The St Bernard Lab mix or Labernard is a friendly cross between a purebred Labrador Retriever and a purebred Saint Bernard. This mixed dog is easy-going and large weighing 70 to 80 pounds and with a height of 22 to 25 inches.
This is undoubtedly a great family dog that loves nothing more than give you kisses, get treats, and belly rubs.
You will never have a dull moment with the Labrador Saint Bernard mix on your side.
But is this dog fit for your lifestyle? Let’s find out.
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St Bernard Lab mix information
The Labernard crossbreed dog is affectionate, friendly, patient, family-oriented, and loves to be the center of attention.
He may be gorgeous and endearing but is active and will require regular exercise. Being outgoing, he will enjoy outdoor and indoor games.
It is worth pointing out that this may not be the dog for you as an apartment dweller due to his large size.
You will need to take care of his needs and large size. As a first-time dog owner, his care needs may be too much for you.
Labernards shed throughout the year s an allergy sufferer, you should get a hypoallergenic dog as Labernards are not.
The Labrador St Bernard is a fairly new mix that is not recognized by any of the major kennel clubs but is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc.
He also does not have a breed standard.
Labrador Retriever Vs Saint Bernard: Breed comparison
Lab Vs St Bernard | |
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Labrador Retriever | Saint Bernard |
The Labrador Retriever is an affectionate, cuddly, and energetic dog. He is one of the most popular breeds mainly due to his personality.
This dog does not bark a lot unless left alone for long or if he gets bored. |
Saint Bernard is a playful, calm, affectionate, and popular family dog, especially in alpine regions.
This dog is not a known barker but only barks when he needs to. However, he is a known shedder and also drools. He also picks up a considerable amount of dirt on his paws. |
Labs are great apartment dogs but don’t tolerate being left alone for long as they can get destructive and may also suffer from separation anxiety.
They are energetic and require at least 60 minutes of daily exercise. |
This is not the best apartment dog but doesn’t tolerate being left alone for extended periods.
He is not overly active and needs about 45 minutes of both daily mental and physical stimulation. |
This dog originated from Newfoundland in the North-Eastern part of Canada close to the Labrador province known.
He was mainly a companion for fishermen and would help retrieve fish that had escaped the hooks. |
St Bernard is an ancient sled dog that was bred by crossing Mastiff-type dogs with other Alpine dogs.
This dog’s name is believed to have come from monks involved in his breeding and their founder known as St Bernard de Menthon. |
Pros and Cons of the Labernard mixed dog
Pros:
✓ Family-friendly and affectionate.
✓ Is intelligent and highly trainable.
✓ This is a playful dog that is also super cuddly.
Cons:
✗ Sheds throughout the year.
✘ Can be destructive when he gets bored.
✗ Is an active and energetic dog that may not be suitable for apartment living.
✘ Prone to obesity and bloat.
5 Fun facts about the Lab St Bernard mix
- Some Labernards may drool due to the shape of their jaws and heads. The drooling can get worse when the dog overheats or when he is hungry.
- Labernards take a long time to grow due to their massive bodies with most taking about 36 months to reach their full size.
- These dogs are good and patient with young children.
- They have an oily, thick, and water-resistant coat that helps to protect them from the elements.
- Some have webbed feet which useful for swimming. The webbed feet are also used as snowshoes in colder climates areas such as the Alps.
St Bernard Labrador mix breed profile
St Bernard Lab mix summary table | |
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Height | 22 to 26 inches |
Weight | 70 to 180 pounds |
Lifespan | 11 to 13 years |
Breed Type | Mixes and more |
Purpose | Companion and family dog |
Suitable For | Large family homes and active owners |
Grooming requirements | Moderate to High |
Color Variations | Black, chocolate, red, white, yellow, and fawn |
Health concerns | Gastric Torsion, Hip and Elbow dysplasia, Cataracts |
Temperament | Intelligent, calm, patient, friendly, affectionate, joyous, and playful |
Other names | Labernard |
How big does a Lab St Bernard mix get?
The Lab St Bernard mix is a giant-sized crossbreed that gets as big as 180 pounds and can stand as tall as 25 inches. But some Labernards can weigh as little as 70 pounds and stand at 22 inches tall.
Physical appearance
This mix does not have a breed standard and can look more like the Labrador Retriever or the Saint Bernard parent.
They are muscular, strong, and smiley which makes them a marvel to look at.
These dogs also have broad heads, big low-hanging chests, and medium-sized muzzles.
Their noses can either be black or brown with long floppy ears, bushy tails, and high-set ears.
They also have brown and almond-shaped eyes that can be slightly squinted to keep snow away from their eyes.
Coat appearance and shedding level
The Labrador St Bernard mix has a fluffy, thick, and water-resistant double coat. This coat has a thick and soft undercoat with a coarser outer coat that can be medium to long in length.
