The St Bernard Golden Retriever Mix – A Guide to A Unique Dog

The St Bernard golden retriever mix is a really well-mannered and sweet dog, they are gentle giants that have the largest hearts and make for superb family dogs.

Obviously, they are a mix between st bernard and golden retriever, both of the breeds have some unique traits to offer and their mix tends to inherit these unique traits which make them a very desirable mix.

Let’s know more about this adorable mix to see if they are the ones for you by learning about their temperament, health, exercise needs, grooming needs, training, and as guard dogs. 

Here is a quick overview of the Golden Retriever Saint Bernard Mix’s characteristics;

Other Names	The Golden Saint
Weight	100 – 220 Pounds
Height	30 – 36 inches
Lifespan	9 – 13 years
Colors	Brown, cream, yellow, white, brindle, red, black, and merle.
Health	8/10
Grooming Needs	6/10
Exercise Needs	9/10
Shedding	8/10
Kid Friendliness	9/10
Pet-friendliness	8/10
Protectiveness	8/10
Good for apartments	Maybe
Average puppy cost	$300 – $700 USD

 St Bernard Golden Retriever Mix Characteristics 

Size: 30 – 36 inches

Weight: 100 – 220 pounds 

Colors: Brown, brindle, yellow, cream, white, red, black, merle.

Coat Type: Double coated/wire 

The st Bernard and golden retriever mix tends to have the body type of Saint Bernard and usually will keep the facial features of the golden retriever.

They have double coats and will shed often, their coat is thick, waterproof, and very long. They can also have amber, hazel, or brown eyes and their nose is usually black, brown, or light brown.

Their coat is really dense and regular brushing is needed, due to their thick dense coat they do better in cold weather. They may be able to live in warmer climates like Florida, for example, if you take the necessary precautions, but it will not be easy to adjust them to the warmth and humidity.

Like their golden retriever parent, they are quite large but still smaller than their St Bernard parent.

Parent Breeds

Like father like son rings as true in dogs as it does in humans, and you can expect the golden saint to have a personality that’s quite the mix between their parents’ personalities.

The St. Bernard is an affectionate breed and friendly with everyone they meet, this canine has a steady temperament. St. Bernards are gentle with children but they really need early training due to their large size, they are intelligent and easy to manage.

They are never aggressive but if they feel that their family is in danger they will defend them with everything they got.  St. Bernards also need early socialization so they can get along well with other pets and strangers.

Golden retrievers have a similar personality to st bernard, they are also friendly and like everyone they meet. Goldens are an ideal choice if you have children because of their outgoing, gentle, and playful nature.

Golden retrievers are eager to please and easy to train because they are quick learners.

They are quite the opposite of guard dogs because they are incredibly friendly with strangers and everyone, however, they may alarm you if they sense that something is off.

Golden Retrievers are also very intelligent dogs, they are the 4th smartest breed after border collie, poodle, and a german shepherd, so you can expect the Golden Saint to also be quite intelligent.

Temperament 

The st Bernard golden retriever mix is gentle and friendly just like their parent breeds, they are also eager to please and inclined to be obedient.

Also, I have to mention the mix’s appearance because they got both the personality and the looks so they can make the other mixes feel a little insecure.

They have a sweet personality that makes everyone they meet fall in love with them with just one look. The st bernard golden retriever mix is perfect for hugs, they have a big heart and like to be the center of attention.

Despite their large size they actually make a decent choice for apartments because both the st Bernard and golden retriever are calm dogs, they are not big barkers.

They make wonderful family dogs, the mix is loving, devoted, and patient. 

The mix is not aggressive at all, they are incredibly gentle and sweet, so if you are looking for a pup to shower you with love and to be a loving companion then the st bernard golden retriever mix is a perfect match.

If you live somewhere without lots of space, you can check out these dogs that are perfect for handling apartments and stairs here.

Health and lifespan 

The mixed-breed may inherit any of the health issues that the parent breeds are prone to just like any other dog so in order to avoid these health issues, you have to know what to expect.

So here the health issue that they are prone to: 

• Hip dysplasia 
• Elbow dysplasia 
• Retinal dysplasia 
• Subvalvular aortic stenosis 
• Epilepsy 
• Heart problems 
• Allergies 
• Cancer
• Cherry eye
• Bloat 
• Von Willebrand’s disease
• OCD
• hypothyroidism

Try to get them as puppies so you can avoid them developing one of these health issues as much as possible.

If you are getting them from a breeder then they should definitely offer a health guarantee on the puppies.

They are also at high risk of developing osteoarthritis with age, however, you can prevent it or postpone it for a while by providing them with plenty of exercises and healthy food.

You can also have a regular check-up with the vet.

The lifespan of the st bernard and golden retriever mix is between 9 and 13 years and it can be even longer if you take good care of them.

Nutritional Needs 

You should always consult the vet for their nutritional needs because they will give you the proper diet for your pup plus some directions depending on your dog’s age, size, and health.

However, here are some tips to help you out with your mixed pup.

Their meal should include a well-balanced ratio of essential vitamins, protein, minerals, and carbs.

