9 facts to make you fall in love with Saint Berdoodles

Get ready to fall head over heels (or paws) for the Saint Berdoodle, otherwise known as the Bernard Doodle or the Saint Berpoo.

Being one of our favourite gentle giants, Saint Berdoodles are the cute, fluffy offspring of a Standard Poodle and a St. Bernard. Their calm, protective nature reminiscent of the Saint Bernard parent is paired with the intelligence and trainability of the Poodle, resulting in a delightful doggo who will do anything for the love and affection of their pet parents.

From cosying up next to you (or on you), to keeping an eye on the kids, they really can do it all. Our Saint Berdoodle facts will make these lovable fluff balls steal your hearts, if the pictures haven’t done so already. 

1. Saint Berdoodles LOVE being part of the family

Saint Berdoodles are firm family favourites who thrive off 24/7 company, whether from pet parents or furry friends. These big bundles of love and affection will make themselves at home right away, ideally at the heart of an adoring family.

Because these big softies dote on you so much, sometimes Saint Berdoodles can suffer from separation anxiety, so it’s important to make sure you are able to give them the care they need. What could be more important than tummy rubs and treats?!

2. Saint Berdoodles are angels in disguise

Because of their close relation to Saint Bernards, St. Berdoodles share the same warm-hearted nature.

The loving care of purebred Saint Bernards has resulted in over 2,000 people being rescued from danger in the past 200 years. Ever seen Beethoven the movie? Remember when he saves Emily from drowning in the pool? Saint Bernards aren’t nicknamed “nanny dogs” for nothing, and much like Nana from Peter Pan, Saint Berdoodles are sure to take care of any little ones in the house. Their intelligence and affection also make Saint Berdoodles great therapy or service dogs.

3. Saint Berdoodles are not guard dogs

Saint Berdoodles are big dogs, and it’s clear they like to keep a watchful eye on those they care about. But don’t be fooled!

While St. Berdoodles can be protective, they don’t have the guard dog gene. They will choose napping and tummy rubs over barking and intense training any day.

So unless you are looking for a four-legged friend to cover intruders with slobbery kisses, the Saint Berdoodle is not the guard dog for you!

4. Zoomies, sleep, eat, repeat 

Poodles are adventurous by nature, whilst St. Bernards are generally more chilled out. That means you need to be prepared to take your Saint Berdoodle on long walks to let off steam, while also giving time for lots of naps and snuggles!

Bursts of high energy levels and zoomies are tiring stuff, and Saint Berdoodles will be more than happy to cuddle up on the sofa with you at the end of a long day.

5. Size matters!

Saint Berdoodle puppies can be clumsy due to their size. And they are bred from one of the biggest dog breeds in the world, so your fluffy pup won’t stay small for long!

Even at 200 pounds, a full grown St. Berdoodle will still try to sit on your lap. With so much floof on the brain, they can forget how big they really are. Because of this, it is a good idea to keep an eye on them around young children, just to make sure they don’t topple anyone over!

6. There’s a Mini Saint Berdoodle!

No, luckily a St. Bernard did not breed with a Miniature Poodle. The Mini Saint Berdoodle is actually a combination of three different breeds, often with a Cocker Spaniel added to the mix.

Usually, a St. Bernard is crossed with a Cocker Spaniel to make a Mini Saint Bernard, before breeding this mix with a Miniature Poodle. Sound complicated? It’s worth it if you prefer your teddy bears on the smaller side, as the weight of a Miniature Saint Berdoodle is usually just 20-50 pounds.

7. Saint Berdoodles like to keep it cool

Saint Berdoodles hold up pretty well in low temperatures, as the Saint Bernard was bred for snow and ice in the Swiss Alps. But their thick floof makes higher temperatures more uncomfortable, so pet sitters and parents should keep an eye on St. Berdoodles during heatwaves and summer months.

8. They are easy to look after

Being a St. Bernard mixed with a Poodle, the St. Berdoodle comes from two intelligent breeds. These giant teddy bears are easy to train; they are eager to please, quick to learn, and love affection and treats! It is a good idea to start with proper training early, but soon they will be eating from the palm of your hand (literally).

If you’re not too keen on long walks, Saint Berdoodles are the dog for you! You will struggle to get one on a 10km run, all they need is a couple of walks per day and lots of food.

Crossbreeding also means Saint Berdoodles have very few health issues, but they can suffer from joint problems, bloating, and ear infections.  

9. Saint Berdoodles are always unique!

Crossbreeding means that no Saint Berdoodle is born the same. St. Berdoodles with more Poodle in them will have a curly coat, whereas those more closely related to St. Bernards may have longer, shaggier fur. Generally speaking, the more Poodle in your Saint Berdoodle, the less fur on your sofa!

The adorable St. Bernard Poodle mix can also have different colour combinations, varying between white and black, white and brown, and white and red. And even though Saint Berdoodles will keep the soppy face of the Saint Bernard, usually they lose the slobbery jowls and droopy eyes. This means they are less likely to drool or be at risk of eye infections. 

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