A Saint Dane is what you get when you cross two of the largest dog breeds in the world, the Great Dane and Saint Bernard. This giant combines the robust posture of the Great Dane and the huggable fluffiness of the Saint Bernard.
Although Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes are highly similar to their parent breeds, they will still present a variety of differences in terms of health, appearance, and disposition.
Keep reading, and let’s explore facts about this gentle giant’s size, appearance, temperament, and much more!
What Is a Great Dane Saint Bernard Mix?
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A Great Dane Saint Bernard mix or Saint Dane is the resulting mixed breed between two large dog breeds: the Great Dane and the Saint Bernard. As opposed to their intimidating size and appearance, this sizable mixed breed is exceptionally gentle and laid back.
Both Great Dane and Saint Bernard are descendants of the refined Mastiff-type dogs, so you can expect them to have a very calm temperament with medium activity levels.
Despite being tranquil companions, their substantial size, appetite, and drooling might be drawbacks for novice dog owners.
Depending on their genetics, Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes may vary in size, temperament, and appearance since this mixed breed is yet to be standardized.
Unfortunately, Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an official dog breed like most mixed breeds.
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.
Great Dane Saint Bernard Mix Appearance: What Does a Saint Dane Look Like?
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A Great Dane Saint Bernard mix looks like its parent breeds — they simply appear as a fusion of two dogs into one lovable giant. However, they may have traits unrecognizable from those of their parents.
Saint Danes have large, broad skulls, sometimes resembling a rectangle. Their eyes are medium-sized and bear an intelligent and friendly gaze. The ears are also medium in size and fall to the sides of their heads.
Their muzzle’s length varies from short to medium, depending on which parent’s gene is expressed. They are also recognizable by their sizable jowls — you can expect them to drool quite a lot.
Saint Danes stand intimidatingly tall; their mountainous size, well-built muscles, and enormous paws define this mixed breed. Their coat may also vary from smooth coat to medium length.
Some of the colors they may exhibit include merle, blue, mantle, and brindle from its Great Dane parents or other Saint Bernard colors and markings.
Ultimately, Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes may still exhibit characteristics different from those mentioned above. These will depend entirely on the genetic makeup of the resulting crossbreed inherited from its parents.
Great Dane Saint Bernard Mix Size and Weight: How Big Do Saint Danes Get?
As the offspring of two giant breeds, a Great Dane Saint Bernard mix has a towering height of 28 to 32 inches for males and 26 to 30 inches for females.
They are also significantly heavy, weighing 140 to 180 pounds for males and 110 to 140 pounds for females.
Since this breed is considerably large, they are expected to grow slower than smaller dogs. Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes stop growing at 2 to 3 years old.
However, the concept of hybrid vigor or heterosis explains the possibility of crossbreeds having far greater height and weight than their parents.
This is the reason why you may find Saint Danes far beyond the typical range for height and weight.
Great Dane Saint Bernard Mix Temperament: Do Saint Danes Make Good Family Dogs?
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The Saint Bernard is undoubtedly a gentle dog. Their overall pleasant disposition makes them suitable family pets.
You can expect a Great Dane Saint Bernard mix to have the combined personalities of their parent breeds. However, there won’t be any Saint Danes with equal temperaments due to variation in heredity.
In addition to their size, Saint Danes are excellent watchdogs due to their protective and vigilant nature. Furthermore, they are pretty open to strangers if allowed by their masters.
Despite common misconceptions regarding large breeds, this mixed breed is quite a playful pooch. With this, take extra precaution when they’re with smaller children as these large dogs tend to accidentally trample over others.
Regarding children, Saint Danes are absolutely good with them. However, it is always best to supervise Saint Danes when they’re around kids since they might have aggressive tendencies towards unexpected activities.
When it comes to other pets, Great Dane St. Bernards are pretty passive and accepting. Additionally, they are not easily aggravated by other dogs due to their modest nature.
Nevertheless, Great Dane St. Bernard mixes are highly affectionate towards their owners. Although a sign of love, you should still be careful when they pin you down with their mighty limbs!
