St. Bernards are among the most popular dog breeds in the United States. Their peaceful, kind, and loving personality is adored by most families.
Pitbulls, on the other hand, do not have the same reputation. Some people think of them as violent and dangerous, yet they also have a tender, caring side that isn’t often known.
So, what takes place when these two breeds mix? What personality do the mixes possess? Would they be friendly or hostile?
Purpose-bred crossbreeds are getting increasingly fashionable, and the new St. Bernard/Pitbull combination is gaining popularity. The St. Bernard Pitbull mix is a mixed breed between a medium-sized energetic Pitbull and a giant calm St. Bernard.
This unique crossbreed was created to produce a dog with the gentleness and devotion of a St. Bernard with the courage and strength of a Pitbull.
St. Bernard Pitbull Mix Origins
Despite the lack of specific records as to when the first St. Bernard Pitbull mix was born, the breed is still fairly recent. Since both breeds are relatively common, there’s a significant probability they’ve been mixed before becoming a well-known cross.
So, how did this breed emerge? What made breeders choose these two breeds in particular for crossbreeding?
Let’s dig deeper into the history of the Pitbull and St. Bernard breeds to find answers to these issues.
St. Bernard
St. Bernards are one of the world’s oldest and purest breeds, with a long history of serving as superb rescue dogs. They are said to have saved many lives over the years and are among the most popular canines on the planet.
The St. Bernard dog breed is a near descendant of the native highland dogs who have resided in the Swiss Alps for millennia. According to reports, the St. Bernard breed was created in 962 AD.
The local monks have utilized these mountain canines to find missing tourists and protect the monastery grounds since it was founded near the St. Bernard bridge.
In 1695, a painting depicting a dog with strong similarities to the St. Bernard provided the first tangible documentation of the breed’s existence.
Because they lived in mountainous areas, the breed developed characteristics that helped them survive the cruel winter cold, such as a strong, long fur and muscular bodies, which enabled them to search and retrieve for miles.
Pitbulls
Pitbulls are possibly the most controversial and misunderstood dog breed in the current world, and their history plays a big part in that.
Bulldogs and terriers were commonly utilized in bull-baiting in the 1800s, and this breed has a long history. Crossbreeding between terriers and bulldogs became popular as the sport demanded aggression and agility.
After bull-baiting was made illegal in 1835, dog-fighting took its place in small arenas and illegal taverns. With selective breeding, the Bull Terrier hybrid was bred to be even more violent for this purpose.
The Bull Terrier breed was quickly transferred to areas where blood sports were popular. Most people are unaware, however, that these dogs were also designed to be gentle toward people, so they do not attack their owners.
Although they differed little, the major goal was to distinguish them from Pitbull Terriers, who had a record and history in nasty blood sports.
Ever since, the breed has increased greatly in popularity in the United States, although they still have a bad reputation as dangerous dogs and are subject to tight governmental restrictions.
St. Bernard Pitbull Mix
Your St. Bernard Pitbull Mix will be as loyal as his Pitbull parent and as kind as St. Bernard. Furthermore, St. Bernard Pitbull Mix dogs are known for being fiercely protective of their owners.
They are reasonably easy to train because the St. Bernard Pitbull Mix is eager to please its owner. They will, however, demand a constant routine as well as modest activity.
Because there are four types of Pitbulls, this ambiguity becomes much more problematic with St. Bernard Pitbull Mixes. Even though all Pitbulls have nearly identical temperaments, their sizes vary widely.
So, before you buy a St. Bernard Pitbull mix, find out which Pitbull parent your puppy came from. Knowing the characteristics of each parent makes it easier to make educated guesses about how your puppy will look and act.
St. Bernard Pitbull Mix Appearance
The St. Bernard Pitbull mix has characteristics from both parents when it comes to appearance. While the blend is physically similar to both parents, there are minor distinctions.
Except for height, both St. Bernards and Pitbulls share a similar body. Both breeds are hardworking dogs with a strong build and a short, broad nose. These canines have the agility to go on extended search and rescue operations or battle bulls and dogs for hours because of their athletic heritage.
A St. Bernard Pitbull mix has a physique that is identical to both of its parents. They have a slim, muscular frame with a deep chest and powerful legs.
However, they are generally always the same height as St. Bernards when it comes to height. Keep in mind that the mix breed babies will be taller than their Pitbull parents.