Labernards shed throughout the year and have two heavy shedding seasons also known as blow-out seasons.
You should be prepared to deal with this amount of shedding if you plan on bringing one of these crossbreeds to your home.
Coat colors:
Silver | Red | Black |
White | Brown | Brindle |
Yellow | Fawn | White and Tan |
White and Red | Black and White | Brownish-yellow |
Labernard mix temperament and personality
Both Labradors and Saint Bernards are known for their golden hearts with sweet and extremely friendly personalities. The offsprings between these dogs are also equally well-tempered and super cuddly.
They may be large but they often forget how big they are preferring to curl up with those they love the most.
These mixed dogs easily make new friends but can get overly attached to their owners. Therefore, this dog does not tolerate being left alone for extended periods as he is prone to separation anxiety.
He also has endless amounts of energy but can easily get bored and destructive if not exercised.
Labernards are also sensitive and tend to mimic their owner’s emotions, making them great candidates as therapy and emotional support dogs.
Thanks to superb senses of smell, hormonal, and odors released by us depending on emotional state, these dogs can tell when we are sad, happy, or angry and respond accordingly.
Is the St Bernard Lab mix a good family dog?
The St Bernard Lab mix is a great family dog that is especially patient with children. However, due to their large bodies accidents can happen during play and you should be there to supervise their interactions.
How much do Labernard puppies cost?
The cost of a Labrador St Bernard mix from a reputable breeder can range from $1000 to as high as $1800. However, the pup’s price will depend on the breeder and location.
There is also the option of adoption that can cost you between $150 and $250.
6 Buyer’s tips for a St Bernard Lab mixed puppy
- Steer away from unethical breeders as their puppies are prone to health complications.
- Ensure that the breeder has the necessary paperwork and certification for both parent breeds.
- Check the conditions of other puppies the breeder may have and the general condition of the place the puppies are kept.
- Keep in mind other additional and recurring costs that can add up to $1500 annually.
- Ensure you have enough space in your home to accommodate this large dog.
- Wait until the puppy is at least 8 weeks old before taking him from the breeder. Ensure he is well taken care of.
Labernard Care guide
1. Grooming tips
This is a high-maintenance dog that needs regular brushing of about 2 to 3 times a week.
He should not be bathed too often and bathing him once every 2 months should be enough.
The nails should also be trimmed twice every month and their teeth brushed at least 3 times a week.
You will also need to pay attention to their floppy ears which should be cleaned regularly to prevent the build-up of ear wax.
If you see any sign of an infection such as unusual secretions, bumps, soars, redness, or a bad odor, give your vet a visit.
2. Dietary and nutritional needs
This dog will need a high-quality diet.
The diet can be dry food or nutritional homemade foods that should be rich in about 30% proteins and other essential nutrients such as fatty acids, mineral salts, and vitamins.
Carbohydrates are also essential but avoid foods from grains or those with artificial fillers. The ingredients in this mixed dog’s diet should be from natural sources and not by-products.
Also, ensure you don’t overfeed this dog as he easily gets overweight.
To meet his energy requirements, this dog about 3 to 4 cups of dry food formulated for large dogs. The meals should be divided into about 3 daily portions to reduce the risk of gastric torsion also known as bloat.
Siant Lab mix Daily Food Consumption | |
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Guide | 1500 to 2000 calories |
Cups of Kibble | 3 to 4 |
3. Exercise requirements
The St Bernard Lab mix is a high-energy dog that will require about 60 minutes of daily exercise. This can be met by taking him for walks, hikes, runs, and playing games such as fetch.
You should always ensure that you leash this dog when taking him outdoors.
Labernards also enjoy swimming and activities such as tag and other chasing games to keep them stimulated.
Number of walks | 2 (30 minutes each) |
Exercise needs | 60 minutes |
4. How to train a Labernard
This is an intelligent and very trainable dog that may be stubborn in the early stages of training.
He loves to goof around and can easily get distracted which can make training him a challenge.
You will need to use high-value treats such as pieces of liver to keep him motivated. The training environment should be distraction-free.
You are also better off keeping the training sessions short but never punish this mixed dog or raise your voice at him as it will do more harm than good.
With proper positive reinforcement and training, there are no boundaries to what this Labrador mix can do.
Known health problems
- Gastric Torsion,
- Hip and Elbow dysplasia
- Cataracts
This St Bernard Labrador crossbreed dog has a lifespan of between 11 and 13 years.
Breed Summary
If you are looking for a friendly hybrid dog, the Saint Bernard Labrador Retriever mix may be the right pooch for you.
He is great for types of dog owners from first-time dog owners to experienced ones.
However, you should not be fooled by his goofy personality as he is also super smart and can learn many new tricks and commands.
The coat color should also not be a big deal as it does not affect the dog’s personality.
-Do you think that this is the right crossbreed for you? Let us know in the comment section below.
There you go, WOOF!