Great Pyrenees Mixed with St. Bernard: The Complete Owner's Guide

What Two Breeds Make Up the Great Pyrenees St. Bernard Mix?

The Great Pyrenees mixed with St. Bernard — sometimes called the Saint Pyrenees or Pyrenees Saint — is a deliberate cross between two of the largest working breeds in the canine world. This is not an AKC-recognized breed but rather a designer cross, meaning each puppy inherits a unique combination of traits from both parent lines. If you're considering this mix, understanding what each parent brings to the table is essential because the offspring can lean heavily toward either side.

Parent Breed Breakdown

Both parent breeds belong to the AKC Working Group, which means this cross will almost certainly be a large-to-giant dog with a working-dog mindset. The key difference lies in their jobs: the Great Pyrenees was bred to guard flocks alone for days (independent decision-making), while the St. Bernard worked alongside monks and travelers (cooperative, human-focused). This split can produce puppies anywhere on the independence spectrum.

How Big Will a Great Pyrenees St. Bernard Mix Get?

This is one of the largest designer crosses in existence. Both parent breeds are giant-class dogs, so there is no "mini" version. Expect a substantial animal that requires space, sturdy equipment, and a vehicle large enough for transport.

The wide weight range reflects genuine unpredictability. A puppy inheriting the Great Pyrenees' leaner build may land around 100–120 lb (45–54 kg), while one taking after a heavy-boned St. Bernard sire could exceed 160 lb (73 kg). There is no reliable way to predict exact adult weight from a young puppy. Paw-size correlation is unreliable in mixed breeds — a large-pawed puppy may simply grow into a taller, leaner frame rather than a heavier one.

Practical implication: Budget for the upper end. A 160-lb dog eats roughly 5–7 cups of high-quality kibble daily, costing $120–$200/month. Heartworm preventive, flea/tick medication, and anesthesia doses are all weight-based, so veterinary costs scale accordingly.

What Will the Temperament Be Like?

Temperament in any mixed breed exists on a spectrum, and the Great Pyrenees St. Bernard mix is no exception. Here's the realistic range based on the behavioral genetics of both parent breeds:

Best-Case Temperament Profile

• Calm and gentle indoors — both breeds are known for being low-energy house dogs that enjoy lounging near their people
• Affectionate with family — St. Bernard influence tends to produce dogs that seek physical closeness and tolerate children well
• Alert without aggression — Great Pyrenees influence adds a watchful, protective instinct that alerts you to strangers without escalating to biting
• Moderately trainable — a mix leaning toward the St. Bernard side will respond to positive reinforcement training with reasonable enthusiasm

Challenging Temperament Scenarios

• Stubborn independence — Great Pyrenees genetics can produce a dog that simply ignores commands, particularly recall. This isn't stupidity; it's a breed trait honed over centuries of autonomous decision-making
• Nocturnal barking — Great Pyrenees are notorious night barkers. If your mix inherits this trait, expect vocalizing between 10 PM and 4 AM at any perceived threat (wind, leaves, distant cars)
• Wandering tendency — livestock guardian dogs patrol wide perimeters. Without secure fencing (minimum 6 feet, no gaps), your dog may roam
• Same-sex dog reactivity — some Great Pyrenees lines show intolerance toward unfamiliar dogs of the same sex, particularly large breeds
• Drooling — St. Bernard genetics often produce significant drool. If your mix inherits the loose flews (lip folds) of the St. Bernard, keep towels handy

Coat, Shedding, and Grooming: What to Expect

Is This Mix Hypoallergenic or Low-Shedding?

No. Neither parent breed carries the low-shedding gene. The Great Pyrenees has a dense, weather-resistant double coat that sheds year-round and "blows" (sheds heavily) once or twice annually. The St. Bernard comes in two coat varieties — smooth (shorter) and rough (longer) — but both shed. A Great Pyrenees St. Bernard mix will shed noticeably, and likely heavily.

Coat Possibilities

Grooming Schedule

• Daily: 10–15 minute brush with an undercoat rake or slicker brush during peak shedding (spring and fall). Check for mats behind ears, under front legs, and around the hindquarters.
• Weekly: Full-body brushing session (20–30 minutes) during off-shedding months. Use a long-toothed undercoat rake followed by a pin brush for the topcoat.
• Bathing: Every 6–8 weeks, or as needed. Use a high-velocity dryer to blow out loose undercoat — this single tool saves hours of brushing. The Merck Veterinary Manual's grooming guidelines recommend against over-bathing double-coated breeds, which can strip natural oils.
• Nails: Trim every 2–4 weeks. Giant breeds that walk primarily on grass may need more frequent trims than those walking on pavement.
• Ears: Check weekly for redness, odor, or moisture — especially if the mix inherits the St. Bernard's dropped, close-lying ears.
• Never shave a double-coated dog. Shaving disrupts the coat's insulating structure and can cause permanent follicular damage. The undercoat regulates both heat and cold.

Generations Explained: F1, F1B, F2, and Multigen

For the Great Pyrenees St. Bernard mix, the vast majority of available puppies are F1 crosses. This is partly because neither parent breed is commonly used in multi-generation designer breeding programs (unlike Poodle mixes, which have established multigen lines). If a breeder advertises F2 or multigen Saint Pyrenees puppies, ask for documentation of health testing across multiple generations — responsible multigen breeding requires extensive genetic screening.

Key point: F1 crosses benefit from maximum heterozygosity (genetic diversity), but this does NOT guarantee health. See the health section below for why the "hybrid vigor" claim has limits.

