The Saint Bernard Pitbull mix may very well be the epitome of a large hybrid dog. Thanks to its Saint Bernard and Pitbull parents, this mixed breed is bound to make a huge mark in the canine world with its size and reputation.
Being a mixed breed dog, the Pitbull Saint Bernard mix combines the attributes of its parent breeds, both in temperament and physical traits.
Let’s begin and take a big step in discovering more about the St. Bernard Pitbull mix!
What Is a Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix?
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A Saint Bernard Pitbull mix is a combination of a Saint Bernard and a Pitbull. While this mixed breed may appear intimidating due to its large size, its temperament proves the opposite. Due to its playfulness, gentle nature, and friendly disposition, this dog is the perfect family companion.
To yield a unique-looking St. Bernard Pitbull mix, a Saint Bernard can be bred with any of the four dog breeds under the Pitbull category.
These are the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bully.
Whether they take more after the Saint Bernards or their Pitbull parent, the physical appearance of a St. Bernard Pitbull mix creates an initial impression of a menacing guard dog.
This initial impression is not bound to last as they will soon win anyone over with their lovable traits. They can be the most gentle giants like the Saint Bernard or charmingly playful like the Pitbull.
Being a designer dog, the Pitbull Saint Bernard mix can be registered in kennel clubs such as the Designer Breed Registry, Dog Registry of America, and the program of American Kennel Club for mixed breeds, AKC Canine Partners.
Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix Origin and History
Similar to most mixed breed dogs, there is no clear historical account of the origin of the Saint Bernard Pitbull mix.
However, their parent breeds have been around for centuries. This means that their history may have some level of influence on the eventual crossbreeding of the two.
Saint Bernards were known to be great working dogs in the 17th century. Together with similar large breed dogs of the Swiss Alps, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, they served as guardians and workers on the farms of monks in Switzerland.
Their most notable role was being rescue dogs for lost pilgrims traveling to Rome.
Pitbulls, on the other hand, were originally bred in the 19th century as fighting dogs in the bear and bull-baiting sports in the United Kingdom.
Bulldogs and terriers were bred to produce a Bull Terrier mix meant to be agile and tenacious in dog-fighting games while remaining loyal and loving towards humans. This cross was known to be the first Pit Bull Terrier.
Since crossbreeding is usually done to acquire the good traits of parent breeds and strengthen the gene pool, the idea of breeding a Saint Bernard breed with a Pitbull is inevitably bound to come up.
By pairing a well-known loving St. Bernard with an equally loving Pitbull, breeders succeeded in producing a Pitbull Saint Bernard mix capable of exceptional love and loyalty for humans.
Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix Appearance
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Naturally, the St. Bernard Pitbull mix bears a resemblance to both the Saint Bernard and the Pitbull. How much they will look more like their Saint Bernard parent or Pitbull parent depends on the dominant traits they will inherit.
They can either have a short or medium-length coat. A Pitbull Saint Bernard mix with a medium-length coat will have visibly longer hair on its ears, neck, chest, back of legs, and tail.
There are a myriad of possible coat color combinations, such as brindle, black, white, champagne, grey, tricolor, and black and white, for this hybrid as there are many different St. Bernard and Pitbull coat colors.
The head of the Saint Bernard Pitbull mix is large and broad. They are likely to have pronounced cheek muscles and may have noticeable wrinkles on the forehead and eyebrows.
They have medium-sized eyes, which are usually dark in color. There can be instances where the Pitbull Saint Bernard mix will have other eye colors when the dominant feature is from their Pitbull parent.
The ears of the St. Bernard Pitbull mix can either be held up or flopped down. Their nose is broad and usually black in color. They tend to have a deep chest that is usually white.
If the St. Bernard Pitbull mix takes on the features of the St. Bernard, their rear feet will be slightly longer than their front feet. As for their tail, it is usually of medium length, can be muscular at the base, and is carried up when in motion.
All in all, the features of the Pitbull Saint Bernard mix embody a powerful canine image that the St. Bernard and the Pitbull both exhibit.
Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix Size and Weight
A St. Bernard Pitbull mix puppy can grow to become a medium-sized adult dog like its Pitbull parent up to an extra large-sized dog matching the Saint Bernards.
On average, they stand 13 to 30 inches in height and weigh between 24 and 180 pounds.
It may take two to three years for a Pitbull Saint Bernard mix to attain its full size. By this time, it can be said that they have reached maturity and peaked their final adult size.
Aside from genetics, the actual height and weight of designer dogs such as the St. Bernard Pitbull mix can be influenced by other factors such as diet and daily physical activity.
Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix Temperament and Personality
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The Pitbull Saint Bernard mix makes a good family dog because of its loving and gentle nature. This is also why they like to be involved in various family activities.
They are good with small children, capable of being gentle giants and patient nanny dogs for kids. And with proper training and early socialization, they are bound to do well with other dogs and pets in the household.
The Saint Bernard Pitbull mix is known to be protective of its owner and can serve as a great watchdog with its intelligence and loud bark.
However, they may not be the most ideal guard dogs because they tend to be friendly even with strangers.
This mixed breed finds the greatest joy in bonding with loved ones, and if left alone for too long, your dog may be prone to develop separation anxiety. This is common in both their St. Bernard and Pitbull parents.
It is best to train your Pitbull Saint Bernard mix at a young age to get used to the situation to avoid resorting to unwanted behaviors.
Being a large dog, living in a house with ample space and a fenced yard is the ideal setup for the Pitbull Saint Bernard mix so that they have enough space to roam and enjoy daily activities.
This wonderful canine is truly a great family dog capable of immense love, patience, and loyalty.
The clip below of Bernard the Pitbull St. Bernard mix shows the calm demeanor of this hybrid:
BERNARD A1080872 2 y/o male St Bernard/pit mix<a href="https://youtu.be/F1tmz2aajfk" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FF1tmz2aajfk%2F0.jpg" alt="BERNARD A1080872 2 y/o male St Bernard/pit mix" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
READ NEXT: Male vs. Female Pitbull: Which Is Better?
Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix Lifespan and Health Issues
The Pitbull St. Bernard mix has an average lifespan of 8 to 16 years. They tend to live on par with their Pitbull parent and longer than their St. Bernard parent.
There are some health issues, however, that may be genetically passed on by their parent breeds that owners must take note of.
Below are some of the common health problems of the Pitbull St. Bernard mix:
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a common hereditary condition of large breed dogs like the Pitbull St. Bernard. This occurs when there is an irregularity in the formation of the hip joint. Hip dysplasia often results in pain and difficulty in movement.
Heart Diseases: The St. Bernard mix can develop certain heart diseases such as canine dilated cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis. Canine dilated cardiomyopathy is the thinning of the heart muscle, resulting in an enlarged heart. Meanwhile, aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve is narrowed, putting more stress on the heart as it needs to work harder in pumping blood.
Bloat: Gastric dilatation-volvulus, commonly referred to as bloat, is a serious health condition that is potentially fatal when left untreated. This occurs when the stomach twists due to being filled with gas, food, or fluid. Bloat is common among middle-aged large dog breeds with deep chests, such as the St. Bernard mix.
Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a brain disorder with an unknown cause and is said to be genetically linked. The St. Bernard parent breed is known to be one of such dogs commonly afflicted with this disorder. Epilepsy is characterized by recurring seizures that can last from a few seconds to a few minutes.
Aside from the mentioned health issues above, owners must also be keen on recognizing food allergies that Saint Bernard mixes may suffer from.
Close monitoring and regular check-ups with the vet are necessary in order to maintain the good health of your St. Bernard mix.
How to Take Care of Your Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix
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Knowing how to properly take care of the Saint Bernard mix is very crucial for every aspiring owner.
From feeding the proper diet, meeting exercise and grooming requirements to providing proper training, potential pet owners must fully assess their capabilities in helping this pup become a well-adjusted family dog.
