The Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix is the combination of a Saint Bernard and a Rottweiler. They are adaptive, calm, intelligent, and gentle dogs. While they are quiet animals, they need exercise and regular check-ups. Saint Bernard Rottweiler mixes are perfect for future owners with big play areas.
Rottweilers and Saint Bernards, the parent breeds of this mix, both have distinctive looks. They’re well-known for their size, jowls, and coats and both parent breeds need to maintain their fitness to lessen their risk of health injuries.
The offspring, Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes, inherit good as well as bad characteristics from their parents. But what exactly do they look like? And are they good with kids or are they aggressive?
In this article, we will talk about the Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes’ temperament, origins, food requirements, exercise needs, grooming requirements, and more.
Rottweiler Saint Bernard Mix Characteristics
The Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix has unique characteristics. They can either look like a Rottweiler, a Saint Bernard, or a combination of both breeds. Their personality depends on their upbringing and which parent’s genes are more dominant.
The International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) recognizes the Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix for its remarkable characteristics, resulting from combining the two parent breeds – Rottweilers and Saint Bernards[1].
Rottweilers are protective, quiet, wise dogs that are great with kids, while Saint Bernards are affectionate, calm, and intelligent dogs known as “gentle giants”.
Although they have similar traits, they also have opposite characteristics. Rottweilers are vigilant against strangers while Saint Bernards welcome them with open arms.
When mixed, they produce offspring with the best traits from both parent breeds.
Appearance
Height
20–32 Inches
Weight
98–180 lbs
Lifespan
8–10 years
Dog Breed Group
Mixed Breed
Coat Type
Double
Coat length
Short or Long
Coat color
Black, Tan, White, Cream, Brown
Eyes
Dark Brown
Nose
Black
Ears
Floppy
Hypoallergenic
No
Shedding
Grooming Difficulty
Adaptability
Apartment living
Good for beginners
Can be alone
Cold weather tolerance
Hot weather tolerance
Friendliness & Temper
Temperament
Affectionate
Kid-Friendly
Dog-Friendly
Friendly to Strangers
Playfulness
Trainability & Needs
Easy to train
Intelligence
Hunting Instinct
Barking
Energy Level
3 Pros of Having a Saint Bernard Rottweiler Mix
The Saint Bernard Rottweiler mix is a calm dog that is great with kids and can adjust to any climate.
1. They Are Great With Kids
Given St. Bernards’ affectionate nature, Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes are great with kids. They love to bond with children. St. Weilers (the nickname of Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes) are great playmates for your children due to Rottweilers’ playful traits.
Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes are also protective. Although gentle and calm dogs, they are vigilant against unfamiliar people and animals. Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes do not hesitate in taking action, mainly through barking, against anyone that’s not familiar.
Their vigilant trait assures that someone is looking out for your children when you’re not. They also make excellent guard dogs for your home or property.
2. Saint Bernard Rottweiler Mixes Are Calm Dogs
They have a calm demeanor. This mixed breed is only energetic when someone is playing with them. They spend most of their time lying down or sleeping, like Saint Bernards.
Both parent breeds originally worked as drovers and protectors for farmers. They developed a calm and self-controlled nature to become efficient workers. Saint Bernard Rottweiler mixes inherit their parents’ calm nature. They are also excellent herders and guardians.
Given their calm nature, Rottweiler St. Bernard mixes are quiet animals. They only bark when they see someone that’s not familiar with them.
3. They Can Adapt to Any Climate
Rottweiler St. Bernard mixes can adapt to any climate. They get their tolerance for heat and cold from their parents. Rottweilers thrive in warm temperatures, while Saint Bernards live in cold environments.
They, like Rottweilers and Saint Bernards, are double-coated dogs. The American Kennel Council (AKC) mentions that the coats of double-coated dogs serve as insulators[2]. In cold climates, their coats keep them warm, while their coats help regulate heat in hot climates.
3 Cons Of Having A Saint Bernard Rottweiler Mix
Saint Bernard Rottweiler mixes are heavy droolers that shed their coats frequently and are prone to hip dysplasia.
1. Rottweiler St. Bernard Mixes Are Heavy Droolers
Both Rottweilers and Saint Bernards are known for their prominent jowls that result in heavy drooling. Saliva that accumulates in the skin folds of their jowls causes heavy drooling. Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes inherit their parents’ unwanted traits.
