St Bernard Chihuahua Mix: Pictures, Care, Temperament & Traits
By Beth Crane
Updated on
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The chances of a successful mating between the smallest dog breed in the world and one of the largest breeds naturally occurring is almost impossible. A Chihuahua and a Saint Bernard may struggle to reproduce without artificial insemination, but it’s not impossible! However, these puppies are likely to have some health problems, and the birth or pregnancy could even be impossible for the mom due to the massive size difference! In this article, we look at the unlikely mix and see what they could be like and why looking for one is not a good idea.
| Height: | 5–30 inches |
| Weight: | 5–180 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 8–16 years |
| Colors: | White, blue, silver, red, brown, gray, black, white and other colors, chocolate, fawn, mix of all colors |
| Suitable for: | Families with older children, experienced dog owners |
| Temperament: | Loyal & loving, stubborn, intelligent, charming |
The St. Bernard Chihuahua mix is a cross between the smallest dog breed in the world and one of the largest. Both these breeds are so different in size and personality that it’s virtually impossible to find any information on what a mix of the two would be like, as it has yet to be done! Despite this, they share some traits that would likely be passed down to the puppies.
This pairing will likely only happen with human help, and it can be dangerous (or even fatal) for a female Chihuahua to carry the pups of a St. Bernard. They’ll likely be as big as she is!
St. Bernard Chihuahua Mix Breed Characteristics
St. Bernard Chihuahua Mix Breed Puppies
This mix is extremely difficult to find, if not impossible. Because of the logistics of mating, artificial insemination must be used to ensure successful mating. Even then, the Chihuahua would have to be male, so the St. Bernard could carry the puppies, as a female Chi would be too small to carry St. Bernard cross puppies (just one St. Bernard pup weighs a pound at birth) and would not be able to give birth to them. Puppies of this mating would typically be a rambunctious mix of the two breeds (assuming they survive and have no congenital disabilities) and would share the physical features of both breeds.
A St. Bernard Chihuahua mix puppy might be smaller than a purebred St. Bernard or slightly larger than a Chihuahua. Many color variations are possible, including mixes of white, brown, black, and red. The coat could be thick, coarse, or smooth but would likely be double-coated due to both parent’s breeds having a double coat. Because the St. Bernard was bred for cold weather and the Chihuahua hails from Mexico, there’s likely to be a wide range of physical traits any puppies could inherit.
Temperament & Intelligence of the St. Bernard Chihuahua Mix 🧠
Some traits are common in Chihuahuas and St. Bernards. The St. Bernard Chihuahua mix would likely be an intelligent dog, as Chihuahuas are intelligent and adaptable, and St. Bernard was bred to work and follow orders. However, both breeds can have a stubborn streak, so the St. Bernard Chihuahua mix could have a strong personality! Both parent breeds are reserved with strangers, so the St. Bernard Chihuahua mix will likely be attached to family but will take time to warm up to those they don’t know.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The St. Bernard Chihuahua mix could be good for families, depending on which parent it takes after more. Chihuahuas are known to be a little snappy with small children who can often see them as a toys rather than a dogs, which can intimidate the little canines. On the other hand, the St. Bernard doesn’t have this problem; a St. Bernard will happily play with children all day and is patient with even the smallest, loudest children. Because the breeds in this mix are so different, it’s hard to determine which side you’ll get out of a puppy! Families with older children are a better fit for this mix.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
To get the best idea of how social a St. Bernard Chihuahua mixes with other dogs and pets, we can examine each breed. The Chihuahua and St. Bernard are both average when it comes to socializing with other dogs, which also extends to other pets in the home. Neither is a hunting dog nor is either known to have a high prey drive which can affect how they react to a small furry pet or a fleeing cat.
