Pros and Cons of Owning a St. Bernedoodle

St. Berdoodle is a cross between Poodle and Saint Bernard that has many pros and cons like any other dog breed. It is a unique mix, which has the traits of both parents. The hypoallergenic qualities of the St. Berdoodle are associated with the Poodle, and the gentle temperament is inherited from Saint Bernard.

The exact history of the St. Berdoodle is not known yet, but it is believed that it was first bred during the 1980s. Saint Bernard are originally belong to Switzerland and Italy, and it is a very large breed weighing up to 265 lbs. While the Poodle is considered the second smartest dog breed on the planet. The low shedding coat and the intelligence of the Poodle make it a very special breed today. Originally, Poodle belonged to Germany and was known for many skillful activities. All these great features of the St. Berdoodle parents make it a perfect breed for dog lovers.

St. Berdoodle Pros

1. Gentle Giants

If you are looking for a perfect four-leg family member, St. Berdoodle can be the best choice for you as they don’t have the bounce and energy like the Poodle. St. Berdoodle has a great reputation for a relatively laidback dog breed. They are a great example of a gentle giant dog and also appear in many Hollywood films of the 1990s and 2000s. St. Berdoodle inherits the calm temperament of St Bernard.

2. Low Energy level

St. Berdoodle is less energetic as compared to the poodle parents, which is also used for hunting. There is a chance that you may get an active St. Berdoodle, but according to our research, low energy level St. Berdoodle chances are higher than the high energy. You can enjoy a couple of short walks with your St. Berdoodle daily.

3. Family pets       

St. Berdoodle is a calm and patient dog, which makes it a perfect choice for families. Their size is around 25 inches in height, and 70 pounds in weight, which makes them perfect for the age of 10 years and teenagers. They also inherit the guardian nature of St. Bernard and develop a deep bond with their family members. But make sure to don’t leave a child alone with your St. Berdoodle.

4. Hypoallergenic Qualities

St. Bernard inherits the hypoallergenic qualities from the poodle parent. You can’t expect a completely hypoallergenic dog as there is no dog breed, which is entirely hypoallergenic. But you can get perfect hypoallergenic qualities St. Berdoodle as the Poodle doesn’t shed much, and St. Bernard also goes through the shedding season perfectly.

5. Guard dog

As we discuss a little above as well, the St. Berdoodle is a perfect family dog and can protect the family home from any outside threats. This protective nature of the St. Berdoodle is in their genetic make-up. They can prove a good guard dog with their sheer size and protect the family from potential intruders.

St. Berdoodle Cons

1. Size

If you are looking for a big dog and wanted to buy the St. Berdoodle, you need to be careful as they can grow into a powerful dog, which is very difficult to control and handle. Sometimes it’s difficult for the St. Berdoodle owners to control the St. Berdoodle during walking. So, don’t leave your St. Berdoodle with babies, toddlers, and young children. They can injure any smallest family member due to their size.

2. Lifespan

The standard Poodle lives between 10 to 12 years, while St. Bernard lives between 8 to 10 years. The average life expectancy of the St. Berdoodle is between 8 to 12 years, depending upon the different members of the crossbreed. But a healthy diet, enough care, and supplement can improve the life expectancy of the St. Berdoodle.

3. Grooming

You need to brush your St. Berdoodle regularly for the perfect look of your St Berdoodle. They need regular brushing to prevent the hairs from matting and tangling. Moreover, their hairs can grow long, and they need groomer visits every two or three months to get a haircut.

4. Price

These dogs are a little expensive to buy depending upon their unique features. Firstly, you need to found a reliable breeder to buy the St. Berdoodle, which is itself a tricky task as the St. Berdoodle is not a common Doodle breed. So, the average cost of a St. Berdoodle is around $2000 depending upon the different factors.

5. Health Problems

St. Berdoodle is a mixed breed; still, they are prone to different health issues. So, you need to check your St. Berdoodle ears and eyes regularly to ensure that they don’t get any hazardous infection. They can also suffer from hip dysplasia, which is usually common in big dogs. Some other common health issues in St. Berdoodle are distichiasis, gastric torsion, sebaceous adenitis, Addison’s disease, and Mitral Valve disease.

6. Separation Anxiety

Some of the St. Berdoodles are also suffering from separation anxiety, which mainly occurs when the pet owners leave their pets alone at home. The main symptoms of separation anxiety include barking, chewing, howling, and digging. St. Berdoodles are known for this disorder as they built strong bonds with their owners. So, you can expect separation anxiety in the St. Berdoodle as the chronic condition can occur in any dog, irrespective of the breed.

Common health issues of St. Berdoodle

Distichiasis

It is a typical eye disease, which is associated with the new hair growth near the eyelashes. You need to permanently remove the eyelashes from the dog to treat this issue.

Hip/Elbow dysplasia

This issue is mainly associated with the abnormal development of the hip and elbow joints. The large size of the St. Berdoodle makes them more prone to these issues.

Gastric torsion

Gastric torsion condition is associated with the overstretching and the rotating of the stomach, which is mainly caused by excessive gas.

Sebaceous Adenitis

It is a skin issue, which is rarely found in dogs. But the poodles are prone to this skin problem, which leads them to hair loss. This condition also responsible for the destruction of the sebaceous glands in dogs.

Wobbler Syndrome

It is a common disease in big dogs, which affects the cervical spine and nerve roots. The St. Berdoodles are mostly healthy dogs and can be maintained with a regular visit to the vet.

St. Berdoodle Diet/Food

• St. Berdoodle requires a substantial amount of calories daily, depending upon its size. You need to give them enough amount of calories to maintain their energy level and stamina.
• On average, a St. Berdoodle needs 4 to 10 cups of dry food twice a day, depending upon the age, size, and activity level.
• You can also consult with your veterinarian to make a diet plan for your St. Berdoodle. He knows better about the diet plan of your dog and recommends you if any changes are required.

St. Berdoodle exercise requirement  

• A daily walk is necessary for your St. Berdoodle to keep them active and happy. But make sure to go for a walk according to their stamina. Their large size does not translate into their stamina, so you need to understand that the St. Berdoodle is not your cycling buddy.
• You need to handle their weight and large physique early. The leash training is very important, so invest in a strong leash to handle their weight early.
• Usually, the St. Berdoodles are friendly, so you can take them to parks to socialize them early in their career.

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