The Saint Bernewfie: A Rare and Majestic Gentle Giant

As a lifelong dog lover and veterinarian, I‘ve had the privilege of working with many different breeds over the years. But few have captured my heart quite like the Saint Bernewfie – a magnificent cross between the Saint Bernard and the Newfoundland. Combining the best traits of these two gentle giant breeds, the Saint Bernewfie is a dog that‘s hard to resist. Their teddy bear looks, heroic heritage, and affectionate nature make them a top choice for families seeking a loyal and loving companion.

The History and Heritage of the Saint Bernewfie

To fully understand the Saint Bernewfie, it helps to first look at the legacy of their parent breeds. The Saint Bernard‘s roots trace back to the snowy passes of the Swiss Alps, where the dogs were first developed by monks in the 17th century to serve as rescue dogs. For the next 300 years, Saint Bernards came to the aid of countless travelers who got caught in snowstorms and avalanches. Their keen sense of smell, coupled with their strength and smarts, made them legendary for their life-saving abilities.

The Newfoundland has an equally impressive history as a working dog. Bred on the island of Newfoundland off the coast of Canada, these dogs were essential to the livelihoods of local fishermen. They hauled heavy nets and equipment, retrieved items that fell overboard, and used their webbed feet and water-resistant coats to power through icy waters. Perhaps most famously, Newfoundlands developed a reputation as "the St. Bernard of the water" for their penchant for rescuing drowning people.

So what happens when you combine these two heroic breeds into one dog? You get the Saint Bernewfie – a dog with courage and compassion embedded into their very DNA. While still a relatively rare hybrid (the Saint Bernewfie ranks #204 out of 222 dog breeds in popularity according to the American Kennel Club), these dogs have already proven their worth as devoted family guardians, therapy dogs, and even modern-day rescue workers.

The Saint Bernewfie Build and Appearance

As you might expect from a Saint Bernard Newfoundland mix, Saint Bernewfies are substantial dogs. Males often weigh upwards of 180 pounds and stand 30 inches or taller at the shoulder. Females are only slightly smaller, with weights ranging from 120-140 pounds and heights of 25-28 inches. Regardless of sex, Saint Bernewfies have strong, muscular builds well-suited for the rigors of mountain and sea rescues.

Saint Bernewfies can inherit several coat types and colors from their parent breeds, leading to some variation in appearance. The two most common coats are:

1. The thick double coat of the Newfoundland, with a soft, dense undercoat and a coarse, water-resistant outer coat. This type is more prone to heavy shedding and requires daily brushing.

2. The short, dense coat of the Saint Bernard, which typically has a deep red-brown base with white markings on the chest, feet, tail tip, and sometimes face. This shorter coat is easier to maintain but still sheds significantly.

Other potential Saint Bernewfie coat colors and patterns include black, brown, gray, and brindle. White markings are common across the chest and toes. The fluffy tail is usually carried low and has a slight curve.

Saint Bernewfies have the soulful, slightly droopy eyes characteristic of both parent breeds, along with the same deeply furrowed brow that gives them a dignified, thoughtful expression. Ears are medium-sized and pendant shaped, hanging close to the head. The head itself is massive and well-proportioned to the body, with a short muzzle and ample jowls.

The Temperament of a Gentle Giant

There‘s no getting around a Saint Bernewfie‘s size – these are BIG dogs. But as the saying goes, their bark is worse than their bite, and few dogs are as gentle and tolerant as a well-socialized Saint Bernewfie. In a 2008 behavioral study of 30 popular dog breeds, the Saint Bernard (one of the Saint Bernewfie‘s parent breeds) ranked in the top 5 for low aggression towards humans and other dogs. They scored particularly high marks for patience and composure in tense situations.

This gentle demeanor carries over to the Saint Bernewfie, but don‘t mistake their easygoing nature for laziness. True to their working dog roots, these dogs thrive when given a job, whether that‘s greeting visitors, surveying the backyard, or supervising playtime with the kids. They may move at a slower pace than some breeds, but they‘re always ready and willing to spring into action to protect their pack.

Saint Bernewfies are especially renowned for their affinity for children. Their patience, high pain tolerance, and guardian instincts mean they‘ll calmly weather everything from toddler dress-up sessions to rambunctious games of chase with older kids. Many Saint Bernewfie owners say their dogs seem to have an innate "babysitter mode" – carefully moderating their strength and speed to match their smallest playmates.

