Mini St. Bernard

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15-55 lbs
14-19"
United States
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Saint Bernard
Cocker Spaniel

There are two sizes of Mini St. Bernards. The Micro is the smaller one and weighs about 25 pounds and the Nehi is the bigger one at about 50 pounds. They can have either dense and wavy or silky and straight fur of medium length in many different colors such as black, brown, red, cream, fawn, brindle, blue, silver, and white. The Mini St. Bernard is a lovable and sweet dog that aims to please and is easy to train. However, they can be stubborn so you have to be firm when training. They get along well with everyone including children and pets making them excellent family companions.
Purpose
Companion
Date of Origin
1990s
Ancestry
Cocker Spaniel and St. Bernard

Mini St. Bernard Health

Average Size
Male Mini St. Bernard size stats
Height: 15-20 inches Weight: 20-60 lbs
Female Mini St. Bernard size stats
Height: 14-19 inches Weight: 15-55 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)
  • Seborrhea
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
  • Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat
Minor Concerns
  • Entropion
  • Ectropion
  • Skin-Fold Dermatitis
  • Retinal Dysplasia
  • Exposure Keratopathy Syndrome
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Wobbler Syndrome
  • Distichiasis
  • Diabetes
Occasional Tests
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Skin Evaluation
  • Ultrasound
  • Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
  • Blood And Urine Analysis

Mini St. Bernard Breed History

It is best to look at the history of the Cocker Spaniel and the St. Bernard since the Mini St. Bernard has not been around long enough to have much history. The Cocker Spaniel originated in the United States in the 1800s from the English Cocker Spaniel as a hunter and retriever. The English Cocker Spaniel has been around since the 1300s but were eventually divided as to their size and whether they hunted on land or in water. It is believed that they came to the United States back in 1620 on the Mayflower. The American Cocker Spaniel is the smaller breed and is used to flush and retrieve game birds like woodcocks. The Cocker Spaniel was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1878 and they are the 29th most popular dog breed in America. The St. Bernard came from Switzerland way back in 980 A.D. and were used as search and rescue dogs in the Swiss Alps. They were named after Saint Bernard de Menthon, who developed and established the breed. They were also used to assist travellers as they went through the Alpine pass between Italy and Switzerland and were able to find and rescue victims buried in the snow after an avalanche. They would work in teams and one dog would go get the rescue team while the other dog would lay with the victim to keep them warm. Some say they can also predict storms and avalanches because of their excellent hearing. The St. Bernard was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1885 and they are the 49th most popular dog breed in America.

Mini St. Bernard Breed Appearance

There are two sizes of the Mini St. Bernard. The Micro is 12 to 16 inches tall and weighs about 15 to 35 pounds and the Nehi is about 16 to 20 inches tall and weighs about 40 to 60 pounds. They have large, brown eyes, a wide, black nose, floppy ears, and a short muzzle. The Mini St. Bernard has the build of the St. Bernard but without the extra bulk and they have either a straight and silky or wavy and course coat. It is usually of medium length and can come in a variety of colors including black, brown, red, cream, fawn, white, brindle, silver, blue, or a combination of these. 
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Mini St. Bernard eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Mini St. Bernard nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Mini St. Bernard coat
Black
brown Mini St. Bernard coat
Brown
red Mini St. Bernard coat
Red
cream Mini St. Bernard coat
Cream
fawn Mini St. Bernard coat
Fawn
blue Mini St. Bernard coat
Blue
silver Mini St. Bernard coat
Silver
white Mini St. Bernard coat
White
sable Mini St. Bernard coat
Sable
brindle Mini St. Bernard coat
Brindle
Coat Length
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
Mini St. Bernard straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Mini St. Bernard Breed Maintenance

The amount of maintenance your dog needs depends on whether your Mini St. Bernard has a thin, silky coat or a rough, dense coat. Most likely, your dog will need to be brushed daily with a pin brush and comb to prevent tangles and mats. They do shed a bit but it is not excessive like some furry dogs. They do not need to be bathed often and when you do, you should use mild dog shampoo to prevent dry skin and irritation. Clean your dog’s ears every week and trim their nails when necessary. You may also have to wipe under their eyes once in a while because they produce a lot of moisture.
Brushes for Mini St. Bernard
Pin Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
Mini St. Bernard requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Mini St. Bernard Temperament

The Mini St. Bernard is a friendly, social breed that enjoys being with their family, the bigger the better. They are good with children of any age and pets of all kinds. However, they do not like strangers so they make good watchdogs. They are smart dogs that learn fast and will train easily for the most part although you have to be firm to prevent them from becoming stubborn. Early socialization is important because they can get anxious if they are not used to being around other animals. Also, the Mini St. Bernard does not like being alone for long periods of time and can have separation anxiety. 

Mini St. Bernard Activity Requirements

The Mini St. Bernard is more active than the traditional St. Bernard and needs at least 45 minutes to an hour of vigorous exercise every day to keep them healthy. They can become overweight without the proper amount of activity. In addition, the Mini St. Bernard may become anxious or bored if they do not get enough exercise. Some great activities for your dog include playing off leash at the dog park, taking long walks, hiking in the woods, or just playing fetch or catch in the back yard. They are not fast or super athletic but they can enjoy some agility training or flyball.
Activity Level
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles
Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Mini St. Bernard

Similarly Sized Breeds to Mini St. Bernard

Mini St. Bernard Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.5 cups
Daily Cost
$1.60 - $2.40
Monthly Cost
$48.00 - $72.00

Mini St. Bernard Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Mini St. Bernard size stats at six months
Height: 15.0 inches Weight: 25.0 lbs
Female Mini St. Bernard size stats at six months
Height: 14.0 inches Weight: 20.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Mini St. Bernard size stats at 12 months
Height: 16.5 inches Weight: 32.5 lbs
Female Mini St. Bernard size stats at 12 months
Height: 15.5 inches Weight: 27.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Mini St. Bernard size stats at 18 months
Height: 17.5 inches Weight: 40.0 lbs
Female Mini St. Bernard size stats at 18 months
Height: 16.5 inches Weight: 35.0 lbs
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Written by a Shiba Inu lover Patty Oelze

Published: 10/30/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

Mini St. Bernard Owner Experiences

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