The Saint Bernard and the Labrador Retriever are two of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are both gentle dogs who get along well with children.
So what should you expect when you combine the two together? Is the St Bernard Lab Mix a good family dog?
In this comprehensive guide to the St Bernard Lab Mix, we discuss everything you need to know about this awesome designer dog, so you can determine if this could be the right pet for you and your family. So keep reading!
Table of Contents
Some Quick Facts About the St. Bernard Lab Mix
| Breed Type: | Hybrid/Crossbreed |
| Other Names: | Labernard |
| Good Guard Dog: | Yes |
| Size: | Large |
| Average Weight: | 98 to 220 pounds |
| Average Height: | 25 to 32 Inches |
| Suitable for first time owners: | No |
| Lifespan: | 8 to 12 Years |
| Suitable for apartment living: | No |
| Coat: | Dense, double coat |
| Coat colors: | Black, white, brown, red (or a combination of these colors) |
| Trainability: | Might be difficult If you are not an experienced dog owner |
| Ideal For: | Experienced dog owners who have enough time for training and exercise, families with children, individuals who live in a large home with a fenced-in yard |
| Shedding & Grooming: | Moderate, requires brushing at least three times per week |
| Exercise Required: | High, a great choice for a family or individual who enjoys various outdoor activities, including jogging, running or hiking |
| Feeding and Diet: | 3 to 4 cups of high quality dog food each day |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
| Temperament: | Gentle, friendly, intelligent, loving, affectionate, alert, loyal and protective |
| Health: | Generally healthier than his parents; common health concerns include Hip And Elbow Dysplasia, and bloat (gastric torsion) as well as joint issues |
| Good with Cats and Other Dogs: | Yes (With Early Socialization) |
| Kids friendly: | Yes |
| Price: | Around 1500$ |
What is a St Bernard Lab Mix Called?
A Saint Bernard Lab Mix is also known as a Labernard.
The Labernard is a cross between the gentle Saint Bernard and the easygoing Labrador Retriever.
Despite being a mix between two friendly dogs, the Labernard is a large dog that can sometimes be independent so he requires regular exercise to burn off any excess energy and a consistent training approach.
The ideal owner of a St Bernard Lab Mix is someone who has time to dedicate to training and exercising this dog. He needs someone who has experience handling large dog breeds.
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The Origin and History of the St. Bernard Lab Mix
Like most other hybrids, little is known about the origin of the Saint Bernard Lab Mix.
This mixed breed was most likely developed during the early 1990’s when the popularity of smaller versions of giant dog breeds increased.
We can gain a better understanding of where the Labernard came from by taking a closer look at the histories of both parent breeds.
The History of the St. Bernard
As far as rescue dogs go, few breeds have saved as many people as the St Bernard. Originating from the Swiss Alps, St Bernards were for a long time used to rescue individuals who got stuck in snow.
The St Bernard is believed to have saved more than 2000 lives. Barry, one of the most famous St Bernards in history, is credited with saving around 40 lives alone. Legend has it that he was mistakenly killed by a Napoleon soldier after confusing him for a wolf. Nonetheless, he actually died in his bed at an advanced age.
Saint Bernards were believed to be descendants of the Molosser, giant Asiatic dogs that were introduced to Switzerland by the then Roman soldiers.
The History of the Labrador Retriever
Descending from the original waterdogs of Newfoundland, the Lab was commonly used as a fisherman’s buddy and a hunting dog.
Once they were introduced to England, the breed was further refined by aristocratic breeders in the 19th century.
St. Bernard Lab Mix General Appearance
When you cross two different dog breeds, it’s impossible to predict the exact appearance of each puppy.
However, the St Bernard Lab Mix will be a large dog. This is because this is a cross between two large dogs. As such, you can expect your Saint Bernard Lab Mix to grow to be approximately the same size as the parent breeds.
This means the Labernard will be strong and muscular just like his parents. Usually, they inherit the wrinkled forehead of the Saint Bernard parent.
However, each puppy might be different even if they are from the same litter. It all boils down to the stronger genes. However, all puppies will have a general appearance that displays gentleness and intelligence.
These dogs also have a black nose and dark brown eyes. Moreover, their ears are set high on the head yet hanging down on the face.
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St. Bernard Lab Mix Size, Height and Weight
So, how big does a Saint Bernard Lab Mix Get?
The St Bernard is a very large dog, usually featuring in the list of the largest dog breeds in the world. On the other hand, the Labrador is a medium to a large sized breed.
