What Is a St Bernard Poodle Mix? (St Berdoodle Guide + Photos)

The Saint Bernard Poodle Mix, or Saint Berdoodle, is a hybrid breed between the easy-going, affectionate Saint Bernard and the intelligent, well-behaved Poodle. Like their parents, they make excellent family dogs and are known for being social, friendly, and loyal.

They grow quite large in size, weighing anywhere from 50 to 110 pounds (50 kilograms). In addition, they require regular exercise and large backyards to keep them healthy and happy. Berdoodles need a committed owner who can spend enough quality time with their fun-loving pup each day.

Indeed, these dogs aren’t for everyone because of their size, exercise, and grooming requirements. But, if you are looking for a gentle giant who never turns down the chance to have a good time, a Saint Bernard Poodle Mix could be the perfect fit for your home.

Personality & Temperament

The Saint Bernard Poodle Mix combines the best traits of these two beloved breeds, resulting in a large, gentle dog that is great with kids and other pets. Berdoodles are known for being social, friendly, and intelligent. 

They love being involved with their family and will follow you from room to room, always happy to be by your side.

These dogs are also known for being quite playful and fun-loving. Don’t be surprised if they’re the life of the party anytime you host a gathering. They love being at the center of attention and will do anything to make you laugh.

Their goofy side is sure to keep you entertained for hours on end.

Indeed, Berdoodles are like big teddy bears. They’re gentle and cuddly, caring and attentive, particularly towards children. Their intelligence enables them to be trained easily, and their eagerness to please means even novice owners can enjoy a well-behaved companion.

Are Berdoodles Good With Children?

The Saint Bernard Poodle Mix loves being around children and will spend hours playing with them in the backyard. 

But, while they are known to be protective, so much that they’ve earned the nickname “nanny dog,” don’t count on them to be effective guard dogs; their sweet nature means they’re just too trusting!

It’s important to note that, even though they’re great with kids, they are large dogs prone to getting overexcited and accidentally knocking over smaller children. Because of this, it’s recommended that you supervise Berdoodles when around or while playing with younger children.

Are Berdoodles Good With Other Pets?

With proper socialization, Berdoodles enjoy having other pets as playmates. For example, they generally play well with other dogs, although their size may unintentionally intimidate smaller breeds. 

They also do well with cats and other small animals because they typically have little to no prey drive.

They are not considered aggressive dogs; however, as mentioned earlier, they can get rowdy and over-excited quickly. 

Therefore, supervision is essential. You can control their aggression with proper training and socialization. It may also decrease as they learn boundaries and how to read social cues from other dogs.

Coat Colors & Appearance of Berdoodle

Berdoodles are among the fluffiest breeds, and they resemble a cuddly teddy bear rather than a dog. Without a doubt, their floppy ears and kind eyes are unquestionably charming. 

Moreover, while the face of a Saint Bernard is carried over to Berdoodles, they do not acquire the hanging jowls or drooping eyes found on most Saint Bernards.

Berdoodles can have either parent’s coat – wiry and curly for the Poodle or long and smooth for the Saint Bernard. In addition, they can have a wide range of colors, which their parents’ coloring generally determines. 

White and brown, or white and black, are the most common color combinations. They can also be red with white highlights or white with red accents.

Berdoodles are, not surprisingly, well-equipped for colder weather, especially if they have the same coat as Saint Bernards. But unfortunately, they aren’t nearly as tolerant of heat and are at higher risk of overheating in warmer climates.

Requirements for a Saint Bernard Poodle Mix

Berdoodles are large and intelligent dogs with thick, curly coats. As a result, several requirements come with owning one of these lovable giants. In addition to space, Berdoodles need regular exercise and a diet suited to their size.

Also, expect to perform regular grooming to keep their coats healthy and tangle-free.

Exercise & Living Conditions

First and foremost, Berdoodles need plenty of indoor and outdoor space and daily exercise. While the activity doesn’t need to be intensive, they should be taken on casual walks every day and given ample room to run and play in their own backyard. 

