If you love the famous gentle giants Saint Bernard and Newfoundland, then the Saint Bernewfie will surely be your newfound favorite!
Just like its parent breeds, this large-sized dog may appear intimidating. But in reality, the Saint Bernard Newfoundland mix is a sweet and family-friendly designer dog.
Besides its kind nature, there’s so much more to love about the Saint Bernewfie. If you have more room in your home and heart, make space for this large pooch, and you won’t be disappointed.
But first, you have to know if this dog is suitable for you. To help you out, I will tackle everything you need to know about the Saint Bernewfie in this article!
What Is a Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mix?
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The Saint Bernard Newfoundland mix, also called Saint Bernewfie, is a cross between a Saint Bernard and a Newfoundland. This large-sized dog comes in different coat colors such as black & white and black, brown & white. It is known for being gentle, loving, and loyal.
The cross between the Saint Bernard and Newfoundland produces a sweet, laid-back, and good-natured hybrid. This pooch has inherited some of the best traits of the two popular parent breeds.
This St Bernard Newfoundland mix is also one of the newer and popular designer dogs in the dog scene and is considered a relatively rare crossbreed. It was designed as a pet rather than a sport or working dog.
Its most distinct feature is its huge head and expressive, dark eyes. It also has a cuddly body and fluffy double coat that’s perfect for snuggles. Besides being an amazing fur pal, the Saint Bernewfie has a lot to offer.
Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mix Origin and History
The only known story surrounding the origins of the Saint Bernewfie was around the 1830s. It all started from an attempt to crossbreed Saint Bernard and Newfoundland dogs.
The main purpose of the crossbreeding was to preserve the Saint Bernard breed. At that time, a huge number of Saint Bernards were killed in avalanches.
This happened during the rescue operations from 1816 to 1818, at the height of the severe winters.
Saint Bernards were bred as search and rescue dogs by the Great Saint Bernard Hospice. These strong dogs had weather-resistant coats and a strong sense of smell.
The hospice was built in the Great Saint Bernard Pass. It was maintained by monks to take care of guests and guide people through the pass. They also conducted search and rescue for lost or injured travelers.
The crossbreeding between Saint Bernard and Newfoundland dogs was deemed a failure for their purpose. The long fur resulting from the cross made the dogs less suitable for rescue work.
The extra fur of the mixed dogs ended up gathering snow and was also prone to freezing, weighing the dogs down.
The monks eventually gave these dogs away to people in the surrounding Swiss valleys, as they were no longer as effective in their rescue operations.
It’s still a mystery as to how these dogs became the Saint Bernewfies we know and have today. But one thing’s for sure, this fascinating story is one of the things that makes the Saint Bernewfie a special mixed breed.
Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mix Appearance
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The Saint Bernewfie is a massive dog that has a huge, meaty head with a deep chest, stocky body, and long limbs. To complement its size, this dog also has dark, widely-spaced eyes and huge paws.
If the Newfoundland Saint Bernard mix puppy takes after its Newfoundland parent, it may inherit webbed feet.
When it comes to the muzzle, it will either be flatter if it takes after the Saint Bernard parent or thinner and longer if it takes after the Newfoundland parent.
It has saggy ears, a prominent and dark nose, and a thick and wide neck with a fold of loose skin in it. This pooch has a long and densely furred tail that is usually carried down to the ground.
Saint Bernewfies also have droopy jaws, which are slobbery just like their parent breeds. This makes them prone to drool a lot.
Their coats are usually dense, straight, and medium in length. Some Saint Bernewfies have the traditional tricolor like the white, black, and brown fur of the Saint Bernard. Others may have a solid color such as brown or black.
The Saint Bernewfie, just like the Newfoundland, has a smooth, water-resistant double coat. These make them excellent water dogs that can swim long distances.
Although some people may find these dogs quite gigantic and frightening, their sweet and friendly behavior makes them charming and lovely.
Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mix Size and Weight
Having two colossal parents, a Saint Bernewfie’s large size is already expected. Generally, the Saint Bernard Newfoundland mix can weigh around 110 to 165 pounds and stand between 26 to 29 inches tall.
