The Saint Berdoodle is a mixed breed. These dogs are the result of a cross between a Saint Bernard and a Poodle. You might also see these dogs called Saint Berpoos and Saint Berpoodles.
This is a super friendly, affectionate breed that will adore being around family. With their teddy bear-like looks, playful dispositions, and high levels of intelligence, it’s easy to see why these dogs make such a great addition to any dog lover’s life.
Highlights
- A “designer breed”
- A mix between a poodle and a Saint Bernard
- Saint Berdoodles can have a mischievous side
- Well-built for colder weather, but may not be able to tolerate the heat as well
History
To get to know the history of the Saint Berdoodle, you have to get to know the history of this breed’s parents. The Poodle was first bred in Germany, though further developed into the breed we know today in France.
Poodles worked as retrieving dogs, with curly fur specifically designed to help protect them from colder waters. The history of the Poodle dates back to the 1600s.
Meanwhile, the Saint Bernard’s history goes back to around the 1700s. These dogs were first bred in Switzerland and named after a dangerous pass in the mountains called The Saint Bernard Pass. Saint Bernards have been used in a variety of fields, but they’re most well-known for their work rescuing people in avalanches.
These two breeds are what comprise the Saint Berdoodle. Saint Berpoos are what’s often called a “designer breed,” or “hybrid dogs.” While there are many mixed-breed dogs out there, hybrid or designer dogs are dogs whose parents are purebreds. The parents have also specifically been bred together.
Appearance and Vital Stats
General Appearance
When you look at both Poodles and Saint Bernards, you’ll notice how distinctive these two breeds look. So it’s not a surprise to see that the Saint Berdoodle also has a unique appearance.
Most Berpoos are the result of breeding a Saint Bernard with a Standard Poodle, so you can expect a generally larger dog. These dogs have friendly expressions that might hide their curious, at times mischievous nature underneath.
Dog Breed Group
The Saint Berpoo is a mixed breed. On the Poodle side of his parentage, you’ve got non-sporting dogs. There is a lot of diversity in the dog breed group, so it’s difficult to pinpoint specific traits that these dogs have. However, Poodles are bred to be highly intelligent and very active.
Saint Bernards, on the other hand, are classified as being part of the working group. Working group dogs are bred to perform tasks like retrieving, hunting, and other jobs.
Mixing these breeds together means that the Saint Berpoo is likely to have high intelligence and be extremely hardworking.
Size
To get Saint Berpoo puppies, Saint Bernards are normally bred with Standard Poodles. That means that most of these puppies will grow to be larger dogs, as Saint Bernards are large breeds and Standard Poodles are generally within medium to large range.
Sizes can vary greatly within the breed. You can expect your Saint Berpoo to stand somewhere around 15 to 30 inches tall and weigh a minimum of 40 pounds and a maximum of 180 pounds.
Life Span
Both of the Saint Berdoodle’s parent breeds are generally healthy dogs.
Most Saint Berpoos will live somewhere around 8 to 12 years.
Coat and Colors
The color of your Saint Berdoodle’s coat will depend on the color of his parents’ coats. Coat colors can vary greatly within the breed, but you’ll find that two very common colorations are white and brown, and white and black. You might also find Saint Berpoos with red fur and white patches or white fur with red patches.
The texture of the coat itself can also change within the breed. You might find your Saint Berdoodle with the thick, smoother fur of a Saint Bernard or the curly, wiry fur of a Poodle.
Regardless of which parents they take after more, both coat types mean that these dogs do especially well in colder weather. As for warmer weather, these dogs may not do quite as well with it.
Saint Bernards can be quite heavy shedders, but because they are mixed with Poodles, Saint Berpoos will most likely not shed as much as a purebred Saint Bernard.
Tail
Saint Berdoodles generally have very fluffy tails. The tail will be carried low to the ground, often reaching past the dog’s hocks.
Ears
Both of the Saint Berdoodle’s parent breeds have long, floppy ears rather than ears that stand upright. You can expect the same type of ears from this breed.
The Saint Berpoo’s ears will hang down flat against the sides of the dog’s head.
Personality
If you’ve ever met either a Poodle or a Saint Bernard, then you know how unique those two breeds’ personalities can be. The Saint Berpoo is no different. Inheriting traits from both parents, these are dogs like no other.
Saint Berpoos tend to be extremely loving and affectionate. They make fantastic family pets for this reason. When you adopt a Saint Berpoo, you may feel at times like your dog is trying to glue himself to your side. And he very well might be!
However, this social nature means that they can easily develop social anxiety if left alone too long. They should be in a home where there is someone there for most of the day.
Both Poodles and Saint Bernards have naturally high levels of intelligence. That means you can expect the same from your Saint Berpoo. While this can make training easy and fast, as your dog will catch onto new concepts quickly, it can result in a bit of a troublemaking nature if your dog isn’t kept occupied enough.
Make sure to provide your Saint Berpoo with plenty of physical and mental stimulation to keep him out of trouble.
Apartment Living
The Saint Berpoo is not a great breed to keep in an apartment. They are fairly active dogs, so a larger house with a fenced-in area where they can get the exercise they need is required.
