Are you thinking of getting a St Bernard Pitbull Mix? It’s easy to see why!
The St Bernard Pitbull Mix is a powerful dog whose parents are a Saint Bernard dog and a Pitbull. It is possible that this mixed breed dog will acquire the best traits of both parents.
Therefore, you can expect your new Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix to be loyal like his Pitbull parent and loving like the Saint Bernard. Additionally, St Bernard Pitbull Mix dogs are generally very protective of their families.
The Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix is eager to please their master, making them relatively easy to train. However, they require a consistent schedule and will also need moderate levels of exercise.
These dogs do better in homes that can offer them a stable environment with mental stimulation.
So if you are considering adding one of these dogs to your family, read on to discover more about this special crossbreed!
Few Facts about the St Bernard Pitbull Mix
Size: | Large |
Weight: | 50 to 120 pounds |
Height: | 20 to 27 inches |
Good Guard Dog: | Yes |
Lifespan: | 8 to 11 years |
Apartment living: | No |
Coat: | Most of these mixed breed dogs will have a medium length coat |
Coat colors: | White, blue, tan, brown, brindle and fawn. |
Level of shedding: | Moderate |
Temperament: | Intelligent, protective, loyal, friendly, brave, playful, active |
Exercise needs: | Moderate, at least 45 to 60 minutes of exercise each day |
Cat friendly: | Moderate, early socialization is required |
Dog friendly: | Moderate, early socialization is required |
Kids friendly: | Yes, early socialization and supervision around young children is required |
Training: | Moderate |
What Is A Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix Called?
The Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix has several other names including St Bullnard, Saint Bulland, and St Bernard Pit Mix.
The Origins and History of the St Bernard Pitbull Mix
Although it’s not known when the first Saint Bernard Pit Mix was bred, this crossbreed is fairly new. Since both parent breeds are quite popular, chances are the crossbreed was in existence long before it was first recognized.
To better understand how the St Bernard x Pitbull came about and why breeders decided to mix these two parent breeders together, let’s take a closer look at the origins of both the Saint Bernard and the Pitbull.
The History of the St Bernard
The Saint Bernard is one of the oldest dog breeds around and has excelled as rescue dogs for a long period of time. They have rescued a lot of people in the past and are now one of the most popular breeds of dogs.
This particular breed was originally bred in the Swiss Alps and is strongly linked to the ancient mountain dogs that existed there for many centuries. In fact, it is widely believed that the St Bernard has been in existence since 962 AD!
In addition to saving the lives of Swiss Alps travelers, these large dogs have also performed important duties as guard dogs, draft dogs and herding dogs.
The Saint Bernard breed is also called the ‘nanny dog’ because they are famously gentle and tolerant of young children.
The Saint Bernard Club of America was founded in 1888. Today, the St Bernard is one of the purest and most popular breeds in the world.
The History of the Pitbull
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact nature of the Pitbull. In fact, the name ‘Pitbull’ refers to several breeds, including the American Pitbull Terrier, the Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier.
These dog breeds were originally used as fighting dogs, developed to bait bulls. Although Pitbull are no longer used as fighting dogs, they are still considered to be fierce fighters.
Their history began in the 1800’s when Terriers and Bulldogs were commonly used for bull baiting. Since the sport requires agility and aggression, crossbreeding breeding between terriers and bulldogs became quite common.
When bull baiting was banned in 1835, such dogs were commonly used for dog fighting. For that reason, the Bull Terrier Mix was made even more ferocious via selective breeding. At the same time, these dogs were concurrently being developed to be gentle towards their owners.
When the United Kennel Club officially recognized the breed, they were known as the American Pitbull Terrier. Nonetheless, the American Kennel Club recognized a different variation of the breed, the American Staffordshire Terrier.
Since then, these dogs have become more and more popular in the United States, but they have, sadly, earned a bad reputation for being aggressive dogs.
The General Appearance of the St Bernard Pitbull Mix
When it comes to appearance, the Saint Bernard and Pitbull Mix inherits characteristics from both parent breeds. Although this crossbreed resembles both parent dogs, there are some differences.
