Saint Berdoodle (Saint Bernard & Poodle Mix); The Ultimate Care Guide

Last Updated on September 28, 2023 by Fumipets

Saint Berdoodle

---

Saint Berdoodles are a hybrid breed created by crossing the large Saint Bernard with the well-liked Poodle. Like Saint Bernards and Poodles, Berdoodles are wonderful family pets and like spending time with their owners and loved ones. They like being around kids and will amuse them for hours in the garden. In fact, Berdoodles are wonderful with children and resemble big, live teddy bears.

Breed Overview

Height: 24 – 30 inches

Weight: 110 – 220 pounds

Lifespan: 10 – 12 years

Colors: Black, brown, white

Suitable for: Active families and singles, homes with large backyards

Temperament: Active, social, affectionate, loyal, intelligent, friendly

The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not officially recognize the Berdoodle, although its popularity is constantly rising, particularly among families. These canines are naturally protective of their human family and make excellent security dogs. They have a massive, imposing stature and are devoted family guardians as well. Even yet, they are amiable dogs that are seldom violent, especially toward strangers.

There are many things to adore about these big dogs, so if you’re considering getting one, keep reading for more details on their history, upkeep, and temperament.

Saint Berdoodle Puppies

Large dogs, like their Saint Bernard parent breed, characterize Saint Berdoodles. This is something you should think about before taking one of these enormous dogs home since a dog that can potentially weigh up to 220 pounds requires a lot of room, exercise, and food! They are excellent family dogs, but because of their size and tendency to be fairly rowdy while playing, they run the risk of accidentally hurting very small children. They are thus more suited to households with older children.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Saint Berdoodle

Saint Berdoodles are mostly kind, sociable, and affectionate dogs. While they may be big and a little imposing, gentle giants are seldom or never violent. In fact, it would be difficult to find a dog who was more devoted! They like being around others and thrive on interpersonal contact. They are known to engage in certain destructive actions when bored and are prone to separation anxiety since they don’t fare well when left alone for extended periods of time.

The greatest qualities of both of their parent species are combined in Berdoodles, making them very sociable, loving, loyal, clever, and friendly. Because of their protective instincts and concern for young children, these dogs have earned the moniker “nanny dog.” While they are enormous dogs with a lot of energy, they don’t require as much exercise as you’d imagine and prefer moderate, leisurely walks over vigorous activity since they are eager to please and therefore readily trainable.

While mixed breeds like the Berdoodle may have a wide range of temperaments, they are always sociable, loving, and simple to train. As long as you have the room, they also make a terrific dog for first-time owners.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Saint Berdoodles are definitely family dogs. They are excellent playmates for kids since they are devoted, caring, and protective. Yet there are some restrictions. Large, strong dogs like berdoodles have a tendency to get overexcited and may accidentally knock over younger children when playing. While playing with these enormous, gentle giants, older children normally get along very well, but if you have little children, you should keep a tight check on them.

However, the Berdoodle may not be the best option for you if you have very young children and spend a lot of time away from home. The Berdoodle is a fantastic family dog if you have older children and plenty of free time to spend with your pet.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

With appropriate socialization, of course, berdoodles are typically excellent with other pets and have little to no prey drive. They quickly form friendships with other dogs, and even cats are seen as playmates rather than prey. There shouldn’t be a problem with any other dogs in your house since they are not aggressive dogs. Despite this, they have a strong need for attention and might retreat if they are not given the spotlight!

Things to Know When Owning a Saint Berdoodle:

Food & Diet Requirements

Saint Berdoodles consume an enormous amount of food, as you could expect. Berdoodles may need up to 8–10 cups of premium dry food a day, depending on their size, age, and degree of activity. Despite this, Berdoodles are not very active creatures, thus overeating is still a possibility.

Try to divide their meals into two portions, and make sure there are no artificial or filler elements in their diet that can add additional calories that aren’t essential. Avoid foods like maize or soy that include too many grains and choose wholegrain alternatives for meals without grains. Select foods with a high-quality animal protein as one of the first mentioned components.