The size of a full-grown Newfoundland Saint Bernard mix falls closely between the adult size of a Saint Bernard and a full-grown Newfoundland.
Although the adults are quite large, Saint Bernewfie puppies are cute and quite small. When the puppies reach six months old, they are already almost half their adult size.
The St. Bernard Newfoundland mix can also get to be really heavy and overweight if they don’t have proper nutrition and exercise. Be mindful of this as it can affect their overall health and wellbeing.
Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mix Temperament and Personality
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A Saint Bernewfie is as sweet and affectionate as its parents. This pooch loves to snuggle and spend quality time with its owner, family, and children. When left alone, a Saint Bernewfie tends to get sad due to its sensitive nature.
This canine also has a stubborn attitude. Firm and consistent training is required because Saint Bernewfies need a little more time and patience compared to other dogs.
These dogs also need regular exercise and playtime. As a large-sized pooch that is fairly active, the St. Bernard Newfoundland mix should have plenty of room to play and run.
You can also take this dog to parks to interact with children and other dogs. Saint Bernewfies tend to establish closer bonds with kids, often being called “nanny dogs.”
Although they have a laid-back attitude, it is best to engage them in interactive and fun games to prevent them from getting bored. As natural people-pleasers, human presence and attention deeply matter to them.
This dog is also intensely loyal and has protective tendencies. Just like its parents, the Newfoundland Saint Bernard mix is a fantastic watchdog.
To unlock this potential, early socialization should be provided so that the pooch can easily distinguish intruders from family and friends.
Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mix Lifespan and Health Issues
Just like the life expectancy of Saint Bernards and Newfoundlands, the average lifespan of a Saint Bernewfie is about 8 to 10 years. Some can live up to 12 years.
Although the Newfoundland Saint Bernard mix is big and quite energetic, its lifespan is shorter compared to other breeds. But it is still considered a relatively healthy pooch for its size.
Like all mixed-breed dogs, the St Bernard Newfoundland mix can also inherit health problems from its parent dog breeds. It is important for you to know these health conditions as a future owner of a Saint Bernewfie.
Here are some of the common health issues of a Saint Bernewfie:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Both of the parent breeds suffer from hip dysplasia, so it is not uncommon for Saint Bernewfies to be at risk of this condition. Hip dysplasia occurs when a dog’s hip socket and ball don’t develop accordingly, which then causes grinding and pain.
Cystinuria: A common inherited disease in the Newfoundland breed, cystinuria is a condition that affects kidney functions. Dogs with cystinuria often have recurring urinary tract inflammation. If left untreated, this can lead to urinary stones that can cause urinary tract infections, kidney failure, and even death.
Gastric Torsion: Also known as bloat or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), gastric torsion is a common condition found in large dogs. It occurs when the dog’s stomach is filled with gas and fluid and twists on itself. There are many risk factors for developing bloat, such as rapid eating and water restriction, among others.
Being aware of these conditions will help you prepare for hefty medical expenses, especially during emergencies.
Remember that caring for a pet doesn’t just revolve around the good, playful moments. It comes with responsibilities and challenging times that you should be ready for.
How to Take Care of Your Saint Bernewfie
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The Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mix is a high-maintenance pup. Before deciding to own one, it is important to learn about their nutritional needs, grooming essentials, and exercise requirements.
Food and Diet
When it comes to raising a healthy dog, a well-balanced diet is always the starting point.
When giving food to your Saint Bernewfie, make sure that it meets the health standards and the nutritional needs of your dog for its life stage.
As a large-sized dog, the Saint Bernard Newfoundland mix will need approximately four cups of kibbles each day.
Always opt for high-quality and giant-sized kibbles that will give your pooch the right kind of nutrition a large dog needs.
When Saint Bernewfies get too hungry and are left unattended, they tend to hunt food for themselves. This is why they should be fed on time.
Since Saint Bernewfies are susceptible to suffering from bloat, it is necessary to be conscious of their eating habits. Do not feed your pooch before or after exercise as well.
