Saint Berdoodle, also known as Saint Berpoo, St. Berpoo, and St. Berdoodle, is a gentle giant dog that has gained some popularity in the past few years, and for good reasons too.
The working dog is a cross between a Saint Bernard and Poodle dog breeds. Saint Berdoodle is a loving companion with a wonderful personality. With their adorable teddy bear like appearance, they will charm you instantly.
Saint Berdoodles are friendly, intelligent, loyal, and eager to please personality, making this dog breed a good family dog. They want nothing more than your undivided love and attention. Saint Berdoodle is considered low to moderate shedders depending on which coat they inherit.
So is Saint Berdoodle right for you? Let's take a look.
Breed Characters
Adaptability
How easily a dog deals with living in an apartment. Despite the dog's size, you should also consider energy level, calmness, and friendliness.
Some breeds bond very closely with their family and are more prone to panic and separation anxiety when left alone. When left alone, they can become very destructive, bark, whine, chew and cause mayhem. These breeds do best in a home with a family member around during the day, can go to work with their owner, or recommend attending doggy day care if the owner is not home during the day.
Low sensitivity dogs are easygoing, tolerant, and resilient. They can handle a noisy and chaotic household, a loud or assertive owner, and tolerate an inconsistent or variable routine.
Short coat and little to no coat breeds are vulnerable to cold climates. These breeds will have a low cold tolerance and need to live inside in a cool climate and should have a jacket or sweater on for chilly walks.
Breeds with a thick and double coat are vulnerable to overheating. Breeds with a short nose and flat face are also vulnerable as they can't pant as well to cool themselves off. If these breeds of dog live in a warm and humid environment, you will need to be extra cautious about taking them outdoor in the heat.
Friendliness
Friendliness towards cats and humans is very different. Some breeds are gentle and accept cats readily as part of the family. Some breeds will chase, fight, or rough play with a cat and cause severe injury. However, no matter the breed, proper socialization, and training can improve the situation.
Friendliness towards other dogs. Some dogs may try to dominate other dogs and attack and fight, while others would rather play. However, no matter the breed, proper socialization, and training can improve the situation.
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members or other people he knows well. Some breeds are independent, some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while others treat everyone they know like it's their best friend.
Breed, however, isn't the only factor affecting affection levels. Proper socialization and training can improve the situation.
Kid-friendly dogs should be gentle with children, be more tolerant of screaming and running children as well as other children's behavior.
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some dogs will greet a stranger with wagging tails, while others are shy, reserved, cautious, or aggressive. However, no matter the breed, proper socialization, and training can improve the situation.
Health And Grooming
Amount of bathing, brushing, trimming, and professional grooming needs. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drool-prone dogs may drape ropes of slobber on your arm or wet spots on your clothes when they come over to say hello. If you've got a laid-back attitude toward slobber, fine. But if you are a neat freak, dogs that are drool prone may not be the right choice for you.
Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems. However, this doesn't mean that every dog of that breed will develop those diseases, and it just means that they're at an increased risk.
If you're adopting or rescuing a puppy, it's a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you're interested in. You may also want to ask if your shelter or rescue has information about the physical health of your potential pup's parents and other relatives.
If you are purchasing from a breeder, be sure to do your research. Purchase from a reputable breeder and ask for the parent's health records to understand what potential health issue your pup may have.
Amount and frequency of dog hair shedding.
If you are getting a dog, you'll need to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary greatly among the breeds. Some dogs shed year-round, some "blow" seasonally, some do both, and some shed hardly at all.
Trainability
Easy-to-train dogs are more adept at forming an association between a prompt, an action, and a reward (such as treats, appraise, or toys). Other dogs need more time, patience, and repetition during training.
Dogs bred for jobs requiring decision-making, intelligence, and concentration, need to exercise their brains. Such as, dogs bred to run all day need to exercise their bodies. If they don't get the mental stimulation they need, they can become destructive and exhibit behaviors such as digging and chewing. Obedience training and interactive dog toys are good ways to give a dog a brain workout, as are dog sports and careers, such as agility and search and rescue.