Exercise

While they are huge dogs, Berdoodles are not very energetic and don’t need as much exercise as you may assume. Your Berdoodle is a cross between a Saint Bernard and a Poodle, both of which are noted for having low levels of activity. Instead of vigorous exercise, they prefer leisurely, mild strolls around the block, and even a play session in the backyard is enough to put them to sleep! As a result of their heavy loads and thick double coats, they rapidly get exhausted, particularly on hot days. A Berdoodle should generally get an hour or two of light exercise every day.

Training

Berdoodles are normally easy to train, even for inexperienced owners, since they are clever and eager to please dogs. Of course, because of their size and strength, appropriate training is necessary, and the secret to a well-trained dog is to start early—ideally the day you bring them home. A key component of effective training is early socializing, which shouldn’t be a problem for the amiable Berdoodle!

Positive reinforcement training techniques are preferred since these dogs are very sensitive and desire to please their owners; harsh training techniques won’t help you teach a Berdoodle very much.

Grooming

Daily maintenance is necessary regardless of the coat a berdoodle inherits since they often have medium-length, thick coats that are either curly like a Poodle’s or long and wavy like a Saint Bernard’s. They don’t shed much, which is surprising, so brushing is more for keeping their coat healthy, smooth, and free of knots.

They often have rather oily, water-resistant coats, so bathing is not necessary unless they get quite dirty. To lessen the chance of infection, keep an eye on your child’s ears and make sure they are always dry and clean. Also, you will need to clip their nails every month or two and wash their teeth a few times a week.

Health and Conditions

Overall, Berdoodles are strong, healthy dogs with relatively few health problems. But you still need to watch out for any potential health problems that they could acquire from their parent breeds.

Minor Conditions

Allergies

Obesity

Bloat

Ear Infections

Serious Conditions

Hip Dysplasia

Wobbler Syndrome

Von Willebrand’s Disease

Male vs Female

The only real distinction between male and female Berdoodles is size. While even female canines are enormous, males tend to be bigger than females, so this doesn’t really matter. The majority of specialists advise neutering males and spaying females, which will significantly lessen any hormonal variations between males and females. Moreover, this will prohibit any unexpected pregnancies in females and male roaming.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Saint Berdoodle

1. They are hard workers.

Prior to becoming companion dogs, both Saint Bernards and Poodles were bred as working dogs and performed crucial tasks. Saint Bernards were used as rescue dogs for generations in the high passes of the Swiss Alps. They were skilled at removing snow-covered routes, finding victims trapped therein, and even, it is said, forecasting avalanches.

Poodles were originally developed as water retrievers, a task some Poodles are still utilized for today. Despite their luxurious contemporary look, Poodles were still hard-working canines.

2. They are clumsy!

The Saint Berdoodle’s physique is far larger than its personality should be. These dogs are little lap dogs at heart, and as a result, they are well known for being quite clumsy at times, tipping over all sorts of household goods while seeking to fit in spaces where they cannot, even attempting to get into their owner’s lap!

3. They are highly intelligent.

The Berdoodle is a clumsy breed, but don’t let that fool you—they’re really smart. As compared to the Poodle, the second-smartest dog in the world, Saint Bernards may not be as intelligent, but they are renowned for their emotional intelligence, their ability to recognize hazards, and how simple they are to teach. Berdoodles undoubtedly possess a special and useful kind of intelligence since they blend the Poodle’s intelligence with their own.

Final Thoughts

A loving, devoted, and laid-back dog, the Saint Berdoodle is perfect as a family companion. These gentle giants make superb security dogs but also make loving and kind family dogs since they get along well with children and are loyal defenders. The one drawback to having a Berdoodle is its size, which might be too much in a small setting.

Because of their size, these dogs should preferably have a large backyard to play in. They cannot live in an apartment. One of the most friendly dogs you’re likely to meet, they are eager to please and typically simple to teach, even for inexperienced owners!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2T6p9yV3PU

---