The Saint Bernard Husky mix is a different type of designer dog. It mixes the Saint Bernard and the Siberian Husky. It’s one that’s not nearly as common as other husky mixes, like the Huskypoo or the German Shepherd Husky mix. This unusual combo can be an awesome companion dog as long as you don’t mind grooming.
Sometimes referred to as the Saint Berhusky, the Saint Bernard Husky mix will typically be bigger than a Husky. They will also be slightly smaller than Saint Bernard. This pup will make an excellent family dog. While we’ve rated them 4/5 for children, that’s purely because of their size. It’s not uncommon for this mix to tip the scales at close to 100 pounds due to their Saint Bernard parent.
You can get the Saint Berhusky at a breeder, and you can also find them at rescues. We always encourage you to adopt before you shop! Rescuing a dog can save a life, and there’s a chance you’ll find the perfect Saint Berhusky for your family at a local shelter. Curious to know more about this beautiful and interesting mix? We look at everything you need to know about this curious pup below!
Weight70-90 pounds- Height22-25 inches
- Lifespan9-12 years
- ColorsWhite, Grey, Brown, Tri-Color
Parent Breeds
Adopting a mix means that you are rolling the dice with what you get. Usually, when a mix is bred from two purebred parents, the temperament, looks and other qualities will get picked up slightly more from one breed. It’s also likely that you’ll get the benefit of positive traits from both parent breeds. This happens frequently as seen with many popular pups.
With the Saint Berhusky, you are going to be getting a larger dog. This dog is going to learn and obey basic commands faster than a traditional Saint Bernard, but slower than a Siberian Husky. Before we can really know every detail about what this pup will turn out like, it’s important to have a background on the parent breeds. Let’s start with overviews of the Siberian Husky and Saint Bernard.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is one of the more popular dog breeds in the United States. With their furry double coats and striking blue eyes, it’s easy to see why people fall in love with the breed. The Husky originates from Siberia, hence the name. They are a medium-sized dog and was used in cold temperatures to transport goods across icy terrain, as well as passengers. Because of this, they are classified as a working dog breed. This results in higher energy levels, which means your pup will need to be exercised regularly to prevent bad behavior.
The Siberian Husky stands between 20 and 23.5 inches tall on the taller side. While they can cross into “large breed” territory, this is somewhat uncommon. They will typically weigh between 35 and 60 pounds when fully grown, depending on if they are male or female. Siberian Huskies are friendly dogs, that enjoy their owners and don’t enjoy being left alone for long periods of time. Because of their looks, they are often a popular designer dog breed you’ll find paired with other purebreds. Examples include the Alaskan Malamute Husky mix and the Labrador Husky mix.
Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are less popular than the Siberian Husky in most households. While this breed is extremely well known from pop culture references, their drooling, shedding, and aloofness with strangers can put people off. But what people don’t often see is the gentle giant on the inside that makes these pups some of the best family dogs. They are incredibly gentle with children and are very tolerant of ear pulls and tail tugs.
Another thing that can deter the average dog owner from Saint Bernard ownership is their size. These pups are often well into “giant breed” territory. It’s not uncommon for males to approach over 150 pounds when fully grown. With longer coats, they look even bigger than this. Males can also get as tall as 30 inches, which rivals other giant breeds, like the colossal Caucasian Ovcharka or the Anatolian Shepherd.
Saint Berhusky
The Saint Berhusky is a unique mix. While they can be somewhat aloof with strangers, their Husky genes usually force them to be a little more social than their Saint Bernard parent. These pups are downright intriguing due to their blue eyes and unusual coat/color combinations not normally seen in the Husky parent. They are great with kids and get a slight activity level boost over a purebred Saint Bernard.
You likely have lots of questions. Can they live in an apartment? Are they good with kids? Are they good with other pets? We will answer all of those and more. Let’s dig in!
Temperament
Generally, when two breeds are mixed, you’ll get some blend of each parent’s personality. More mellow than a Husky, but more energetic than a Saint Bernard, the Saint Berhusky is a very well-balanced dog. This mix will be more sociable with strangers, which is a good thing if you frequently have visitors in your home. This pup is more suited to be a watchdog rather than a guard dog. They will alert you to strangers and protect their family, but it is not their primary nature.
The Berhusky is headstrong and will be more difficult to train than more compliant purebreds or mixed breeds. The Saint Bernard is a breed that scores lower on the IQ scale than others, and this can lead to needing more repetitions to learn basic obedience training commands. This can be frustrating, but repetition is key and it will just take more time than an easily trainable breed.
While the Husky is intelligent, you’ll be getting a little of each parent. It’s highly likely your Berhusky will be smart, but also a highly independent thinker. This can be a challenge for first-time dog owners. The Saint Berhusky makes a wonderful family companion though and will adore any children that are in the home. They can also do well with other animals if they are properly socialized at a young age.
Size & Appearance
It’s not uncommon for males to come close to 100 pounds. While the Saint Bernard Husky mix isn’t considered a giant breed in most cases, they can get close. You’ll want to prepare yourself for a dog that will likely weigh between 70 and 90 pounds, and get as tall as 25 inches in height. They will be leaner than their Saint Bernard parents, and also more active.