It is not exactly a bad thing since it is normal, but prospective owners might be upset with their Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix because it leaves drool all over their house.
2. They Are Prone to Hip Dysplasia
Rottweilers and Saint Bernards carry the hip dysplasia-causing gene. Hip dysplasia is a condition where a dog’s femur or thigh bone does not fit with their hip socket[3] which results in leg deformity and walking difficulties.
Their offspring, the Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix, inherits the hip dysplasia-causing gene from its parents. Its large build also contributes to its risk of hip dysplasia.
Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes are prone not only to hip dysplasia but to numerous health conditions, such as heart, eye, and bone-related issues.
3. They Shed A Lot
Both Rottweilers and Saint Bernards are frequent shedders. They do this to remove old and damaged hair in their coat. Like their parents, Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes shed heavily. They require regular grooming because of this.
Shed hair can increase allergens in the air. It can also stick to clothes and pieces of furniture, which can be difficult to clean.
Rottweiler Saint Bernard Mix Origins
There is little information about where the Saint Bernard Corgi mix originated; however, they likely came from the Central European region because both parent breeds originated in that area.
Saint Bernards originated in Switzerland. They evolved from an ancient dog breed called Molosser. Romans brought Molossers when they invaded the Swiss region during the 2nd century BC. Molossers then interacted with the native dogs in the area. Their combination produced the Saint Bernard Breed.
Their name came from the Great St. Bernard Hospice found in the treacherous Great St. Bernard pass. The hospice used Saint Bernards as rescue workers[4]. This large dog also served people as herders and guardians.
Rottweilers originally came from Rottweil, Germany. Their breed also evolved from Molossers. Romans bred Molossers with other breeds to produce drover dogs, such as Italian Mastiffs and Asian Mastiffs. When the Roman Empire crumbled, villagers used these dogs for agriculture, safety, communication, etc. Rottweilers get their name from the Rottweil village, where their ancestors worked as cattle dogs[5].
The Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix likely came from Central Europe based on their parents’ origins because both Rottweilers and Saint Bernards originated in Central Europe.
Saint Bernard Rottweiler Mix Appearance
A typical Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix has a large build that combines the look of a Rottweiler and a Saint Bernard. They have floppy ears, dark brown eyes, prominent jowls, and a tan-colored coat. There are times when they look like either a Rottweiler or a Saint Bernard, depending on which parent’s genes are more dominant.
Rottweilers have dark coats, tan-colored patches in their limbs, and massive builds, while Saint Bernards have loose jowls, brown and white patched coats, and huge figures.
If the offspring of this Rottweiler mix takes after their Rottweiler parent, a Saint Bernard Rottweiler mix will have a dark coat with tan-colored patches in their belly and lower limbs. A Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix that takes after its Saint Bernard parent will have a white-colored coat with brown patches all over their body.
Rottweiler Saint Bernard Size
Saint Bernard Rottweiler mixes get their large build from its parents, a Rottweiler and a Saint Bernard. A full-grown Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix can grow from 20–32 Inches and weigh 95–160 lbs.
They have a large physique, even as puppies. The typical weight for a 2-month old dog is 15–35 lbs, while a Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix puppy weighs 25–40 lbs. A full-grown Saint Bernard Rottweiler mix is larger than the usual Rottweiler but slightly shorter than a Saint Bernard.
Grooming Your Saint Bernard Rottweiler Mix
The Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes shed their fur frequently. They require regular brushing and monthly grooming to maintain their coat and avoid skin problems. Groomers use a slicker brush to penetrate and remove old and damaged hair from their coats.
Due to their heavy shedding and drooling trait, Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes are high-maintenance dogs. This breed is not for new owners because they require attention and proper grooming.
To avoid pungent odor, you need to clean the drool off their mouth after every meal. You need to brush them regularly to remove old and damaged coats. Use an ear cleaner that your Vet recommends to clean their ears. Since they have large paws, you also need to check for dirt in-between their toes because fungi can develop there.
Products You Can Use in Grooming Your Rottweiler Saint Bernard Mix
Here are some products you can use:
- Slicker Brush
- Antibacterial soap (Sulfate-free)
- Antifungal soap (Sulfate-free)
- Nail Clippers
- Normal Saline (For the ears)
- Shampoo with Aloe Vera
- Dog Clippers
- Sulfate-free shampoo
Rottweiler Saint Bernard Mix Food Requirements
Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes are large dogs that need to eat 2%–3% of their body weight per day, depending on their daily activities[6].
