Giant Saint Berdoodle: St Bernard Poodle Mix
Saint Berdoodle are a cross between a Saint Bernard and a Poodle.
This is a relatively uncommon mixed breed when you think about some of the other Poodle mixes that you find across the world.
The Saint Berdoodle have started to gain some popularity in the past couple of decades as Doodles prove popular dogs with allergy sufferers.
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Likened to a bear given their cuddly appearance, the Saint Berdoodle can rival the Bernese Mountain Dog and Newfoundland for size.
These dogs will usually loyal to their pet owners as well as friendly with other people and other dogs.
Saint Berdoodle have the potential to be hypoallergenic if they inherit the low-shedding trait of their Poodle parent.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at all things Saint Berdoodle, including Saint Berdoodle appearance, Saint Berdoodle size, Saint Berdoodle temperament, Saint Berdoodle shedding and much more.
What is a Saint Berdoodle?
The result of cross breeding between these two well-established dog breeds is a relatively big dog that is usually loving, loyal and sociable.
Saint Berdoodles are also known by a variety of other names, such as Saint Berpoo, St Berpoo and St Berdoodle.
While the American Kennel Club recognize the Saint Bernard and the Poodle as dog breeds, the organization haven’t granted the Saint Berdoodle status as a so-called designer dog.
The Saint Berdoodle are recognized by the following organizations: American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America and International Designer Canine Registry.
Saint Berdoodle size
Saint Berdoodle can vary in size depending on the size of the Poodle bred with the Saint Bernard. The mixed dog can range from 15 to 30 inches in height and 40 to 180 pounds in weight. Usually, the Saint Bernard will be cross bred with a standard Poodle to result in a large dog.
John provided an insight into the size of his Saint Berdoodle Rosie.
Rosie is about 80 lbs in size but looks much bigger. People are always shocked when we tell them she only weighs 80lbs. Her mother was a saint Bernard and father a standard poodle.
Saint Berdoodle temperament
Just like with their appearance, Saint Berdoodle appearance can vary depending on whether they take after their Poodle or Saint Bernard parent. They’ll usually be affectionate, loving, friendly and loyal dogs. They can develop a deep connection with their pet parents, something which is associated with the Saint Bernard breed. They’re usually patient dogs that are robust. While they’re loving dogs, they’ve got a high IQ too.
John explained that Rosie is “super affectionate”.
Rosie is super affectionate, really enjoys cuddling and laying in your lap whenever possible, until she gets too hot. She has a nightly routine of hopping up on the bed to say goodnight for about a minute, then gets to hot, moves to the floor or bathroom floor for the rest of the night.
Saint Berdoodle appearance
Saint Berdoodle can vary in appearance given the potential for a number of different coat colors and coat types. The most common Saint Berdoodle color is white and brown or white and black, which are shades usually associated with their Saint Bernard parent. However, there is scope for Saint Berdoodle to come in red and white or a mixture of brown, black, red and white. With respect to their coat’s texture, they can have a curly and wiry coat like their Poodle parent or a longer and smoother coat like their Saint Bernard parent. Other physical traits include brown or amber eyes, black or brown nose.
Amber described the appearance of her Saint Berdoodle Mae.
Mae, our Saint Berdoodle looks like a big, fluffy, 80 pound teddy bear! She is a phantom Poodle, so she turned gray early. Her color pattern is similar to a Saint Berdoodle, but she is various shades of gray and white. She is an F1, and her hair texture is soft by very curly.
Do Saint Berdoodles suffer from separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a chronic canine disorder that can affect any dog, irrespective of breed or mix. It usually occurs when pet parents leave the home and their dog is left behind alone. The symptoms of separation anxiety include incessant barking, howling and whining, destructive chewing and digging as well as defecating and urinating. If you want to learn more about separation anxiety, take a look at our interview with a dog separation anxiety trainer.
John hasn’t experienced any separation anxiety with Rosie so far.
She hasn’t had separation anxiety at all but might start to after this pandemic! We leave her home for 8-12 hours at a time and she never has an accident in the house. She tore up 1 shoe when she was a puppy, but isn’t afraid to do a little counter surfing if you leave something out!