Both Pitbulls and St Bernards have a fairly similar physique, apart from height. As work dogs, both the St Bernard and the Pitbull have a muscular frame with a wide muzzle. This allows these canines to succeed in long search-and-rescue missions.
The general appearance of a Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix is also similar to that of both parent dogs. They have a muscular body, with strong legs and a deep chest.
When it comes to height, however, they almost always take after the Saint Bernard. Keep in mind that the taller the Pitbull parent dog, the taller your St Bernard Pitbull Mix puppy will be. These canines also have floppy ears like the Saint Bernard parent rather than the famous perked ears of Pitbulls.
St Bernard Pitbull Mix Size, Height & Weight
The Pitbull St. Bernard Mix will usually be a large dog since they usually take after the Saint Bernard parent. However, they are relatively smaller than many other mixed breed dogs.
A full grown St Bernard Pitbull Mix will reach around 20 to 27 inches in height, with a weight of around 50 to 120 pounds.
ALSO READ: All About The German Shepherd Pitbull Mix (Shepherd Pit)
Coat and Coat Colors
One major difference between a St Bernard and a Pitbull is in their coat. Saint Bernards typically have a long, fluffy coat, which allows them to remain warm in the icy Swiss Alps conditions. On the other hand, Pitbulls have a short to medium-length coat.
Fortunately, the most St Bernard Pitbull Mix puppies will inherit their Pitbull parent’s coat. This means most of these mixed breed dogs will have a medium length coat.
When it comes to coat color, most St Bernard Pitbull Mixes will resemble their Saint Bernard parent, with a white mark on their chest.
Since the Pitbull comes in different colors, the Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix puppy could also come in different colors, including blue, tan, brown, brindle and fawn.
St Bernard Pitbull Mix Behavior & Temperament
As with other mixed breed dogs, the personality of your St Bernard Pitbull Mix puppy will be a combination of the temperaments of both parents. These pups will be very friendly and affectionate like the St Bernard and active and curious like the Pitbull.
St Bernard Pitbull Mixes enjoy spending time with their owners and will often be loyal and protective of their owners. Since they have a lively personality, they enjoy playing with adults and children alike.
When it comes to other traits, the dominant genes will determine which side your pup favors most. Although this mix is not overly aggressive, they can become very alert protectors, so they need to be supervised around young children. Their size alone is enough to knock down and injure small kids easily.
That said, St Bernard Pitbull Mixes are gentle dogs. In fact, most of these mixes are not aggressive, and with proper training, they can grow up to be friendly and non-violent family dogs.
Moreover, St Bernard Pitbull Mixes are excellent guard dogs due to their protective nature. Pitbulls and their mixes are generally very strong and protective, so early training and socialization from a young age is crucial.
Are St. Bernard Pitbull Mixes Good With Kids?
Yes! The St Bernard Pitbull Mix inherits the peaceful nature of their St Bernard parent as well as the playful and protective personality of the Pitbull.
Nonetheless, they are large enough to knock down small kids, so make sure to supervise them when around small kids. They are generally patient of young children and enjoy playing with them.
Do They Get Along With Cats and Other Pets?
While St Bernard is gentle, Pitbulls aren’t. This means St Bernard Pitbull Mixes may have prey instincts so it’s important that cats and other pets get used to them under close supervision. They also need to be socialized early with other dogs and animals.
Does the St. Bernard Pitbull Mix Bark A Lot?
These mixes can inherit the barking trait from either parent breed. Pitbulls are vocal dogs who bark a lot while St. Bernards are much quieter. So you can expect your Pitbull And St. Bernard Mix to be quite vocal and a poor choice for apartment living.
ALSO READ: The Definitive Dalmatian Pitbull Mix Guide
Training
A St. Bernard Pitbull Mix requires adequate training from a young age to grow up into a well-mannered adult dog.
By being patient and consistent, training shouldn’t be too hard since the St. Bernard Pitbull Mix is eager to please their owner. However, you need to start housetraining your puppy as soon as you bring him home.