Instead of the famed peaked ear shape of Pitbulls, these canines have the drooping ears of their St. Bernard father.
Weight
This breed is typically heavier, especially if it is tall. Because the puppies frequently match the height of their St. Bernard parents, they grow up to be quite enormous canines capable of knocking down toddlers in a flash, so be cautious.
They’ll be taller and bigger than most Pitbulls, even if they’re on the smaller end of the scale. The average St. Bernard Pitbull mix will reach 20 to 27 inches tall at shoulder height and weigh 50 to 120 pounds.
Coat and Color
One aspect that both parents have in common is their coats. St. Bernards have a long, fluffy coat that keeps them warm in the icy Swiss Alps. Pitbulls, on the other hand, have a short to medium-length coat that is easier to care for.
Fortunately, most St. Bernard Pitbull mixes inherit their Pitbull parent’s fur. The majority of them have a medium-length fur, though it can be lengthier in some cases if the St. Bernard parent’s genes are stronger.
The overall pattern of their coats resembles that of St.Bernards, with a white spot on the chest. However, because Pitbulls come in such a wide range of coat colors, your St. Bernard Pitbull mix might be any color, including brindle, fawn, brown, blue, tan, and more.
St. Bernard and Pitbull Temperament
One of the most common motivations for breeding St. Bernards and Pitbulls is to produce a dog with both of its parents’ personality characteristics. While the majority do, it all comes down to whether the parent has the more powerful genes.
St. Bernard Temperament
St. Bernards are known for their gentleness and calm. They are extremely sociable, loyal toward their owners, and calm, making them ideal for families with kids. They enjoy lounging on the couch just as much as playing with their humans.
Due to their previous generations as search and rescue operation dogs, these dogs are also highly intelligent and have an incredible sense of smell. These dogs are only aggressive when they need to protect their family.
Pitbull Temperament
Pitbulls are more energetic and active than St. Bernards. They’re also quite affable and enjoy meeting new people, which makes them questionable guard dogs.
They are, nevertheless, always aware of their environment and possess a strong will. If their family is threatened, these dogs will not hesitate to defend them with their lives.
Pitbulls are not violent towards humans, despite popular belief. Pitbulls have been raised to be docile towards humans, despite their history of being used in blood sports. A significant proportion of Pitbull bite cases are caused by inadequate or abusive ownership, as well as a lack of proper training.
St. Bernard Pitbull Mix Temperament
Like a St. Bernard, these dogs will be highly kind and inviting, but they will also be extremely alert and active, like a Pitbull.
They’ll enjoy spending time with their family and will be quite affectionate and protective of their owners. They will enjoy playing with both children and adults due to their energetic disposition.
The predominance of other qualities is determined by which parent possesses the stronger gene. Even though that these mixtures are not violent, they can inherit Pitbull personalities.
These dogs will become very cautious guards if they do, but they must still be supervised when playing with youngsters because their size is sufficient to knock down little children.
Adult supervision is recommended for several reasons.
- Children may not understand how to treat this enormous dog and may tug his ears or nose, shocking him and causing him to bite out of instinct.
- By nature of his size, the St. Bernard pitbull mix may knock down a little child.
- Pitbull is not as peaceful as a St. Bernard. Because this crossbreed may have prey impulses, it is recommended that kids and other small animals be supervised when around them.
St. Bernard Pitbull Mix Possible Health Problems
When crossbreeding dogs, there’s a chance that the emerging breed will either inherit an illness or none at all. The greater the genetic diversity between parent breeds, the less likely it is that hereditary disorders would be passed down.
Fortunately, Pitbulls and St. Bernards are two completely distinct breeds. As a result, the St. Bernard Pitbull hybrid is thought to be a generally healthy dog. They are only susceptible to a few health issues that are typical in most canine species.
If you’re buying from a reputable breeder, ask for the parents’ pedigrees so you can see which diseases are prevalent in the lineage and which disorders your puppy might inherit.
Here is a list of genetic disorders that might affect the St. Bernard Pitbulls mix and how they can impact your dog:
1. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia, a frequent bone ailment in dogs, arises when a hip joint’s deformity prohibits the thigh bone from aligning completely inside it. Hip dysplasia can strike at any age, but it is more common in older dogs.
It’s a very unpleasant position that might make it difficult to move. Hip dysplasia in mature dogs can progress to arthritis. There is currently no treatment, and more severe instances are usually treated with medicines prescribed by veterinarians.