That said, it‘s vital to remember just how big Saint Bernewfies are, especially in relation to little kids. Always supervise interactions between dogs and children and teach kids how to respectfully interact with such a large dog. Saint Bernewfies grow rapidly, and even a 6 month old puppy can outweigh a 5 year old child! Work on polite greetings, not jumping up, and responding to "gentle" cues from a young age.

Health and Longevity

As a giant breed dog, Saint Bernewfies have some health considerations potential owners need to be aware of. According to a 2010 study of breed longevity by the University of Georgia, giant dog breeds (those weighing over 90lbs) have an average lifespan of 6-8 years, compared to 10-14 years for large breeds and 12-16 years for small breeds. For Saint Bernewfies, most experts peg the average lifespan at 8-10 years.

The main culprits shaving years off giant breed lifespans are joint and skeletal problems, in particular hip and elbow dysplasia. Dysplasia occurs when the ball and socket joint of the hip or elbow doesn‘t form properly, leading to arthritis and pain. Depending on severity, the condition may require lifelong medication, physical therapy, or even total hip replacement surgery.

Statistics from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals show that 47.4% of Saint Bernards and 20.2% of Newfoundlands screened have hip dysplasia. Responsible Saint Bernewfie breeders are working to lower those numbers by only breeding dogs that have been certified as having healthy hips by veterinary radiologists. When shopping for a Saint Bernewfie puppy, insist on seeing proof that both parents have passing hip scores.

Bloat, a potentially life-threatening condition in which the stomach twists and expands with gas, is another major concern for deep-chested giant breed dogs like the Saint Bernewfie. A Purdue University study found that large breeds have a 20% risk of bloat compared to less than 10% for small and medium breeds. Dogs that have relatives that have experienced bloat are at the highest risk.

To minimize bloat risk in Saint Bernewfies, experts recommend:

• Feeding 2-3 smaller meals per day versus one large meal
• Not using raised food bowls
• Limiting exercise and playtime within one hour before or after eating
• Learning to recognize bloat symptoms which include restlessness, pacing, drooling, and failed attempts to vomit

Other Saint Bernewfie health issues to be watchful for include eye problems like cherry eye and ectropion, heart conditions like cardiomyopathy, hypothyroidism, and skin allergies. Finding a breeder who health tests breeding stock is crucial, as is establishing a relationship with a veterinarian familiar with giant breed needs. With proactive care and an understanding of their unique needs, Saint Bernewfies can enjoy a high quality of life well into their golden years.

Grooming Your Gentle Giant

There‘s no way around it – Saint Bernewfies are slobbery, hairy dogs that require a committed grooming routine. These dogs drool. A lot. Some owners report needing to mop or wipe their floors multiple times a day to keep up with the rivers of drool, affectionately known as "Newfieland Maple Syrup."

Special drool rags and bibs (yes, they make them for dogs!) can help, as can keeping a hand towel tucked into your pocket at all times. Pay particular attention to your Saint Bernewfie‘s lips, jowls, and nose folds, wiping them out regularly to prevent irritation and odor. If your dog likes to shake their head vigorously after meals or drinking, consider investing in some machine washable splatter-proof wall coverings.

Brushing wise, Saint Bernewfies need to be groomed at minimum 2-3 times a week, and daily is even better, especially for longer coated dogs. Look for an undercoat rake to help thin out the fluffy undercoat and a pin or slicker brush for overall coat health. During peak shedding in spring and fall, daily brushing is a must unless you want your entire home covered in dog hair tumbleweeds.

Those adorably floppy Saint Bernewfie ears may be cute, but they‘re also prime real estate for moisture, dirt, and bacteria to accumulate. Check and clean ears weekly using a veterinary-approved ear cleaner. Dry ear canals thoroughly after swimming or bathing. Nails will likely need grinding or clipping every few weeks – get your Saint Bernewfie used to having their paws handled from puppyhood for easier nail trims down the road.

The Bottom Line on Saint Bernewfies

Living with a Saint Bernewfie isn‘t for everyone. These dogs are messy, hairy, and take up a lot of room on the couch. They‘re not the dog for you if you prize a pristine house or have very limited space. But for the right person or family, the Saint Bernewfie is quite possibly the ultimate canine companion – a dog whose whole mission in life is to love you unconditionally (and maybe rescue you from the bathtub).

Saint Bernewfies make you laugh with their goofy antics, make you feel safe with their watchful presence, and make you marvel at their gentle patience with children. They remind us that heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and yes, even jowl fluffiness levels. In short, Saint Bernewfies represent the best of the human-canine bond – a friendship that even drool can‘t dampen.