You’ll likely have a tail that curls, inherited from the Husky parent. The head will be larger and blockier than a Husky, but smaller than a Saint Bernard. This mix will look bigger than they actually are, due to their fluffy double-layered coat. The Saint Bernard Husky mix may appear intimidating to some due to their size, but their temperament is usually the opposite. You’ll also potentially get a chance to experience the blue eyes that the Husky is known for.
Coat & Colors
The Saint Bernard Husky Mix will have a thick coat. This coat will be more coarse than the Saint Bernard parent, but less coarse than the husky. You’ll likely have softer hair on the head, ears, and neck area, with a more coarse coat at the body. Because they are double-coated, they will shed their coats or “blow them” twice per year. This means that shedding will be more excessive than normal during these periods. This happens once in the fall and once prior to summertime. You’ll spend quite a bit of time grooming, so investing in a shed prevention shampoo is a good idea.
The color combination of the Saint Berhusky will vary from dog to dog. They can be white, black, brown, and anything in between. Common is a white coat, with some black and brown mixed in. The predominant coat color is white though, and there’s even a small potential to have a completely white dog.
Exercise & Living Conditions
Siberian Husky Saint Bernard mixes will require at least 45-60 minutes of exercise each day when they are young. As they start to age, typically in the 3-4 year range, this requirement will start to drop. 30 minutes per day is still recommended though, even as adults. This is good for your Saint Berhusky’s mental output and will help to ensure that you’ve minimized the potential for getting into trouble.
This mix will do best in a larger yard and a home where they have some space due to their size. They can reside in an apartment but will need adequate daily exercise. The Husky Saint Bernard mix will enjoy retrieving, running and other social activities that keep his mind entertained. Berhuskies can get into mischief without adequate mental stimulation, and this will oftentimes result in them chewing things they shouldn’t or engaging in other destructive behavior.
Training
It’s recommended to enroll your Saint Bernard Husky mix in obedience training to learn basic commands as soon as they are old enough to attend. This breed does have an independent streak, so training as a puppy is crucial. They will frequently not learn on the first command, so you’ll need to have patience.
This breed is borderline for first-time dog owners. If you aren’t sure of your ability to manage a larger breed, we’d recommend looking at a different mix that may be slightly easier to train.
Health
The Saint Berhusky will generally be fairly healthy. Because of their size, their life span will typically be on the shorter side. There’s definitely potential for this mix to last until 10 years of age or more if they follow a proper exercise and nutrition regimen. Because of the mix, they are less likely to suffer from common ailments that their parents suffer from. The primary concern as they age will be joint health and the potential for hip dysplasia.
Nutrition
The Saint Bernard Husky mix’s nutritional needs will depend on their life stage. During puppyhood, it’s best to have them eating a large breed dry dog food puppy formula. If you have a larger male, it may be worth considering a dog food made for giant breed puppies. As they age, migrating to a large breed dog food adult formula is recommended. As your Berhusky starts to enter into their Senior years, a Senior formula with a Glucosamine boost is likely the next stop.
No matter the age stage of your dog, we always recommend you supplement dry kibble with healthy fruits and vegetables. Some good options are kiwi for fruit, or cubed bell peppers for a quick veggie. Most dogs enjoy both fruits and vegetables, and they make a great topper for most dry dog foods. We always recommend you avoid overly processed food, especially when your dog is older. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself putting your dog on low-calorie dog food in order to lose weight.
Grooming
Get ready to brush your pup! Saint Bernard Husky mixes have LOTS of hair! You’ll want to invest in a good de-shedding tool, and a good comb or brush. We recommend that you brush your pup every day! If your dog has a white coat, be ready to protect your furniture. Both parents are known for having sensitive skin, so you may need to experiment with some different shampoo formulas in order to find the right one for your Berhusky’s skin.
Puppies & Breeders
When it comes to the Saint Bernard Husky mix, finding a breeder is typically the best way to ensure you are getting a true Berhusky mix. Breeders for this designer dog are tougher to come by, as it’s a more rare breed. They are out there though, and you’ll want to do some thorough follow-up on the breeder before you make any puppy purchase. You can expect to pay $700 and up for a Berhusky puppy, with some pups fetching closer to $1,500.
Rescues & Shelters
We are very strong advocates of rescuing dogs here at Canine Journal! We first recommend you look at either a Saint Bernard rescue, or a Siberian Husky rescue. It’s not uncommon for mixed breed dogs to enter these rescue facilities. They will almost always be cheaper than buying a puppy, and often times you get to skip the teething puppy stage.
You’ll also potentially pick up some baggage, but that can be overcome with a very consistent training regimen. Most rescues and no-kill shelters will charge around $250 to $500 for the adoption of a dog, which is a fraction of what you’ll pay at a breeder.
As Family Pets
The Saint Berhusky makes a fantastic family pet. They are great with kids and can be reasonable with strangers and other animals if properly introduced. As a family pet, the primary thing you’ll need to worry about is the size of this mix. If you have small kids, it’s far more likely that your pup may knock a child over rather than anything else. With this pup potentially getting into the triple digits for weight, that can be dangerous. With that being said, these dogs are traditionally incredible family pets.
Final Thoughts
The Saint Bernard Husky mix is a dog that will bring years of happiness to your home. It’s a unique breed, with a heart that matches its size. You’ll likely be the talk of the dog park anytime you visit when people ask “what breed is that?” Whether you adopt a puppy or rescue a dog, you should know that you’ll be getting an awesome mix that will be a great family companion, watchdog, and best buddy for your kiddos (if you have them).
