Saint Shepherd Dog Breed Information – All You Need To Know

The Saint Shepherd is a companion dog with the German Shepherd’s instincts and Saint Bernard‘s hospitality. We believe that the Saint Shepherd is a boon for the people who want a good family guard that can also protect like a pro. According to some people, this breed was created close to the 1990s or the beginning of this century.

Currently, these claims cannot be proved or disproved. We can, however, prove its traits and personality. And we believe that gauging its compatibility should matter more than the idea of who created it.

Saint Shepherd History

The information on most mixed breeds like the Saint Shepherd is non-existent. The only true way of understanding them is through the history of their parents. The German Shepherd is a thick-coated dog from Germany (That part was apparent). The main reason for the development of this dog has been protection. They would guard livestock against threats, both human and predatorial. The German Shepherd has always been a recognized dog, to the point that it made the top 10 most recognized dogs.

The St. Bernard is more of a rescue dog. It has been around for more than a few centuries. Unfortunately, there are no fixed or verifiable records concerning this dog. The only records related to this dog are from legends and its name. Some people claim that it was named after Saint Bernard de Menthon. According to these legends, the breed was developed in the Alps. The contributors to the Saint Bernard include Tibetan Mastiffs, Great Dane, and Swiss Mountain Dogs.

Saint Shepherd Characteristics

The Saint Shepherd has a varying appearance. Generally, people will see it as a fluffier version of the German Shepherd with a few St. Bernard influences. The most prominent influences of the St. Bernard include a thick, dense coat and fluffy mane around its head. Overall, the body of the Saint Shepherd looks sturdy and lean. Compared to the German Shepherd, the Saint Shepherd will also have more of a squared shape. You can find the Saint Shepherd in Brown, Black, White and Pied colors.

How Big do Saint Shepherd Get

The Saint Shepherd will have a size between semi-large and large. The males have a gigantic height of 28 to 31 inches, while the females are 25 to 28 inches tall. The weight range for males is 95 to 150 lbs. Females of this breed are more refined than males, with a weight range of 85 to 140 lbs.

How Long Does Saint Shepherd Live

Both parents of the Saint Shepherd are relatively healthy. Their combinations do limit the health of the Saint Shepherd, but it isn’t that concerning. Factoring in all things, we understand that the Saint Shepherd can easily live between 12 and 14 years of age. You can expand the lifespan of the Saint Shepherd through good healthcare and methods. All of these have been explained in the Caring section.

How Much Does a Saint Shepherd Cost

The initial cost of acquiring a Saint Shepherd doggie should remain between 800 and 1200 dollars. Normally very healthy variations of the breed can have a price close to 1400 dollars. Anything more than this means that the breeder is trying to rip you off. The annual cost of maintenance, including diet and health, should be between 1500 and 2000 dollars for this doggie.

Saint Shepherd Temperament/Personality

The Saint Shepherd has a tame personality, and there is nothing problematic about it. It has all of the obedience of the German Shepherd jam-packed into its body. As a result, you can have it trained quite easily. You won’t need to be worried about being a novice with this dog. Even people with no prior experience can train it quite easily.

As for its socialization, the Saint Shepherd can adapt to several situations in different pet households. Both parents of the Saint Shepherd don’t harm other pets; on the contrary, they will protect other pets. The Saint Shepherd may also inherit a slight Goofiness and Humorous side from the Saint Bernard. For people who want a happy family dog, this is the best choice.

Caring for Saint Shepherd

Certain things need to be supervised when it comes to the lifestyle of your doggie. The following section will explain all of those important things to help you make the right decisions for your doggie.

Saint Shepherd Nutrition

The Saint Shepherd will need about three cups of dog food every day. You shouldn’t give it less than three cups or more than four cups. Anything more or less could lead to obesity or malnourishment, respectively. You should also keep inhibiting or toxic materials away from the Saint Shepherd’s diet.

How to Groom a Saint Shepherd

The long coat of the Saint Shepherd can be particularly troublesome to maintain. You will have to keep the coat free from knots by brushing it every day. You should also bathe the Saint Shepherd every month. Don’t ignore the use of a Dog Shampoo if you want to keep its skin healthy. You will also have to keep the coat trimmed around the eyes, ears, and nose. The trimming process is easy, as long as you use some safe Dog Grooming Clippers. Finally, dental health should also take precedence. Brush its teeth at least once per two days.

Saint Shepherd Activity Levels

With the German Shepherd genes, the Saint Shepherd will need a lot of activity. According to some expert analysis, the Saint Shepherd will need at least 90 minutes of exercise. You will have to take it out for walks and games every day. Keeping it busy inside of the house is equally important. You can break down the 90 minutes into two portions for mental and physical stimulation.

Caring for Saint Shepherd

There are a few things that you need to be concerned about when it comes to the Saint Shepherd. One of these is its need for praise. You will have to give the Saint Shepherd a role to play in the house. It cannot sit by idly and maintain its sanity at the same time. You will also have to give the Saint Shepherd small tasks to perform. You should also get some Plastic Dog Toys for your doggie to keep it happy inside of the house.

Another thing related more to hygiene but equally important for the health of your doggie is its ears. The ears of the Saint Shepherd need to be cleaned at least once per week. Why? Accumulation of dirt and dust in the ears of the Saint Shepherd can lead to infections. You have to use a sterile solution with some cotton swabs or use a Dog Ear Cleaner.

Saint Shepherd Health

The health of the Saint Shepherd could be restricted by some conditions. For example, hip and Elbow Dysplasia, along with Patellar Luxation, could affect your doggie. Other conditions will include Entropion, Bloat, and DCM. All of these can become particularly painful to bear for your doggie. However, you do not need to be overly concerned. Your doggie being weak to these conditions doesn’t mean that it will necessarily suffer through them.

With good healthcare and healthy food, your canine won’t even have to contract these conditions. Taking it to the vet’s office for a weekly or monthly check-up should take care of most problems. How? Most doggies suffer from a delay in the identification of their problems. Timely identification means timely medication. You should also try to give it a Dog DNA Test to identify any hidden concerns.

Breeds Similar to Saint Shepherd

• Landseer
• King Shepherd
• Black Norwegian Elkhound
• Mastador
• Great Pyrenees

Sources:

• Wag-Walking
• A-Z-Animals
• Doggie-Designer

Recommended Reading:

• Best Dog Food
• Best Dog Bowl
• Best Automatic Dog Feeder
• Best Interactive Dog Toys
• Best Dog Playpen
• Best Outdoor Dog Kennel
• Best Dog House
• Best Dog Crate
• Best Dog Treat
• Best Automatic Fetch Machine
• Best Dog Activity Monitor
• Best Dog Food Container
• Best Electronic Dog Door
• Best Dog Ramp
• Best Dog Cooling Vest
• Best GPS Tracker for Dogs
• Best Dog Bed
• Best Dog Cooling Pad
• Best Indestructible Dog Bed
• Best Dog Training Book