These mixed breed dogs require positive reinforcement training techniques. They love attention and enjoy spending time with their family and will do everything possible to please their owners. So, rewarding them with treats, pats and praises will help you to successfully train them.
They should also be well socialized with other dogs and humans from an early stage so they can be gentle and friendly towards your guests and other animals.
Exercise Needs
The nature of your Pitbull and St. Bernard Mix will become clear over time. He will either be super-active or a bit reserved. The personality traits of their parents will determine how active he will be, but won’t give you an accurate prediction.
If your puppy takes after the Pitbull, he will require at least 45 to 60 minutes of exercise each day. This should be in the form of walks, jogs and indoor activities.
With their high intelligence levels, you should also give them plenty of interactive dog toys to help keep them occupied and mentally stimulated.
If he takes more after the St. Bernard, you should exercise them a few days each week.
Since these mixes are susceptible to obesity, proper exercise will be required to keep them at a healthy weight. However, make sure to watch out for signs of heat exhaustion during exercise, especially if your pup has a long coat.
- KEEP YOUR DOG BUSY AND HEALTHY – Snuffle Mat For Large Dog Is A Large Feeding Mat, Interactive Dog Toys that Promotes Fun-n-Slow Feeding and…
- RETURN TO NATURAL INSTINCTS – Pet Nosework Blanket Mimics The Search For Food In Grass And Fields By Hide Treats In Nosework Mat For Dog. Sniffing For…
- ANTI-SKID SILICONE PAD – Our Large Snuffle Mat For Large Dogs Is One-of-a-kind With 100% Skid-free Anti-skid Silicone For Extra Grip. Large Feeding…
Last update on 2024-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Grooming and Shedding
Proper grooming is important for your pup’s wellbeing and your family’s as well.
Fortunately, most St Bernard Pitbull Mix dogs have a medium-length coat, so they should be relatively easy to groom. If they acquire the longer coat of the St. Bernard parent, you’ll need to groom them more often.
For St. Bernard Pitbull Mixes with medium long coats, brushing them once a week should be enough to reduce the shedding. However, if they inherit the long, fluffy coat of their St. Bernard parents, you should brush their coat at least two to three times per week to help prevent their hair from spreading around the house.
You’ll also need to bathe them from time to time in addition to regularly using deodorizing wipes for dogs to keep their costs in tip-top condition. Due to their shedding, St. Bernard Pitbull mix dogs are not a good choice for individuals with allergies.
Aside from that, you will need to trim their nails from time to time, clean their ears regularly and brush their teeth a few times each week.
Feeding and Diet
The St Bullnard is a large sized dog who will require a nutrient-rich diet. High quality dog food is ideal for all pups and the Pitbull Mixed with St Bernard will require two meals per day. The exact amount needed will vary based on their size, age, and activity level.
High quality kibble high in protein content is typically the best choice. Also, make sure to supplement your dog’s diet with Alaskan salmon oil, which provides them with omega 3 fatty acids, essential for keeping your dog’s coat and skin healthy.
To maintain the health of your dog’s liver and kidney, give him probiotics as well. Finally, your Saint Bulland will require fresh water each day.
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: Blue Buffalo’s premium dog food features high quality deboned chicken as the primary ingredient; brown rice, cranberries and…
- HIGH QUALITY NATURAL FOOD: BLUE’s natural dry dog food is made with premium ingredients and contains no chicken or poultry by-products, corn, wheat or…
- THE PERFECT BALANCE OF FLAVOR AND NUTRITION: Formulated with essential proteins and carbs for energy needs and Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids to promote…
Last update on 2024-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Life Expectancy
Your St. Bernard Pitbull will most likely be with you and your family for a long time. The average lifespan of a Pitbull is 12 to 16 years, while the average lifespan of a Saint Bernard is around 7 to 12 years.
The St Bernard Pitbull Mix has a lifespan of about 8 to 11 years.
St. Bernard Pitbull Mix Health Issues
This mixed breed can inherit a few health problems from each parent. Both parent breeds are prone to hip dysplasia and various health disorders. The Pitbull is particularly prone to a congenital condition called aortic stenosis.
