Saint Berdoodle Care

The Saint Berdoodle (SB)--a hybrid of a Saint Bernard and a Standard Poodle--is an interesting mix. These crossbreeds usually combine the size and sweetness of the Saint Bernard with the intelligence and curly coat of the Poodle, and make excellent "gentle-giant" companion dogs. Overall Saint Berdoodle care and maintenance will take a fair amount of work, and will need to include a little daily exercise and some frequent grooming.

Below you'll find details on caring for a Saint Berdoodle including puppy development, exercise needs, and shedding/drooling tendencies. For answers to your questions about raising a Saint Berdoodle, read on!

Though active and social, these hybrids are large and bulky, so Saint Berdoodle exercise requirements aren't too high. Even so, SBs will need a variety of activities that keep them physically conditioned and mentally stimulated--plus, since they can be prone to obesity, regular exercise will help keep the weight off.

The typical adult SB depending on its age and overall activity level, will need about 45 minutes of proper exercise each day. You can start exercising your SB puppy when it's 3-3½ months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with Saint Berdoodle exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're a year old
• A leash is recommended when exercising in public
• Yards should be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Possible separation anxiety; exercises should be done together with people
• May be prone to gastric torsion (bloat); no exercising for an hour before or after eating

It's important to exercise your Saint Berdoodle every day. While these hybrids are generally well-mannered, without consistent activity they may become frustrated, disobedient, and destructive--and they might get really fat! Regular exercise will be great for the dog's health and peace of mind. Some exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 15-minute walks per day is a good target
• Fetch: SBs often enjoy chasing a ball or stick
• Tug-of-War: Good indoor activity; use a rope or old towel
• Dog Park: SBs usually love the company of other dogs
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity; the dog can even carry the backpack

When indoors, give your SB access to balls or toys that let it burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks in the morning and evening and playtime in the afternoon.

Overall, these dogs will need moderate maintenance. Saint Berdoodle shedding can vary, but it's usually pretty light. And since the Saint Bernard is a parent breed, drooling can be an issue.

These hybrids' coats are most often like the Standard Poodle's: curly and low-shedding. (If the coat is straighter and thicker like the Saint Bernard's the shedding may be a bit heavier.) Most owners will need to brush their SBs' coats often with a slicker brush to keep it from matting and tangling; cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--won't be necessary often.

And a Saint Berdoodle might drool a lot in anticipation of food, after drinking water, or when especially excited or nervous. Owners can keep rags in rooms where their SBs spend time to use to clean up excess slobber--and if the drooling is especially heavy, they can tie a bandanna or old towel around the dogs' necks to keep them clean.

While saint bernards were originally bred to be a cold weather mountain rescue dog, Poodles require a slightly warmer environment. You should expect the majority of Saint Berdoodle's to be comfortable between the temperatures of 30-80 degrees fahrenheit.