Swissy Saint

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120-180 lbs
21-24"
Switzerland
Greater Swiss Mountain
Saint Bernard
Swiss Saint, Great Swiss Saint

The Swissy Saint is a beautiful dog that is bred for work, search and rescue, and companionship. Not only are they ready to work and easy to train, they are also very gentle, loving and obedient. You might not find the Swissy to be as affectionate as some other breeds, but you will know that they are devoted to their family. They might take on the appearance of either parent, in color, markings and facial expressions and it's important to note that they do shed on a seasonal basis. Make sure this breed gets plenty of exercise and keep an eye out for any signs of hip dysplasia, one of the most common health concerns for this hybrid. 
purpose Purpose
Search and Rescue, Work, Companionship
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Saint Bernard and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Swissy Saint Health

Average Size
Male Swissy Saint size stats
Height: 22-25 inches Weight: 130-200 lbs
Female Swissy Saint size stats
Height: 21-24 inches Weight: 120-180 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Entropion
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • Wobbler's Syndrome
  • Digestive Problems
Minor Concerns
  • Bloat
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Cherry Eye or Entropion (eye problems)
Occasional Tests
  • Eye Examinations
  • Blood Tests
  • Complete Physical Examination
  • Diagnostic Tests

Swissy Saint Breed History

The name Swissy Saint comes from a combination of the names of both parent breeds. While the time of the exact origin of the name is not known, we do know a bit of history pertaining to the parents. The Greater Swiss Mountain dog is a native of Switzerland, descended from large dogs, much like Mastiffs, that Romans brought into the Alpines in ancient times. This breed has been a member of the American Kennel Cub since 1995. The Saint Bernard, also originally bred in Switzerland as well as Italy, has been around since at least the early 1700's, with some seeing references to the breed as far back as 57 BC. According to the American Kennel Club, it is believed that Saint Bernards were bred from the Asian Molosser, also brought into the area by the Romans. Added to the roster of the AKC in 1885, the Saint Bernard Club, one of the oldest clubs in America, was created in 1888. Both the Saint Bernard and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog were used for work as well as search and rescue, especially in the part of the world where they originated. Even today, both dogs make great work dogs as well as companion dogs. While the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has never been highly publicized in the media, Saint Bernards, on the other hand, have been made popular not only in the many movies and commercials touting their rescue abilities, but also by the ever-popular movie, Beethoven.

Swissy Saint Breed Appearance

Swissy Saints have brought with them the best of both parents. With strikingly colored coats in black, red, brown and white, they are can sometimes have a blaze marking around the muzzle. The coat is generally short and very soft. However, they do shed seasonally, making occasional grooming a necessity. Their hair isn't as dense as some  others breeds coats are, but they do exceptionally well in the winter, as well as in the water. You're likely to find the body proportion of the Swissy Saint looks a great deal like the Saint Bernard, although this isn't always the case. They are very majestic and quite obviously, a dog well suited for working. The round, brown eyes can often seem droopy and the marking around the muzzle put off a sort of jovial look, almost as if they are smiling. The short snout looks more like the Saint Bernard, with wide, heavy jaws and large teeth. Paws are large and round, making it easy for them to stand well in snow and other types of terrain.
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Swissy Saint eyes
Brown
amber Swissy Saint eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Swissy Saint nose
Black
brown Swissy Saint nose
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
black Swissy Saint coat
Black
brown Swissy Saint coat
Brown
red Swissy Saint coat
Red
cream Swissy Saint coat
Cream
fawn Swissy Saint coat
Fawn
white Swissy Saint coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Swissy Saint straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Swissy Saint Breed Maintenance

The Swissy Saint doesn't need to be groomed as much as a longhaired breed does, but occasional grooming is definitely necessary to keep him looking his best. This is the same with shampooing, especially if the dogs are used for working. Be prepared to do some extra cleaning when shedding season rolls around, as well as some extra brushing. The pin brush will be the best choice; it removes excess fur and eliminates tangles that may form.  A deshedder can work well in times of heavy shed. Because of the shedding, they can't be considered hypoallergenic and, unlike the Saint Bernard, they aren't as prone to drooling so their mouth stays dry. Unless necessary, bathing can be taken care of every three to four weeks, at which time you can check to see if they need their nails trimmed.
Brushes for Swissy Saint
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Swissy Saint requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Swissy Saint Temperament

You'll find that this breed is very even tempered and can be easy to train by a committed owner who is willing to work with the dog. You won't often find a Swissy that is nervous or anxious, so they have no need to bark at every little thing, something your neighbors will appreciate! They will bark if they see a need to, however, and when they do, it's always best to find out what's causing the disturbance. They are great with other animals as well as children, and you'll likely find them highly tolerant of both, as their even temper extends out even to the smallest members of the family.

Swissy Saint Activity Requirements

With an abundance of energy and a willingness to both work and play, you'll find they are very easy to train. However, given the opportunity, they will lounge around the house as long as they can. Exercise is extremely important, however, because of their possible health concerns. You don't want them to become overweight, as they are already predisposed to hip dysplasia, and you want them to have strong bones and muscles, for the very best quality of life possible. Because of their size, apartment living really is not the ideal. A home with a large enclosed yard will give your large dog plenty of space in which to stretch and exercise. Daily walks will be welcomed as well and gives the Swissy Saint a chance to meet and greet the neighbors.
Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes
activity minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Swissy Saint

Similarly Sized Breeds to Swissy Saint

Swissy Saint Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
4 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$2.75 - $3.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$80.00 - $90.00
food bag monthly cost

Swissy Saint Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Swissy Saint size stats at six months
Height: 18.0 inches Weight: 80.0 lbs
Female Swissy Saint size stats at six months
Height: 16.0 inches Weight: 70.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Swissy Saint size stats at 12 months
Height: 23.5 inches Weight: 140.0 lbs
Female Swissy Saint size stats at 12 months
Height: 22.5 inches Weight: 130.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Swissy Saint size stats at 18 months
Height: 23.5 inches Weight: 165.0 lbs
Female Swissy Saint size stats at 18 months
Height: 22.5 inches Weight: 150.0 lbs
author-img

Written by a Siberian Husky lover Stacey Wells

Published: 12/20/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

More articles by Stacey Wells

Swissy Saint Owner Experiences

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