A male Labrador St Bernard Mix has an average height of around 25 to 27 inches and weighs anywhere between 102 and 220 pounds. On the other hand, females stand 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh around 98 to 210 pounds.
A St Bernard and Lab Mix could attain the size of a full grown Saint Bernard. Once you get a Labrador Saint Bernard Mix puppy, you should expect him to grow bigger. This is something you need to keep in mind so you can start planning for their size, training and exercise requirements, especially when it comes to the space available in your home.
ALSO READ: All About The St Bernard Pitbull Mix (St Bullnard)
Coat and Coat colors
The Saint Bernard Lab Mix often inherits the shaggy coat of their St Bernard parent. However, it’s often shorter due to the influence of the Labrador’s genes.
With their soft and dense coat, it’s easy to see why so many people love these dogs. Their thick fur also enables them to withstand even the lowest temperatures.
However, you should also expect them to inherit some characteristics from the Labrador Retriever. This means that in addition to having a shorter coat, they should have a much thinner coat, which will be more vulnerable to cold weather.
What you need to do is to check your pup’s coat while he is still a puppy. This will give you a good idea of whether they can cope with the climatic conditions in your area.
The most common coat colors for Labernards include black, white, brown, fawn and red. Some pups will also have a combination of these fur colors.
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Labernard Behavior and Temperament
The Saint Bernard and Lab Mix can be challenging when it comes to dog training. Both parent breeds are known to be gentle dogs.
Similarly, the St Bernard Lab Mix has a friendly and intelligent personality. Their alert, loyal and protective nature makes them great family dogs and good candidates for guard dogs or service dogs.
Although they tend to be willful and often require an experienced dog trainer, he can be an amazing family pet once properly trained and socialized.
Does The Labernard Get Along with Cats and Other Pets?
Yes! Some people might think that dogs this big cannot get along well with other household pets. However, Labernards are very friendly dogs who love and get along with almost every member of the family. This is particularly true if you socialize your pup with dogs and other pets from an early stage.
Are St Bernard Lab Mix Dogs Aggressive?
No. This mix between two highly intelligent breeds is not aggressive at all, especially if they are well trained and socialized early in their life. They are gentle, easy-going and even-tempered dogs.
Despite being large dogs, Saint Bernards are not aggressive towards humans. They also do well with kids and other pets especially if they have been raised together. However, the St Bernard is known for being aggressive towards other animals.
The Labrador Retriever is energetic, fun-loving and happy when involved in various family activities.
Both parent breeds are usually patient and gentle with kids. This makes them great family pets.
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Does the Labernard Make a Good Family Dog?
Yes! The Saint Bernard Lab Mix can be a great family companion.
Both the St Bernard and the Labrador Retriever are known for being gentle, patient, friendly and obedient dogs.
This means the Labernard is a great choice for families with young children, provided they are supervised.
Due to their size and exercise needs, this pup is not a good choice for small spaces or apartment living. They are also not well suited to first time owners. They need an experienced dog owner who is used to handling larger dogs.
The Labernard requires plenty of space to move, run and play around. Having his favorite humans around is vital to the well-being of this pup.
You need to dedicate time to him and offer him a lot of attention.
ALSO READ: All About The Border Collie St. Bernard Mix
Exercise Needs
The St Bernard Lab Mix is a very energetic dog that will need plenty of exercise and is a great choice for a family or individual who enjoys various outdoor activities, including jogging, running or hiking.
As with other active dog breeds, insufficient exercise can lead to boredom and anxiety, which can ultimately develop into destructive behaviors.
Ideally, the owner should have a large, fenced-in backyard where this big guy can enjoy quality playtime to supplement his walks and other fitness activities.
Your intelligent Labernard will also need interactive dog toys to help with keeping him occupied and mentally stimulated.
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Training
The St Bernard Lab Mix can be challenging when it comes to dog training. Therefore, he might need obedience classes or the services of a professional dog trainer, especially if you’re not an experienced owner.
St Bernard Lab Mix dogs have a stubborn streak that might make housetraining difficult. Of course, this will vary from one dog to another. If your puppy is stubborn, then you’ll find it hard to train him. They are also difficult to control because they are very strong.
Patience is necessary when training these dogs. However, they are still awesome dogs and if properly trained and socialized, they can be a great addition to your family.
Make sure to employ a positive approach to their training and use plenty of positive reinforcements, such as treats and praises.
With firm and consistent instructions along with lots of yummy treats and praises, you’ll be able to fully train your Labrador Saint Bernard Mix puppy.
