Saint Dane Dog Breed

The Saint Dane is an excellent companion for singles and families alike, if you have the space for them! Fenced yards are certainly recommended and the owner must have the time to exercise them as well as include them in day-to-day family life. This hybrid comes from the German Great Dane, whose origins are in boar hunting and the Alpine Saint Bernard whose talents range from guarding and herding, to drafting and even search and rescue work. The following Saint Dane facts are great to consider:

PROS

• Patient, dependable friend for children
• Friendly with other pets
• Not aggressive towards strangers
• Easily trained
• Grooming should be fairly easy
• Large size deters intruders
• Excels in agility and other show dog activities
• Companion that will be happy to do whatever you are doing
• Can be left alone for reasonable amount of time (during work hours, etc.)

CONS

• Not well suited to apartments due to giant size
• May accidentally knock over small children
• Usually remains reserved around strangers
• Not hypoallergenic, sheds regularly
• Must have daily outdoor exercise, otherwise prone to obesity
• Drools or slobbers quite a bit

You can rest assured your Saint Dane will be a giant sized dog that can reach around 26-34 inches height (at the shoulder) and weigh 120-200 pounds or a bit more! Hybrids vary a lot in terms of size and the best way to predict the weight and height of yours is to see the parents. Usually, they have the short, straight coat of the GD, however, some may inherit the longer, thicker coat of the Bernard. Saint Danes have broad heads with large ears and brown eyes.

Patient and dependable, the Saint Dane is truly a breeze to have around. This breed is very intelligent and trainable, however, you should still begin as early as possible (with consistency) to present yourself as the one in charge. Harsh words are not necessary for these gentle giants-- they respond well enough to treat based training. They can excel not only in obedience and agility, but also as a show dog and in events such as pulling.

Saint Danes are friendly and outgoing with those they know well. They usually fit seamlessly into a multi pet household and are excellent family companions. They are patient and loving towards children, although due to their extra large size they may present an accidental hazard; children should always be supervised around large dogs. Members of this breed may remain watchful and reserved around visitors but are not aggressive by nature. They are not as prone to develop separation anxiety as some breeds but definitely will want to spend daily time with you, even if just laying on the couch.

These large dogs need a moderate amount of exercise and are not crazy hyper or overactive like some breeds. Long walks, hikes, trips to the dog park, etc. will keep them happy and a large yard is certainly a plus. Over exertion may put strain on growing bones and muscles while they're in puppy stage--an especially delicate time for large dogs. Keep in mind, these dogs will happily live the life of a lazy couch potato, if allowed, and need 30 mins minimum exercise per day to stave off obesity!

Great Dane and Saint Bernard mixes are usually healthier than a purebred of either due to a larger gene pool. Choosing a reputable breeder and scheduling regular vet visits is very important; ask for proof of any health claims a breeder makes.

These large dogs have a fairly short lifespan-- the GD averages 6-8, the Saint Bernard 8-10-- so you can expect similar ranges for your Saint Dane. We recommend reading up on both parent breeds' common health problems to become aware of what your new hybrid may inherit. Some common issues for the Great Dane and Saint Bernard include:

• Bloat
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
• Bone Cancer
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart)
• Skin Allergies