Are Saint Berdoodle easy to train?
Luckily this mix comes from two very intelligent breeds which makes dog training easy.
These big pups know that if they please their owners, they will receive lots of praise. So they are highly motivated to perform whatever task you ask of them.
Because these pups love to please positive reinforcement is the best strategy and you can reward them with either treats or lots of love and affection. Because of their high intelligence these dogs want to be challenged and can become bored if they are not challenged.
Test their search and rescue skills by playing hide-and-seek around the house. Teach them how to perform tasks for you like turning the lights on and off, fetching the tv remote, or even baby-sitting your children.
These dogs love to help out and will happily do anything to make your life easier (as long as it results in lots of praise and treats).
Just like any dog breed, socialization is important but thankfully these pups have a naturally sweet disposition. They quickly warm up to anyone they meet and even get along well with other animals.
Occasionally these dogs can get mouthy but this can be quickly trained out at an early age.
Do Saint Berdoodles make great family pets?
Saint Bernards have long been associated with protectors of the family. Traditionally the breed served as guardians of the hospice. They protected lonely monks who brought these dogs on long pilgrimages in the wilderness. In the 20th century, the Saint Bernard was portrayed as a family-friendly dog in films. While Saint Berdoodles can be loving dogs, you should never leave any dog alone with children. Their sheer size mean they can inadvertently cause injury to small children if left unsupervised.
John has no qualms about recommending a Saint Berdoodle as a family pet.
Saint Berdoodles make EXCELLENT family pets and she is very tolerant with our toddler. Super gentle, even when stealing snacks from little hands.
Do Saint Berdoodles get along with other dogs?
Saint Berdoodles are usually friendly dogs that get along with other canines. To heighten your chances of owning a well-rounded Saint Berdoodle, you may want to sign up your Saint Berdoodle for socialization classes.
Mae is sociable with other dogs.
Mae is ultra sweet and LOVES other dogs. We haven’t spent time with any other animals.
Do Saint Berdoodles shed?
As we mentioned above, Saint Berdoodles could be low-shedding dogs if they inherit the hypoallergenic qualities of their Poodle parent. Saint Bernard go through a shedding season twice a year when they’ll need to be brushed daily. Some Saint Berdoodle could inherit the shedding of the Saint Bernard. However, Rosie doesn’t shed at all.
Rosie, for the most part, does not shed. We have her on an eight-week grooming schedule, and usually around week 7-8 you may see some tufts around the house from her starting to scratch a little bit. The key is to find a good groomer and set up recurring appointments!
Are Saint Berdoodles hypoallergenic?
Saint Berdoodle are a cross between a Poodle and a Saint Bernard. These designer dogs are often described as being hypoallergenic. However, you should be wary of claims made about the breed. The American Kennel Club write on their website that there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog breed. However, the organization put forward 19 breeds that they believe to be more hypoallergenic.
This particular mixed breed are part Poodle so they could inherit the hypoallergenic traits of the Poodle parent. However, some Saint Berdoodles could inherit a coat and shedding patterns more similar to the Saint Bernard. These mountain dogs do shed. So there’s so guarantee your Saint Berdoodle won’t shed a little. While dog hair is one allergen to consider, other allergens include dander, salvia, urine and pollen.
Mae explained that in her case, Mae turned out to be a low-shedding Saint Berdoodle.
Saint Berdoodle’s can be hypoallergenic depending on the generation. Mae is and F1 and she inherited the Poodle coat. She rarely sheds.
Do Saint Berdoodle need regular grooming?
It’s a good idea to check your Saint Berdoodle’s ears and eyes regularly to ensure there’s no potential infections or sores.
Amber has to groom Mae regularly to maintain the heath of her coat.
Saint Berdoodles need regular grooming if they inherit the poodle coat. Our doodle, Mae, does have the poodle coat. We pay around $120 (including top) every 6 weeks, so grooming bills add up quickly!
Are Saint Berdoodles fussy eaters?
