed more between seasons and should be bathed at least once a month.
Due to their rugged coat, they’re great dogs for winter weather but not that tolerant of high heat and shouldn’t be kept outdoors for long in high temperatures. Therefore if you live in a hot destination and are an outdoorsy person, then this breed may not be the best one for you to own.
Other features of the saint bernard poodle mix
Generally, the Saint Berdoodle tends to be large and has a muscular build. To keep its muscles in use and present, it requires daily exercise. Another distinguishable feature of the Saint Berdoodle is its broad chest, floppy ears, a long muzzle, black nose, almond-colored eyes, and a round head.
What is the typical size of a Saint Berdoodle dog?
As mentioned above, Saint Berdoodles tend to be a large dog, that’s if their Poodle parent is a Standard Poodle. But, if you like small to medium sized dogs, with some looking, you can find other versions of the Saint Berdoodle, or maybe think about Newfypoo and the Mastidoodle which are also gentle giants.
For example, there is a Mini Saint Berdoodle that sounds funny because the Saint Bernard is huge and it’sbred with the Miniature Poodle! However, the Mine one weighs less than 40 pounds and reaches up to 20 inches in height. If you have a small space or love little dogs, then the Mini Saint Berdoodle might be for you!
There is a medium-sized Saint Berdoodle that weighs between 40-70 pounds and can reach up to 23 inches in height. Typically this Berdoodle’s parents is a smaller female poodle and a Saint Bernard.
saint berdoodle dog breed health problems
Because the St Berdoodle is a crossbreed, the health problems it faces will most likely be ones it inherits from its parents. This means they can be prone to the following:
- Hip Dysplasia – The ball and socket joint of their hip grind against each other, causing wear and tear and later leading to many pain and mobility problems.
- Wobbler Syndrome – When their spinal cord becomes compressed effecting their balance and gait. Therefore causing them to wobble when they walk.
- Von Willebrand’s disease – An inherited bleeding disorder which can lead to them becoming anemic and experiencing life threatening symptoms.
- Gastric torsion – This is also known as bloat, which can cause a Saint Berdoodle’s stomach to fill with gas and become twisted.
- Elbow Dysplasia – When the bones in their elbow joint don’t align together, causing them to limp and causing them pain.
- Ear Infections
How much are saint berdoodle puppies?
If you’re looking to get a Saint Berdoodle, make sure you have some savings. In addition to the puppy’s price, you will have to regularly pay for vet bills, food, toys, grooming services, and more.
Plus, they’re an expensive dog to buy.
The typical cost of a Saint Berdoodle can differentiate based on their coat color, size, breeder, location, and more. On average, they can cost between $500-$3000 if you live in the United States.
We suggest speaking to a reputable breeder before buying a St Berdoodle, so you know exactly what you’re getting. They will also be able to show you health records and tell you information about their parents.
Another critical factor to consider when buying a Saint Berdoodle is its gender. Males and females can vary a great deal. Generally, males are more stubborn but are still affectionate and like to make mistakes. In contrast, females tend to be less persistent and easier to train.
What are your thoughts on this dog breed?
St Berdoodles are a fantastic addition to any family home, but they can be an expensive dog to buy and maintain too! They’re great if you don’t have allergies and have a loveable nature.Is this breed something you would like to own?
Let us know what sparks your interest about the Saint Berdoodle in the comments below.
Marko is the founder and author at PoodleHQ, where he blends profound expertise with formal training in Animal Behavior and Canine Genetics. With multiple generations of poodles under his care, he’s a breed connoisseur, honored with the Canine Care Excellence Award and lauded by the International Pet Enthusiasts Association.