Good socialization is important for any dog, including the St. Bernard Chihuahua mix. You should socialize this designer dog with as wide an array of other pets as possible, including dogs, cats, and other pets in the home. That way, they can acclimatize and learn acceptable behavior. If introductions and socialization are done right, the St. Bernard Chihuahua mix is likely to be happy to play and socialize with other pets in the home.
Things to Know When Owning a St. Bernard Chihuahua Mix:
The size disparity between the two parent breeds can mean a St. Bernard Chihuahua mix could be any size, from toy to large; the exact needs of this crossbreed are determined by how big they grow and how active they are. This is especially true for physical characteristics, such as food and grooming!
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The amount and type of food a St. Bernard Chihuahua mix will need will depend on its projected size. The food a puppy is fed has far-reaching effects on its health, including weight management and bone growth. This is especially important for large-breed puppies, as they need particular amounts of calories, protein, and minerals to grow at an appropriate rate.
If large breed puppies grow too quickly, they can experience bone and joint deformities, which can have a devastating effect on their quality of life. Small breed puppies can easily lose weight or develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if fed a large breed puppy food, as they have higher metabolisms that need more energy than large breed pups.
This difference carries on into adulthood; a St. Bernard Chihuahua mix who weighs 10 pounds will need considerably fewer calories per day than one who weighs 100 pounds. You should feed your crossbreed a high-quality diet suited to their life stage and size. The type of food is often left down to their tastes, but your vet can advise you on the best type for your pup.
Exercise 🐕
Despite their size difference, the St. Bernard and the Chihuahua share similar exercise needs. Depending on their size, a St. Bernard Chihuahua mix will likely need between half an hour and an hour of exercise per day, consisting of a short walk and a longer play session. Both parent breeds of this strange mix do well with a yard outside to play in, which is often enough exercise for them. The difference between them is that a small Chihuahua can get tired out quickly after a long hike. However, the St. Bernard Chihuahua mix should be able to keep up with a short hike.
Training 🎾
Both St. Bernard and the Chihuahua know how to use their traits to get their way, and they are intelligent and want to please their owners. The St. Bernard Chihuahua mix will likely use their size or cute looks to get their way at home, so training must be firm but respectful and positive. It’s important to socialize this crossbreed well, as large and small St. Bernard Chihuahua mixes can be problematic if they’re anxious or fearful. Luckily, a deep love of their family is almost a given in this crossbreed, so using this willingness to please can help train them. Positive training methods work best, but be sure to watch how many treats you give as they can be prone to obesity.
Grooming ✂️
The amount of grooming your St. Bernard Chihuahua mix will need depends on their coat type. Both St. Bernards and Chihuahuas have long and short-coated varieties, but both require grooming around once a week with regular bathing. Your St. Bernard Chihuahua mix will likely need brushing once or twice a week to keep them tangle-free and comfortable, with brushing increasing to daily during the twice-yearly shedding season. Even short-coated crossbreeds will need brushing to keep their coats shiny and the skin underneath nourished. No matter how big your St. Bernard Chihuahua mix is, they’ll need their teeth brushed daily with a dog-safe toothpaste to prevent dental disease (common in small and toy breeds). They should also have their nails trimmed at least once a month to prevent overgrowth.
Health and Conditions ❤️
Because of the difference in body proportions of the two parent breeds, there are some health conditions that a St. Bernard Chihuahua mix can have. Unfortunately, most St. Bernard Chihuahua mix puppies probably wouldn’t make it to term in a pregnancy if the Chihuahua was female, but a female St. Bernard may have a better chance at birthing healthy puppies.
- Dermatitis: Dermatitis is usually caused by food or dust allergies. Atopic dermatitis is a form of dermatitis that causes intense itching and can cause skin lesions and fur loss due to scratching. St. Bernards are also predisposed to suffering from moist dermatitis (or “hot spots”) of very sore, open skin caused by allergy or irritation.
