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The Bullmastiff Saint Bernard mix is a huge dog the size of a tank but comes with the heart of a lap dog, and will want nothing more than to spend time with their humans in front of the TV. However, before you take one of these dogs home, it’s important to understand both the parent breeds and their genetics to see what their offspring will be like once you live with them. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about the Saint Bermastiff including their nutrition, grooming, exercise, and training needs.
What is the Bullmastiff Saint Bernard Mix?
Also known as the Saint Bermastiff, the Saint Bernard and Bullmastiff mix is a hybrid breed most notable for its strength and large size. Both dog breeds are affectionate and loyal companions, and despite having plenty of energy, can also be calm. As a result, this mixed breed dog can get along with other dogs and children and are often lively as well.
These gentle giants are great dogs that love to be spoiled by their family — they are intelligent and will respond to positive reinforcement and discipline. This friendly dog will need regular exercise and will thrive in homes with larger spaces and big yards.
History of the Bullmastiff St. Bernard Mix
While not much is known about this giant dog breed, looking into the heritage of their parent breeds can help us gain insight into their potential nature.
St. Bernard History
Originally bred inside a hospice in Switzerland to help with rescue work, the St. Bernard breed was first officially recorded in 1703. Known as a Molosser type of dog, the St. Bernard’s heritage actually predates the Swiss hospice where they were developed. Experts believe that they were likely brought to the Swiss Alps after serving as Roman war dogs during Emperor Augustus’ reign from 27 BC to AD 14.
Throughout the years, the Saint Bernard has been responsible for the rescue of over 2000 lost travelers. Their work as heroic dogs that save people stuck during blizzards and guide them through the dangerous Great St Bernard Pass is perhaps the biggest reason why they’re still so popular. It was in 1885 when they were officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club; today, these amazing dogs are widely accepted as companion dogs but are still amendable to training.
Bullmastiff History
While both the Saint Bernard and the Bullmastiff share the same Roman war dog heritage, this dog’s origin isn’t as heartwarming and is surrounded by pain and cruelty. Initially developed as a mixed breed, the Bullmastiff was created by combining the English Mastiff with the Olde English Bulldogge, a breed used for bull-baiting and dogfighting which is now extinct. Back when blood sports were still legal, gamekeepers in England needed a powerful yet fast dog that could catch poachers at night.
The Bulldogge was too vicious and was deemed untrainable, while the English Mastiff was too big and clumsy, they set out to develop a mix between the two, taking 60% of the latter’s genes and 40% of the former’s to create the Bullmastiff. These dogs succeeded in performing their duties and in 1934, the Bullmastiff was recognized as a purebred by the AKC. In modern times, these dogs are mostly bred as trusted companions known for their bold, fearless nature as well as their devotion to their owners.
Bullmastiff St. Bernard Mix Appearance
The first thing you’ll notice about these dogs is the fact that they’re huge; these large dog breeds will typically stand between 24 to 28.5 inches tall and have an average weight of around 175 and 200 pounds. To get an idea as to how big your dog can get, be sure to check its parents; a mother will often play a bigger role in a puppy’s size. A larger Saint Bernard mom is more likely to produce a bigger dog compared to a smaller Bullmastiff mom.
These dogs come with an intelligent, alert, and keen expressions with dark, medium-sized eyes. They have V-shaped ears that droop down closer to their cheeks and are set on a large and wide skull with well-developed cheeks. Because of their parents, these pups also come with lots of wrinkles but their muzzles are comparatively deeper and broader. These pups may also inherit their Bullmastiff parent’s watchful yet noble expression, as well as the softer and welcoming grin of their St. Bernard parent.
In terms of coat type, these dogs can have a mix between a dense and short-haired coat or a wavy and long-haired coat but either way, you can expect them to be heavy shedders. Their colors can range from a combination derived from their parents which include mahogany brindle and white, red and white, fawn, red, and brindle. They can also come with a dark mask around their face.
