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All dogs come with unique traits and characteristics, making them stand out in their own way; when picking a canine companion, it’s up to you to do research to make the right choice. While most people will go straight to the most popular dog breeds when looking for a good family dog, the St. Bernard English Mastiff mix is a friendly dog that can be a great addition to your home. In this article, we share everything about these giant dogs and how you can care for them once you decide to take them with you.
What is the St. Bernard English Mastiff Mix?
The Saint Bernard English Mastiff mix is a giant breed known for its large size and imposing appearance but is actually a sweet and well-mannered dog. These mixed-breed dogs were developed by crossing the English Mastiff with Saint Bernard, and are often used in rescue work. As guard dogs, they also serve as livestock guardians but these gentle giants are surprisingly affectionate companions that can become your personal bodyguard.
Also known as the Saint Mastiff, these dogs will inherit behavioral traits from both parents and will often look more like either one of their parent breeds.
Other Saint Bernard mixes include the following:
- Saint Shepherd, a cross between the German Shepherd and the Saint Bernard
- Golden Saint, a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Saint Bernard
- Saint Berxer, a cross between the Boxer and the Saint Bernard
- Saint Bullnard, a cross between the American Pit Bull Terrier and Saint Bernard
- Labernard, a cross between the Labrador Retriever and Saint Bernard
- Saint Bernese, a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and Saint Bernard
- Saint Dane, a cross between the Great Dane and Saint Bernard
- Saint Berhusky, a cross between the Siberian Husky and Saint Bernard
- Saint Charnard, a cross between the Chow Chow and Saint Bernard
History of the St. Bernard English Mastiff Mix
Because these mixed breeds are relatively new to the dog world, not much is known about when they were made or where this took place. However, understanding the heritage of both parents can help give insight into their offspring’s nature. Below is a summary of the history of both breeds.
The St. Bernard
The Saint Bernard was first bred inside a hospice in Switzerland to help rescue people lost in blizzards and guide them through the Great St Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps. The first recorded instance of their heroic service took place in 1703, and over the centuries they have rescued over 2000 travelers and protected them from cold climates. Experts believe that they descended from the Molosser-type dogs used during the Roman Invasion by Emperor Claudius from AD 43 to AD 84.
The English Bullmastiff
Just like the St. Bernard, the English Bullmastiff shares a similar beginning although their ancestors were used for brutal entertainment. They were initially mixed-breed dogs created by combining the Olde English Bulldogge with the English Mastiff to use for bull-baiting and dogfighting. Luckily, these practices were banned and today, these dogs are bred for companionship and the show ring where they are known for their bold, fearless nature as well as their complete devotion to their owners.
St. Bernard English Mastiff Mix Appearance
These large breeds will definitely grow big, and you can expect them to have large ears, a square face, and a medium-length coat or they may come with longer hair. Many lovers of these big dogs love the fact that their faces express kindness, which matches their personality and energy. Because both the St. Bernard and English Mastiff are among the largest dog breeds, their offspring can weigh anywhere from 100 to 180 pounds and stand between 24 inches to 35 inches.
Your Saint Bernard English Mastiff mix can come with a short yet dense or a wavy but long-haired coat type and will be a heavy shedder. The St. Bernard can come in a combination of white and mahogany brindle or white and red while the English Mastiff can come in brindle, apricot, and fawn colors. A mix between these two breeds can provide their offspring with a combination of these colors.
St. Bernard English Mastiff Mix Temperament
This huge dog will inherit a wide range of behavioral traits from its parents; it will generally be an affectionate and easygoing pup with a strong desire to please its owners. Their sheer size paired with their deep barks makes them a wonderful choice among the guardian breeds, much like Tibetan Mastiffs. These gentle dogs will tend to be lazy and will never turn down the chance for a nap but this isn’t to say that they won’t enjoy getting regular exercise if they happen to have higher energy.
The St. Bernard English Mastiff mix comes with a naturally protective nature and can be a good watchdog for the family and your property; they also love spending time with their favorite human. Because they’re quite intelligent, they can be easy to train but they can also be stubborn, so they’re not the best choice for novice owners. Exposing them to different situations can be beneficial and will help them become well-rounded and well-behaved adults.
St. Bernard English Mastiff Mix Care
The St. Bernard English Mastiff mix can be a great family member and if you do decide to take this giant dog breed home, read the guide below to ensure you give them the care they need.
Nutrition
Your Saint Bermastiff will certainly grow to be a big dog and it will need a diet specifically made for their size but it’s important to look for food that is suitable for its life stage. A giant puppy will need a high-energy meal as they get bigger and spend a lot of energy since they’ll always be on the move. You need to understand that giant breed puppies will have a lot of growing to do but this should be done slowly.
According to experts, puppy food should be low in fat and contain a good amount of calcium while providing high-quality protein. In general, an adult St. Bernard English Mastiff mix should be given around 6 to 10 cups of food each day and should be served in 2 portions. Focus on giving them high-quality sources of animal protein to maintain their muscle tone along with with vitamins and minerals to support their cartilage and joints.
Grooming
The type of coat your pet gets will depend on which parent carries the more dominant genes; if your pup takes after its Saint Bernard parent, it may have short or long hair. If your dog takes after its Mastiff parent, it will come with a short and coarse coat, but no matter which parent passes on its coat, your dog will need regular bathing and regular brushing. You can expect to bathe your pooch once every month, depending on how active it is and how dirty it gets.
It’s also important to give your dog a weekly brushing, increasing the consistency according to hair length and how much it sheds. Because both parents come with droopy ears, their offspring will be prone to ear infections if not inspected regularly and cleaned properly. It’s also important to look after their dental needs, so be sure to brush their teeth 2 to 3 times a week.
Exercise
While these dogs aren’t known to have high energy levels and won’t need much exercise, they will still need to get exercise in their lives to keep them healthy. Physical activity is still an important part of maintaining their mental and physical health, and these dogs will need around 60 to 90 minutes of exercise of daily exercise. Once your dog is fully grown, avoid activities that will require them to jump or run too much since this can put stress on their ligaments and joints.
Training
Luckily, these dogs are known for their eagerness to please their humans and also possess high intelligence which makes them fast learners. However, these dogs can also be stubborn which means they won’t be suitable for a first-time owner. The best way to train these dogs is to keep training sessions short and brief while providing positive reinforcement to keep them happy and engaged.
Because these canines are motivated by food, you can use this to your advantage in the form of treats but be sure to feed them a little at a time to avoid obesity. It’s also important to get them started on proper socialization at a young age to ensure that they carry these lessons well into adulthood.
St. Bernard English Mastiff Mix Health Problems
Like many large dogs, your Saint Bermastiff can live around 7 to 10 years; compared to small and medium-sized dogs, they will come with a shorter lifespan. While these hybrid dogs are generally healthy, they can be predisposed to a few health conditions that their parents have. Below are just a few of their potential health problems:
- Hip dysplasia
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Cancer
- Gastric dilatation and volvulus
- Epilepsy
- Lymphoma
- Osteosarcoma
Make sure to speak to a vet or your dog’s health care provider to ensure that your pup gets the right diagnosis on any symptoms it may have. Visiting your vet regularly can also help detect any potential problems before they worsen and they can create a treatment plan for any health concerns that may arise.
Conclusion
These large dogs may look scary and intimidating but their lovable and affectionate personality will quickly make them your best friend. As your newest family members, it’s a good idea to give them proper training at an early age along with daily brushing to help maintain their good looks. They will also be better suited for homes with older children who know how to play with these big dogs, but before you take one home, be sure to look for a reputable breeder who can ensure that your pup is healthy from day one.
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