Another sort of joint problem, except this time it affects the elbow joint rather than the hip. Irregular growth of the bones that make up the elbow joint produces lameness in the forelimbs in this condition.
Doctors may propose corrective surgery in severe situations. Painkillers and weight maintenance, on the other hand, can assist prevent development.
2. Allergies
Most canines, including both parents of this breed, experience allergies, but skin allergies caused by shampoos, fleas, or bedding, which can cause itching, are more common in Pitbulls.
Food allergies, such as those caused by corn or wheat, can also affect this breed, causing irritation and discomfort. This breed’s parents may be sensitive to airborne allergens like pollen and dust!
To avoid any serious trouble and suffering for your puppy, have them examined for allergies by a veterinarian as soon as you bring them home.
3. Heart Disease
Both parent breeds have heart issues, but they don’t necessarily harm the crossbreed. Pitbulls are known to have aortic stenosis, a genetic condition in which the heart’s valves narrow. It normally has no symptoms, but in rare situations, it can lead to decreased energy and even fatality.
Some St. Bernards have dilated cardiomyopathy, which leads the heart muscles to narrow. Irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, weakness, loss of appetite, and an enlarged abdomen are all indications of abnormality in dogs.
4. Cataracts
Cataracts are a flaw in the cornea’s lens that causes it to develop a milky look, affecting your dog’s eyesight. If it becomes too serious, it can be rectified through surgery. Cataracts are not inherited and usually emerge with age.
5. Epilepsy
Epilepsy is more common in St. Bernards, and it causes small seizures that last only a few minutes.
Although seeing a dog have a seizure is terrifying, it may be controlled with medication. Because the disease is more common in St. Bernards than Pitbulls, the chances of the mixed breed inheriting Epilepsy are slim, but not non-existent.
St. Bernard Pitbull Mix Grooming and Care Requirements
It is critical to ensure good grooming for both your dog and yourself. Because of their medium-length coat, St. Bernard Pitbull mixes are easy to groom. Things can become a little messy if they acquire their St. Bernard parent’s lengthy coat.
Brushing once a week is enough to maintain shedding to a minimum in medium-length coat St. Bernard Pitbull mixes. However, if they have long, fluffy fur, groom them at least two or three times a week to keep hair from accumulating in your home.
With a longer coat, you’ll have to bathe your dog more frequently, which isn’t the easiest chore in the world given their size. As a result, long-coat St. Bernard Pitbull mixes are not the greatest choice for allergy sufferers.
Apart from that, you must take care of the essentials, such as trimming their nails once or twice per month, cleaning their ears, occasionally wiping the dirt from their eyes with a cloth, and so on. You’re good to go if you can handle that!
St. Bernard Pitbull Mix Training and Exercise Requirements
A St. Bernard Pitbull mix can be either energetic or active, depending on which parent has the stronger genetics.
Pitbulls are generally hyperactive canines who require a lot of exercise to keep their muscular bodies and remain healthy. St. Bernards, on the other hand, are more laid-back and require only light to moderate exercise to stay in shape.
Your St. Bernard Pitbull mix’s actual nature will only be exposed when they mature. They’ll be either insanely hyper or relaxed. Their parents’ personalities can predict how busy they’ll be, but they can’t give you an exact approximation.
If your dog inherits the Pitbull gene, you’ll need to give them at least an hour of activity per day, which can be done by jogging, walking, doing indoor activities, or roaming in the park.
To mature into a well-behaved adult, a St. Bernard Pitbull mix requires thorough training from the time it is a puppy.
From an early age, you must assist them in socializing with other humans and dogs for them to learn how to interact with others.
They’ll be considerably calmer and nicer with new people and animals as they mature into adulthood.
Positive reinforcement learning is best for these pets. They crave affection and devotion from their owners and will go to great lengths to satisfy them. Recognizing them with pats, kisses, and goodies will go a long way toward training them effectively.
Is the St. Bernard Pitbull Mix Right for You?
We recommend adopting the St. Bernard Pitbull mix if you’re already an experienced dog owner. This crossbreed needs an active owner or family that can provide the amount of exercise and training that they need.
Since it’s a mixed breed, you don’t have to worry about any inherited health problems. Just make sure that you properly take care of their coat, eyes, joints, and heart.