Grooming and Shedding
Whether the Saint Bernard parent is long-haired or short-haired, his coat requires regular brushing to get rid of dirt and any loose hair. On the other hand, the Labrador’s thick double coat sheds frequently. As such, they need daily brushing especially during the shedding season.
The St Bernard Lab Mix is a moderate shedder. Therefore, he requires brushing at least three times per week to remove loose hair.
Bathing will only be necessary once they get too dirty. So, it’s recommended to bathe your dog once in a while. However, it is important to clean their coat regularly using quality deodorizing wipes for dogs.
Since these dogs have floppy ears, they can accumulate wax or moisture, so you should make it a habit of checking and cleaning their ears regularly to help prevent ear infections.
Moreover, all dogs should have their teeth brushed regularly and nails trimmed whenever they get too long.
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(@layla.mullis)Feeding and Diet
The St Bernard Lab Mix is a large sized dog who will do well eating three to four cups of high quality dog food each day.
The size of kibble must be large (to prevent gobbling) and must be designed for his age, size and activity level.
Make sure to buy dry dog food that has meat as its first ingredient. Also, avoid any food that has fillers like grains and carbohydrates that might make them prone to overeating.
Since both the St Bernard and the Labrador Retriever are prone to joint issues and hip dysplasia, it’s recommended to supplement their diet with probiotics as well as wild Alaskan salmon oil.
In addition to food, your Labernard will also require access to fresh water regularly, particularly when it is hot. These pups tend to get hot very quickly due to their thick coats. Avoid dehydration and other health issues by providing them with plenty of fresh drinking water.
St. Bernard Lab Mix Lifespan
The St Bernard Lab Mix has a average life expectancy of around 8 to 12 years.
Labernard Common Health Issues
While the health problems that affect purebred dogs may bypass a mixed breed dog like the Labernard, make sure to do your research to know what ailments he may actually have inherited.
Both the St Bernard and the Labrador Retriever are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. The St Bernard is also vulnerable to bloat (gastric torsion) as well as joint issues. This is a good reason for buying your St Bernard Lab Mix puppy from a reputable breeder.
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Finding a St. Bernard Lab Mix for Adoption
Before searching for a breeder, it’s recommended to consider giving a home to a dog in need.
Sadly, many people buy a large-sized dog like the Labernard without understanding the amount of time, exercise and costs that are involved.
It takes some time for a rescue pup to get accustomed to his new environment. If you’re lucky enough to find a Labernard dog in a rescue center or animal shelter near you, he will make a wonderful companion for you and your family.
Finding a St. Bernard Lab Mix Puppy For Sale
Finding a hybrid dog like the St Bernard Lab Mix requires patience.
Don’t be in a hurry to buy a puppy from pet stores or puppy mills. Such dogs are usually unhealthy. Exercise patience and take the time to find a reputable breeder.
Take a tour of the breeder’s premises and see how the St. Bernard Lab Mix puppies are being raised.
Making sure that the puppy and the parent dogs are health tested is essential as well.
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How Much Does a Labernard Puppy Cost?
The average price of Saint Bernard Lab Mix puppies for sale is about $1,500. Reputable breeders will usually charge a higher price.
In addition to the initial cost of purchasing a St Bernard Lab Mix puppy, you also need to factor in the cost of food, toys, treats, medical services, pet products and accessories.
St. Bernard Lab Mix Pet Products and Accessories
From high quality pet food to comfortable dog beds, it’s important to invest in quality products that are made with large breeds in mind.
For example, you should consider buying a high quality crate to make it easier to train your Labrador and St Bernard Mix puppy.
We highly recommend the MidWest Folding Crate for Extra Large Dogs, which is available on Amazon.com simply because it is very strong and long-lasting.
Active breeds like the St Bernard Lab Mix also need a comfortable place to sleep at the end of a long, tiring day. A comfortable orthopedic bed like the Furhaven Orthopedic dog bed will help make your Labernard comfortable and allow him to enjoy a well-deserved rest at night.
It will support your pet’s tired body and relieve joint pain, and aches as well as hip and elbow dysplasia. This dog bed offers the therapeutic support your energetic and active companion deserves.
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Conclusion
If you have the space to accommodate a large dog and the time to exercise him, then the St Bernard Lab Mix can be a great choice for you.
Affectionately known as the Labernard, the St Bernard Lab Mix is a friendly, gentle, loving and protective dog.
If you’re an experienced dog owner and have a fenced-in yard, this can be a wonderful companion for you and your family.
Active individuals and families who enjoy outdoor activities and are ready to give him plenty of attention are best suited for this dog.
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