Future owners need to watch their dog’s diet because both parent breeds, Rottweilers and Saint Bernards, are prone to obesity.
Avoid feeding your Rottweiler Saint Bernards mix any kind of legumes. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is currently investigating the connection between legumes and DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a disease where the dog’s heart is enlarged) because they received numerous cases of DCM in dogs eating legumes.
Rottweiler and Saint Bernard mixes need high-protein food for a shinier coat, stronger immune system, better muscle mass, and better skin health[7]. They also need to eat foods with phosphorus and calcium to improve their bones and teeth.
You need to meet their vitamin and mineral requirements to improve their health. Check with your veterinarian to know which supplement is best for your Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix.
Here are some healthy foods you can feed your Saint Bernard Rottweiler mix:
- Carrots
- Small amount of white rice
- Shrimp
- Salmon
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Lamb
- Blueberries
- Sweet Potato
- Boiled egg
- Pollock
Saint Bernard Rottweiler Mix Exercise Needs
Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes need at least 60–100 minutes of exercise per day. They need physical and mental activities to maintain and improve their overall health.
It is important that Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes get proper exercise because lack of exercise can worsen their health and make them look older[8]. They are prone to numerous health problems, and proper fitness can help avoid their risks of health issues.
Here are some exercises and activities you can do with your dog:
- Short walks (15- minute walk)
- Long walks (30+ minute walk)
- Weight Pulling
- Tug of War
- Hiking
Exercising helps improve your bond with your dog and avoid misdemeanors in dogs. Although calm dogs, Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes may show bad behavior when they lack exercise and stimulation.
Some of these bad behaviors include:
- Barking persistently
- Chewing on pieces of furniture
- Peeing or defecating on wrong areas
Are Rottweiler Saint Bernard Mixes Easily Trainable?
Yes. Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes are easily trainable because they are intelligent dogs.
This mixed breed can quickly process commands and tricks, thanks to the intelligence of Rottweilers and Saint Bernards. Both parent breeds served humans in numerous roles. They worked as herders, guardians, hunters, and rescue workers.
Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes are also eager to please their owners, pushing them to learn new tricks.
Common Rottweiler Saint Bernard Mix Health Issues
Saint Bernard and Rottweiler mixes are prone to heart, eye, brain, and bone-related issues.
Without proper care, diet, and exercise, Saint Bernard Rottweiler mixes experience health issues common in their parents’ breeds.
Based on the health conditions most Rottweilers and Saint Bernards face, a Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix is at risk of the following health issues:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Obesity
- DCM
- Hot spots
- Ear Infection
Saint Bernard Rottweiler Mix Life Expectancy
Given that both parent breeds are short-lived, the Saint Bernard Rottweiler mix lives for 8–10 years.
Prospective owners can help lengthen their lifespans through proper care, diet, and exercise. Consulting your veterinarian every month can help avoid common health problems. Regularly checking your dog’s health helps remediate illnesses before they even get worse.
Where to get Rottweiler Saint Bernard Mix Puppies
You can get Rottweiler Saint Bernard mix puppies from breeders and animal shelters by contacting them through social media. You can get their contact details through email or by messaging their pages.
People also put adoption/sale notices on Twitter and Reddit. Visiting a nearby animal shelter may help you get a Rottweiler and Saint Bernard mix puppy if it’s available there. You can also visit the AKC website to see if anyone’s selling Rottweiler Saint Bernard puppies[9].
Remember, a trustworthy breeder or shelter owner does the following:
- Provide documentation of your dog’s pedigree
- Show parent’s medical history
- Show their facilities
- Show the pup’s parents
Conclusion
Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes come from the mixing of Saint Bernards and Rottweilers. They are calm, vigilant, and wise dogs who are prone to several health issues. They are great dogs to have when you have kids and can help protect your home.
They are high maintenance and need frequent check-ups with their veterinarian. They need extensive training to control their vigilant trait against strangers and animals. Rottweiler Saint Bernard mixes need proper care, exercise, and diet to maintain their fitness and avoid health problems. Due to their large size, heavy drooling, and heavy shedding, they do not make great apartment pets.
