110-160 lbs
24-27"
Unknown
A large size dog, the Saint Berdoodle is a cross between a Saint Bernard and a Poodle and will inherit traits from both parent breeds. It is typical for the hybrid to be the size of the Saint Bernard while inheriting the coat of the Poodle. The Saint Berdoodle is commonly white with red markings, though on occasion the resulting hybrid will have a red coat with white markings. This hybrid will usually be loving toward his humans and enjoy being the center of attention. He will seek to be close to his family at all times and should not be away from them for long. The Saint Berdoodle will get along well with children of all ages, though supervision will be important because of his size.
The Saint Berdoodle is a relatively new hybrid, though the two breeds that make the hybrid have long histories. It is thought that the Saint Bernard descended from dogs that were a mix of the heavy Asian Molosser that was brought to Switzerland by Roman armies during the first two centuries A.D. and the dogs that were native to the area. Over the following centuries, the dogs were used in farms and dairies for guarding, herding and drafting. Dogs of the breed worked as guard dogs of the hospice located in the pass between Switzerland and Italy, where they joined monks on their trips of mercy. The Monks found that these dogs were very good at finding paths and scenting. It was their sense of smell that allowed the breed to find those that were freezing and trapped during storms. It is believed that before 1830, all dogs of the breed were short haired, though after two years of severe weather and lower numbers of the breed, the monks decided to cross the breed with long-haired dogs. One of the oldest breeds, of dogs, the Poodle is thought to have originated in Germany while becoming the breed we know today in France. The current Poodle is the result of a combination of several European dogs to include the Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Hungarian and French water dogs, as well as the North African Barbet. It is also believed that the Poodle may be a descendent of Asian herding dogs, becoming the German Water dog when arriving with the Ostrogoth and German Got tribes. Statues and drawings of dogs that look similar to the Poodle have been found in Roman artifacts and Egyptian tombs dating to the first century B.C. The Standard Poodle was used by the French for duck hunting; gypsies began training the Poodle to be a circus dog. In 1888 the American Kennel Club registered its first dog of the breed.
The Saint Berdoodle will inherit traits from both of his parent breeds; as with all mixed breeds, you can anticipate that he may inherit more physical characteristics from one or the other parent breeds, or a relatively equal combination of traits from each breed. As the Saint Bernard is a large to giant breed and the Poodle is a medium to large breed, you can expect that the hybrid will be a large dog. The Poodle will have a wiry coat while the Saint Bernard can have a dense coat that is either rough or smooth. Often, the Saint Berdoodle will inherit the coat of the Poodle and his fur will be of medium length and white with red markings, though occasionally the fur will be red with white markings. His face will look more like the Saint Bernard than the Poodle, in that his muzzle will be wide, and his eyes larger than the Poodle. He may have the jowls of a Saint Bernard but on a much less extensive scale.
Maintenance of your Saint Berdoodle will depend upon the coat that he inherits. Typically a dog of the hybrid will not require a large amount of grooming. If he has inherited the coat of the Saint Bernard, regular brushing with the slicker brush will be helpful in controlling shedding, though should he inherit the coat of the Poodle, regular brushing will not be as important while professional grooming may be necessary.. Bathing should occur once a month or as needed. It is recommended that the ears and eyes of the Saint Berdoodle be checked regularly in order to minimize the possibility of infection. As with all breeds, regular tooth brushing (two to three times per week) is important to ensure his long term dental health.
The Saint Berdoodle will inherit his behavioral traits from his parent breeds, the Saint Bernard and the Poodle. This hybrid will typically be affectionate and enjoy being in the thick of things. He will usually develop a strong bond with his humans and will prefer to spend as much time as possible with them. Be prepared to take your dog everywhere you go, as he will be sure to indicate that he wants to come along. The Saint Berdoodle will typically have a lot of patience and will do well with children as well as other pets, particularly if he has been socialized at a young age. Both the Poodle and the Saint Bernard are intelligent and the Saint Berdoodle will be as well. Give him the opportunity to learn new things and he will be thrilled.
The activity requirements of the Saint Berdoodle will vary by the particular dog and the traits that he inherits from his parents. Your hybrid will need a daily walk in order to remain fit and regular exercise will be important. While the Poodle will be more physically active than the Saint Bernard, the large size of the Saint Bernard requires regular physical activity. This can include walks, play time with his family or trips to the dog park, which will be good for his physical and mental well-being. Should your Saint Berdoodle be more like that of a Saint Bernard, he may tire quickly and require breaks or naps throughout the day.
Written by a Australian Shepherd lover Ilyssa Bozza
Published: 11/30/2017, edited: 08/18/2021
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