The Saint Shepherd is a large breed dog a cross between a purebed German Shepherd and a pure Saint Bernard dog.
German Shepherd X Saint Bernard = Saint Shepherd
The Saint Shepherd is a great family pet and a protective guard dog. The.y are playful yet they can be calm.
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The Appearance
The Saint Bernard Shepherd Mix is a large to giant dog breed that may weigh upto 150 pounds when fully grown and his height may vary from 25-28 inches.
These dogs have thick and well muscled body with a massive head, dark brown oval eyes. They have floppy ears, a medium muzzle with a black nose.
Saint Shepherd has a thick double coat that protects them from cold weather. They have usually straight hair and the color is usually white, brown or black, or a combination of any two.
Saint Shepherd Pictures
Quick Information
| Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Saint Shepherd |
| Other Names | Not Known |
| Color | Black, White, Brown, Pied |
| Coat | Medium-Long, Straight and Dense |
| Breed Type | Crossbreed |
| Breed Group | Guard Dogs |
| Size | Large Dogs |
| Hieght | 25-28 Inches |
| Weight | 85-140 Lbs |
| Life Span/Life Expentancy | 10-14 Years |
| Temperament | Loving, Calm, Protective, Playful |
| Shedding | High |
| Hypoallergenic | Not Known |
| Barking Level | Occasionally |
| Energy Level | Active |
| Good with Children | Yes (Adult supervision required with young kids) |
| Competitive Registration/Qualification Information | DBR, IDCR |
Temperament
These large size dogs are quite intelligent, loving, affectionate and protective of their families. Hence they make great watch dogs. Their temperament greatly depends on their parent’s lineage.
With their Saint Bernard genes, they enjoy playing with everyone around and are good caregivers as well. However, they may act stubborn at times.
They are diligent, alert and obedient dogs, who love to please their families and follow commands. Though they make great family pets, and are good with children, adult supervision is advised with kids owing to the big size of these dogs.
With proper socialization from their pup days they will get along well with kids and dogs and other pets. They may drool a lot like the Saint Bernard if they have the loose jowls, but this is uncommon in this breed.
Care ~ Exercise
The Saint Shepherd is a large active dog. However with low activity and exercise they have a tendency to get overweight.
Take them out for walking, jogging, etc once a day for 60-90 minutes. This will keep their energies channelized and keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
Without proper exercise they may tend to get anxious and develop bad behavior and barking traits.
Some great activities for your pet include playing fetch, playing with other dogs at the dog park, hiking, swimming, and obedience and agility training.
Grooming
The Saint Shepherd is a heavy shedder and needs quite some maintenance. You will need brush him daily using a hard bristle brush, metal comb or pin brush several times a week to prevent his coat from matting.
Bathe them once a month with a mild dog shampoo to keep him clean and dirt free.
Trim their nails regularly and brush their teeth atleast three times a week to avoid bad breadth.
Health Problems
Being a relatively new breed of dogs, not much health issues have been reported. However crossbreeds are usually more healthy than their purebred parents. These dogs have an average lifespan of 10-14 years.
Like all other dogs, the Saint Shepherd is also prone to some diseases like;
Occasional tests and visits to the vet for regular checkup is recommended. Before buying your pooch, be sure you get it from a responsible breeder and check it health papers.
Training
The Saint Shepherd is an intelligent canine breed and is obedient and a fast learner. They are easy to train as they are eager to please their owners.
If your dog is a stubborn one, just be patient and consistent and they will eventually come around to your way of thinking.
Socialization: They require early socialization from their puppy days. This will make them outgoing and even-tempered. They will not shy away from kids and pets and will be a well-rounded dog.
Obedience Training: Training them from early days to follow basic commands like “come”, “go”, “stand”, “fetch” will make them your obedient and calm pooch.
Feeding/Diet
This large breed is an active dog and has a good appetite. It’s best to feed them nutritious food which formulated for large breed puppies considering their size, age and weight.
A giant breed such as the Saint Shepherd needs adequate calcium and other mineral content in their diet, which is not found in maintenance dog foods.
Split meals into several smaller meals throughout the day, to avoid over-eating. Encourage your dog to eat more slowly.
Feed your pooch with good quality dog food with a protein percentage from the upper 20% level to the lower 30% mark. Fat percentage in the food is suggested to be around 12% to 18%.
Interesting Trivia
- They are playful but also very calm dogs.
- They tend to bark when they are excited.
- The Saint Shepherd is a great family dog who gets along well with children. They are fast learners.