Let’s just start by saying that a St. Bernard mixed with Husky is a powerful breed that’s not for everyone.
The St.Berhusky has all the energy, stubbornness, and wanderlust of a Siberian Husky, plus the added mass, size, and spontaneity of a St.Bernard. At the same time, it’s a friendly, handsome, and protective dog, so many people like having it around.
It’s worth mentioning here that both parent breeds aren’t recommended for first-time dog owners. Their St.Bernard-Husky mix is pretty much a chip off the old block, and these dogs need a seasoned person to curb their constant need to push the boundaries.
If you’re curious about St.Bernard Husky mixes, read on. This is everything you need to know.
An Overview of the St. Bernard-Husky Mix
The St.Bernard Husky mixed breed traits fall pretty much in the middle of the parents’ characteristics.
These dogs are generally larger than a Siberian Husky, but smaller than a St.Bernard. They have slightly less IQ than the Husky, but more than the average St. bernard. The same goes for their protectiveness, wild streak, stubbornness, and energy levels.
The mix affects some aspects of living around this dog significantly. For example, a St.Bernard is fun to have around kids, while a Husky should be supervised if a child is in the room. Contrary to that, Huskies are safe around other pets, while the giant St.Bernard requires supervision.
St.Bernard Husky dogs sum up both situations, and need some degree of supervision around pets and kids! It is still a nice, protective, and friendly dog. But maybe not the best option for a family with lots of kids, cats, and smaller dogs.
The Pros of Having a St. Berhusky
This crossbreed has an amazing set of traits, in addition to individual personalities that are just so admirable. The charismatic St. Berhusky is particularly good to have around the house for the following reasons
- It’s an affectionate dog that likes the company of people. So if you’re used to getting visitors and have a generally crowded house, your pet dog would be in his element.
- It’s a good watchdog that adds to the safety of your house. This isn’t a guard dog, so it wouldn’t act aggressive and aloof. It would just be protective and loyal.
- It’s a playful dog with tons of energy, so there’s never a dull moment around that beast. You’re bound to make tons of memories together.
- It’s a healthy breed that doesn’t get sick too often. There are a few hereditary health issues that this breed gets occasionally, but it’s not a situation that warrants alarm.
The Cons of Having a St. Berhusky
St. Berhusky dogs are quite happy in the backyards of big houses or roaming the fields of a farm up north. There are some major limitations to keeping them within other arrangements for the following reasons.
- They’re pretty loud! Probably not as loud as their Siberian Husky parents, but still they make themselves heard.
- They need plenty of space to spend their bottomless energy reserves. Plus, they also like to explore and sniff around. So small apartments would be hard on their psyche.
- These dogs have thick double coats and their bodies are made for cold winters. Keeping them in arid or hot places wouldn’t be good.
- St. Berhuskies are a tad stubborn, and not too brilliant, so they take their time in learning new things. They also have a short attention span, so you should tailor your training sessions around that.
- This crossbreed is massive, and it seems to be irritated by gates and walls. The only solution to keep them in line is by properly training and socializing them when they are young.
Meet the Parents: St. Bernard and Husky Purebreds
The Siberian Husky and St. Bernard dogs have been recognized by the AKC for decades. These pure breeds are among the most popular in the US.
The Protective St. Bernard
St. Bernard dogs are massive large dogs with a genial protective nature. Some call them the ‘nannies’ as they’re known to fuss around people and always try to keep them safe.
This goes back to their times in the Swiss Alps, where avalanches and snow storms were usual occurrences. These dogs were trained to search and rescue stranded people. Also, to deliver medicine, food, and other supplies to remote locations, where traveling would pose real risks.
These giants typically have heights ranging from 25-30 inches, with stocky bodies weighing from 110-200 pounds.
The Charismatic Husky
Huskies were originally common in Siberia, hence the name, where they were used in transporting goods and people over hard icy terrains. Clearly, that’s a tough breed with a muscular build and energy to spare.
Most references consider Huskies large dogs, though some would pass them as medium-sized. They stand at 20-25 inches in height, with a weight of 35-60 pounds.
These dogs are also some of the best looking, with finely shaped features, and piercing eyes. Their stern expression is oddly coupled with a childish almost goofy nature. They like playing with their human friends and keeping them company at all times.
What to Expect When a St. Bernard Is Mixed With a Husky?
This crossbreed is rather recent, so we haven’t yet seen the full extent of first, or second, generation traits. Additionally, there aren’t many professional breeders seeking designer characteristics from this breed.
As expected, the litter doesn’t take after one parent fully or split their parents’ traits equally. They often have a basic set of features and plenty of other variations leaning towards either parent.
What Does a St. Berhusky Look Like?
The St. Bernard Husky mix usually produces a litter with a thick coat, stocky body, and rigid features.
They come in a wide variety of colors, which can be any of the following.
- Solid white
- Solid gray
- Solid brown
- Solid black
- Tinged sable
- Tinged red
- Brindle
- Tri-Color
Can You Fit a St. Berhusky in a Small Car?
The size of the St. Berhusky is often large. They normally reach a height of 22-25 inches, with an average weight of 70-90 pounds. They’re also pretty long from head to tail.
With that size, they would barely be comfortable in the back seat of a sedan.
How Many Puppies Would a St. Berhusky Have?
Huskies generally get small litters of 4-6 puppies, while St Bernards have more little ones ranging from 6-8.
Their offspring mixed breed often has a litter size between both, with an average of 4-7 puppies.