- Periodontal Disease: Small breeds of dogs often have problems with overcrowding, malocclusion, or retained deciduous (baby) teeth due to having skulls and jaws too small for their teeth. This can cause periodontal disease and other tooth problems, which can directly affect other aspects of your dog’s life (including lifespan).
- Congenital Hydrocephalus: Congenital hydrocephalus is a condition in which the brain and skull swell due to cerebrospinal fluid collecting in the brain. This is a painful condition that can enlarge the head and cause brain damage due to the pressure.
- Patellar Luxation: A patellar luxation is a knee joint dislocation caused by weakness in the ligaments that hold the patellar in place. Signs of patellar luxation can be subtle as it can slide in and out of place but can include pain and limping or changes in gait on the affected leg.
- Mitral Valve Disease: Mitral valve disease is a degeneration of the heart valves that control the blood flow through the heart. This valve becomes increasingly defective over time, leading to congestive heart failure.
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Dilated cardiomyopathy causes changes in the heart muscle, causing the walls of the heart to become thin and not work as they should. This enlarges the heart and can eventually lead to heart failure.
- Hip Dysplasia: Hip Dysplasia is the malformation of the ball and socket joint that forms the hip. This malformation means the joint does not sit correctly and causes pain and instability when walking, and leads to other changes, such as arthritis in the joint. Signs include pain, lameness, reluctance to move, and changes in gait.
- Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer usually found in long bones such as the femur. Osteosarcoma is a very aggressive cancer and is more common in certain breeds, including the St. Bernard.
Male vs Female
The main differences between males and females of the St. Bernard Chihuahua Mix would come from the St. Bernard side, as male and female Chihuahuas are practically identical! However, St. Bernards have subtle differences, and it mostly comes down to size and weight. Male St. Bernards are bigger and bulkier than the females, with some weighing 10 pounds heavier.
3 Little-Known Facts About The St. Bernard Chihuahua Mix
1. A Saint Bernard Chihuahua Mix Would Be Almost Impossible to Occur Naturally
When thinking about the logistics of a Chihuahua and a St. Bernard mating, you have to understand how dogs actually do the deed. The male dog would usually mount the female and enter her before “tying,” when two dogs become interlocked and mating is completed. A male Chihuahua could not tie with a female St. Bernard (if he could even reach her!), so fertilization is unlikely. A Male St. Bernard would likely cause massive damage to a Female Chihuahua, so this mating is also very unlikely.
2. They Could Kill their Mothers When They’re Born (or Even Before)
Because of some breeds’ size and body shape differences, smaller female dogs often have trouble carrying or giving birth to puppies sired by a larger dog. The same is true for St. Barnard Chihuahua mixes; because of how large the puppies could grow compared to the mother, the puppies themselves may not even be able to make it to full term. If they did, the weight could cause pain and strain on the Chihuahua, and she shouldn’t be able to give birth to them naturally (called dystocia). Dystocia is fatal if not treated immediately, with surgery (cesarian section) needed to increase the chances of survival for both mom and pups.
3. They Would Cost a Lot!
Because of all the dangerous factors and high risk, St. Bernard Chihuahua mixes are likely to be very expensive. Ongoing health checks would also be needed in the pup’s first few months of life to ensure they are healthy enough to go to a new home, which is also more costly for the breeder. These costs are likely to pass on to the buyer, which can mean a hefty price for a puppy!
Final Thoughts
The St. Bernard Chihuahua mix is a crossbreed between two dogs that shouldn’t have been mated. There are likely instances of this crossbreed that are happy and healthy with no problems, but the high risk and potential for disaster for mom and pups make this pairing irresponsible. In addition, St. Bernard Chihuahua mixes are likely to share traits from both mother and father breeds, making it difficult for potential owners to know their temperament and traits. That doesn’t mean there are sweet St. Bernard chihuahua mixes, but we must think of the dogs first and be responsible.
Featured Image Credit: Left – Aneta Jungerova, Shutterstock | Right – Daniel Kondrashin, Pexels
