Saint Shepherd: German Shepherd Mixed With Saint Bernard
The Saint Shepherd is a wonderful choice if you want a dog that is fearsome enough to deter burglars but gentle enough to be trusted around your children. The German Shepherd and the St. Bernard have been crossed. Bernard, you’re dealing with a dog that is large enough to eat you, but who will probably drown you in slobber instead.
After considering that, the St. Not everyone should own a Bernard German Shepherd Mix, particularly if your neighbors can be temperamental. Since their barks have the power to awaken the dead, the curmudgeon who lives below you will have plenty to discuss with the landlord.
You won’t find a sweeter, more devoted dog, though, if you have the space for one. Nevertheless, a burglar wouldn’t want to see one when he or she breaks into your home.
For more specific information, keep reading.
Table of Contents
Saint Shepherd Training
These dogs are incredibly simple to train, a quality they probably inherited from their German Shepherd ancestry. They are known for being quick learners, which makes it simpler for them to pick up new commands quickly. Because of their eagerness to please attitude and constant desire to please their owner, training them is not a difficult task.
They are occasionally capable of being stubborn as well. To avoid using negative reinforcement when training, you must be careful. You can train your Saint Shepherd by being consistent with them and by using positive reinforcement.
Saint Shepherd Exercise
For their healthy muscles to remain strong, these dogs require a lot of exercise. They would require between 60 and 90 minutes of daily exercise, such as walks or even time spent at a nearby dog park. You should have enough space if your yard is large.
Your dog is more likely to develop behavioral problems (like aggression) if it doesn’t get enough exercise. Playing fetch, hiking, swimming, agility training, and playing with other animals at the dog park are some of the exercises you can include in their exercise routine.
Saint Shepherd Size And Weight
Despite the various breeds, the Saint Shepherd is rather enormous in size. Due to the size of the parent breeds, it is simple to predict how much space your new pet will need once it is an adult. The male Saint Shepherd dog measures between 28 and 31 inches and weighs between 95 and 150 pounds when fully grown. In the meantime, fully grown female Saint Shepherd dogs range in size from 25 to 28 inches and weigh between 85 and 140 lbs.
Saint Shepherd Maintenance And Grooming
Shepherds of Saints frequently shed a lot. To get rid of the extra fur that they shed, make sure to brush their coat with a pin brush or a hard bristle brush. You could also use a metal comb if you’d like. At least four to five times per week should be set aside for brushing. Your dog’s excess hair can be removed using this.
The Saint Shepherd does not require frequent bathing, despite the need to brush them. You won’t have to bathe them more than once a month unless they get dirty. Any more than that could lead to dry skin and irritation in your dog.
In addition, you would need to trim your Saint Shepherd’s nails and brush their teeth at least three times a week.
Saint Shepherd Common Health Issues
Both of the parent breeds, the German Shepherd and the Saint Bernard, are frequently linked to serious medical conditions. It is safe to assume that the Saint Shepherd can inherit some of these traits as well given these predispositions.
One of the most typical problems these dogs may experience is hip and elbow dysplasia. This condition has an immediate effect on how well the bones fit into the corresponding joints. Your dog may begin favoring one leg over the other while walking if this condition slowly worsens.
Dry eyes can also occur occasionally in the Saint Shepherd. Bloating is a risk as well, but it is entirely preventable and frequently results from poor diet. Dilated cardiomyopathy and renal cystadenocarcinoma risk are more concerning. Renal cystadenocarcinoma is a form of kidney cancer, whereas dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition that affects the heart.
Saint Shepherd Temperament
Despite being quite big, the Saint Shepherd is amiable and kind to the whole family. The breed is obedient and affectionate. However, they are up to the challenge and have the menacing size and appearance of a guard dog.
These canines are known to be caregivers and are playful with everyone they encounter. It is fairly simple to train them because they have quick minds and are intelligent. They have a sincere desire to please and are conscientious in their obedience.
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Take Care Of A Saint Shepherd
It’s critical to comprehend that there are a few things you must know in order to properly care for a Saint Shepherd before you adopt one from a rescue facility. Here are some pointers to help you transition smoothly.
Three Little-known Facts About Saint Shepherd
The Breed Was Intended To Be A Cuddly Guard Dog
That may sound like an oxymoron, but “cuddly guard dog” describes these mutts to a T. They’re huge, and we can’t imagine what it would be like if they chased us in anger, but that’s partially because we can’t imagine them actually getting angry.
Because they generally prefer cuddling their family members to beheading strangers, St. Bernard German Shepherd Mixes primarily use their size to intimidate evildoers. But if a thief saw one of these pieces of lumber out of the bedroom and decided to keep robbing your home, they would have to be very bold.
They Can Be Extremely Smart — And Stubborn
One of the world’s smartest dog breeds is the German Shepherd, and the St. Bernard isn’t, really. Nevertheless, those big puppies make up for their lack of intelligence by becoming even more stubborn.
