Saint-Pierre Dog - TOP 10 Interesting Facts

1. Origin
   The Saint-Pierre Dog traces its ancestry to two well-established purebred dogs: the Labrador Retriever and the Bernese Mountain Dog. While unintentional crosses of these breeds may have happened earlier, it was in the 1990s in Canada when Éric St-Pierre began intentionally crossing them. The goal was to create a new breed that would combine the best qualities of both dogs, that could serve as a service dog and that could do it in snow.
   
2. Not a Labernese
   While the cross between a Labrador and a Bernese Mountain Dog is commonly referred to as a Labernese, the Saint-Pierre Dog is much more than just any Labernese. First, it’s a second-generation Labernese, meaning it's not a simple cross between the Labrador and Bernese, but rather the result of mating two Laberneses together. The Saint-Pierre Dogs must be bred directly by the Mira Foundation to ensure they have the right temperament, appearance, energy level, and trainability—all important traits for a guide dog. While the Saint-Pierre and Labernese share the same ancestry, the Saint-Pierre offers a more predictable temperament. The Labernese can sometimes be overly playful or have stronger guarding instincts from the Bernese, which can affect its suitability as a guide dog. The Saint-Pierre, however, is consistently bred to meet the high standards required for service work.
   
3. Service dog
   As mentioned earlier, the Saint-Pierre Dog is specifically bred to be a service dog. It serves as a guide dog or assistance dog for people with various disabilities, including autism. The Saint-Pierre helps its owners with daily tasks, offering emotional comfort and a sense of security. When working with blind people, they provide essential guidance, helping their owners navigate confidently and safely. The Saint-Pierre’s role as a service dog is no coincidence, as its main ancestor, the Labrador Retriever, is the world’s most popular and most trained guide dog in the world. While not all Saint-Pierre Dogs complete their training or are suited for this demanding work, those who don’t make the cut are offered to the public in exchange for a donation. So, it’s possible to adopt a Saint-Pierre as a companion dog rather than a service dog, depending on the dog’s training and temperament.
   
4. Name
   Maybe you are wondering, why the dog is named Saint Pierre or why the foundation is named as Mira. Well the name was chose after the founder of the Labernese - Éric St-Pierre. As for the Mira Foundation, it was named after a female Labrador named Mirabelle, one of the first guide dogs ever trained by Éric St-Pierre.
   
5. Temperament
   To be a good guide dog, the Saint Pierre Dog must have a perfect temperament for such purpose. They need to be incredibly loyal, with a balanced energy level—not overly energetic, yet capable of staying active when needed. They must be intelligent, but above all, eager to please. The Saint-Pierre is typically very affectionate, patient, friendly with both people and other animals, and naturally confident. These qualities not only make them excellent service dogs but also great companion dogs. They can live harmoniously with other dogs or smaller children, making them a wonderful addition to any home.
   
6. Size
   It is important to say, that this is pretty big dog which isn’t surprising given the size of its ancestors—the Bernese Mountain Dog, a giant, and the Labrador Retriever, which is also a fairly large breed. On average, Saint-Pierre Dogs stand around 28 inches (71 cm) tall and can weigh up to 110 lbs (50 kg). Females tend to be slightly smaller than males.
   
7. Coat
   I think we can all agree that the Saint Pierre dog looks beautiful and has a very attractive look. I would say that one of the main reasons is the stunning coat. Saint Pierre should have a long coat which comes in black color and with a white line running down from their forehead and muzzle to their chest.
   
8. Shedding
   While the Saint-Pierre Dog's coat is beautiful, it does come with a responsibility. This breed sheds quite a bit, so potential owners should be prepared for regular grooming. To minimize shedding, daily brushing is recommended to remove loose and dead hair. Regular brushing also helps redistribute natural oils throughout the coat, keeping it healthy and in the best possible condition.
   
9. Exercise
   As i already mentioned, the Saint Pierre Dog should not be overly active, but they still enjoy proper exercise. They will always be ready for any kind of outdoor adventure, whether it is a hike, jog, many of them enjoy swimming as well. Most of them are pretty playful and they will enjoy almost any kind of a playtime if it is with their beloved people. If you want your Saint Pierre dog to be as happy as possible, you should provide him with at least some daily exercise and activities.
   
10. Health
    Finally, let's talk about the health of the Saint-Pierre Dog. Both of the parent breeds—the Labrador Retriever and the Bernese Mountain Dog—are unfortunately prone to certain health issues, particularly hip dysplasia and other joint problems. These concerns can also appear in Laberneses. However, the good news is that Saint Pierre dogs bred by the Mira Foundation are less likely to experience these problems. Thanks to deliberate and responsible breeding, the risks of hip dysplasia and other defects are minimized. Additionally, all dogs undergo testing before starting their service work. As a result, the Saint Pierre Dog is generally a healthy and resilient breed.