Common in most breeds during the puppy stage. Mouthiness means a tendency to nip, chew, and play-bite (a soft, fairly painless bite that doesn't puncture the skin). Mouthy dogs are more likely to use their mouths to hold or "herd" their human family members, and they need the training to learn that it's fine to gnaw on chew toys but not on people. Mouthy breeds tend to really enjoy squeaky toys, as well as a good chew on a toy that's been stuffed with kibble and treats.
Dogs who were bred to hunt have an inborn desire to chase--and sometimes kill. Anything whizzing by, such as cats, squirrels, or rabbits, can trigger that instinct. Dogs who like to chase need to be leashed or kept in a fenced area when outdoors, and you'll need a high, secure fence in your yard. These breeds generally aren't a good fit for homes with smaller pets that can look like prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small animals. Breeds that were originally used for bird hunting, on the other hand, generally won't chase. But you'll probably have difficulty getting their attention when birds fly by.
Some breeds are more vocal than others. When choosing a breed, think about how often the dog vocalizes with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passing bird, some may use other sounds to express themselves.
Physical And Mental Needs
The amount of physical and mental stimulation a breed needs. High-energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. Low-energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to lay around and sleep.
Some breeds do fine with a slow evening stroll around the block. Others need daily, vigorous exercise, especially those originally bred for physically demanding jobs, like herding or hunting.
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities. Without the brain exercise they need, they can be destructive and have unwanted behavior issues.
A dog's inclination to be protective of his family members, home, yard, or even car.
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window.
Origin of Saint Berdoodles
The Saint Berdoodle is a mixed breed dog that was bred as a companion dog. It is the mix of a Saint Bernard dog and a standard Poodle, resulting in a low-shed dog with the smarts of a Poodle and the sweetness of a Saint Bernard.
The origins of the Saint Berdoodle are unknown since there may have been accidental or unintentional, or undocumented mixes of the breeds. However, the popularity of Poodle mixes in the 1980s increased when the breed began to be intentionally bred as a designer breed. Doodle mixes were rising in popularity for their low shed and hypoallergenic coats, and, likely, the Saint Berdoodle as we know it today began then.
This mixed breed is not recognized by any major kennel club like American Kennel Club, given the lack of predictability or standard for the hybrid breed at this time. They are, however, included in a few designer dog clubs, including the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, American Canine Hybrid Club, Dog Registry Of America, Designer Breed Registry, and the International Designer Canine Registry.
Height: 24-30"
Weight: 70-180 lbs
Height: 24-30"
Weight: 70-160 lbs
Life Span: 10-12
Breed Group: Working
Size
The Saint Berdoodle size can vary, but generally, it is a large dog breed and can rival the Bernese Mountain Dog and Newfoundland for size. While there is still some variance depending on the parentage, you can expect most Saint Berdoodle's to be 24-30 inches high and between 100-180 pounds heavy full grown. The more their lineage leans towards the Saint Bernard genes, the bigger a dog they will be.
Mini Saint Berdoodles do exist through breeding Saint Bernard with a mini Poodle. They typically weigh between 30-55 pounds and 14-24 inches tall.
Personality
Saint Berdoodle's have very winning personalities. They are smart, loyal, social, and friendly dogs who love their people more than anything. They are affectionate and can be quite calm and well-mannered if trained and socialized properly. However, they love being the center of attention and will not appreciate any other animals stealing away their owner's attention.
Saint Berdoodle Appearance/Colors
A Saint Berdoodle is generally one of four main colorings: white and brown, white and black, red with white accents, and white with red accents.
Saint Berdoodle coat type will depend very much on parentage. Their coat can be smooth and long like a Saint Bernard, or curly, wiry, and short like a Poodle. Second-generation Saint Berdoodles (Berdoodle puppies with Berdoodle parents) have slightly more predictable coats, so be sure to know the parentage of your Saint Berdoodle puppy if the coat type is important to you.
Temperament
Saint Berdoodles make excellent family dogs. They love to be the center of attention and thrive in family settings. They may be a bit big and bumbling to have around very small children and may accidentally hurt children or small pets.
Saint Berdoodles have affable and calm temperaments that make them great therapy and service dogs. Deepening on the coat may be partially hypoallergenic, making them suitable for people who are sensitive to dog dandruff. They are loyal dogs and can be a bit wary of strangers at first but are quick to warm up to anyone who shows them some love.
