
What do you think about large breeds of dogs? There are quite a few that would come to mind when asked, such as English Mastiff, Bernese, Husky, or Newfoundland. Of course, there’s also the great and beloved Saint Bernard.
Dog lovers tend to have extra big soft spots for these gentle giants. They could be big, almost life-like teddy bears that can serve as a couch potato you can snuggle to while watching Netflix. They could also be your perfect cuddle buddy on a chilly night. Or perhaps, they could be your large companions you can walk with on a perfect day.
There is a quite notable and known mix and cross breed, specifically of a Saint Bernard, that could be all of the mentioned above; the Saint Berdoodle.
What is a Saint Berdoodle?
The Saint Berdoodle is a mix between a Poodle and a Saint Bernard, hence the name. Being loyal, intelligent, and friendly, the Saint Berdoodle is a great and perfect family dog and companion. They have a loving nature that extends to both humans and dogs alike.
They are classified as charming, gentle giants that are fiercely protective when needed. They are also friendly and loving most of the time. They are actual cuddle monsters beneath all the fur. Despite their massive frame and supposedly intimidating build, Saint Berdoodles are nothing but marshmallows and rainbows as they are social, loving, and affectionate with almost everyone!
The Appearance of Saint Berdoodle
Being a mix of an elegant poodle and a brave Saint Bernard, Saint Berdoodle naturally takes after their parents. They are probably one of the fluffiest breeds that exist, closely resembling an actual Teddy Bear!
They have honey, brown eyes that are pretty much the description and epitome of puppy dog eyes that are seen in cartoons or used as expressions in books. They also have floppy ears. Combine those two features together, and you have a cuteness attack that can melt even the coldest hearts!
They are considered giants, weighing from 100 to 200 pounds and standing firm and tall at 24-30 inches. It is an understatement to say that they are big. Even as pups, it is easy to tell just how big and heavy they will become.
A Saint Berdoodle’s coat usually consists of 4 colors; brown, black, red, and white. Most coats only have two colors, with white and black being the most common. Their coats are darker when they are born but gradually lightens as they grow older. The texture and length would depend on which parent breed gene they would take after; curly and stringy curls for the dominant Poodle gene and thick, long fur for the dominant Saint Bernard gene.
History of Saint Berdoodle
The actual origins of the Saint Berdoodle are pretty unknown and vague, but they did just recently gain immense popularity over the past few years. Historical records say that Poodles are bred since the 1600s while Saint Bernards are bred since the 1700s.
It was during the 1980s when the designer dog craze actually bloomed. It is also when Saint Berdoodles started to get recognized and acknowledged. This was when breeders started to crossbreed poodles with other breeds to get a new doodle breed combination.
The aim is to combine the rescue and protective nature of a Saint Bernard and a Poodles’ trainability and intelligence in one, amazing, crossbreed. Born and created are Saint Berdoodles who ticked all those boxes. This breed mostly ends up in shelters for adoption or part of rescue groups.
Today, they are considered one of the most known crossbreeds in the world. Saint Berdoodle is just one type of crossbreed dog that is extremely well-liked and favored by dog lovers and pet parents!
Saint Berdoodle Breed
This breed is also called and known as Saint Berpoo. They come from an amazing combination of breeds. Saint Berdoodle has the intelligence, beauty, and also the low-shedding coat from their Poodle parents. Combine this with the sweetness, protectiveness, and calmness of their Saint Bernard Parent and you have a perfectly ideal dog for rescue or therapy services.
Having a Saint Bernard’s genes almost guarantees that this breed is no doubt going to be larger than the average size. While these dogs are great with kids of all ages, even adults, it might be concerning to have them around toddlers and small kids. That is why parents might need to supervise their interactions.
Saint Berdoodle also has a great sense of adventure. They quite like outdoor activities and exercises, which would always result in a good, long nap afterward. They are also highly sociable creatures, making it more of a reason for them to demand to go outside, wanting to meet new people and dogs.
This breed is brilliant, which makes them easy to train. They catch on to tricks and gestures easily. They are pretty low maintenance, even with their long coat and a big appetite. They are easy to groom and don’t need to be supervised 24/7!
