Saint Shepherd

also known as St. Shepherd

Breed Information


Type

Is Saint Shepherd a purebred?

Cross Breed

Purpose

What were Saint Shepherds originally used for?

Companion, Guard Dog

Lifespan

How Long Do Saint Shepherds Live? What is average life expectancy for a Saint Shepherd? How long can Saint Shepherds live?

9-13 years

The average Saint Shepherd lifespan is somewhere between 9-13 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Saint Shepherd Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Saint Shepherd?

What is the average height of a Saint Shepherd? How big is a Cross Breed Saint Shepherd height? Saint Shepherd dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 28-31 inches (71.1 - 78.7 cm) 27.5 inches (69.9 cm) 28.5 inches (72.4 cm) 29.5 inches (74.9 cm)
Female 25-28 inches (63.5 - 71.1 cm) 24.5 inches (62.2 cm) 25.5 inches (64.8 cm) 26.5 inches (67.3 cm)
What is the average weight of a Saint Shepherd? How much should Saint Shepherds weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 95-150 pounds (43 - 68 kg) 65.0 pounds (29 kg) 80.0 pounds (36 kg) 122.5 pounds (56 kg)
Female 85-140 pounds (39 - 64 kg) 55.0 pounds (25 kg) 70.0 pounds (32 kg) 112.5 pounds (51 kg)
Hypoallergenic

Are Saint Shepherds Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Saint Shepherd is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Saint Shepherd personality? What are Saint Shepherd dogs best known for?

Curious
Independent
Happy
Alert
Courageous
Intelligent
Confident
Friendly
Obedient
Loyal
Gentle
Going
Social
Watchful
Quiet

Shedding Level

Are Saint Shepherds heavy shedders? How Much Does a Saint Shepherd Shed?

Saint Shepherd dogs are extremely heavy shedders, they will lose a large amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Saint Shepherd.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Saint Shepherds come from?

United States

Ancestry

What are Saint Shepherds descended from?

German Shepherd, Saint Bernard

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Saint Shepherd breed?

DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.

Date of Birth

When were Saint Shepherds first bred? How old is the Saint Shepherd breed?

2000s

Saint Shepherd Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Saint Shepherd eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Saint Shepherd nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Saint Shepherd coat be naturally?

Black
Brown
Pied
Sable

Coat Length

How long is a Saint Shepherds coat?

The coat of a Saint Shepherd is longer than that of the typical dog.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Saint Shepherd Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Saint Shepherd?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Saint Shepherd have in a litter? How many puppies can a Saint Shepherd have in her first litter?

6-10 puppies per pregnancy

A Saint Shepherd can have a litter of 6-10 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Saint Shepherds are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Saint Shepherd Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Saint Shepherds have a lot of health problems?

The Saint Shepherd is a very healthy breed, with little need for frequent vet visits. However, it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Saint Shepherd?

Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Renal Cystadenocarcinoma and Nodular Dermatofibrosis
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Saint Shepherds?

Entropion
Ectropion
Pannus
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye)

Occasional Diagnoses

Hemophilia
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Perianal Fistula
Degenerative Myopathy (DM)

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Saint Shepherd breed?

Eye Examination
Skin Evaluation
Blood And Urine Analysis
Diagnostic Imaging
Cardiac Test

Saint Shepherd Needs and Activities


Social Needs

Do Saint Shepherds need socialization? How social are Saint Shepherds?

Saint Shepherd have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Saint Shepherd have? Do Saint Shepherds sleep a lot?

The Saint Shepherd breed is known for its moderate energy levels and normal sleep patterns, typically sleeping around 12-14 hours per day.

Mouthiness

Are Saint Shepherds mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Saint Shepherd running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Saint Shepherd dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Saint Shepherds enjoy doing? How do I keep my Saint Shepherd busy?

Fetch, Napping, Running, Walking, Tug-of-war, Hiking, Movie marathons, Frisbee, Walks, Hunting, Swimming, Traveling, Run, Tricks, Chase, Walk, Play keep away, Play, Playdate, Water play, Hide & Seek, Playing fetch, Hike, Tag, Walkin, Play time, Training, Sleeping, Swim, Brushing

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Saint Shepherd? How much energy does a Saint Shepherd have?

High

Saint Shepherds are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Saint Shepherd walk each week? How many miles should a Saint Shepherd walk every week?

18 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Saint Shepherd, it's at least 18 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Saint Shepherd should exercise a day? How much activity does a Saint Shepherd need?

90 minutes

In general most Saint Shepherds usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Saint Shepherd?

The Saint Shepherd is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Saint Shepherd?

Daily

Ideally, Saint Shepherd should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Saint Shepherds?

Pin Brush
Comb
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Saint Shepherd eat?

4.5 cups

For an average 95-150 pound (43 - 68 kg) Saint Shepherd feed 4.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Saint Shepherd Cost Daily?

$4.50 - $5.60 / day

The average cost of a Saint Shepherd is somewhere $4.50 - $5.60 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Saint Shepherd Cost Per Month?

$134 - $168 / month

The average per month expenses of a Saint Shepherd is between $134 - $168. This makes an average of $1608 - $2016 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Saint Shepherd Characteristic


Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Saint Shepherd dog?

This dog breed is particularly attuned to its environment and the emotions of those around it. It can be easily overwhelmed by loud noises, new environments, and unfamiliar people or animals. This dog is best suited for individuals or families who are patient, gentle, and understanding of its sensitive nature. It may also benefit from a calm and stable home environment, with a consistent routine and plenty of positive reinforcement training.

Apartment Friendly

Do Saint Shepherd do well in apartments? Are Saint Shepherds good indoor dogs?

Saint Shepherds are dogs that do well in apartments with sufficient exercise, but they would really appreciate a small yard.

Child Friendly

Are Saint Shepherds good with kids? Are Saint Shepherds good around children?

A Saint Shepherds typical characteristics indicate that this breed of dog is an ideal companion for kids and makes them family pets. Their gentle and protective nature and calm mentality make them gel along quickly with the younger humans

Senior-friendly

Are Saint Shepherds good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Saint Shepherds good with cats? How friendly Saint Shepherds are toward cats?

Saint Shepherds are one of the best dogs for cats. They're accept cats readily as part of the family. However, this dog breed should be trained to not chase after the kitty early on

Dog Friendly

Do Saint Shepherd dogs get along with other dogs? Are Saint Shepherds OK with other dogs?

Saint Shepherds are friendly, active and loyal companions. They generally love to be around other dogs, making them a good family pet for some,

Pet friendly

How do Saint Shepherd dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Saint Shepherds friendly with strangers?

Saint Shepherds are friendly dogs and won't commonly bark at strangers. However, if you wish to change this, training them is easy. With their intelligence, teaching this breed to do anything is pretty simple.

Playfulness

Do Saint Shepherds like to play? Are Saint Shepherds playful?

Saint Shepherds have an average level of playfulness. The Saint Shepherds, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Saint Shepherd easily trained?

Saint Shepherd dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.