Diet/Nutritional Needs
When it comes to deciding whether or not to get a Saint Berdoodle is a large amount of food you will have to commit to buying for this large dog breed.
Saint Berdoodles need quality large dog breeds dry food fed to them twice a day, the daily quantity of which could be anywhere from 4-10 cups. Consult with your veterinarian about your dog's diet and the correct amount for your puppy as it grows, depending on its size, age, and activity levels. Fresh water should always be available at all times.
Activity/Exercise Needs
Saint Berdoodles require moderate amounts of exercise. Purebred poodles are an active, energetic breed, and Purebred Saint Bernards are laid-back and chill dogs, so the needs of a Saint Bernard Poodle mix will be somewhere in the middle. They should get daily activity, either a walk or a rousing game of fetch. They enjoy off-leash dog parks as social dogs but will also enjoy having a large, fenced-in yard to explore.
You will need to ensure that your dog is well trained and that you are equipped to handle this large dog for walks so that you don't lose control. Because of the massive size of these dogs, they cannot exercise indefinitely and will tire and need to rest. Don't expect them to be able to go for long hikes or to be suitable cycling buddies.
If you are considering getting Saint Berdoodle puppies, be sure to socialize them at a young age and put them in obedience training school as soon as possible.
Grooming Needs
Image Source: Ig @toast_the_stberdoodle
Do Saint Berdoodles shed? How much grooming does it need? The shedding potential for this hybrid dog breed depends greatly on how it leans in its lineage. If they inherit the hypoallergenic qualities of their Poodle parents, they require less grooming needs.
Generally, they are low-shedding dogs because of their poodle parent, and you still will deal with some level of dog hair. Saint Berdoodle will require daily brushing to maintain their coats and may require more during shedding season. They can be bathed as needed or once a month.
Regularly check their eyes and ears for issues, infections, or irritation. Nails should be trimmed once a month or as needed. It would be best if you also aimed to brush your dog's teeth daily, or at least a few times a week, to maintain their dental health.
Adaptability
Saint Berdoodle thrives best when they are the center of attention in a family setting. They need the training to be careful around small children, but they can be taught to be careful. They do not make good apartment dogs but rather thrive in houses with a big fenced-in yard to roam in. They can be sensitive to high temperatures but love the cold. They do well with other dogs and can be trained to be careful and respectful of other household pets.
Trainability
Saint Berdoodles are easy to train, with the keen intelligence of a Poodle and the people-pleasing nature of a Saint Bernard. They may be a bit willful at times, but with positive reinforcement and consistency, they can be trained to be respectful and well-mannered pups. Socializing and training from a young age are important to instill good habits early on.
Life Expectancy
Saint Berdoodles have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.
Cost
Saint Berdoodle cost can vary anywhere between $1,000-$3,000 from a breeder. However, you may be able to find a Saint Berdoodle from a rescue or animal shelter. Be sure to consider adopting before purchasing.
Image Source: Ig @toast_the_stberdoodle
Potential Health Problems
Hybrid designer dogs are generally healthier than their purebred parent breeds. As such, Saint Berdoodles have the advantage of not being overly prone to health issues. As new pet parents, it's best to do your homework on the breed first to get one.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition resulting in a dog's joint malformation.
Ear Infections
Saint Berdoodle's floppy ears are prone to infection, irritation, and wax build-up. Be sure to clear your dog's ear regularly with ear cleaner to prevent ear infections.
Wobbler Syndrome
Wobbler Syndrome is a disease of the neck and spine commonly found in large and giant dog breeds. Compression of the spinal cord results in nervous system issues and neck pain.
Bloat
Bloat happens when there is a build-up of gas in a dog's stomach, leading to the twisting of the stomach and digestive issues that can be life-threatening. To prevent bloat in your Saint Berdnoodle, feed your dog smaller meals daily, use a food puzzle, slow feeder or combine wet and dry food. Avoid exercising after a meal.
Skin Problems
The long hair of a Saint Berdoodle can lead to tangles which can lead to skin infections, particularly a condition called "hot spots." Depending on the severity, veterinarians may treat it with a combination of antibiotics, anti-itching cream, and an e-collar.
Willebrand's Disease
Willebrand's disease affects the blood's ability to clot correctly. There is no treatment for the conditions, but you can manage the symptoms.
