The Saint Bernard Poodle mix is a cross between Saint Bernard with a standard poodle. As its name implies, this breed resembles both of its parents. It has the big and heavy build of a Saint Bernard and has the lovely coat of a Poodle.
If you’re a fan of big dogs, then you might want to have a St. Bernard Poodle mix as your pet. It is said that they are good with kids and other pets too. They are also friendly, patient, and loyal to their family.
Although this breed is regarded as an excellent pet, you should not forget that it requires a lot of attention and care. It needs to be brushed frequently, and it might require a great deal of patience when it comes to housebreaking.
To help you better understand this crossbreed, let’s explore everything you need to know about the Saint Bernard Poodle mix.
What Do You Call a Saint Bernard Poodle Mix?
This crossbreed is also commonly referred to as Saint Berpoo, Saint Berdoodle, and Ba-poo. Sometimes, you might also hear people calling this breed the Saint-aardvark.
The term Poodle is actually not intended for this type of dog only. It is a general term used to refer to all northern breeds with curly coats. Some examples include Poodles, Bichons Frisés, Schnauzers, and Pomeranians.
The Saint Bernard is a working dog breed that originated in Switzerland. This trademarked name was given to this breed because the dog has a gentle and docile temperament.
The Breed Characteristics of the Saint Berdoodle
The Saint Bernard Poodle mix is a big and bulky dog breed with a strong and sturdy frame, but it has the softness of curly hair. It has a big head, long ears that stand upright, with small eyes.
Some of the colors found in this breed are white, chocolate, tan, cream, apricot, or red. They can be seen with either curly or short hair.
It is interesting to note that this breed was explicitly bred to have a good sense of smell. This is because the Saint Bernard Poodle mix is a working breed that is trained to detect scents such as human beings, snakes, and bears.
The Saint Berdoodle is a family-friendly dog breed. It can easily adapt to different situations, especially if it has been around kids since it was a puppy. This breed is not as demanding as other dogs, making it easy to handle and care for. It is also not that demanding when it comes to grooming.
However, the St Berdoodle does require a lot of physical activity. Without enough exercise, it is likely to get lazy and overweight. The height of the Saint Berdoodle is between 24 to 20 inches, while its weight ranges between 100 to 200 pounds.
Is the Saint Bernard Poodle Mix Known to be Friendly?
Yes, the Saint Bernard Poodle mix is a family-friendly dog. It loves being around people and other pets as well. This is one of the essential characteristics that make it a good pet. Also known as the “Gentle Giants” or “Apollo of all dogs,” the Saint Bernard Poodle mix has a friendly nature. It is patient with kids and other pets, which makes it an excellent family pet.
The Saint Berdoodle is also patient and loving towards its family. It loves to be involved in all the things that are happening around it. People who are having a hard time with other pets should note that this breed does not tend to attack or chase after them. Instead, it will just sniff them and go about their business.
What are the Grooming and Health Needs of the St. Berdoodle?
Aside from brushing and feeding, the Saint Berdoodle does not require a lot of grooming. However, this is only valid if it has short hair. If you happen to own a dog with long hair, then brushing once or twice a week is needed. Brushing will get rid of dead hair and keep its coat healthy and shiny.
The Trainability of the Berdoodle
The Saint Berdoodle makes a wonderful pet because of its trainability. However, it is important to remember that this breed needs to be trained when it is still young, or else you will encounter problems such as stubbornness and disobedience.
This dog loves pleasing people, which means it wants to do everything right. With positive reinforcement training combined with a good dose of patience, you can achieve your ideal companion. It also has a gentle nature that makes it easy to handle and train. However, it is still necessary to socialize this breed early.
What are the Physical Needs of a Saint Bernard Poodle Mix?
It is vital to make sure that the Saint Berdoodle has enough playtime and exercise every day. A long walk or a run in an enclosed area will do it good once a day while playing in its living space is also welcome.