Additionally, both parent breeds are vulnerable to eye issues, like cataracts.
The Pitbull can also experience hypothyroidism, a manageable condition, while the St. Bernard can develop bloat, a health condition that is characterized by a sudden appearance of digestive problems and can lead to death if left untreated for long.
Although the Pitbull is a strong and robust dog, he is prone from allergies, so your mixed breed dog could also be allergic to dust and pollen. It is also a good idea to watch out for food allergies and avoid foods containing grains.
- ACTIONABLE HEALTH INSIGHTS: Test for over 270 genetic health conditions and get actionable insights to help you give your pup the best care possible….
- MOST ACCURATE BREED IDENTIFICATION: Test for over 350 dog breeds including dingoes, coyotes, wolves, and village dogs. Using a research-grade…
- TRAIT INSIGHTS THAT HELP YOU BE MORE PREPARED: Test for 55 physical traits. Size, coat, grooming needs — your dog’s traits don’t just make them…
Last update on 2024-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Finding St. Bernard Pitbull Mix Puppies for Sale & Price
The first thing you need to do when looking for a mixed breed dog like the St. Bernard Pitbull is to find a reputable breeder.
Just because you’re searching for a designer dog or hybrid dog doesn’t mean you should do business with any breeder claiming to sell mixed breed dogs.
By asking a number of questions about the health of your Saint Bullard’s parents, you can greatly increase your chances of bringing a healthy puppy home.
Asking questions may feel a bit uncomfortable for some people, but remember that responsible breeders will be more than happy to answer you and ensure you’re the right owner for this hybrid pup.
Unlike the more popular crossbreeds, there aren’t many responsible breeders selling these puppies. Therefore, finding a Pitbull St. Bernard Mix may take time.
It is recommended to begin your search online in order to find quality litters near you.
The price of puppies will vary, based on the location, availability of puppies and the breeder you’re considering.
Rescuing a St. Bernard Pitbull Mix
If you’re considering adopting a Pitbull St. Bernard Mix, then that’s the best thing that can ever happen to both you and the dog.
Although there are concerns about the pedigree and health of such pups, you may be lucky to find a quality St Bernard Pitbull Mix listed for adoption.
There are many mixed breed dogs living in local rescue centers and animal shelters. If you love the Pitbull or the St Bernard and are open to the idea of adopting a mixed breed dog, you should visit your local shelters to see if they have any of these dogs available for adoption.
ALSO READ: The Great Dane Pitbull Mix (A Comprehensive Guide)
Conclusion
A St. Bernard Pitbull Mix can be a great choice for your household if you lead an active lifestyle.
Although these dogs are most likely to be gentle and playful, you should prepare to train and socialize them early.
Being active and large in size, however, the St Bernard Pitbull Mix is not recommended for apartment living.
Checkout Our Favorite Dog Products
1. BEST PUPPY TOY
We Like: Snuggle Behavior Toy with Heart Beat & Heat Pack – Ideal toy for new puppies.
2. BEST DOG TRAINING PROGRAM
We Like: Doggy Dan The Online Dog Trainer – Stop any dog problem and raise the perfect puppy with The Online Dog Trainer.
3. BEST DOG DNA TEST
We Like: Embark Dog DNA Test – Embark screens for over 250 dog breeds + tests for 170+ genetic diseases including MDR1 drug sensitivity, glaucoma, degenerative myelopathy, and dilated cardiomyopathy, some of the most common adult-onset diseases in dogs.
4. BEST DOG PUZZLE TOY
We Like: Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle Toy – Every dog loves chasing squirrels at the park. The Outward Hound Hide-a-Squirrel Puzzle Toy gives your dog the same feeling as though he was outdoors chasing live squirrels.
5. Best Calming Treats for Dogs
We Like: FurroLandia Hemp Calming Treats – These soft chews will calm your dog so it can peacefully endure stressful situations, such as long car trips, visiting unfamiliar places, or hearing Thunder. Ideal for all dog breeds & sizes.