Cleaning and Grooming
With its lush, dense, and thick double coat, the Saint Bernewfie needs daily grooming. To deal with its thick fur, it is recommended to use a slicker brush and a de-shedding tool.
If you find dog hair intolerable, especially dog hair on the floors or your outfit, then you should think twice about owning a Saint Bernewfie.
Although these can be prevented or minimized, shedding issues are a part of taking care of this dog.
The Newfoundland Saint Bernard mix also needs a good bath at least once in three months. Since they have water-resistant coats, make sure to use a concentrated shampoo for bathing.
Their large ears are also prone to ear infections so be sure to clean them once a week. Toenail clipping is also necessary every month.
Training and Exercise
Though Saint Bernewfie is a smart canine, it’s also known to have stubborn tendencies. This makes training this pooch a bit tricky, and the key to this is motivation.
Find out what works best in training your Saint Bernewfie. Food or treats can be a great motivator. You may also apply a positive reinforcement training method for better results.
Early socialization will also be essential for your Saint Bernewfie. Get your pooch familiar with a variety of dogs, humans, and sounds.
When it comes to exercise, this St. Bernard Newfoundland mix doesn’t need intense physical activities. Around 45 minutes of exercise every day will be great for your pooch. You can go for long, leisurely walks with this dog.
Because of its huge size, a Newfoundland Saint Bernard mix also needs plenty of big dog toys to play with.
How Much Does a Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mix Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses
A Saint Bernard Newfoundland mix puppy usually costs around $800 to $1,500. This is much less compared to the cost of a purebred Saint Bernard puppy and a Newfoundland puppy.
In order to plan your budget wisely, you need to start looking at the initial expenses. These are the supplies you should buy before bringing your new pooch home.
Here’s the list of initial expenses for your Saint Bernewfie:
Although the St Bernard Newfoundland mix may not be cheap to own, it is still cost-friendly compared to other purebred large-sized dogs.
There are also ways to reduce expenses such as looking for store discounts, buying items in bulk, making your own dog treats, and the like. However, it is important that you prioritize quality in every item that you purchase.
Places to Find Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
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The Saint Bernard Newfoundland mix isn’t very common so finding a reputable breeder can be a difficult task. You will need to set aside plenty of time for research too. Luckily, I prepared a list to help you with your search.
Here are some trusted advertising sites where you can find Saint Bernewfie puppies for sale:
Greenfield Puppies – Greenfield Puppies was created in 2000 with the intent to connect healthy puppies with caring families. They have a careful process in helping prospective dog owners find a quality breeder through their website.
Keystone Puppies – An online advertising source for many reputable breeders, Keystone Puppies holds their accredited breeders to the highest standard. They have on-board animal welfare and breeder accountability specialists to ensure responsible dog breeding. They also have no-hassle health guarantees on all puppies for sale.
VIP Puppies – Committed to providing buyers a safe place in finding the right puppy, VIP Puppies has a large selection of breeds and puppies, including Saint Bernard Newfoundland mixes, from reputable breeders and sellers.
For more options, you may also try to reach out to other reputable Saint Bernard breeders. Avoid getting your puppy from puppy mills or backyard breeders due to their unethical breeding.
If you wish to adopt a Saint Bernard Newfoundland mix, here are a few rescues to look at:
Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation – This rescue foundation based in Texas is established to provide services primarily to Saint Bernards, but they do not refuse services to any dog in need of immediate attention. They find homes for unwanted, abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs. They also provide medical services and assist in rescue operations.
Newfoundland Rescue Program – This organization dedicated to rescuing unfortunate Newfoundlands has an alliance called Newfoundland Mix Rescue Alliance. This Newfoundland rescue has a mission to save Newfoundland purebreds and mixed breed dogs.
Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions – Based in California, this rescue organization is the largest giant breed dog rescue in the world. They have a wide selection of big dogs for adoption including Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands, and their mixes. Their adoption fees range from $490 to $990.
If you prefer adoption, it may be more challenging but it isn’t impossible. You can check out our ultimate guide on dog adoption to increase your chances of getting approved by a rescue.