If you are a busy bee and don’t have time to feed the home-cooked food then you can feed them dry dog food so just make sure it’s high-quality food with a good brand, also, split the amount into 2 meals. You can check my recommendations for the best foods for golden retrievers here, and these foods will absolutely be good for this mix as well.

They should eat 4 cups per day, and you can expect that the monthly cost of the food they will consume will be somewhere between $80 and $90.

Always provide them with fresh and clean water even if they are doing an activity. 

Avoid overfeeding your pup because it can lead to many health problems and since they are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia then being overweight will not be a good idea so make sure to keep track of their weight.

Grooming Needs & Shedding

The st bernard and golden retriever mix tend to shed quite often but they don’t need lots of grooming. Only brush them at least 3 times a week to keep their coat tangle-free and to remove any loose hair.

Bathe them every few months and whenever it’s necessary like if they played in the mud. Make sure to use a good shampoo for your pup, their coat tends to get dry so use a proper conditioner for their coat. You can learn how to give your dog a good bath in less time here and you can check out the best shampoos for their coats here.

Brush their teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria.

You can also brush their teeth daily to prevent bad odor and gum disease.

Make sure to wipe their face every day because they may develop stains around their eyes like their st Bernard parent, also check their ears weekly to see if they are infected and wipe them with a cotton ball while using an ear cleaner (consult your vet for the best one for your pup). You can learn how to check and clean your dog’s ears here.

Exercise Needs 

The st bernard golden retriever mix needs a moderate amount of regular exercise so they are not great as running companions.

The mix has relatively low energy for their size so they will not require long and exhausting exercise sessions, and will definitely need less walks than their golden retriever parent.

They need 40 minutes of low to moderate exercise per day to stay active and healthy, you can take them for a long walk, swim, or just play fetch with them indoors.

If the weather is too warm then you should not take them outside because the heat will exhaust them so you take them swimming in that kind of weather.

You can even teach them new tricks and commands due to their intelligence. They need to be mentally active as well so you can get them some puzzles for dogs.

Even though they can live in apartments due to their calm presence they usually require some space like a house with a backyard so they can be free.

Training 

The st bernard golden retriever is intelligent and eager to please breed and that makes them really easy to train, however, the st bernard can be a little stubborn sometimes so they may inherit that trait from them.

Training them is essential just like with any other dog, so if you are a first-time dog owner, this mix will not be difficult to train and will make a suitable choice.

Make their training short and on point to keep them focused and interested.

Use positive training positively to speed up the process, reward them with their favorite treat when they are doing well or toss them their favorite toy and always praise them to let them know that they are doing great.

As Family Dogs 

The Golden Saint is a great family dog, in my opinion, they are one of the best family dogs.

They are loyal, affectionate, loving, and playful, they make awesome companions for children, they can get along well with other pets.

Make sure to socialize them early to ensure that your puppy grows up properly. They are really quiet so if you have a baby and worried about the dog’s barking, this mix will make an ideal choice.

However, if you have small kids, make sure to teach your kids how to respect and to be gentle with their pup.

As Guard Dogs 

They are great as watchdogs, they will alarm you if they sense that something is off, however, they are never aggressive so they will be calm around strangers but if they feel any threat the mix will do whatever they can to protect their family.

Where to find them? 

You can find them in your local shelters and rescues because both golden Retriever and st bernard are popular.

You can also find a trusted breeder to get them, they will cost you between $300 and $700.

The breeder must offer you a health guarantee if they didn’t show you one then try to find another breeder to purchase from.

All About the St Bernard and golden retriever mix in a nutshell 

The st bernard and golden retriever mix is a friendly, gentle, and devoted breed, they make great family dogs because they are friendly with everyone and they get along with other dogs, the mix doesn’t need extreme exercise but training them is really necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the St Bernard and golden retriever mix A Good Family Dog? 

Yes, the st bernard and golden retriever mix is a wonderful family dog, golden retrievers are perfect family dogs and the st bernard is called the gentle giants for a really good reason, they are gentle and love their family more than anything so the mix has to be a great family dog as well.

Is the St Bernard and golden retriever mix easy to train? 

Yes, the st Bernard and golden retriever mix are easy to train especially if they are socialized early and trained when they are puppies as well, the mix is smart like their parents and quick learners, you need to train them 15 minutes a day to teach them the basic tasks.

Is the St Bernard and golden retriever mix good with kids? 

Yes, the st bernard and golden retriever mix are good with kids, despite their large size, they are pretty when it comes to their family, kids, and babies, they also can get along with other pets but you should socialize them early just to make sure that your puppy grows up well-rounded.

How much is the St Bernard and golden retriever mix? 

The st Bernard and golden retriever mix can cost you between $300 to $700 if you are getting them from a breeder so make sure that the puppy is in good health but if you are adopting them from a shelter it will cost way less.

Is the St Bernard and golden retriever mix smart? 

Yes, the st Bernard and golden retriever mix are really smart, the golden retriever is the 4th smartest breed, and the st Bernard is pretty smart as well, the mix is a quick learner and will make training them really easy.

Helpful Resources 

St. Bernard dog Owners Manual. by George Hoppendale (You can check this book on Amazon here)

Why is my golden retriever limping? Hip Problems in Golden Retrievers