Here we will discuss the Pros and Cons of owning a Saint Berdoodle, along with other facts. Without further ado, let us begin with some history.
Saint Berdoodle or Saint Bernedoodle is a mixed breed known for its lovable traits. The designer dog breed comes from crossbreeding a Standard Poodle with a Saint Bernard.
It might seem like an unusual combination at first. However, we can get the low-shedding quality and intelligence of the Poodle, and the calmness of Saint Bernard. This is why Saint Berdoodles attract many dog lovers with their fantastic qualities.
Saint Berdoodle Origin
- The exact history of the Saint Berdoodle or Saint Bernedoodle is not exactly known. Yet, it is well believed that it was first bred during the 1980s. Back then, Poodle is one of the most popular breeds used for crossbreeding. Many popular designers breeds like Labradoodles and Shcnoodles also originated from the 1980s.
- It is also important not to mix Saint Berdoodle with the regular Berdoodle. Berdoodle is a mix between the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle. This is why the name Saint Berdoodle is more commonly used to avoid confusion between the two breeds.
- Again, Saint Berdoodle is a mix between Saint Bernard and the Standard Poodle. So, when someone mentions “Berdoodle,” ask them about the parent breeds just to be sure.
Saint Berdoodle Parent Breeds
- Saint Bernard, or just St. Bernard, originated from Switzerland and Italy. To be exact, they belong to the border area between Italy and Swiss.
- They are a very large breed weighing up to 265 lbs but is a calm and very peaceful breed. St. Bernards can interact with kids very well, but their weight and size can be dangerous for toddlers.
- Saint Bernard is an excellent guard dog and rescue dog. In fact, it is often used in rescue purposes, especially in the snow.
Standard Poodle
- Famous as the second smartest dog breed on the planet, second only to the Border Collie.
- The Poodle is considered one of the most popular breeds in the world today. It especially popular in crossbreeding mainly due to its intelligence and low-shedding coat. To date, Poodles have been crossed with more than 100 pure breeds.
- Poodles originated in Germany and very skillful in many activities. They often accompanied their owners in activities like tracking and herding.
- Exceptional temperament and a very good family dog. Very friendly and sociable, and extremely easy to train. Poodles are very good at interacting with children,
Pros and Cons of the Saint Berdoodle
Below, we will discuss the pros and cons of owning Saint Berdoodle. We will divide our discussion into several different categories:
Temperament
- The Saint Berdoodle is generally a calm, loyal and affectionate dog. It likes getting involved in all kinds of family activities and is very social.
- Saint Berdoodles can interact with kids very well. But, since it’s naturally a large dog, it might not be the best choice if you have babies or very young toddlers. It’s easier to train your kids to play with smaller dogs than the other way around.
- Another one of the Saint Berdoodle pros in this category is that it is a good guard dog. Saint Berdoodles are very wary of strangers. Thus, they guard their territory and family very well.
- The Saint Berdoodle cons in this category are: first, it thrives on being the center of attention. So, the dog won’t do well when left on their own. Second, the dog’s powerful sense of family can backfire. The dog can be destructive when they lack enough interaction and supervision.
- However, proper and consistent training and socialization can tackle the issue. We’d recommend an ultrasonic training aid to help train the Saint Berdoodle.
- Since Saint Berdoodle is very intelligent, it is relatively easy to train. Saint Berdoodle is a large breed, and so they love to perform any task, especially when combined with their eagerness to please the owner.
- Saint Berdoodle responds well to a gentle, reward focused training. So, get your dog treats ready. Avoid a heavy-handed, strict training approach, especially abusive methods at all costs.
Lifespan
- Let’s first discuss the average lifespan of the Saint Berdoodle’s parent breeds.
- A Standard Poodle’s average lifespan is around 10-12 years. On the other hand, the average life expectancy of a Saint Bernard is shorter, typically 8 to 10 years. So, the average lifespan of the Saint Berdoodle is somewhere between the two, between 9 to 11 years.
- Higher life expectancy is not out of the question if the dog is on a healthy diet and with enough supplements.
Size and Weight
- Since both of their parents are large and heavy, Saint Berdoodle is also a big dog. They can weigh between 110 and 200 pounds. The size of the Saint Berdoodle will vary depending on whether it’s closer to the Standard Poodle or Saint Bernard.
- Nevertheless, Saint Berdoodle is a big boy, which can either be a pro or con depending on your preferences. It’s definitely a deciding factor if you live in a small apartment. They are very active, and so will need a space to thrive in.
Grooming
- Most Saint Berdoodles tend to inherit the big size of Saint Bernard. However, they tend to get the low shedding coat from the Standard Poodle parent.
- The coat is typically curly, and can silky and coarse hair. The Saint Berdoodle usually has low to moderate coat shedding. So, they are mostly hypoallergenic and are great for owners with allergies. In general, the ones with curlier coarse coats have lower shedding.
- Grooming the Saint Berdoodle will depend on the type of coat. Yet, in general, you’d only need daily brushing and combing. And, don’t forget to invest in a good pet shampoo. You should bathe the dog once per month or as needed.
- Make sure you check their eyes and ears regularly to prevent infections. Groom and trim their nails as needed.
Health and Medical Issues
Saint Berdoodle can inherit serious health issues that are common with their parents. This is a common issue of most crossbreed hybrids. However, parents of Saint Berdoodles should do their homework nonetheless.
Here are the common health issues that can potentially exist in Saint Berdoodles:
Distichiasis
- A typical eye disease is when new hair grows near the eyelashes. To treat this issue, we must remove the eyelashes permanently from the dog.
Hip/Elbow Dysplasia
- This is the result of abnormal development of the hip and elbow joints. Since Saint Berdoodles are large, they are more prone to these conditions.
Gastric Torsion
- The condition when their stomach overstretches and rotates. Caused by excessive gas and can be life-threatening.
Sebaceous Adenitis
- This skin disease is pretty rare in dogs. Poodles, however, are prone to this skin issue. It is signified with silvery dandruff that can cause hair loss. This condition can lead to the destruction of the sebaceous glands (a gland in the hair follicles).
Wobbler Syndrome
- A common disease with big dogs like the Saint Berdoodle. This condition affects the cervical spine, which can compress the spinal cord and nerve roots.
- However, Saint Berdoodle is, in most cases, a healthy, very active dog. Maintain a regular visit to the vet so that you can detect potential health issues as early as possible.
- Also, you should give your Saint Berdoodle enough supplements for their joints.
Diet/Food
- Since Saint Berdoodles are large dogs, they require a substantial amount of calories. As established, the Saint Berdoodle is a very active dog. So, you will need to give them enough calorie intake to maintain their energy and stamina.
- In general, feed an adult Saint Berdoodle with a high-quality dry food around 4 to 10 cups per day, twice daily. This amount would obviously depend on the dog’s age, size, and activity level.
- If necessary, check with your veterinarian about establishing your dog’s diet. All dogs are different with their own dietary needs, so your vet should know better. If you want to make any changes to your dog’s diet, it’s best to discuss it with your veterinarian first.
Exercise Requirements
- Being a large and active dog, the Saint Berdoodle require daily walks to keep them happy and active.
- The owner must be able to handle their weight and large physique. Early leash training is very important, so invest in a strong leash that can handle their weight.
- Keep in mind that their large sizes don’t automatically translate into unlimited stamina. So, remember that the Saint Berdoodle is not your cycling buddy.
Since they tend to be very friendly, you can take them to dog parks so they can socialize off-leash. In general, the Saint Berdoodle thrives in a large space with plenty of room to run at will.
Again, this also means that the Saint Berdoodle is not a good fit for a small apartment or even smaller houses.