Food and Diet
Dog food containing the right amount of protein, calories, and calcium must be fed to provide enough energy for the daily activities and support the bone growth of a St. Bernard Pitbull mix.
This large pooch should typically be served 5 to 6 cups of high-quality food per day. This should also be divided into two meals.
For muscle and bone development of the Saint Bernard Pitbull pup, it’s recommended to give a high-protein diet. Vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables also help boost the immune system.
Treats should also be given only during training. You should also consider fruits and vegetables as alternatives to commercial dog treats.
When giving supplements, make sure to consult first with your veterinarian to avoid adverse reactions.
Cleaning and Grooming
Proper grooming of this Pitbull mixed breed would be a fairly manageable task for its owner. They do not require extensive effort, but their size may present some challenges with cleaning and grooming.
Whether they inherit the short Pitbull parent’s coat or the fluffy coat of the Saint Bernard, weekly brushing is enough to help remove dirt and dead hair and distribute natural skin oils.
It is advisable to bathe your Saint Bernard Pitbull mix as often as every week or up to every four to eight weeks. Due to their size, outdoor bathing or bathing in a full-sized bathtub is recommended.
If they are like their St. Bernard parent that tends to drool a lot, remember to wipe your pooch’s mouth after every meal, exercise, or long walk.
Training and Exercise
Training your Saint Bernard Pitbull mix puppy is essential in raising it to become a well-mannered adult dog.
Luckily, both St. Bernard and Pitbull dogs are intelligent breeds making the St. Bernard Pitbull mix relatively easy to train.
Obedience training is a must due to their size. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, they are bound to learn and become well-behaved pooches.
Early socialization is also needed in order for the Saint Bernard Pitbull mix to get used to being with other people, dogs, and pets.
Proper exercise is also a must for this mixed breed. An hour to two hours of daily exercise in the form of walks, hiking, running, and playtime are excellent ways to keep them in shape.
How Much Does a Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses
The average price range of a Saint Bernard Pitbull mix puppy is somewhere between $1,000 and $5,000. Puppies from champion bloodlines are usually priced higher, usually starting at $3,000.
Adopting from a shelter or rescue is also a good option in acquiring a St. Bernard Pitbull mix pup. Adoption fees usually range from $100 to $700.
As you prepare financially to acquire a Saint Bernard Pitbull puppy, you must also include some initial expenses in your budget before you bring them home.
Below is a list of initial expenses of the St. Bernard Pitbull mix:
The table above shows that you need to set aside around $605 to $2,445 in order to prepare items and procedures for your new puppy.
You also need to add the recurring costs of owning a Saint Bernard Pitbull mix to your budget. The estimated monthly expenses of having a Saint Bernard Pitbull mix range from $147 to $404.
Places to Find Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
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Getting a Saint Bernard Pitbull mix from a reputable breeder is significant in making sure you are getting a healthy pup.
Below is a list of sites where you might find a St. Bernard Pitbull mix puppy for sale:
PuppyFinder – This is a free advertising platform that allows breeders, rescue organizations, and private sellers to advertise their puppies. They provide identity verification to protect both buyers and sellers when buying any dog, including the St. Bernard Pitbull mix.
Greenfield Puppies – Greenfield Puppies is an online platform that allows potential adopters to browse puppies from various breeders. You can quickly find available Saint Bernard Pitbull mix puppies by doing a filtered search.
Lancaster Puppies – Lancaster puppies is an online advertising site where sellers can sign up and list available puppies for sale. You may visit the website from time to time to see new available St. Bernard Pitbull mix puppies.
You can also check our best Saint Bernard breeders and best Pitbull breeders as additional resources to help you find the Saint Bernard Pitbull mix puppy for your family.
I also recommend reading our puppy buying guide to get helpful tips on safely purchasing a puppy online.
If adoption is your preferred means to acquire a St. Bernard Pitbull mix puppy, below are some places where you may find one:
The Little Red Dog, Inc. – The Little Red Dog, Inc. is a non-profit rescue organization founded in honor of the little red American Pitbull Terrier who died at the hands of former NFL player Michael Vick and his people. They focus on rescuing and rehoming dogs, including St. Bernard Pitbull mixes from high-kill shelters through their volunteer, foster, and donation initiatives.