Bullmastiff St. Bernard Mix Temperament
You can expect your Saint Bermastiff to inherit various behavioral traits from its parents but are generally known to be loving and easygoing with a desire to always please its favorite humans. These gentle dogs won’t bark much and will also prefer to be lazy — both parents are loyal to their owners and this trait can also be carried over to their offspring. Despite their size, they aren’t aggressive and will adopt a protective nature with their humans; they will also display patience with children.
However, supervision with smaller children is recommended because of their sheer size, so they may inadvertently hurt those around them if they get too excited. While they are intelligent breeds, the Bullmastiff St. Bernard mix will benefit from socialization starting from a young age to help adjust to other animals. This is also a good idea since they can be wary of strangers, but are loving and loyal to their owners.
Bullmastiff St. Bernard Mix Care
Here’s a quick and easy guide on how you can care for your Bullmastiff St. Bernard puppy at home.
Nutrition
Because the Saint Bermastiff ranges from a large to a giant breed, their diet will need to be controlled carefully to avoid problems such as obesity which can lead to strained joints. While they’re still puppies, it’s important to provide extra support for their growing bones, so be sure to check with your vet on the best dry food during their younger years. Unfortunately, dogs of this size are prone to bloat or gastric torsion, which means it’s better to feed them smaller meals throughout the day rather than one large meal per day.
It’s also important to check that they don’t drink too much water right after eating; similarly, make sure not to give them heavy exercise before or after eating. To ensure that your dog gets a balanced diet, speak to your vet about the best food brands and the right portion control for these big dogs.
Grooming
Because they’re such big dogs, they will need weekly brushing to prevent matting, but during shedding season, be sure to give them regular brushing to keep their loose hairs under control. Regular bathing is needed to keep them smelling fresh but this should be done no more than once a month to ensure their natural oils aren’t stripped from their skin. Other things that need to be groomed include their ears, eyes, and nails, which need to be kept in good condition — finally, their heavy jowls will need regular drool wiping.
Exercise
Much like any other puppy, your Saint Bermastiff will be lively and come with high energy levels during its first 2 years of life. These are important parts of their life and their activities should be closely monitored since it can take 20 months before their growth plates close. Giving them too much exercise may cause unnecessary strain and problems as they get older.
Training
Luckily, both parent breeds are eager to please, and giving them positive reinforcement through praise and food should get you far when it comes to training. Just make sure that you give them early socialization, which will get them comfortable with different situations, people, pets, and places. Try not to give these dogs harsh punishments since they can become depressed or they may shut down from training.
Bullmastiff St. Bernard Mix Health Problems
The only drawback from their parent breeds is that they may have health conditions that can be passed onto their offspring. Some of the most common health issues in these dogs include the following.
- Elbow Dysplasia: Similar to hip dysplasia, this occurs when the elbow joints don’t develop properly which also results in discomfort and pain.
- Hip Dysplasia: This abnormality occurs when the joints don’t fit the sockets properly, which can lead to lameness, pain, and fatigue.
- Entropion: This common eye issue in Bullmastiffs can be passed down to their offspring. Symptoms of entropion in canines include excessive tear production or an inverted eyelid.
- Heart Disease: Signs that you should be aware of include behavioral changes, breathing problems, diet changes, weakness, abdomen swelling, and fluctuations in weight.
Even if you don’t think your dog has any of the symptoms above, it’s still a good idea to take them on regular vet check-ups to ensure that problems are detected early on.
Bullmastiff St. Bernard Mix Costs
If you do want one of these for your home, be sure to look for a reputable breeder that will ensure your puppy doesn’t have health problems and the health certificates that prove them. While this may cost a lot of money, keep in mind that international mixes are quite rare, so these designer dogs may be priced at well over $1,000. In contrast, popular mixes such as Doodles may cost much less.
Conclusion
When given proper care and proper socialization, many dog owners will find that these mixed-breed dogs are an excellent choice for their home and family. However, their imposing size means that they will need guidance at an early age to ensure they grow into the right breed for your needs.
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