Children and Other Pets
Most Saint Berpoos take heavily after the Saint Bernard side of the parentage when it comes to kids. They are naturally friendly loving and protective, making them great companions for kids. They are also extremely patient with children.
When it comes to kids, the main thing to be mindful of is that these dogs can be quite large. That makes it easy for them to accidentally knock over smaller kids and toddlers. Make sure to never leave your kids and dog alone unsupervised.
Saint Berpoos will be able to get along easily with other animals in your house as well. Remember to socialize your Saint Berdoodle as early as possible to help him get along even better with other animals he may meet.
Care
Feeding
As a usually larger dog, most Saint Berdoodles will need to eat about 3 ½ to 4 cups of dog food every day. Make sure to feed your dog high-quality dog food, and remember to split this into separate meals.
Saint Berpoos don’t tend to be prone to obesity, but you should still make sure to keep an eye on what he’s eating. Giving him two to three separate meals throughout the day will help prevent overeating and unhealthy weight gain.
Grooming
Saint Berdoodles are actually fairly low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. If you find that your dog’s coat is more like a Poodle’s, you won’t need to worry too much about brushing. However, you’ll probably need to head to the groomer every few weeks for a trim.
If your dog’s coat is a little more like a Saint Bernard’s, then brush your dog’s coat once or twice a week. When shedding season comes around and your dog starts to “blow out” his coat, you may need to brush daily or every other day.
Exercise
A Saint Berdoodles’ energy levels can vary greatly within the breed. However, most of these dogs are relatively high-energy. That means that it’s important to make sure they get enough physical exercise every day.
This will help keep them fit as well as entertained and will prevent your dog from getting bored enough to start getting into trouble.
Because the Saint Berpoo also has very high levels of intelligence, you’ll want to make sure to exercise his brain too. Playing brain games are short, fun ways of preventing boredom.
Dog sports like agility or obedience are also great ways to both keep your Saint Berpoo in good physical shape and exercise his brain.
Health
Saint Berpoos are, in general, healthy dogs. However, they can be prone to certain illnesses and conditions. It’s important to know what these are so you can keep an eye out for them.
Hip Dysplasia
This condition most commonly affects larger breeds, like the Saint Berdoodle. It is caused by the bones in the dog’s hip joints not fitting together properly. While a healthy dog’s hip bones should glide smoothly into place when they move, a dog with hip dysplasia will find that the bones grind together.
Over time, this will damage the bone and cause a lot of pain. Your dog may develop arthritis in the joint. Depending on the severity of the condition, your vet might recommend management methods or surgery.
Ear Infections
Dogs like Saint Berpoos whose ears hang down tend to be prone to ear infections. These infections can be caused by too much moisture in the ear, making it a welcome home for yeast and bacteria. Ear infections could also be the side effect of another condition like an autoimmune disorder.
Make sure to clean your dog’s ears every week or so with a vet-approved cleaning solution. Be on the lookout for redness, itchiness, unusual odors, and pain or tenderness.
If your dog gets chronic ear infections, then visiting your vet to make sure it isn’t the side effect of another illness is a good idea.
Bloat
The medical term for this condition is gastric dilatation-volvulus. This is a condition in which the dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and then twists. Dogs with deeper chests like the Saint Berpoo tend to be more prone to this condition than others, though it can happen in any breed.
If your dog is experiencing bloat, this is a medical emergency. You should get to your vet right away. Symptoms of bloat include a swollen or tender abdomen, drooling, restlessness, panting, and retching.
You can help prevent bloat in your dog by separating his meals into smaller portions and making sure he eats slowly.
Similar Breeds
Poodle
The Poodle is a hardworking, incredibly active breed that was built for retrieving downed waterfowl from the water. They come in three sizes, Standard, Miniature, and Toy. As one of the two breeds that comprise the Saint Berdoodle, they have a lot in common.
Poodles have gotten a reputation as being a little “frou-frou.” Poodles represented in cartoons might have you believe that these are posh, snobby dogs.
The reality is that these dogs are not afraid to get their paws dirty. When you get a Poodle, you’ll find that these dogs are super high-energy, up for any adventure, and that their high intelligence can sometimes get them into a bit of trouble.
Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is one half of the Saint Berdoodle. These dogs are known for their super friendly and affectionate natures. They’re also recognizable by their large size, powerfully-build bodies, and droopy faces.
Saint Bernards are hardworking animals built to pass through dangerous snowy areas and rescue travelers who may have found themselves buried under avalanches or snowdrifts.
Today, you may find Saint Bernards performing the same tasks, or working as police dogs or service animals in a variety of different fields.
More likely, however, you’ll find Saint Bernards in loving homes where they are deeply affectionate with their humans.
Labradoodle
Like the St. Berdoodle, the Labradoodle is a hybrid or designer dog. These dogs were bred by combining the Labrador Retriever with the Poodle. These dogs were bred specifically to work as guide dogs that were also hypoallergenic.
Labradoodles get their high energy levels from both their Labrador Retriever and Poodle parents. If you decide to get one of these dogs, you’ll need to make sure you have the time and space to give them the physical exercise they need every day.
