If you have been looking for an extra-large dog that will be loving, loyal, and full of fun, a St. Bernard Rottweiler mix is a great place to start.
Before you purchase a St. Bernard Rottweiler puppy or rescue one of these hybrids from the shelter, there are some things that you will want to know.
The St. Bernard Rottweiler mix, sometimes known as a St. Weiler, is a very large dog that can weigh up to 120 pounds.
This mix is a cross between a St. Bernard and a Rottweiler. Known for being affectionate, loyal, and calm, this can be a great choice for experienced owners with plenty of room for a dog to roam.
With early socialization and plenty of consistent training, this can also be a good choice for families living in rural areas.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a St. Bernard Rottweiler Mix
This dog can be tons of fun and there certainly is a lot to love about this large mix. However, this big dog is not a perfect match for every owner.
In fact, there are a few reasons that you may want to avoid getting an extra-large hybrid such as the St. Bernard Rottweiler mix.
First of all, this dog will drool and drool often. Both Rottweilers and St. Bernards are known for having a tendency to slobber.
So, if doggie drool isn’t up your alley, avoiding this mix might be wise. In addition to this, this extremely large breed is prone to a range of health issues.
With its large size and potential health issues, this can be an extremely expensive dog to own.
In fact, the cost of owning a large or giant breed like this can be up to three times more than the cost of owning a smaller dog.
You will need to buy food, grooming supplies, cleaning supplies, and training tools in larger quantities to keep up with this big pup.
Also, this dog is likely to need a lot of grooming. With the dense undercoat of the Rottweiler and the fluffy fur of a St. Bernard, you can expect shedding, smells, and plenty of hair all over your home.
As a couch potato, this dog will also need lots of walks and a carefully controlled diet to help it avoid obesity.
Additionally, this dog will require an experienced trainer who is confident and capable. Housebreaking this dog will be important if you plan to allow it to dwell inside of your house. When this dog has an accident on the carpet, you will know it.
Additionally, the St. Bernard Rottweiler mix should be socialized and trained consistently from puppyhood. Otherwise, this dog may be destructive, obstinate, stubborn, or generally difficult to own.
Finally, this hybrid will need plenty of room to roam. Although this mix isn’t particularly active, it is such a large dog that keeping it inside of an apartment, townhouse, or small living space, can be extremely inconvenient.
Reasons to Avoid the St. Weiler Hybrid
- Has a tendency to drool
- High maintenance grooming requirements
- Prone to various large breed health issues
- Expensive to own and requires lots of food
- Can easily become obese
- May suffer from large breed health issues
- Requires an experienced trainer from an early age
- Must be socialized properly from puppyhood
- Not a good choice for apartments, townhomes, or small living spaces
Reasons Why You Should Get a St. Bernard Rottweiler Mix
Now that we have given you all of the reasons to avoid this hybrid, we will go over why we love this dog.
There are a lot of great things to appreciate about a St. Bernard Rottweiler mix. With the right family and in the right setting, this can be an absolutely wonderful dog to bring into your life.
First of all, this is one of the most loving and affectionate dogs in the world. This dog can be a big baby who wants to cuddle with its owners all of the time.
With a mellow couch potato nature, this is a dog that will lay on your feet or sit by you as you watch TV all day long. Really, if you have been looking for a gigantic cuddle buddy, this mix is a good choice.
Also, this large dog is beautiful with an adorable face and an unforgettable look. As a giant breed, it will turn heads wherever you go.
Also, this dog comes with a range of coat colors and patterns. Plus, Rottweiler St. Bernard hybrids are great at protecting their families and property. These dogs may also be fairly independent and rarely suffer from anxiety.
Although this dog will not be as protective as a purebred Rottweiler or a Bully breed, they are still great at keeping an eye on things.
Additionally, this large dog can do very well with children, families, and other pets, provided that it is socialized from an early age.
Another great thing about the St. Bernard Rottweiler mix is its quiet nature. These dogs are known for being relatively calm and collected. So, if dogs that bark all of the time bother you, this is a good option to consider.
Why So Many People Love St. Weilers
- Calm disposition with a mellow temperament
- Relatively quiet and not prone to barking
- Can do very well with children and other pets
- Extremely affectionate and loving
- Large and beautiful with many coat colors
- An easygoing and friendly dog in general
The Rottie St. Bernard at a Glance
At a glance, this is a large and loving dog with a medium-length coat and an adorable face. Quiet and calm, this dog will be happy to lay at your feet and drool while you work on the computer or watch TV.
To best understand what to expect with this hybrid, it can be helpful to know about both the Rottweiler and the St. Bernard dog breeds. That’s what we’ll cover in the next section.
History of the Rottie and St. Bernard Mix
St. Bernard dogs are heroes in the dog world. Long before Beethoven became famous in movies, St. Bernards were owned by monks in Switzerland. These dogs were bred specially for this cold climate and used to save lives.
