Great Dane St Bernard Mix – Is This Giant Crossbreed a Good Pet?

The Great Dane St Bernard mix is a cross between what many dog lovers consider to be gentle giants.

But is this massive crossbreed the right dog for you?

Surely if you are considering the Great Dane St Bernard mix, then you already know you are in for a lot of dog.

But what else are you in for, and how do you know if your household and lifestyle is the ideal fit for this massive hybrid?

Don’t worry. This article should answer all of your questions.

Keep reading to learn what kind of pet the Great Dane St Bernard mix makes, and whether or not he is the right dog for you!

Introducing the Great Dane St Bernard Mix

Sometimes referred to as the Saint Dane, the Great Dane St Bernard mix is a crossbreed of two of the biggest dogs around!

That’s right, we are talking about the Great Dane and the St Bernard.

Considering this crossbreed is the offspring of two massive purebred dogs, you can bet he is going to be one powerful pup!

Unfortunately, large dogs come with a number of health concerns, not to mention they need a lot of patience, time, and training.

Do you have what it takes to own a Great Dane St Bernard mix?

And what is the deal with the crossbreed controversy?

Let’s find out!

The Crossbreed Controversy

Yes, crossbreeding is nothing new, but it’s still somewhat confusing.

Even experts have their opinions on the practice, and not all of their opinions are the same.

So what’s the deal? And what is a crossbreed anyway?

A crossbreed, like the Great Dane St Bernard Mix, is the offspring of two purebred parents.

A mutt, on the other hand, has a lineage of several breeds.

Of course, deciding if a mutt or a crossbreed is any different is not the end of the debate.

There are some very important factors to consider, like the health of a crossbreed.

Crossbreed Health

It’s no secret that purebred dogs are growing more and more vulnerable to inheritable health issues due to years of overbreeding in relentlessly shrinking gene pools.

Those in favor of crossbreeding insist that the practice may actually reduce these health issues by widening the gene pool and thus reducing the chances of these genetic health issues being passed down.

However, there are many who disagree and claim that both purebred and crossbred dogs are equally as vulnerable to inheriting genetic health issues.

For more on common objections to crossbreeding, click here.

And now, let’s talk about the enormous crossbreed that brought you here—the Great Dane St Bernard mix!

What Is the Great Dane St Bernard Mix Origin?

There are a number of crossbreeds who are considered first generation crossbreeds, and the Great Dane St Bernard mix is one of them.

First generation simply means that the Great Dane Saint Bernard crossbreed is the direct offspring of a purebred Great Dane and a purebred St Bernard.

This means that his story is still being written, and there is very little known about his origin.

But that’s okay.

We can learn what makes the Great Dane St Bernard mix unique by looking into the origins and histories of his purebred parents.

Let’s begin with the Great Dane.

History of the Great Dane

Hailing from Germany, the Great Dane has been mysteriously associated with Denmark, although historians and other experts have yet to determine why.

What we do know is that Great Danes, beloved for their incredible size and dependable nature, were used by aristocratic Germans to hunt wild boar.

Great Danes were also successful guard dogs, with their size and loyalty making them famous protectors of their family and domain.

Of course, the modern-day Great Dane is what many dog-enthusiasts call a gentle giant, due to his sweet disposition and love for his family.

He currently sits at number 14 out of 194 on the American Kennel Club’s list of America’s favorite dogs!

But what about the Saint Bernard?

History of the Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard has a heroic history that, according to the AKC, begins in 1050.

Created over hundreds of years by monks to patrol the harsh and icy terrain of the Alps, the Saint Bernard’s job was to rescue fallen travelers.

The Saint Bernard is named after the Monk Bernard of Menthon who originally founded the sanatorium for ailing pilgrims on their way to Rome, which the Saint Bernard helped to save.

Brave, strong, and friendly, the Saint Bernard was excellent at finding and rescuing lost pilgrims who had fallen victim to avalanches and deep snow drifts.

Today, the Saint Bernard is still used in rescue efforts, but he is also a beloved family pet.

He ranks in at number 49 out of 194 on the AKC’s list of America’s most popular dog breeds.

Keep reading to learn whether the crossbreed is brave and heoric, too.

What Is the Temperament of the Great Dane St Bernard Mix?

Since the Great Dane and Saint Bernard mix is a crossbreed, determining his exact temperament is a bit challenging.

