All About The Bernedoodle

What Is A Bernedoodle?

What do you get when you cross a Bernese Mountain Dog with a Poodle? You get a Bernedoodle, one of the happiest, gentlest, and most energetic breeds out there. The typical Bernedoodle exhibits the intellect and aptitude of a Poodle with the charisma and cheerful personality of the Bernese Mountain Dog. 

The Bernedoodle is a new breed and one that we still don't know everything about. In the relatively short time it's been in existence, the Bernedoodle has become popular in all types of households. Families, in particular, have taken to including a Bernedoodle in their home as these dogs are especially good with kids. Since the breed is a mix of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle, it's tough to ascertain just which traits from each your pet will reflect most. 

However, if you're looking for a friendly, outgoing, and smart dog who will bring unconditional love and affection to you and your family for years to come, look no further than a Bernedoodle. If anyone in the household is allergic to pets or their dander, this breed can be the solution to that problem as well as they are considered a hypoallergenic breed. 

Let's explore all of the attributes that make the Bernedoodle a unique and loving pet.

Size

The Bernedoodle can vary greatly in size thanks to its Poodle heritage. While the Bernese Mountain Dogs are fairly consistent in their measurements, Poodles can be classified into 3 distinct size categories: toy, mini, or standard.

As a result, the same classifications apply to the Bernedoodle. A toy is the smallest type of dog, typically no taller than 17 inches with a weight of 10 to 20 pounds, give or take. The next size up is the miniature, which can get up to 22 inches tall and weigh nearly 50 pounds. Then you have your standard size pup, as tall as 29 inches and weighing as much as 90 pounds. 

The sex of the dog will also play a role in the size, with male dogs growing to be larger than females. 

Color

The Bernedoodle can have a variety of colors included in its coat. You'll find some of these dogs have a black coat, while others will have a mix of black with brown or white. The most common coloring sought out by potential dog owners is the tri-color combination of all three colors: black, brown, and white. 

Appearance

While the Poodle may determine the size of the dog, the coloring of the Bernedoodle’s coat often takes its cue from the Bernese Mountain Dog. However, there are more factors that play a role in the appearance of your pet than just their markings. The different characteristics from the two parent pooches, and the way they interact, is the most important determinant for what your pup will look like.

An example of this is the texture of the Bernedoodles coat. Depending on the pup, you’ll find Bernedoodles with curly and wavy coats or pups with straight, smooth coats. This interplay of characteristics allows for greater variety in the Bernedoodle breed.

Personality And Temperament

The Bernedoodle is a charming, playful animal with plenty of energy that needs to be released. They are known as one of the more laid-back breeds, but it isn’t uncommon for some dogs to demonstrate stubborn traits that are more closely identified with the Bernese Mountain Dog. 

This can present some challenges when training them at a young age. Though many will outgrow this obstinate phase, for some this characteristic will endure into adulthood. But with proper training, any Bernedoodle can be shaped into an obedient and happy pet as they develop from a puppy into an adolescent dog. 

Bernedoodles can be housebroken and trained to live with children as long as they are socialized properly from an early age. This is important for pretty much any dog, but for this breed, it's even more critical as the Bernese Mountain Dog can be skittish and unsure of itself around strangers. 

Bringing a Bernedoodle into your home comes with a lot of responsibility, and will require a good deal of your attention, especially for first time dog owners. Bernedoodles don't do well in environments where they are left alone for extended periods of time. This will only lead to bad behaviors and mischief where your home and personal belongings suffer the consequences. 

Related: How Often Do You Walk Your Dog?

Health

Another advantage of owning a Bernedoodle is they often have better overall health than their parents. Generally, there are fewer considerable health problems in this breed than in the Poodle or Bernese Mountain Dog. However, since the breed is still somewhat new, there is still a lot left to learn about their overall health needs and wellness. Veterinarians and experts are always learning more about the Bernedoodle, and potential health problems could be discovered in the future. 

For now, the main health considerations for this breed are elbow and hip dysplasia, skin allergies, and eyesight issues. One positive note is that there has been evidence of a lower risk of cancer in the Bernedoodle. This is notable because the Bernese Mountain Dog is known for a predisposition to developing cancer later in life. All in all, the Bernedoodles are mostly healthy and live long, happy lives.

When it comes to the lifespan of the Bernedoodle, size can play an important role. The smaller versions of the breed often live longer than their larger counterparts. The smallest size of Bernedoodle can live as long as 18 years. Mid-size Bernedoodles tend to live between 13-17 years when they maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. The largest of the breed tend to have the shortest lifespan at 12-15 years. 

Care

Caring for these dogs is not much more difficult or demanding than any other breed. However, their coats can be a challenge to groom depending on the texture. Curlier coats can be tougher to groom while straight coats tend to get fewer knots and gnarls and require less maintenance. Since these dogs don't shed very much, they must be brushed on a routine basis in order to keep their hair from getting matted and kinked.

The good news is that Bernedoodles love being combed, so feel free to do it as often as you can. Your dog will look better, feel more comfortable, and thoroughly enjoy the attention. And because they don’t shed, the Bernedoodle is an excellent breed for anyone allergic to dander. 

Training

The best time to train any dog is always in the puppy phase. Although you may find more than a little stubbornness in this breed at a young age, it’s important to focus on positive reinforcement to teach your pup right from wrong. Avoid using negative reinforcement when training your dog. 

When trained with routine consistency, you’ll see that your pup will learn very fast and eventually outgrow their hard-headed attitude towards instruction. Socialization can also help when training dogs, and it's essential that you take this step with your pooch. Going for regular walks and making them feel comfortable with strangers will ensure that they grow up friendly and well-adjusted. This feeds into their behavioral patterns, as a poorly socialized pup will find it hard to act properly around strangers in public and in your home. 

When you do take your Bernedoodle out in public, always be sure they’re wearing a dog tag. Dog tags are a mandatory accessory for keeping your pet safe and secure. If your pooch should ever run off or get lost for any reason, a dog tag is the fastest way to bring your best buddy back home. A microchip is good to have as well, but a dog tag with the proper information will ensure a quick return home without the burden of a visit to the vet.

Looking for a dog tag that’s as special as your pup? Check out our collection of dog tags.

Final Thoughts

The Bernedoodle is a fun-loving and affectionate dog breed that is great with children and other pets. Their care requirements are relatively minor and they are simple pets to train. As some of the most loyal and smartest dogs you'll ever meet, they are sure to be a true companion for years to come.