To spot a specific and rare mixed breed dog will require you to be more patient and earnest. Still, it will be a huge blessing for you and the pooch you will be bringing home.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Saint Bernewfie
Before purchasing or adopting a Saint Bernewfie, let’s go through the pros and cons of owning one to help you decide if this pooch is a suitable pet for you.
Here are the pros of owning a Saint Bernard Newfoundland mix:
Great canine companion: Saint Bernewfies are wonderful canine companions at home and outdoors. They love to spend time with their owners and other people. They are also amazing playmates as they are fond of children and other dogs.
Good temperament: Saint Bernewfies are called gentle giants due to their calm and good nature. These sweet, loving, and affectionate dogs have a relaxed and friendly attitude.
Energetic and smart: As active and sharp dogs, Saint Bernewfies can be incredible workout buddies for adults. They don’t need intense exercise so they are ideal for a moderately active lifestyle. They also love to swim.
Excellent watchdog: Saint Bernewfies got their loyal and protective traits from their parent dog breeds. Their huge size and loud bark can ward off intruders too. This enables them to be excellent watchdogs.
Taking care of a Saint Bernewfie also comes with a few disadvantages:
Not ideal for apartment living: Saint Bernewfies require bigger spaces. Owning a Saint Bernewfie is ideal for people with spacious homes or backyards as they also need to move and play around.
Stubborn and lazy tendencies: It can be quite demanding for first-time owners to train a Saint Bernewfie due to its stubborn tendencies. They can also become lazy at times because of their laid-back attitude.
High grooming needs: These snuggly dogs shed and drool a lot which requires more grooming and cleaning. You will have to make a habit to keep their fur in tip-top condition especially during warm conditions.
Costly food expenses: The expenses of owning a Newfoundland Saint Bernard mix can also be burdensome as large-sized dogs require more supplies. They need food and feeding bowls for large breeds which often cost more.
Weighing the pros and cons of owning this pooch may baffle you. If you’re leaning more towards the pros, then for sure you can find ways to deal with the cons.
If a Newfoundland Saint Bernard mix belongs to your lifestyle, then you’re off to a great start!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is a Newfoundland Bigger Than a Saint Bernard?
A Saint Bernard is a little bit bigger than a Newfoundland dog on average. Typically, a Saint Bernard stands at 26 to 30 inches tall while a Newfoundland stands at around 25 to 29 inches tall.
In terms of weight, Saint Bernards range from 120 to 180 pounds while Newfoundlands range from 99 to 150 pounds. Despite the little height and weight differences, they both appear very similar in size.
It is also important to consider that different factors such as genetics, gender, and nutrition can affect the size of a Saint Bernard and a Newfoundland.
Are Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mixes Hypoallergenic?
Saint Bernewfies are not hypoallergenic, same as its parent breeds. Since they have an abundance of hair, a decent amount of dander will be present and can cause allergies.
If you suffer from allergies but want to own a Saint Bernard Newfoundland mix, there are ways to reduce allergens and deal with the symptoms.
However, it’s better to get an allergy test or consult with your doctor first to find out the suitable dog for you.
Do Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mixes Shed a Lot?
Yes, Saint Bernewfies shed a lot. Just like both of its parents, the Saint Bernewfie has a lush and fluffy double coat. Throughout the year, this coat sheds moderately but sheds heavily during shedding season.
They start shedding their fur more than usual in warm conditions. This is why they feel more comfortable at home and in places with cooler temperatures.
Proper grooming is needed to ensure that they don’t feel too hot, which directly decreases their shedding rate.
Final Thoughts: Is a Saint Bernewfie Mix the Right Dog for You?
The Saint Bernewfie is an adorable, family-friendly pooch that will complement any loving household. Besides being an amazing pet, it also has great watchdog capabilities.
Whether you are a fan of large breeds or you just fancy huge cuddly dogs, the Saint Bernard Newfoundland mix will surely be the best bud for you.
This gentle, lively, and intelligent dog has many good qualities that will fill your home with warmth and delight.
As long as you tick all of the boxes needed to take care of this gentle giant, then this dog is the right one for you. It might take a while to find a Newfoundland Saint Bernard mix but it will be worth it!
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