Fortunately, Saint Shepherds are more intelligent than they are stubborn, but you must still be firm and consistent when training them. Although these canines enjoy learning, they occasionally try to get by with less-than-honest methods.
Because once they are fully grown, they won’t have to listen to anyone if they don’t want to, it is crucial to stop problematic behavior while they are still puppies.
They Don’t Bark Often, But When They Do …
They don’t talk much, and they typically only bark when they’re excited. Because they are less likely to raise false alarms, this makes them excellent guard dogs.
Additionally, there is no chance that you or your neighbors will sleep through them barking at an intruder. But if they do bark without cause, this can become a problem, which is another reason why it’s crucial to be vigilant in your training.
Frequently Asked Questions
St. Bernards Can Be Aggressive.
St. Bernards are not typically aggressive dogs, in general. They make a wonderful family pet because of their sweet disposition. They are renowned for their tolerance and patience, which is crucial if you have young children.
Although they are typically not aggressive by nature, a non-aggressive dog is never a guarantee when buying. Because it will help to ensure that your dog has the right manners and temperament, training a dog is crucial.
Despite the fact that many people might be turned off by a St. Bernard, don’t let their stature fool you about who they are. Being kind-hearted, they are frequently referred to as gentle giants.
Again, when it comes to other animals living in the home, St. The Bernards are accepting and tolerant. If they have had any unpleasant interactions with other dogs, they may potentially have some issues, but overall, they are not aggressive dogs.
Are St. Bernards Good Cuddlers?
The majority of the time, St. Bernard enjoys snoozing. They are very loving even though their size can turn off some people, which is understandable. They adore spending time with family members and getting attention and cuddles.
They do enjoy being stroked, despite not being a breed that seeks out attention very much. But just like all dogs, St. There are distinct personalities among Bernards. Given this, while many people do enjoy cuddling, not everyone will.
Instead of forcing your dog to cuddle, you should give your dog a belly rub or a head scratch if they prefer it. You should be aware that every dog will express affection in a manner that is unique to them. You will understand what types of affection your dog prefers as you get to know them better.
Is It Simple To Train St. Bernards?
Yes, training a St. Bernard is relatively simple. This is due to the fact that they are a dog that wants to please its owner. As a result, they do comply with orders and commands.
Particularly if you are a novice dog owner, training is a crucial part of dog ownership. Despite the fact that they are a breed that is straightforward to train, you must make sure you invest the time and energy necessary to do it right.
Your dog will generally behave better and be more obedient the more effort you put into training them. Being calm dogs, they do have a lot of patience when being trained, which is advantageous. Unlike other dog breeds, they are less susceptible to distraction.
The only thing to keep in mind is that some St. Bernards can be quite stubborn. As a result, they might not comply with requests right away. Training may be a little more challenging if the dog is stubborn, so you, the owner, must be patient and persistent.
Shepherd Mixes Have A Lot Of Barking?
While each dog will be different, shepherd mixes frequently have a lot of barking. This is because German shepherds are a breed that can be quite vocal. Even though this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it might put some people off.
Compared to other dog breed mixes, they are more likely to bark, but this can be avoided. Although it will take more time and effort, you can teach a German shepherd mix not to bark.
It is challenging to predict a dog’s behavior in mixed breeds. They exhibit characteristics from two different dog breeds, which is why. Despite the fact that German shepherds are a more vocal breed, if they are crossed with a breed that is not as vocal, their overall litter may be less vocal.
How Big Can A German Shepherd/saint Bernard Mix Get?
The size of both parents will affect the size of a German Shepherd and Saint Bernard mix. Although you can make an educated guess, the traits of both parents ultimately determine their size.
Although they can be smaller than this, the average height of this mix is about 28 inches. Despite not being as big as a Saint Bernard, this is still fairly big. They typically weigh between 85 and 140 pounds when looking at their weight.
Although this is only an estimate, you might discover that your mix is a little bit taller or shorter than this because of its genetic makeup.
Conclusion
If you want a tiny little dog that you can carry around in your purse while you go shopping, Saint Shepherds probably aren’t for you (unless you have really strong arms). However, one of these puppies will make your life complete if you want a huge, boisterous ball of fluff who adores to cuddle and play.
Although they require a lot of space and can be expensive to feed, St. Bernard German Shepherd Mixes make excellent family dogs. That’s true even if your family prefers to spend more time indoors than outdoors—you still need to make sure they get enough exercise, though.
Basically, you can use a quick test to determine whether a Saint Shepherd is the right choice for you. Imagine that you are sitting on the ground when the largest dog you have ever seen rushes up to you, squeezes in as close as they can, and then proceeds to lick your face for at least two minutes.
If the aforementioned situation grossed you out, look elsewhere. Nevertheless, if you thought that sounded like a little bit of heaven, then kudos to you—you’ve found your new dog.
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