Saint Weiler (Saint Bernard & Rottweiler Mix) Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Saint Weiler dog breed is certainly not for the faint-hearted! This cross comes from a hybrid of purebred parentage of Rottweilers and Saint Bernards, two huge breeds. Both contributing breeds have a history of work and service, such as police work, search & recuse, and guard dogs.

Breed Overview

Despite some of these serious working positions, Saint Weilers are gentle giants. Their large stature may have them assumed to be unfriendly from afar, but in fact, they are calm, loving, and fit seamlessly into many families.

However, some of the features of a Saint Weiler may make them more challenging to a novice owner than some other popular family breeds. We’re here to provide you with all you need to know so you can decide if a Saint Weiler is the perfect piece to add to your family puzzle!

Saint Weiler Characteristics

Saint Weiler Puppies

Each litter of Saint Weilers is unique in its relative resemblance to its parent’s breeds, coloration, and temperament.  Make sure you are aware of the care a large dog breed will need in terms of health care, food, and overall space in your home. If you feel experienced enough to care for a Saint Weiler, they will make a great addition to your home.

Make sure to keep them well entertained with exercise, training, and mental stimulation to avoid boredom in these active and hard-working dogs. Discover the Saint Weiler’s full care guide here to know what they need in terms of food, exercise, and grooming.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Saint Weiler

Saint Weiler is a breed that may look menacing from afar, but once you get up close and get to know them, they are goofy and friendly. They have high-energy levels and love to run, play, and explore.

They adore their families and are highly loyal. They love to spend a lot of time with their owners, so leaving them alone for long periods is not best. They do well in large families as plenty of people are around for them to spend time with.

Their easy-going and eagerness to please nature make them a joy to have around. There is little you need to worry about as the owner of a Saint Weiler, except perhaps a large food bill!

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Saint Weilers love to live in families. Families with multiple different ages of people make them feel like they belong to a large pack, which is a natural way for them to live. They do well with babies due to their gentle nature; the most aggression you will see in this regard is if someone poses a threat to the children! Lots of training before the arrival of a new baby will help your Saint Weiler relax in the presence of strangers around the baby.

However, be careful with young children as a playful Saint Weiler can cause harm simply but trying to play. Their large bodies can be like bulldozers when they have a case of the “zoomies,” so supervised playtime is necessary.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

Suppose your Saint Weiler strongly resembles their Saint Bernard parentage. In that case, getting along with other animals is not a cause for concern. These contributing genetics will create an easy-going dog that is tolerant of dogs of any personality type. They will also not be bothered by cats or other small pets.

However, remember that the Rottweiler genetics may cause them to be a bit more stand-offish when socializing. The Rottweiler has a higher prey drive which small animals may trigger.

As usual, plenty of socialization (especially at a young age) will help a Saint Weiler become comfortable with other dogs and pets. This early socialization will also help them come out of their shell, as isolated Saint Weilers can become sort of “shy,” in that they will not seek to interact at all with other dogs.

Things to Know When Owning a Saint Weiler:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

As a large breed dog, you can imagine that their stomach is just as large! Their nutrition requirement is much the same as any other dog. High-quality dog food will suffice for them to thrive. They will, however, need to eat quite a lot to maintain their condition. In addition, they are high-energy dogs so will need plenty of food to fuel their activity.

For large breed dogs, the developmental stage is critical. Ensure you follow diet guidelines when feeding your Saint Weiler through the years. A balanced puppy diet will ensure that they have all that they need to power some serious growth. Also, as they age, their prominent statures and a lifetime of high activity can weigh on their health. A proper senior diet as they age will support them to grow old comfortably.

Exercise 🐕

A Saint Weiler is undoubtedly not a breed suited for apartment living or day after day of lazy Netflix days! They require a significant amount of exercise and would benefit best from a minimum of two 30-minute walks a day. One long walk would also be fine but splitting the exercise will keep them more satisfied.

This breed will much love hiking, weekend trips, and beach visits. Any extra adventures outside of a walk around the park will be enjoyed. Keep in mind you should make sure your Saint Weiler is very well trained before going out and about. They are immensely physically strong and can easily pull you over while on the lead. They will also need a confident recall as other dog walkers will not appreciate seeing such a large dog bound towards them uncontrolled.

Training 🎾

Luckily, this giant breed is a breeze to train. While you can’t physically control a Saint Weiler, you can become very confident you have them under control with commands with great training. They are eager to please, and with consistent training, they will know their basic commands and always follow them.

As usual, early training of basic obedience will get you on the right foot for a well-behaved adult. If you struggle with the puppy stage of training, we highly recommend taking them to a puppy school to help you gain confidence in teaching them.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming requirements for a Saint Weiler will depend on whether they have inherited a coat more like the short, silky coat of a Rottweiler or the long, shaggy coat of a Saint Bernard.

If the coat is shorter, they will be OK with frequent brush, perhaps more during shedding. But if they have a long Saint Bernard coat, then more frequent brushing will be required. You may even consider a semi-regular professional clipping. This will help them to stay hygienic and keep them cool in the warmer months.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Saint Weilers generally have good health. As a hybrid breed, they benefit from increased immunity and genetic diversity. With good care, they can live to ripe ages. However, they may be vulnerable to some inherited conditions depending on their parent’s genetics. These may present themselves as your Saint Weiler ages or appear at a young age.

Male vs. Female

The most significant difference noticed between male and female Saint Weilers is physical. Males tend to hit the higher end of the height and weight range. They also tend to be more boisterous. This size and behavior combo may make them more difficult for inexperienced owners and trainers to deal with. But with excellent training, these traits can make them resilient and brave than their female counterparts.

In contrast, a female Saint Weiler may be smaller (in comparison!) and quieter making her easier to control. But she may also be more prone to separation anxiety.

These are all generalizations, of course, each Saint Weiler will have a unique personality and physical description. Their character will be largely inherited from Mom and Dad. To get an idea of their possible adult temperament, make a point to meet both their parents when viewing the puppies.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Saint Weiler

1. They’re not built for the heat

While the specific qualities of a Saint Weiler’s coat will depend on its genetic makeup, both contributing parents are breeds that do not tolerate heat very well. Both the Rottweiler and Saint Bernard have heavy, double-layer coats. These coats serve them to stay warm in cool climates, but they will become over-encumbered in hot climates.

Your Saint Weiler will need extra care and attention if living in a warm climate. They will need exercise in the cooler hours of the day, professional grooming, and help to cool down.

2. They make excellent guard dogs

While we have mentioned that Saint Weilers are gentle giants, this affection is generally reserved for their family and known friends. They love their family so much that they can become very protective of them and naturally be alert to potential threats.

Suppose they perceive something as a threat, such as a bump in the night or a possible intruder, they will certainly because aggressive towards the danger to protect their family. Their large size and deep bark will be more than enough to keep unwanted visitors at bay.

3. They are good with children

Many parents may feel uneasy with their children around large dogs. They are unsure of how a dog will react to young children’s unpredictable behavior and lack of knowledge of a dog’s boundaries. But any owner of a Saint Weiler will tell you that this large breed is exceptionally gentle with children. They are tolerant of children’s behavior and will view new family members as a vulnerable pack member to protect.

Conclusion

This large breed dog has an equally large heart. They are not for every owner, as their size and care requirements will require a certain degree of management experience. With the proper care and training, a Saint Weiler can make an extraordinary addition to many families. They will be so incredibly loved, and they will provide this love right back.

See also:

• Mastweiler (Mastiff & Rottweiler Mix)
• Rottaf (Rottweiler & Afghan Hound Mix)

Featured Image Credit: Pikrepo