Peace for Pits – This Chicago-based rescue rehabilitates and rehomes Pitbull breeds, including the St. Bernard Pitbull mix from high-kill facilities across Illinois. It is run by volunteers that also promote fostering as a way of caring for and rehabilitating dogs before they get adopted.
Adopt-a-Pet – This is a pet adoption website that coordinates with animal shelters, humane societies, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies to advertise different purebreds and mixed breeds such as St. Bernard Pitbull mixes.
Additionally, you can reach out to other Pitbull rescues for a higher chance of finding a Saint Bernard Pitbull mix puppy.
And if this is your first time adopting a dog, I highly recommend reading our ultimate guide to dog adoption.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix
Weighing the pros and cons of owning a Saint Bernard Pitbull mix can help you better decide if this mixed breed is right for you.
The following are the pros of owning a St. Bernard Pitbull mix:
Perfect family companions: The temperament of the St. Bernard Pitbull mix is a perfect match for families with kids due to their gentle and patient nature. They are very affectionate and enjoy bonding with loved ones.
A right balance of energy: Combining the highly energetic Pitbull and the conventionally relaxed Saint Bernard results in a well-balanced St. Bernard Pitbull mix. This dog has the right amount of energy for moderate physical activities.
Chance for a longer lifespan: St. Bernards have a shorter lifespan of 8 to 10 years. When you breed them with a Pitbull who generally lives from 8 to 16 years, you increase the life expectancy of your St. Bernard Pitbull mix.
The following are the cons of owning a St. Bernard Pitbull mix:
Needs a lot of space: Since the Saint Bernard Pitbull mix is generally a large dog, it needs a spacious area to relax and enjoy physical activities. If you live in an apartment, meeting the exercise needs of this hybrid may be challenging.
Drool and shedding tendencies: If you are a neat freak, keeping your household free from drool and hair may prove to be constant work for you as this mixed breed is prone to drool and sheds a decent amount of hair.
Can be expensive to keep: The upkeep for a big dog such as the Saint Bernard Pitbull mix tends to be more expensive compared to smaller breeds. Food, dog supplies, and some veterinary procedures may cost higher due to their size.
Knowing the pros and cons is valuable in determining if you and the Saint Bernard Pitbull mix are a good fit. After all, having this hybrid would be a lifelong commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are Saint Bernard Pitbull Mixes Aggressive?
No, Saint Bernard Pitbull mixes are not aggressive. In fact, they can be the most gentle and affectionate dogs. Their Pitbull parent is known to have a prey drive and may become aggressive towards their prey but not towards humans.
As long as proper training and socialization are given, the Saint Bernard Pitbull mix will do well around children and other pets.
Are Saint Bernard Pitbull Mixes Hypoallergenic?
No, Saint Bernard Pitbull mixes are not hypoallergenic. They occasionally shed throughout the year, and the dander attached to their hair might cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to it.
Because of this, they may not be the best pets for those suffering from allergies.
Do Saint Bernard Pitbull Mixes Shed a Lot?
Saint Bernard Pitbull mixes are moderate to heavy shedders. If they take after their Saint Bernard parent, you can expect them to be on the heavy shedder side.
There are certain times during the year when they will be shedding more than usual, so regular brushing is recommended to keep loose hair from spreading throughout the house.
Final Thoughts: Is a Saint Bernard Pitbull Mix the Right Dog for You?
If you are up for the challenge of owning the Saint Bernard Pitbull mix, then you will surely not regret putting forth all the time, effort, and resources in making a Saint Bernard Pitbull mix part of your family.
They make great family dogs because of their gentleness, patience around small children, affectionate nature, and playful spirit. And because of their intelligence, training is also an easy task for owners.
However, if you will not be able to provide ample living space, hate constant clean-up, or maybe are tight on your budget, you should reconsider owning the Saint Bernard Pitbull mix.
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