This breed loves doing things with you and does not like being left behind. Therefore, it is a good idea to bring your Saint Berdoodle with you wherever you go since it will be happier and more active.
After training sessions, giving treats and rewards for good behavior will also eliminate bad habits such as digging or chewing on things that are not supposed to be chewed. On the other hand, it will also make your dog more obedient and well-behaved.
6 Facts About Saint Berdoodles
- The term ‘Berdoodle’ was first coined in the town of Conifer, Colorado, when a Saint Bernard and Poodle mix walked into a local dog store.
- Many Saint Berdoodles are not hypoallergenic, although they are less likely to trigger allergic reactions in people.
- This breed does best in homes with older children since it gets excited when playing and doesn’t know its own strength.
- The Saint Berdoodle makes a good guard dog since it will bark when necessary and can intimidate unwanted visitors with its size and stature.
- The coat color of this breed can vary from light brown to dark chocolate. It can also be cream, white, or spotted with darker brown shades.
- This dog will do everything to please you and make you happy.
What are the Size Ranges for Saint Bernard Poodle Mixes?
Most Saint Berdoodles are medium in size, but there can be some variations within the breed depending on whether it is a male or female. For example, the male variety tends to be much larger than the females, so expect your Saint Berdoodle puppy to become even bigger as it gets older.
You should also take note of the parents’ sizes if you want to know the possible size of your future companion.
Male St Berdoodles grow 21-30 inches on average, while female Saint Berdoodles can grow up to 20-27 inches. Their weight, on the other hand, is around 70-120 pounds for males and 50-100 pounds for females, although this can vary depending on their parents.
There have been attempts to breed a mini saint bernard poodle mix, weighing between 20 and 50 pounds and measuring between 14 and 18 inches in height. However, miniaturizing a Saint Berdoodle generally necessitates crossbreeding with a smaller dog—typically the Cocker Spaniel—and creates three distinct breeds.
Common Health Issues Associated With Saint Berdoodles
The Saint Berdoodle Poodle is a healthy and sturdy dog breed. However, it does have some health concerns, so you need to be aware of them:
- Hip Dysplasia: This condition affects dogs’ hip joints, and one of its symptoms is difficulty or pain when climbing stairs or getting up from a sitting position. Hip dysplasia is due to an unhealthy lifestyle, including malnutrition when the Saint Berdoodle puppy is still in its mother’s womb.
- Ear Infections: This is a common health concern for all dogs and can be aggravated by constant exposure to water.
- Wobbler Syndrome: The neck and spine of a Saint Berdoodle may be too long for its body, resulting in Wobbler Syndrome. This is characterized by spinal cord compression, which can still be treated with proper care and medication.
- Willebrand’s Disease: This is a type of bleeding disorder. It can be detected in Saint Berdoodles by running blood tests on the dog when it reaches the age of ten weeks.
- Bloat: Bloat is a condition that causes the stomach to fill with air or food, resulting in bloating of the abdomen. This is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate medical attention. It is best to feed your Saint Berdoodle smaller servings of food twice or thrice a day instead of one large meal, or just allow it access to food all the time.
What Does the Care and Feeding for a St. Berdoodle Entail?
The Saint Berdoodle is an easy dog to care for – it is very amiable, requires little exercise, and can be around children without the risk of being too rough.
- Feed your Saint Berdoodle high-quality food twice a day, every day. Always have fresh water available for your dog to drink.
- Brush the fur of the Saint Berdoodle once or twice a week to remove any tangles or loose hair.
- Bathe the Saint Berdoodle only when it is necessary to avoid getting its coat too dry or damaged.
- Check the ears of your dog weekly for any signs of redness or irritation and clean when necessary.
- Clip its nails every month or as needed.
- Give your St Berdoodle a small amount of exercise every day, such as a walk in the neighborhood or playtime in your backyard.