READ NEXT: Male vs. Female Great Dane: Which Is Better?
Great Dane Saint Bernard Mix Lifespan and Health Issues: Are Saint Danes Healthy Dogs?
Unfortunately for this giant dog, they only live between 7 and 10 years, like the Saint Bernard’s average lifespan, which is relatively short compared to other dogs.
Even with their athletic build and proven reliability, the Great Dane St. Bernard mix is still vulnerable to several diseases.
Here are some of the health conditions that commonly affect the Great Dane Saint Bernard mix:
Hip Dysplasia: Similar to their parent breeds and other large breeds, Saint Danes are highly susceptible to hip dysplasia due to their size and weight. Treatments may vary but expect to spend a fortune for total hip replacement.
Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus: Also common in large and giant dog breeds, gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening condition of the stomach. This is characterized by the inability to pass food through the stomach. Although lethal, surgical intervention can easily correct this condition.
Osteochondrosis: Characterized by the hardening of cartilages into bones, osteochondrosis also affects the joints, which is excruciating for the affected dog. Lameness and reduced range of motion are usually observed. This condition will eventually require surgery.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Although not yet fully understood, this dilated cardiomyopathy generally affects many large dog breeds. Common signs include coughing, weakness, and fainting. Treatment is also highly complicated compared to other conditions, so early diagnosis is essential.
Although the conditions mentioned above are enough to alarm any dog owner, it is essential to know that all dog breeds will eventually develop some kind of disease. The best thing to do as an owner is to take preventive measures for your pet.
Committing to regular vet visits, having a keen eye for irregularities, and immediately responding to problems are extremely helpful in keeping your Saint Dane healthy.
If possible, have your pet insured. While it may seem expensive, the cost of pet insurance is outweighed by the convenience and speed of having your four-legged companion medically treated.
How to Take Care of Your Great Dane Saint Bernard Mix
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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.
Food and Diet
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.
Cleaning and Grooming
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.
Training and Exercise
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<a href="https://youtu.be/-tDejOUDV3I" 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%2F-tDejOUDV3I%2F0.jpg" alt="1 Year Old Saint Bernard/Great Dane Mix, Otto | Large Breed Puppy Training | Off Leash Obedience" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
How Much Does a Great Dane Saint Bernard Mix Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses
The price of a Great Dane Saint Bernard mix puppy is around $800 to $1,200 but can depend on various factors. The puppy’s age, sex, coat, and quality will eventually affect the final price.
Sometimes, having an American or European Great Dane parent may affect the average puppy price, but the difference can be quite minimal.
In addition to the cost of the Saint Dane puppy, you need to shell out for regular expenses such as food, medical care, and other pet essentials.
Here are some of the initial expenses when taking care of a Great Dane Saint Bernard mix:
Note that these are only initial expenses when caring for Saint Danes — the cost of the items listed and the items themselves might change as your puppy grows older.
A Saint Dane will typically have the same expenses as its purebred parents. To prepare your finances beforehand, refer to our article on Saint Bernard costs.
Places to Find Great Dane Saint Bernard Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
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If your heart is already set on the Great Dane Saint Bernard mix, you can either choose to buy or adopt one. As a heads-up, Saint Danes are quite rare to find as they are a relatively new designer breed.
Here are the places where you can buy Great Dane Saint Bernard mix puppies:
AKC Marketplace – Here’s a simple trick, search for Great Dane and Saint Bernard breeders through this site. You’ll find dozens of American Kennel Club-registered breeders that might offer Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes.
Greenfield Puppies – This puppy advertising website features different purebreds and designer breeds, including Saint Danes. Most of the registered breeders on this website are located in Pennsylvania and nearby states.
Luckily, there are more sources that you can reach out to by checking our articles on the best Great Dane breeders and top Saint Bernard breeders.
For safe and hassle-free transactions with breeders online, you should also check our puppy buying guide.
If you’re not willing to spend on a Saint Dane puppy yet, you can try looking for one in animal rescues or adoption centers.