In fact, since the early 18th century, monks living on the snowy slopes and alpine passes in Switzerland had begun regularly keeping these dogs as staff team members. Over the last 200 years, more than 2,000 people have been rescued by St. Bernards.
Interestingly enough, these dogs were never formally trained for search and rescue in the snow. Instead, younger St. Bernards would learn how to locate lost mountain travelers from older St. Bernards.
The original St. Bernards were not gigantic, either. In fact, the original St. Bernard dogs were only about the size of German Shepherds.
The earliest written records of these dogs can be dated back to the year 1700. Early British accounts of this breed call it the Alpine Spaniel.
Although the exact origins of this breed are unknown, it is thought that this dog combines Tibetan Spaniels, Mastiffs, and other similar breeds. This dog was bred to be large, fluffy, and easy to get along with.
Rottweilers are an ancient breed dating back to Roman times. These versatile dogs have done everything from cart pulling to sheepherding! Rottweilers are brave, loyal, intelligent, and loving animals.
Understanding the Modern St. Weiler
When you combine two powerful dog breeds such as the Rottweiler and St. Bernard, the resulting hybrid is truly something to behold. St. Weiler dogs combine many of the best aspects of the Rottweiler and St. Bernard!
Appearance of the St. Bernard Mix
This dog is considered to be a giant-sized mixed breed. Measuring anywhere from 21 to 29 inches tall, this dog may weigh anywhere from 99 to 180 lbs.
With a large head and floppy ears, this dog also has a short muzzle that will usually be wide and flat.
Since both the Rottweiler and St. Bernard have loose jowls, expect this dog to have a squishy face.
This dog will also have round or almond-shaped eyes and a tail that is thick and long. Indeed, the tail of the St. Bernard Rottweiler is one of the largest and lowest hanging tails around! Last, this dog will have a solid body, thick legs, and big paws.
Coat and Colors of the St. Bernard Mix
The St. Bernard Rottweiler mix may have a range of coat lengths and thicknesses. Some St. Bernard Rottweiler mixes have long silky coats while other dogs sport shorter coarser coats with dense undercoats.
Not only can this coat vary in texture, but it can also range in color. The fur of a Rottweiler St. Bernard mix can be brown, tan, red, black, light brown, beige, or anything in between.
This dog may have the facial markings of the Rottweiler or have patches that are different colors like St. Bernard dogs.
Size and Weight:
Extra Large, weighing up to 180 pounds
Height:
As tall as 28 inches at the shoulder when fully grown
Personality of the St. Bernard Mix
More mellow than a purebred Rottweiler and slightly smaller than a purebred St. Bernard, this is a great combination of two impressively loyal and devoted breeds.
Since both the St. Bernard dog and the Rottweiler are working breeds, this dog may need a job to do.
Usually, that job will involve finding someplace comfortable to lie down and guarding your property.
However, this dog may have a stubborn and independent streak. So, be prepared for surprises. With such an independent and capable working breed mix, you can never be absolutely sure of what you will get when it comes to personality.
Also, remember that every dog is unique and will be influenced by its experiences from puppyhood and beyond.
So, even though knowing which breeds make up your mix can be helpful when trying to predict things like temperament and personality traits, it is also important to remember that every canine is a unique individual.
Lifespan of the St. Bernard Mix
On average, a Rottweiler will live for about 10 years. However, with good care, a Rottweiler can live as long as 15 years. Simultaneously, St. Bernards live about 10 years.
Once again, with adequate veterinary care and an active lifestyle, these dogs can live much longer. As such, a Rottweiler St. Bernard hybrid is likely to live anywhere from 10 to 14 years.
Other Traits of the St. Bernard Rottweiler Mix
Other characteristic traits of the St. Bernard Rottweiler mix include an independent personality, the ability to learn unique tasks, and an incredibly loyal and loving temperament.
This dog may also be playful, docile, or active. It will all depend on the unique dog that you get! No matter what, this is sure to be a large and fascinating mix when fully grown.
St. Bernard Rottweiler Mix Health Problems
Unfortunately, this mix can suffer from a myriad of health issues. St. Bernards are known for having health issues including hip and elbow dysplasia, cancer, Addison’s disease, eye problems, heart problems, immune issues, and thyroid problems.
Simultaneously, Rottweilers may suffer from hip or elbow dysplasia and conditions related to the heart.
On the bright side, as a mixed breed dog, the St. Bernard Rottweiler mix is likely to be healthier than either a purebred Rottweiler or a purebred St. Bernard.
Keeping your St. Bernard Rottweiler mix active is wise. This can help you avoid issues that stem from obesity, which this dog is prone to.
St. Bernard Rottweiler Mix Food Requirements
The amount of food that you should feed your St. Bernard Rottweiler mix will depend on the type of food that you are feeding your dog and how active the dog is. Not all dog foods are created equally.