You see, when it comes to crossbreeds, you are rolling the dice on things like temperament, health, and physical appearance.

This is because you could get a mix of either parent in your hybrid dog, or your mix could favor one parent genetically over the other.

When it comes to the Great Dane St Bernard Mix, his temperamental traits will be left up to genetics.

Let’s check out the temperamental traits of the Great Dane and the St Bernard so you can get an idea of what type of personality traits your Great Dane St Bernard Mix could inherit.

Temperament of the Great Dane

Despite his massive size, many Great Dane enthusiasts agree that this breed is great with children and families, and even gets along well with other household pets.

A patient and relaxed breed, the Great Dane needs a surprising amount of exercise to stay healthy.

He is also a sniffer and loves to follow scents.

For this reason, the AKC recommends he is always kept on a leash whenever he is taken outside of the home.

Because of his size, the Great Dane would be best suited for families who enjoy big dogs and for owners who are used to larger canines and know what they entail.

Of course, all dogs should have early socialization and obedience training beginning in puppyhood in order to ensure they grow up into healthy, happy, well-rounded adults, and the Great Dane is no exception!

Now, let’s learn about the temperament of the St Bernard.

Temperament of the St Bernard

Like his Great Dane counterpart, the St Bernard is family friendly and bonds closely with his people.

He enjoys children of all ages.

However, families with very young children should be aware that the Saint Bernard could accidentally knock into younger children due to his massive size and sheer strength.

Still, this is a breed who loves his family and bonds strongly with them.

He enjoys tagging along on family adventures, including camping, hiking, and more!

However, a prospective owner should keep in mind that this is a messy breed who tends to drool, shed, and track mud and dirt wherever he goes.

This is a dog’s dog and can be a lot of dog for the novice dog owner.

Of course, as we mentioned above, all dogs should undergo early socialization and obedience training beginning in puppyhood.

Great Dane St Bernard Physical Appearance

Remember, the Great Dane and Saint Bernard crossbreed is a mix between two purebred parents.

For this reason, his appearance and defining characteristics are going to be left up to chance.

Just like with temperament, it is going to be difficult to pinpoint exactly what he will look like.

Still, based on the sizes of his purebred parents, you can expect your Great Dane St Bernard mix to be between 26 and 32 inches tall and weigh between 110 and 180 pounds.

But what other characteristics could the Great Dane St Bernard mix inherit? Let’s take a look!

Physical Appearance of the Great Dane

Standing 28–32 inches tall and weighing approximately 110–175 pounds, the tall and muscular Great Dane is hard to miss.

Naturally, this breed has floppy ears, which some owners choose to clip. He has a long tail, long legs and arms, a long muzzle, and a short, sleek coat that comes in six colors:

• Brindle
• Black
• Fawn
• Blue
• Mantle
• Harlequin

Physical Appearance of the St Bernard

The St Bernard, with his sweet face and expressive eyes, is known for his medium-length coat, hanging jowls, long tail, floppy ears, and wide paws.

He stands 26–30 inches in height and weighs 120–180 pounds.

His thick, dense coat comes in both short and long hair, and it comes in several color combinations:

• Reddish-Brown Brindle
• Red and White
• Reddish-Brown Splash
• Brown and Yellow
• Reddish-Brown Mantle

Grooming and Basic Care of a Great Dane St Bernard Mix

The Saint Bernard Great Dane mix is a cross between two dogs with pretty different coats, as far as texture and color go.

Still, both the Great Dane and St Bernard are occasional shedders and require a similar amount of grooming and care.

This means that your St Bernard and Great Dane mix will need a similar amount of grooming care regardless of which parent he takes after.

With this in mind, a prospective Great Dane St Bernard mix owner should prepare for weekly brushing, and perhaps a little more during shedding season, which happens twice a year.

Your Great Dane St Bernard mix will also need an occasional bath to keep his coat clean, and his nails will need to be trimmed regularly to keep them from cracking or splitting.

Furthermore, his ears will need to be cleaned consistently to keep waxy buildup and moisture from causing infection.

Great Dane St Bernard Mix Lifespan and Health Concerns

Large dogs are unfortunately notorious for their shorter lifespans, and the Great Dane St Bernard mix is no exception with an average lifespan of 7–10 years.

Remember, your St Bernard cross Great Dane is going to be susceptible to the very same health concerns as his purebred parents.