Here are the places where you can adopt Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes:
St. Clouds Rescue – This rescue based in McKinney, Texas, goes the extra mile by ensuring their dogs are in their best condition before adoption. Established in 2003, St. Clouds Rescue specializes in rehoming Saint Bernards and their mixes, such as the Saint Dane.
Save Rocky the Great Dane Rescue and Rehab – While also based in Texas, this non-profit organization operates nationwide. SRGDRR started in honor of its namesake, Rocky, and continues to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome Great Danes, including Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes.
Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love – This group is an extension of Ruff Love Rescue, where volunteers focus on foster homes rather than kennels. They also provide complete medical care and even training to their rescued Great Danes and Saint Danes.
If there aren’t any available Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes from these places, you can try reaching out to our list of Great Dane rescues.
Knowing what to look for in Saint Danes before adopting one is beneficial. To help you further, check out our guide for adopting dogs.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Great Dane Saint Bernard Mix
Let’s be honest; Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes present a lot of health problems. Inexperienced dog owners will likely avoid this breed. However, some perks might outweigh these disadvantages.
First, here are the downsides of having a Great Dane Saint Bernard mix:
Saint Danes can be clumsy due to their size. The massive size and weight of the Saint Dane also offer a handful of drawbacks. Larger dogs will consume more food, require more space, and need more grooming.
They have a short lifespan. Their relatively short lifespan is regretful. Any good dog owner will want to keep their canine companions for as long as they can, but this is very unlikely with this mixed breed.
Saint Bernard traits make them excessive droolers. Due to their Saint Bernard traits, it’s very likely that your Saint Dane will drool and slobber. This might be a potential problem because it requires effort to clean up and remove.
Meanwhile, here are some of the advantages of owning a Great Dane Saint Bernard mix:
Saint Danes have a very calm personality. A big plus for this breed is their gentle disposition. Saint Danes are not easily agitated, so you wouldn’t have to worry much about sudden attacks.
They are exceptionally intimidating. Their appearance alone is also enough to deter any intruders to your home. If the need arises, a Saint Dane will undoubtedly defend its master.
Protection is in their blood. Owning a Saint Dane means having a loyal and affectionate companion that will protect you with all its might — even if they only get to be with you for a few years.
To summarize, a Great Dane Saint Bernard mix is undoubtedly a great furry friend. It’s entirely up to you how you will incorporate this dog into your life, along with its strengths and flaws.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are Great Dane Saint Bernard Mixes Hypoallergenic?
No, Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes are not hypoallergenic dogs. They shed fur moderately, but because of their size, you can expect a significant amount of fur.
In addition, they mostly have smooth coats, which are more likely to shed than other hairs.
Do Great Dane Saint Bernard Mixes Shed a Lot?
Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes shed moderately due to their size. In addition, this mix may inherit the Saint Bernard’s double coat, which will contribute to seasonal shedding, increasing the amount of falling hair.
Do Great Dane Saint Bernard Mixes Bark?
Yes, Great Dane Saint Bernard mixes bark, but they vary from dog to dog. If the resulting mix inherits the more reserved Saint Bernard’s barking level, then it is more likely to bark only to alert its master.
If the offspring gets the barking level of the Great Dane, then it will be quite vocal. Regardless, Saint Danes are on the quieter side of the spectrum compared to most dogs.
Final Thoughts: Is a Saint Dane Mix the Right Dog for You?
By now, it’s already clear that a Saint Dane is not for beginner dog owners. However, you would also need to consider your capacity to care for this breed.
In addition to food and shelter, you should be able to provide the necessary love and attention this gentle giant requires.
Establishing your role as its master is also an important requirement — you should be able to easily command and handle the Saint Dane as its owner despite its size.
If you’re up for the challenge, you should be prepared to have enough space, money, and time to provide for this dog. Regardless, a Great Dane Saint Bernard mix is already a great dog, to begin with.
Share with us your thoughts about the Great Dane Saint Bernard mix in the comment section below!
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