“Four-day-old Saint Bernard / Great Dane hybrid puppies—the mommys name is Alaska and daddy’s name is Scooby. Both parents are great family dogs and people pleasers. Mommy always lets us know when a storm or danger is near. She has a great sixth sense. We cant wait to see how big these little ones are going to get.”
The Saint Dane is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Saint Bernard and the Great Dane. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. Not all of these designer hybrid dogs being bred are 50% purebred to 50% purebred. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses.
Bella the Saint Dane at 19 months oldâ”Bella is a very well tempered dog who loves to play and go on walks. Most times, she does not realize her size, and when she leans in for hugs, or to give hugs, she about knocks you over. She is good with children and other adults, and likes to be the center of attention. She is very protective, and loyal, and very good with cats. Bella weighs in at a whopping 135lbs.”
Great Dane Saint Bernard Mix Origin and History: Where Does the Saint Dane Come From?
Both the Great Dane and Saint Bernard are products of improving Mastiff-type dogs. These dogs have a long history of being formidable war dogs, guard dogs, and fighting dogs to becoming gentle and careful family dogs.
Firstly, the Great Dane was a hunting dog bred centuries ago. These giants accompanied nobles who hunted wild boars. Through the years, fanciers took an interest in this dog and refined it into the softer modern Great Dane.
Best known for its association with its namesake, the Saint Bernard is one powerful working dog. These dogs would help locate and rescue unfortunate travelers crossing the treacherous Alps.
It is unknown when the first Great Dane St. Bernard mix was conceived. However, this designer breed has become more popular through the years.
How to Take Care of Your Great Dane Saint Bernard Mix
Due to their intimidating size, many people assume that the Great Dane Saint Bernard mix is hard to maintain.
Although they do require more care and attention than your average canine, proper knowledge of feeding, grooming, and training will make owning one a breeze.
Judging by the size of Saint Danes, you can already assume the amount of food they need. However, giving a large quantity of food does not always equate to a better quality of living for your pet.
In reality, Saint Danes require at least 2 to 3 meals a day. Your dog’s diet will always boil down to the quality of its ingredients, not the amount.
However, you might find a handful of brands claiming that their dog food is the best for all breeds. Keep in mind that it will be entirely up to your dog’s physiology if they will benefit from the dog food or not.
It’s always best to consult with a licensed veterinarian or animal nutritionist to know what diet suits your Saint Dane best.
Lastly, avoid overfeeding Saint Danes since being overweight takes a heavy toll on their overall health.
Grooming a dog as big as the Saint Dane might be a great challenge for novice dog owners. Luckily, they only shed moderate amounts of fur.
Furthermore, some Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes might inherit the longer coat of their Saint Bernard parent, so expect them to shed even more. Additionally, they might also inherit a double coat that sheds seasonally.
Albeit requiring more physical effort, grooming a Saint Dane is relatively more straightforward than in other breeds since this breed is quite docile and laid-back.
Your Saint Dane won’t give you a hard time with temper tantrums when it’s bath time.
Ideally, Saint Danes should be brushed at least weekly to eliminate the hairs that have fallen off. Regarding bathing frequency, it is suggested to bathe and groom them once every 4 to 6 weeks.
While it is generally believed that big dogs are lazy, the Saint Bernard Great Dane mix is an exception. This dog is quite energetic for its size, particularly those mixes with dominant Great Dane characteristics.
To maintain their physique, it is suggested to walk them an average of 45 minutes per day. This is enough to prevent unwanted cardiovascular diseases and joint problems.
As a precaution, avoid overexerting your Saint Dane because the consequences will just be as harmful as not giving them sufficient exercise.
When it comes to training, both Great Dane and Saint Bernard are pretty intelligent, so you can expect their offspring to be highly trainable.
Basic obedience training will be a breeze since this dog does not resist their owners and often just wants to please them.
Here’s a video of a Great Dane Saint Bernard mix during leash obedience training:1 Year Old Saint Bernard/Great Dane Mix, Otto | Large Breed Puppy Training | Off Leash Obedience
FAQ
How big can a Saint Dane get?
Are St Bernards an aggressive breed?
The Saint Dane is a huge, giant-sized dog weighing up to 200 pounds with a height of up to 32 inches.