Bullmastiff St Bernard Mix: A Comprehensive Owner's Guide

Author

Reads 211

Mix Breed Dog Sitting
Credit: pexels.com, Mix Breed Dog Sitting

The Bullmastiff St Bernard mix is a unique and lovable breed that combines the best qualities of both parent breeds. They are known for their massive size, with males weighing up to 130 pounds.

To care for a Bullmastiff St Bernard mix, you'll need to provide plenty of space to roam and exercise. They require daily walks and playtime to stay happy and healthy.

One of the most important things to consider when bringing a Bullmastiff St Bernard mix into your home is their grooming needs. They have a thick coat that sheds heavily, especially during shedding season.

With regular grooming and attention, a Bullmastiff St Bernard mix can make a wonderful companion for active families or individuals.

Physical Characteristics

Your Bullmastiff St Bernard mix will be a massive dog, weighing anywhere from 100 to 260 pounds, depending on the size of its parents.

A typical Bullmastiff stands between 24 and 26 inches high, while a St Bernard can reach up to 35 inches tall.

Credit: youtube.com, GoPro St. Bernard and Bull Mastiff/American Bulldog Mix

You can expect your Saint Bermastiff to inherit the St Bernard's large size, with some individuals reaching as much as 260 pounds.

The mother's size often plays a significant role in determining the puppy's size, so a larger St Bernard mum is likely to breed a bigger dog than a smaller Bullmastiff female.

A St Bernard can have either a dense, short-haired coat or a wavy, long-haired one, both of which are known for being heavy shedders.

The Bullmastiff, on the other hand, has a short, coarse coat with moderate shedding levels.

Your mix can inherit any combination of the St Bernard's coat types or colors, including red and white or mahogany brindle and white.

They can also inherit the Bullmastiff's solid colors, such as fawn, red, or brindle, and dark face mask.

The mix may also inherit the Bullmastiff's noble but watchful expression or the St Bernard's softer, good-natured and welcoming grin.

Readers also liked: Brindle Bullmastiff

General Care

As a Bullmastiff Saint Bernard mix owner, you'll want to get ready for some serious grooming. This mix can be a heavy shedder, so invest in a good vacuum to keep your floors clean.

Credit: youtube.com, this is Beorn a 5-month young Saint Bernard mastiff mix here for puppy training

Baths should be given as needed, but be careful not to dry out their skin. Regular grooming sessions will also help reduce shedding.

To keep your Bullmastiff Saint Bernard mix's energy level down, plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes. This exercise will keep them from being destructive.

A tired dog is a good dog, so make sure to give them plenty of physical activity. Never tie your dog up outside, as this is inhumane and not fair to them.

Training will be a challenge, but breaking sessions into shorter daily sessions will help keep their attention span higher. They're intelligent and love to please, so be sure to praise them when they do well.

The more exercise they get, the easier they'll be to train. Proper socialization is also crucial, so take them to the park and doggy day care to get them around many people and dogs.

Food and Diet

Credit: youtube.com, Raw Food Diet For Dogs | 5 Undeniable Truths "Experts" Won't Tell You | Raw Dog Food For BEGINNERS

The Saint Bermastiff's diet is a crucial aspect of their care, and it's essential to get it right. This large to giant breed requires a carefully controlled diet to avoid excess weight, which can strain their joints and growing bones.

Feeding your Saint Bermastiff smaller meals multiple times a day, rather than one large meal, can help prevent gastric torsion or bloat. This is especially important, as large and giant dogs are prone to this condition.

Their diet should be high in protein and low in "fillers" to satisfy their size and energy needs. They will eat about 4–6 cups of food every day, depending on their size and activity levels.

As a giant dog breed, the Saint Bermastiff requires a diet made specifically for their size. A high-energy food is suitable for giant puppies, but it's essential to choose a food that's lower in fat to prevent skeletal abnormalities.

You might like: Giant Bullmastiff

Credit: youtube.com, SIMPLE Raw Food Meal For Bullmastiff!

A good diet for your adult Saint Bermastiff should focus on high-quality animal protein sources to maintain muscle tone, vitamins and minerals to support joints and cartilage, and less fat to keep an ideal body weight for less joint stress.