We always suggest early health screening for new puppies, especially crossbreeds.

This is because it may be difficult to determine what your crossbreed could be facing health-wise in his future.

To get a better idea of what the Great Dane St Bernard could be susceptible to, let’s look at the health issues and life expectancies of his purebred parents.

Great Dane Lifespan and Health Issues

The Great Dane has a life expectancy of 7–10 years.

He can be most susceptible to eye issues, cardiac diseases, autoimmune thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, and hip dysplasia.

Most commonly, though, Great Danes are prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus, or bloat.

Bloat is the number one killer of Great Danes and is so common that many owners opt for a preventative surgery known as prophylactic gastropexy.

Now, let’s talk about the St Bernard.

St Bernard Lifespan and Health Issues

With a lifespan of 8–10 years, the St Bernard is susceptible to a number of the same health issues as the Great Dane, including eye issues, hip dysplasia, and sensitivity to a drastic change in climate, such as going from a hot summer day to a cool, air-conditioned home.

The Saint Bernard is also prone to bloat.

Remember, your Great Dane St Bernard could inherit these common ailments, making early health screening all that more important.

Training and Exercise Needs of a Great Dane St Bernard Mix

Your Great Dane x St Bernard is a large, powerful breed who is going to need a consistent amount of exercise every day in order to stay fit and healthy.

However, keep in mind that over-exercising your Great Dane cross St Bernard could lead to serious injury, especially if he is younger than two years old and still developing and growing.

After your Great Dane x St Bernard is over age two, he will enjoy long walks, jogs, hikes, and more.

But up until two, keep exercise brisk and simple so as not to cause injury to your Great Dane St Bernard mix’s rapidly growing body.

Should I Get a Great Dane St Bernard Mix?

Although the Saint Bernard cross Great Dane gets along well with families and children of all ages and enjoys other household pets, this is a crossbreed who is fairly large and will require a lot when it comes to maintenance.

The Saint Dane dog could be right for you, if you are in the market for a large dog who

• bonds closely with his humans
• needs lots of exercise
• enjoys being a part of the family

Still, keep in mind that this crossbreed has a shorter lifespan and a number of health issues that may require a lot in the way of time and money.

Furthermore, he will need a lot of space to lounge and play.

This means the ideal home type for a Great Dane St Bernard mix is going to be one that has a decent sized backyard where he can play and romp freely.

How to Find A Great Dane St Bernard Mix Puppy

Do you have your heart set on Saint Dane puppies?

Perhaps you are looking to go through a breeder to get your new furry best friend?

If so, keep in mind that research, patience, and networking will play a huge role in the health and happiness of Great Dane St Bernard mix puppies.

Most reputable breeders will have had their Great Dane Saint Bernard mix puppies health screened.

They should be able to offer certificates proving their puppies are healthy.

Puppy Price

Still, Great Dane St Bernard mix pups can be a bit pricey, especially if their purebred parents are show quality. Be prepared to spend anywhere from $500 to over $1000.

However, if you are looking to rescue your Great Dane St Bernard from a shelter, prices are certainly much lower.

Adoption fees are typically around $50 to $100, and many shelters will cover the initial vet trip.

Still, finding a Great Dane St Bernard mix puppy at a shelter could be hit or miss.

We suggest you look into specialty rescues specific to the breeds or crossbreed you are looking at to better ensure you get what you want.

Is A Great Dane St Bernard Mix Right for Me?

So do you have a Great Dane St Bernard mix? If you’re planning on getting one, use our articles to find the perfect name!

Are there any fun facts we missed you think we should know?

If you don’t think this is the dog for you but you love large dogs, perhaps you should check out other Great Dane options! 

Tell us in the comments!

References

Borbala Turcsan, Adam Miklosi, Eniko Kubinyi, Owner Perceived Differences Between Mixed-Breed and Purebred Dogs

Tiffani J Howell, Tammie King, Pauleen C Bennett, Puppy Parties and Beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior, Volume 6, pages 143-153

Nathan B Sutter and Elaine A Ostrander, Dog Star Rising: The Canine Genetic System, Nature Reviews Genetics, Volume 5, pages 900-910

Lowell Acumen DVM, DACVD, MBA, MOA, The Genetic Connection; a Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs, Second Edition, 2011

Carol Beuchat Ph.D., The Myth of Hybrid Vigor in Dogs…Is A Myth