It’s recommended they get an hour or two of gentle exercise a day; otherwise, they can become bored and destructive.

Since Berdoodles are massive, expect everything you buy for them to be bigger and pricier, which includes toys, treats, bedding, kennels, crates, etc. 

Of course, toys and treats are the most significant concern; you never want to give your dog something that isn’t appropriate for its size because of the risk of choking. Luckily, tons of options on the market are designed for giant breeds.

Training

Poodles are brilliant dogs, and this trait is passed along to Berdoodles. They’re eager to please and learn quickly, making them relatively easy to train, even for novices. 

However, they still require a lot of patience and positive reinforcement to stay motivated, as with any breed. Early socialization is vital, as it helps set the foundation for good behavior.

Because of their intelligence, Berdoodles benefit from the mental and physical stimulation of working dog training, including agility, obedience, search and rescue, and even service and therapy dog training. It gives them something to do, but it also strengthens the bond between dog and owner.

Grooming

Berdoodles also have high grooming needs. Their thick coats can be curly or wavy, depending on breeding, and require regular brushing and combing to prevent mats and tangles. 

Some owners choose to have their Berdoodles clipped every few months to keep their coats tidy. In addition, pay close attention to their ears, as wax build-up and bacterial growth can occur if left unchecked.

It’s a common misconception that Berdoodles are hypoallergenic because of their Poodle parent. However, this is not the case. 

Berdoodles still shed to varying degrees and produce dander, triggering allergies in some people. For some, allergies to dogs can also result from the saliva left on their coats.

Nutrition

Large dogs require a large amount of food, and Berdoodles are no exception. You should feed them a high-quality, well-balanced diet appropriate for their size and activity level. 

This diet will help prevent weight gain, as Berdoodles are not considered overly active and risk being overfed. Be sure to choose food that includes a quality source of animal protein as the first ingredient.

A Berdoodle’s nutritional requirements vary from puppies to adults, and they will continue to change as they get older. Therefore, you should inquire with your veterinarian about Saint Berdoodle’s diet, as there is significant variation among individual dogs, particularly in weight, energy, and health.

Saint Bernard History

Saint Bernards are an old breed of dog that originated in Switzerland. It’s believed that they resulted from breeding between Germanic and Roman war dogs. Saint Bernards, however, had a different calling. 

They were specifically bred and trained to rescue people stranded in the snowy pass of the Swiss Alps by the monks of the Hospice of St. Bernard.

And contrary to popular belief, Saint Bernards didn’t actually carry brandy casks around their necks. In fact, alcohol is the last thing you’d want to give to someone suffering from hypothermia. 

This little myth started when a British artist named Edwin Landseer inaccurately depicted a brandy cask around a Saint Bernard’s neck in his painting titled “Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler.“

Poodle History

The Poodle is also an old breed believed to have originated in Germany. However, they were wildly popular in France and ultimately became France’s national dog. 

Poodles were bred to retrieve ducks and other birds from the water during a hunt. But, curiously enough, their showy appearances and trainability also made them popular circus dogs.

In addition, Poodles have a long history of military service, mainly due to their high intelligence and ability to be trained to ignore gunfire. There are several documented occasions in Europe where Poodles would faithfully follow their masters into battle. 

They’ve also been employed on American soil to defend military bases, production facilities, and even the coast.

Final Thoughts

Saint Bernard Poodle mixes, also known as Berdoodles, mix two popular breeds – Saint Bernard and Poodle. They’re great family dogs and love to be around their owners and children. With proper socialization, they enjoy having other pets as playmates too.

However, they require plenty of space and daily exercise due to their size. They’re also high-maintenance when it comes to grooming, so be prepared to brush and comb their coats regularly. 

All in all, Berdoodles make great companions for those willing to put in the time and effort required to care for them properly.