Also, some dogs are more active than others and thus will need more food.
For example, if you choose to purchase nutrient-dense food for your mixed breed puppy, you will not have to feed it as much.
This is because smaller quantities of food contain more nutrients. This can be helpful for owners and dogs alike.
Keep in mind that St. Bernard Rottweiler mixes are considered giant breed dogs. As a giant breed, this mix must be fed large-breed puppy food from an early age.
At around eight weeks old, your puppy should be fully weaned and eating solid foods. At this time, you must pay attention to the amount of protein your dog gets each day.
If your St. Bernard Rottweiler mix gets too much protein too early, it will grow too quickly. This can lead to issues like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia later in life.
There are many high-quality large and giant breed puppy foods available that have been formulated with these issues in mind.
St. Bernard Rottweiler Mix Exercise Requirements
The amount of exercise that your St. Bernard Rottweiler mix will require will depend on your dog’s unique personality and activity levels.
No matter how active your dog is, regular walks are essential. This is because the St. Bernard Rottweiler mix is prone to obesity.
So, even if your dog is determined to lay on the couch all day, it is a good idea to make it get up and have a nice brisk walk with you.
Since this dog likes to do new things, fetch, puzzle games, and learning new tricks will keep things interesting.
Tips and Tricks for Grooming Your St. Bernard Rottweiler Mix
The St. Bernard Rottweiler mix can be a tricky dog to groom. Not only does this dog have an extremely dense undercoat, but it is also very large in size.
Even if your St. Bernard Rottweiler mix does not have a thick undercoat, it will still likely shed and need frequent brushing.
Regular baths and nail clipping are also important aspects of grooming to consider.
Tips for Easier Grooming
- Do not skip brushing or nail clipping sessions
- Train your dog to enjoy grooming from a young age
- Consider hiring a professional groomer
- Have the right grooming tools and products
- Get your dog used to the bath and blow dryer
To make grooming easier, there are a few things that you can do. First of all, it is a good idea to stay on top of your dog’s grooming needs.
Clipping your dog’s nails every two weeks, brushing them daily, and giving them a bath every two to eight weeks will help you stay on top of a range of grooming tasks.
With such a dense undercoat, there is a good chance that this dog will experience matting in its fur if you forget to brush them. After all, the undercoat of the Rottweiler can be either wiry or soft.
Simultaneously, the soft wooly undercoat of the St. Bernard dog has been designed to keep the dog warm.
When you combine these two undercoat types, things can get tangled very easily. To avoid this, daily brushing is essential.
Since Rottweiler St. Bernard mixes tend to be food motivated dogs, using healthy treats to motivate them during grooming can make things much easier.
Also, it is a good idea to get your dog acclimated to the grooming parlor as soon as possible. In fact, since grooming this dog can be such a hassle, it might be wise to hire a professional groomer early on.
If you don’t plan to take your dog to a professional grooming parlor, at least get them used to the feel of the bath and the noise of the blow dryer.
Bathing and blow-drying this dog can help you keep shedding under control. Finally, make sure to have the right grooming tools.
For easier brushing, a good dog-safe conditioner or conditioning spray will help. Also, dog cologne will allow you to freshen up your dog’s fur.
St. Bernard Rottweiler Mix Training
When training this mix, it is a good idea to begin obedience training and socialization early. This dog can be a bit stubborn and strong-headed, so be sure to approach training with a positive attitude.
Be consistent and be patient. St. Bernard Rottweiler mixes are likely to be motivated by food. As such, treats can be a fantastic training tool to have on hand.
St. Bernard Rottweiler Mixes and Families
This dog can do very well with families. If you have small children, consider adopting this mix as a puppy.
That way, they can socialize with your family from a young age. If you are rescuing an adult St. Bernard Rottweiler mix from an animal shelter, be sure that the dog is safe around children.
It is also a good idea to provide adult supervision when this dog is around children as it may have a tendency to accidentally knock children over.
St. Bernard Rottweiler Mix and Other Pets
Similar to the way that this dog should be approached when socializing it with children, socialize your St. Bernard Rottweiler mix puppy with other animals from an early age.
Remember to fully vaccinate your puppy before socializing it around other dogs to help avoid diseases and illnesses.
If you are adopting an adult St. Bernard Rottweiler mix, be sure that it is safe around cats, small dogs, and other dogs in general.
Usually, this dog will not be aggressive with other animals. However, each dog is unique, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
St. Bernard Rottweiler Mix Puppies For Sale
Are you ready to adopt a St. Bernard Rottweiler mix breed puppy? If so, be sure to only purchase your puppy from a reputable seller. Choose an experienced breeder that can devote the attention needed for each puppy.
Also, be sure that your breeder has conducted genetic health testing before breeding the parent dogs.
Health testing should be done to help avoid issues like hip dysplasia and cardiovascular problems. A healthy puppy is a happy puppy, after all!
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