Here at The Furry Farmhouse, we know Saint Berdoodle puppies. We own and raise them. There’s not much better than a sweet, cuddly St Berdoodle. If you want a cross between a Saint Bernard and a poodle, you’ve come to the right place to learn more!
What Is a Saint Berdoodle?
A Saint Berdoodle is a cross between a Saint Bernard and a Standard Poodle. Not all St Berdoodles are bred with a Standard Poodle, though. Some are bred to a miniature poodle, and in that case, would be considered a mini Saint Berdoodle.
Is a Saint Berdoodle Puppy Right for You?
A Saint Berdoodle puppy may be right for you if you enjoy large-breed dogs. As discussed below, these dogs can weigh up to 130 pounds as adults. The puppy stage only lasts for a short time! Within four months, you will have a dog that doesn’t look much like a puppy anymore!
People may even comment that they “can’t believe that’s a puppy!” Trust me. We get it a lot.
In addition, be prepared for the cost of owning a St Berdoodle. Other than the grooming responsibility, it isn’t any more expensive than owning any other dog. However, regular grooming is essential with this breed.
What is a Mini Saint Berdoodle?
A Mini Saint Berdoodle is most often a St Bernard bred to a miniature poodle. We have yet to attempt this at The Furry Farmhouse. We have yet to be comfortable with the idea of such a small poodle breeding to a large Saint Bernard. There’s nothing wrong with it, per se, but I cannot wrap my brain around the idea. Maybe with time.
If we were to get a small Saint Bernard female, that might make me feel better about the idea.
Does This Breed Shed?
Surprisingly, we have noticed very little shed regarding our St Berdoodles. I was worried about this before we had our first litter. Because Saint Bernards shed a lot. Rosie and Otis, our two St Berdoodles we have, barely shed, if at all. Which is so nice! They are F1 St Berdoodles, so they have 50% poodle in them. The more Poodle, the less shed.
We have noticed some variation from puppy to puppy. Genetically, you will have variation naturally. Murphy, a puppy from our last litter, has a bit more shed than his brothers and sisters. It just happens sometimes.
Do Saint Berdoodles Drool?
Thankfully, they don’t drool much! We have noticed with our Saint Berdoodles that they will have wet beards frequently, but don’t have any drool hanging off of them most of the time.
Again, the more Poodle in the dog, the less likely the dog is to drool. So if you want a dog with less drool, I recommend either making peace with the F1 St Berdoodle’s wet beard or getting an F1b St Berdoodle. The F1b is a St Berdoodle bred to a poodle, thus giving the resulting litter more poodle traits and less drool potential.
How Long Do these Gentle Giants Live?
Saint Berdoodles live, on average, 9-12 years. This lifespan will vary. Large-breed dogs like Saint Bernards live an average of 8 to 10 years. Standard poodles live an average of 12 to 15 years. So you can surmise a St Berdoodle will live an estimated 9-12 years, or somewhere in between.
Are Saint Berdoodles HypoAllergenic?
Saint Berdoodles are hypoallergenic dogs. Hypoallergenic means they are of low allergy-causing potential. As a nurse practitioner, I see a lot of allergies in humans. The principle remains the same with dogs. It is all in the genetics. I say that a lot, I know. 😁
Saint Bernards shed a lot, releasing lots of pet dander and hair. Standard poodles shed very little, releasing little pet dander and almost no hair. St Berdoodles are going to fall in the middle. However, we notice very little shed from our St Berdoodles. Shedding very little makes me feel that they take more after the Poodle than the Saint Bernard regarding their allergen level.
How Big Do These Dogs Get?
Saint Berdoodles are considered a large breed dog. Female St Berdoodle size is generally smaller than that of a St Berdoodle male. Our largest st berdoodle male has grown to 130ish pounds! Our largest female we know of is around 100 pounds. Females are usually anywhere between 60 to 100 pounds. Males are generally anywhere between 90-130 pounds. Of course, this can vary.
Types of Saint Berdoodles: F1, F2, F1b
St Berdoodles occur as f1 st berdoodle, F2, or f1b st berdoodle. Confusing, I know. What does all that mean?
An f1 saint berdoodle is a st berdoodle that is half Saint Bernard and half Standard Poodle. An f2 st berdoodle is a st berdoodle bred to a st berdoodle. An f1b st berdoodle is a st berdoodle bred to a standard poodle.
f1 = saint bernard + poodle
f1b = st berdoodle + st berdoodle
f2 = saint berdoodle + poodle
Clear as mud? It gets confusing.
Saint Berdoodle Price
Ahhh… the price. The price of a saint berdoodle can range anywhere from $1500 to $3000 plus. It all depends on the breeder. St Berdoodle cost is a factor in determining if the breed is for you. Remember the cost of owning a dog! Dog food, accessories, dog grooming, and veterinarian costs for health, wellness, and illness all add up.
You may even be able to get pet health insurance for your puppy. TIP: Generally, it is easier to get pet health insurance for dogs when they are puppies. If you wait too long, they won’t be eligible.
Grooming a Saint Berdoodle
Saint Berdoodles require grooming every 6 to 8 weeks on average. You can go longer than that, but be prepared to have the dog shaved. Our Saint Berdoodles tend to have a curly coat after being groomed the first time. If not brushed regularly, they will mat. If mats occur, shaving is often required.