Overfeeding your Saint Bermastiff can exacerbate health problems like elbow and hip dysplasia, so it's essential to monitor their food intake. A raw food diet can be a good option, especially for a mix with a wolf background.

Temperament & Intelligence

The temperament and intelligence of a Bullmastiff St. Bernard mix is a fascinating topic. They are generally an easy-going and affectionate dog with a strong desire to please.

These dogs are surprisingly intelligent and can learn many tricks with the right methods. They might not be filing your taxes, but they can quickly learn to open your fridge with positive reinforcement training.

Their massive size can make them a fantastic guard dog, but it's essential to remember that they are "handler soft" and respond well to reward-based training. Strong words and corrections can lead to them shutting down or becoming depressed.

Related reading: Bullmastiff Training

Credit: youtube.com, St. Bernard Who Doesn't Know his Own Strength is Hurting Guests! | It's Me or The Dog

Their original breeding purpose as guard dogs has instilled in them a strong guarding instinct, but this doesn't necessarily make them a danger to others. Establishing yourself as pack leader or seeking help from a professional trainer and behaviorist can help with this.

As they tend to be a bit lazy, they need plenty of rest to gain energy to move their massive size. But don't let their easy-going personality fool you – they are intelligent and can learn many tricks with the right methods.

They are naturally protective and have deep barks, making them a perfect watchdog to look over your family and property. But they also love to spend time with humans and are quite intelligent and easy to train.

However, they may be headstrong, which is why we wouldn't recommend this breed for a first-time dog owner. They need someone with experience in training to ensure they grow up to be a well-behaved and well-rounded adult.

Proper training and socialization from a young age can help prevent problems with other animals. This is particularly necessary if your pup inherits its nature from its Bullmastiff parent.

With patience and proper introduction, Mastiffs can get along swimmingly with cats, but they can sometimes be naturally territorial and protective.

Owning a Bullmastiff St Bernard Mix

Credit: youtube.com, Top 7 Mastiff Cross Breeds | Mastiff mix breeds

Owning a Bullmastiff St Bernard Mix requires some special considerations. They can become territorial, so they need proper training and socialization from a young age.

These dogs are affectionate and loving with their families, but they have a strong guarding instinct due to their Mastiff heritage. This means they need to be socialized with people and other animals to prevent aggression.

They need plenty of exercise, but they're not high-energy dogs. A daily walk and some playtime should be enough to keep them happy and healthy.

To keep your Bullmastiff St Bernard Mix happy and healthy, you'll need to provide a balanced diet. According to PDSA, your dog's diet is a crucial aspect of their overall health.

Here are some key things to consider when owning a Bullmastiff St Bernard Mix:

  • Proper training and socialization from a young age
  • A balanced diet
  • Regular exercise, such as daily walks and playtime

Health

When you bring a Bullmastiff Saint Bernard Mix into your family, you want to make sure you're prepared for any potential health issues that may arise. A reputable breeder should offer a health guarantee on puppies.

Credit: youtube.com, my pets bull mastiff and St Bernard

This breed mix may be prone to joint dysplasia, which can cause arthritis and mobility problems later in life.

Cancer is another potential health issue to consider.

Torn ACLs can also be a problem in this breed mix.

Bloat is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Health clearances are a must when buying from a breeder, as they prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of certain conditions.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Pointer Mix Breed

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does a St Bernard Mastiff get?

A male St. Bernard typically weighs 140-180 pounds and stands 28-30 inches tall, while a female St. Bernard weighs 120-140 pounds and stands 26-28 inches tall.

What is the lifespan of a St Mastiff?

The average lifespan of a St. Mastiff is 6-10 years, similar to other giant breeds. Learn more about the St. Mastiff's health and lifespan in our breed guide.

How big will a Bullmastiff mix get?

A Bullmastiff mix typically stands 27 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 100-130 pounds. This large breed requires plenty of space and exercise to thrive.

Lorraine Stehr

Writer

Lorraine Stehr is a seasoned writer with a passion for storytelling. She has honed her craft through years of writing engaging articles that transport readers to new and exciting worlds. With a keen eye for detail and a talent for weaving words into compelling narratives, Lorraine has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.