Do St.Bernard Husky Mixes Have a Nice Temperament?
St. Berhuskies are some of the loveliest, kindest, and most genial dogs you can find. They’re playful, loyal, curious, and a tad goofy at times.
Angering a St. Berhusky is quite difficult. These dogs are rarely aggressive with anyone or anything. That’s probably because of their training and ancestry. Sled or rescue dogs are generally cooperative and kind to others.
Is a St. Berhusky Easy to Train?
Training a St. Berhusky can be a bit challenging. These dogs would rather play around than follow directions from anyone. They also have a short attention span and tend to be a little opinionated.
You’d need to be extra patient and creative while teaching a St. Berhusky how to behave. Keeping a good supply of treats and offering praise usually help a lot.
However, these traits are offset by their sweet nature and willingness to please. Additionally, having the genes of sled and rescue dogs makes them open to ‘doing stuff’.
It’s worth noting here that training puppies is much easier than training fully grown St. Berhuskies. Their sheer size and mass give them plenty of momentum. They also like running around, exploring, and braving fences.
That’s why by the time they’re fully grown, they need to be socialized and trained to the point that keeps them out of trouble.
Can You Keep Up with a St. Berhusky?
You can keep up with these energetic active dogs if you’re an Olympian. As for the rest of us mere mortals, a St. Berhusky would often wear us out completely while it warms up.
If you have an athletic or outdoorsey lifestyle, then you’d enjoy the company of this dog a lot. Still, you need to give it space to run and expend its energy, even when you’re not around.
Installing dog toys in the backyard would provide a much-needed outlet for this dog’s need for activity. You can select an assortment of toys for strength training, speed, and interactive skill-building props. This would keep the dog nicely occupied and in good shape.
Just make sure the yard has a high fence. You wouldn’t want your dog to train on jumping over there.
Are St. Berhyskies Healthy Dogs?
St. Berhuskies are rugged healthy dogs that commonly have few health issues. There are some ailments to watch out for though, as these have been spotted in aging dogs.
Even though they spend most of their lives in pretty good shape, St. Berhusky dogs aren’t known for having a long lifespan. They’re known to stay around for about 9-12 years, which is less than their Husky parent’s 10-15 years and more than their St. Bernard parent’s 8-10 years.
How to Take Care of Your St. Berhusky?
St. Berhuskies are sweet dogs that also drool, bark, and shed like a deciduous tree! They need a lot of attention to their physical requirements, as well as their emotional needs.
Food and Nutrition
Large active dogs normally eat more than the average breeds. Most dog food brands offer special formulas for these types of dogs, containing high amounts of protein, fats, carbs, and various other nutrients.
You can add more supplements like multivitamins or Omega-3 to make sure that your dog is getting all of its daily requirements.
Grooming
This breed should be kept clean at all times to maintain their health and good looks. Bathing your St. Berhusky every 6-8 weeks is a must.
You can use a mild shampoo with high cleaning power for that. If your dog doesn’t like the water or the scent, you can opt for waterless, or odorless, options.
You should also brush your dog’s rich coat regularly, especially in the shedding season. Taking care of its teeth, nails, and ears are all necessary too.
Training, Playing, and Exercise
These activities are all essential for this breed. Keeping them well-behaved and busy would make you both happy.
Medical Care
Typically, you wouldn’t need to see the vet too often or shoulder a hefty medical care bill that warrants special insurance.
However, you still need to take your dog to routine visits to the vet for vaccination and follow-up. Getting pet insurance is also a good idea to keep expenses low.
Where to Get a Good St. Berhusky?
This crossbreed isn’t too common, and it hasn’t been around for too long. St. Berhuskies aren’t even recognized by the AKC yet. That’s why it might be difficult to get a puppy.
It’s always recommended to look for reputable ethical breeders or look for rescue dogs from shelters. In this particular case, there are few places where you can find a St. Bernard Husky crossbreed litter. And most of them aren’t professional breeders.
It’s important to look at the parents, the surroundings of the litter, and the way the dogs are treated. Additionally, check the lineage of the parents, the medical care the puppies have received, and whether or not they were professionally socialized.
How Much Does a St. Bernard Husky Mixed Dog Cost?
Being a rare breed means that these dogs would be quite costly. The prices range from $500 for adult untrained dogs to $1500 for puppies.
The source of the litter, degree of care, and amount of initial training all add up and increase the price of these dogs.
Is a St. Berhysky Dog Good for You?
This is an amazing dog that would forge a deep friendship with you. Many consider getting a St. Berhusky a wonderful addition to their household. However, there are a few considerations to guarantee a good fit.
- These dogs are charismatic and have a surplus of attitude. Being a natural alpha helps in starting on the right foot with them.
- St. Berhuskies are natives of freezing cold lands. Their bodies are made for extreme winters. So if you live somewhere in the South, it’s best to look for another breed.
- These dogs are big and strong. They should be well-trained and appropriately socialized to avoid any mishaps. Thus, you should be ready to put in the necessary time and effort while they’re young.
- The sheer size and enthusiasm of the St. Berhuskies make them a bit clumsy around kids or pets. The companionship of adults would be better for both parties.
- St. Berhuskies need plenty of space to run around and explore. Being confined in a room would be hard for them. If you live in an apartment, maybe another breed would be more suitable.
Conclusion
If you were wondering what a St. Bernard mixed with a Husky would produce, you should have all the answers by now!
St. Berhuskies often have the best traits of both their parents, the Huskies, and St. Bernards. They are majestic giants with endless energy and a heart of gold.