- Take your Saint Berdoodle Poodle to the vet for regular checkups and any needed vaccinations.
- St Berdoodle puppies need to be socialized and exposed to lots of new experiences as early as possible.
The Saint Bernard Poodle Mix Diet
When your Saint Berdoodle is an adult, give it high-quality food, either dry or cooked. Do not feed your St. Berdoodle with table scraps or leftovers. Make sure that your pet always has access to fresh water.
Your Saint Berdoodle may develop allergies to certain types of food, so it is important that you give them a varied diet with different kinds of proteins. Also, do not give your Saint Berdoodle chocolate or caffeine as these can be toxic to dogs.
If you want to share your food with your dog, make sure that you limit the amount of food you give, as too much can lead to obesity.
Remember that your Saint Berdoodle puppy will have a different nutrient requirement than an adult Saint Berdoodle. This is because St Berdoodle puppies need higher amounts of protein and fats in their diet, so it is best to give them food that is specifically made for puppies.
How is the Berdoodle With Kids and Other Animals?
Your Saint Berdoodle is calm and friendly. It does not have any problem getting along with children, other dogs, or other pets in the house. The Saint Berdoodle is a great family dog and enjoys spending time with the family. It loves children and is very patient with them.
It is energetic but not overly hyper. It can play with children, but care must be taken around very small children as it may knock them over accidentally.
9 Facts on the Saint Bernard Poodle Mix
- Saint Berdoodles are known for being loyal, calm, friendly dogs.
- They can live both indoors and outdoors because they are adaptable and easy to care for.
- Saint Berdoodles love playing with kids and get along well with kids of all ages.
- Most Saint Berdoodles can be trained to do dog tricks such as “shake,” “rollover,” and “play dead.”
- A Saint Berdoodle has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
- Saint Berdoodles puppies are six weeks old when they are ready for adoption.
- Saint Berdoodles are low shedding dogs, so they do not leave much fur on furniture and clothes.
- Saint Berdoodles are sensitive dogs and appreciate a gentle touch.
- Saint Berdoodles may drool like Saint Bernards and shed like Poodles.
What Does a Berdoodle Look Like?
A Saint Berdoodle usually looks like a big, fluffy bundle of fur that is part Saint Bernard and part Poodle. The hair length of the Saint Berdoodle varies from medium to long, so it may have a curly or wavy coat.
A Saint Berdoodle can have a single-colored coat or spotted coat. Saint Berdoodles have floppy ears and a strong muzzle that is similar to Saint Bernard’s.
Notes on the Saint Bernard Poodle Mix as a Family Dog
- Saint Berdoodles are loyal and affectionate, so they make great family dogs.
- They love their families and like to spend time with them. However, they can become destructive and unhappy if left alone for too long without companionship.
- Saint Berdoodles are calm and gentle around children but should be supervised to ensure they do not accidentally hurt them.
- A Saint Berdoodle gets along well with other animals and can even have a playful relationship with cats.
The Pros and Cons of Owning a St. Berdoodle
Here are some pros and cons of being the owner of a Saint Berdoodle Poodle that you should know before deciding.
| Pros | Cons |
| Loyal Energetic but not overly hyper Adaptable and easy to care for Great family dog Loving Intelligent and easy to train A low-shedding coat that does not shed much Good with other pets and children | May accidentally knock over young children Not very active indoors, so may need daily walks for healthy exercise Prone to food allergies, hip dysplasia, and ear infections Long hair may get matted if not brushed regularly |
Does a Saint Bernard Poodle Mix Shed?
Saint Berdoodles are low-shedding dogs, so they do not leave much fur around the house.
This crossbreed will be hypoallergenic with little or no shedding compared to other dogs like Labradoodles, who tend to produce more fur than most other types of mixes due to their curly hair coat.
If you’re looking for a pet that’s big enough to play with, but won’t leave fur all over the house, then this Saint Bernard Poodle mix is the dog for you.