Sometimes dogs can be fussy with their food. This could occur for a variety of different reasons. It could be a sign of a behavioral problem or a health concern. In my experience, I find feeding fresh dog food is the best option for pet parents. You may prefer to consider custom dry food or raw fed diets.
John revealed that Rosie hasn’t shown any pickiness at mealtime.
Saint Berdoodles are not fussy eaters, she has been on the same food for most of her life. We don’t mix it up because she continues to eat it (eventually!). She may leave food in her dish and revisit for a snack session when she is hungry, oftentimes, right before bed.
If your Saint Berdoodle is picky with their food, you may find it beneficial to get a dog allergy test.
Do Saint Berdoodles have any health problems?
• Distichiasis
• Gastric Torsion
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Sebaceous Adenitis
• Hip Dysplasia
• Heart Conditions
• Addison’s Disease
• Mitral Valve Disease
• Wobbler’s Syndrome Eye Conditions
Amber shed light on some health problems that they can have.
They can have health problems. They are prone to getting hip dysplasia. Luckily, Mae has not shown any signs of the disease.
Are Saint Berdoodles expensive?
While you may have saved for the initial cost of purchasing your Saint Berdoodle puppy, there are other costs to consider once you’ve brought your new arrival home. There are monthly costs such as dog food, pet insurance, vet and grooming costs to consider. You’ll need to create a budget to make sure you can afford all the expenses associated with owning a dog.
Would you recommend Saint Berdoodles to a first-time dog owner?
If you’re thinking about getting a Saint Berdoodle but you haven’t owned a dog before, Amber would have no hesitation recommending Saint Berdoodles to a first-time dog owner.
Absolutely yes! She was a quick learner on potty training, and is very eager to please, so she has been a delight.
Saint Berdoodle to follow on Instagram
If you want to learn more about Saint Berdoodles, you may find it beneficial to check out some examples of the cross breed on Instagram.
- Rosie the Saint Berdoodle (@saintberdoodle)
- Mae Bea the Saint Berdoodle (@maebeaby)
Saint Berdoodle Pictures
6 Fun Facts About The St Berdoodle
- Usually these dogs are created by breeding a Standard Poodle with a Saint Bernard. Miniature Toy Poodle are too small to breed with a Saint Bernard.
- Because of their parents this breed is often used for service or therapy purposes.
- This has many nicknames including: The Saint Berdoodle and The Saint Berpoo.
- You can now find mini Saint Berdoodles. They are created by mixing a Miniature Poodle with a Saint Bernard and a Cocker Spaniel.
- Unlike purebred Saint Bernards, Saint Berdoodles rarely drool because their Poodle genetics prevent that undesirable trait.
- This mix does not know how big they are. These giants will always want to climb into your lap, so be prepared to constantly be buried in 170 lbs of fur!
Saint Berdoodles Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
Affectionate and very loving. | Not suitable for apartment life. |
Low exercise requirements. | Can be very expensive. |
High intelligence makes them easy to train. | Develop separation anxiety when left alone. |
Have very few health issues. | May be mouthy if not properly trained. |
Protective but in a gentle and quiet manner. |
Related Questions
How Long Does A Saint Berdoodle Live?
Like most larger breeds they do not have long lifespans (8 to 12 years).
How Much Does A Saint Berdoodle Cost?
The Saint Berdoodle come with a shockingly high price tag, $1000-$2000 if you are purchasing one from a breeder.
Anything Else To Consider?
Like we mentioned above, when you’re researching about Saint Berdoodles or any type of dog, you should be careful of big claims made by breeders. It’s good practice to speak to a number of different breeders rather than zoning in on one.
Final Thoughts
The Saint Berdoodle’s loving temperament means they will fit well into any family.
They love children, adults, and other animals so anyone with the space to house such a large dog, could happily adopt a Saint Bernard Poodle mix.
This loveable giant makes a great choice for first-time owners because they are very low maintenance and easy to care for.
If you are willing to let them snuggle with you on the couch they won’t ask for much else.
Just know that if you bring one of these giants into your home, expect to receive a lot of love.