Due to their coats’ thickness, they are fully equipped for cold weather—just the perfect snuggle buddy for a cold and rainy day. Unfortunately, the thick fur would also mean that they don’t handle the heat well. This is why they should always have water nearby or a fan directed at them on a summer day.
Saint Berdoodle Lifespan
Large dog breeds have a shorter lifespan compared to smaller breeds. The average lifespan of a Saint Berdoodle is about 8-12 years, translating to middle age in human years.
Saint Berdoodle Price
The price of a Saint Berdoodle usually depends on its color. A pure black one would cost around $1000- $1800 alone. The multi-colored one is a lot more expensive, ranging between $1200- $2500.
Saint Berdoodle Temperament
One of the key character temperaments of Saint Berdoodle would be their high social skills and strong affection. They love being given attention and like being coddled. They, however, don’t like being left behind, out, nor alone. They would always want to be part of family activities or events.
They are extremely loving and loyal. They tend to develop strong and firm bonds with their humans that developing separation anxiety is quite likely if they are to be left on longer periods.
Another key temperament is their calm nature, which is inherited from their Saint Bernard parents. They don’t have high energy levels and would enjoy long naps after strenuous and exhausting outdoor activities. Despite their low energy, they do have quite a curious nature, which makes them get into quite a bit of mischief and trouble once in a while.
Alongside their devotion and loyalty, they are quite protective and would keep their family safe. They are friendly, social, charming, and cheerful, making them a perfect addition to the family!
Saint Berdoodle Exercise
Since Saint Berdoodles are gentle giants, they would require daily rigorous exercises to keep them in tip-top shape! Since they don’t have much energy, more than 2 strenuous walks or activities a day would be a bit too much.
They must have leash training as a pup. When they are older and bigger, training them would prove to be much more difficult since they could drag you along instead of following your lead. You’re not walking your dog at that point. It might be that your dog is walking you!
Aim to exercise them for about 30-40 minutes each day to keep them mentally and physically active.
Saint Berdoodle Grooming
Grooming will highly depend on the coat texture of your pooch. If they have a dense and thick coat, taking after Saint Bernard, they will need to be brushed at least 1-2 times a week. Curly coats like a poodle would require much more frequent visits to groomers for maintenance.
They also require extra attention and care in terms of ear hygiene with their floppy ears. Be sure to check their ears regularly for debris. You would have to clean their ears at least once a week to not risk infection.
Same case with their eyes. Check regularly to make sure that they don’t have infections or debris.
Trimming the nails regularly is also a necessity. It needs to be done at least once a month. As for the teeth, it needs to be brushed at least 2-3 times every week.
Saint Berdoodle Training
Saint Berdoodle takes after their poodle parent in terms of intelligence, making them easy to teach and train. With their eager-to-please personality, they love to perform and show off. Teach them a trick, and with the proper reward and praise, they will learn it in record time!
They will require obedience training at a young age. Despite being easy to train, they still require a consistent, calm, gentle, and patient handler and owner. Positive reinforcement and reward-based training are advisable approaches!
Saint Berdoodle Health Issue
Large breeds like Saint Berdoodle are at risk of a few health issues. Wobblers Syndrome and Hip dysplasia are the most known health problems they could encounter. They are also not completely safe from ear infections, heart conditions, and Willebrand Disease.
Saint Berdoodle, under the right and proper care, are healthy dogs. Regular care and veterinary checks are a good and effective way to keep your dog healthy.
Is The Saint Berdoodle A Good Family Dog?
This breed is the perfect dog for the family! With their outgoing personality and outstanding social skills, they are guaranteed to melt, soften, and charm just about anyone! They are undeniably loyal and protective, proving to be the perfect guard dog and protector of your child.
What’s more, they provide the warmest hugs during the coldest days! It is endless snuggles and cuddles with this dog!
Conclusion
Adding a Saint Berdoodle to your family will surely add a unique flavor to your everyday lives. They will add more smiles, giggles, and laughter to your home. They absolutely love kids, adults, and fellow animals, making them the perfect additional member!
Saint Berdoodle can fill up the spaces in both your home and heart. Their large physique and even bigger personality can fill up any void and space in your life!
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