Health Considerations: The Hybrid Vigor Myth vs. Reality

Let's address this directly: the idea that mixed-breed dogs are automatically healthier than purebreds — often called "hybrid vigor" — is an oversimplification. Heterosis (the scientific term) can reduce the risk of recessive genetic conditions that are concentrated within a single breed's gene pool. However, it does nothing to protect against conditions that both parent breeds share.

Unfortunately, the Great Pyrenees and St. Bernard share several serious health risks:

According to the AKC's guidance on large-breed health, giant breeds face disproportionate risk for orthopedic and cardiac conditions regardless of mixed or purebred status.

Recommended Health Screenings (Ask the Breeder)

• Hips: OFA or PennHIP certification for both parents — not just "vet checked"
• Elbows: OFA elbow evaluation for both parents
• Cardiac: OFA cardiac exam or echocardiogram for both parents
• Eyes: OFA/CERF eye certification for both parents
• Genetic panel: Embark or Wisdom Panel DNA test showing carrier status for known breed-relevant mutations

Bloat Prevention — Critical for This Mix

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), commonly called bloat, is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and can twist on itself. This mix has the classic high-risk body type: giant, deep-chested. Key preventive measures:

• Feed 2–3 smaller meals per day instead of one large meal
• Use a slow-feeder bowl to prevent gulping
• Avoid vigorous exercise for 60 minutes before and after meals
• Do not elevate the food bowl — research from Purdue University found elevated bowls actually increase bloat risk
• Discuss prophylactic gastropexy with your veterinarian — this surgical procedure tacks the stomach to the abdominal wall and can be performed during spay/neuter. It does not prevent bloat but prevents the fatal volvulus (twisting) component

Who Is This Mix Best Suited For?

This is not a beginner-friendly dog. The combination of giant size, independent thinking, heavy grooming needs, and potential protective instincts requires an owner who understands large-breed management.

Ideal Owner Profile

Training Approach

Use positive reinforcement methods exclusively — food rewards, praise, and play. Both parent breeds can be sensitive to harsh treatment, and aversive methods (shock collars, prong collars, alpha rolls) damage trust and can trigger fear-based aggression in a dog large enough to seriously injure someone.

Start socialization early (7–16 weeks is the critical window) and continue throughout the first year. Enroll in puppy kindergarten by 10–12 weeks (after first DHPP vaccine), then progress to basic manners and, ideally, a canine good citizen program. For the Great Pyrenees-leaning puppies, expect slower recall reliability — practice on a long line (30-foot training lead) in safe areas until recall is solid, which may take 12–18 months.

Cost Breakdown: What Will a Saint Pyrenees Cost?

Purchase Price

This mix is relatively uncommon compared to popular doodle crosses, so expect to search for several months. Check Petfinder and breed-specific rescues for both Great Pyrenees and St. Bernard — mixed-breed dogs from these breeds occasionally appear in rescue.

First-Year Budget Estimate

Annual costs after the first year typically range from $2,500–$5,000, with emergency veterinary care for giant breeds easily exceeding $5,000–$10,000 per incident (GDV surgery alone averages $3,000–$7,000). Pet insurance is strongly recommended for this mix.

Frequently Asked Questions

What two breeds make up the Great Pyrenees St. Bernard mix?

This cross combines the Great Pyrenees (a white livestock guardian dog from the France-Spain border mountains) and the St. Bernard (an Alpine rescue and draft dog from Switzerland). Both are AKC Working Group breeds of giant size.

How big will this mixed breed get?

Females typically reach 85–140 lb (39–64 kg) and males 110–180 lb (50–82 kg), standing 25–30 inches (64–76 cm) at the shoulder. Full adult size is reached between 18–24 months, though some males continue filling out until age 3.

What will the temperament be like?

Expect a calm, gentle house dog with moderate-to-low energy. The St. Bernard influence adds sociability and trainability; the Great Pyrenees influence adds independence, protectiveness, and potential night barking. Individual puppies in the same litter can vary dramatically — one may be a velcro dog while another is aloof with strangers.

Is this mix hypoallergenic or low-shedding?

No. Both parent breeds have double coats that shed significantly. This mix will require regular brushing and will leave hair on furniture, clothing, and floors. If you have dog allergies or cannot tolerate shedding, this is not the right mix for you.

What health issues might this mix inherit?

The primary concerns shared by both parent breeds include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), osteosarcoma, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Consult your veterinarian about appropriate screening and preventive care, including a discussion of prophylactic gastropexy for bloat prevention.

How much does this designer mix cost?

From a responsible breeder with health-tested parents, expect to pay $1,000–$2,500 for a puppy. Adoption through rescue costs $200–$500. First-year total expenses (food, vet care, supplies, insurance) range from approximately $3,750–$10,400.

Can this mix live in an apartment?

While both parent breeds are surprisingly low-energy indoors, the combination of giant size, potential barking (Great Pyrenees trait), and exercise needs makes apartment living challenging. A house with a securely fenced yard is strongly preferred. If apartment living is unavoidable, commit to at least two 30-minute walks daily and provide mental enrichment.

Is the Great Pyrenees St. Bernard mix good with children?

Generally yes — both parent breeds are known for gentleness with children. However, a 120+ lb dog can accidentally knock over a toddler simply by walking past. Supervise all interactions, teach children to respect the dog's resting space, and never leave any giant-breed dog unsupervised with very young children.