All About Bernedoodle Dog (Complete Guide 2024)

Adorable, cuddly, and loving! This adorable dog is a mixture of the 2 top-class European breeds; Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle.

Bernedoodle is no doubt, one of the best designer dogs in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It is a complete family dog that becomes an integral part of your family.

To help all our readers who are looking to get a Bernedoodle puppy, we have prepared this comprehensive guide that covers everything about these adorable dogs. This guide contains Bernedoodle traits, temperament and behavior, grooming and maintenance needs, health-related issues and diseases, pros and cons, and much more. So, if you are looking to get a puppy soon, this article is your one-stop guide about Bernedoodles.

Note: We have gathered all these facts about Bernedoodles from their current owners, vets, breeders, and unbiased reviews on the internet.

So, without further ado, let’s explore more about Bernedoodle.

What is a Bernedoodle Dog?

The Bernedoodle is a cross between the Swiss Bernese Mountain Dog and the German breed Poodle. As expected, Bernedoodle inherits its wonderful features and habits from both the parent breeds such as intelligence, temperament, low-shedding coat, and eye-catchy color patterns.

Also known as the Bernese Mountain Poo and Bernese Poodle, Bernedoodles (especially Mini Bernedoodles) are in high demand nowadays because of their adorable looks and unbeatable traits. According to trends, Bernedoodle is one of the top 3 designer breeds at the moment.

What is the origin of Berndoodle?

The Berndoodle dog was first developed by Sherry Rupke in Canada when she intentionally crossbred a Poodle with the Bernese Mountain Dog in 2003. She was seriously in love with the Bernese Mountain Dog but due to their low life expectancy, they couldn’t live for a long time. So, she planned to cross them with Poodle for a better breed with fewer health issues. (Easy to listen but very difficult to make it work).

Currently, many well-reputed breeders are working hard to mature this breed and trying to come up with a dog with minimum health-related issues.

What are Bernedoodle Specialties?

Bernedoodles are brilliant, loyal, adorable, fluffy, and intelligent. They have a low-shedding coat that makes them an ideal choice for all types of owners, especially the ones with allergies. Also, they are easy to train so first-time dog owners should consider getting a Bernedoodle

What are Common Bernedoodle Body Features?

Bernedoodles are attention-catchers because of their cuteness and fluffy coat. The most prominent features of a Bernedoodle’s body are:

• Their body is compact.
• And have medium to long hair.
• With a bushy tail, long hanging ears, and small button eyes.
• A low-shedding coat.

Bernedoodles Colors

Normally, they inherit colors from their parents so one may expect different colors in different types of Poodle-Berner mixes. So they can be found in a variety of other colors including black and brown, black and white, or even tri-colored.

Tri-color merle, tri-color phantom, and tri-color sable are among the popular ones and the expensive ones. Lately, breeders have developed several wonderful-colored Bernedoodles including red and white.

What are the three Bernedoodle sizes?

Bernedoodle comes in three sizes; Standard Bernedoodle, Mini Bernedoodle, and Tiny Bernedoodle. Let’s have a quick intro to all of them.

Standard Bernedoodle

The Standard Bernedoodle is a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and a Standard Poodle. It can grow up to 29 inches and weighs between 22 to 40 kg. Their average lifespan is between 12 to 15 years. Standard Bernedoodle is a high-maintenance breed so it is not suitable for you if you are short on budget. Plus, their lifespan is shorter than other Bernedoodle types, i.e., 12 to 15 years.

Mini Bernedoodle

Mini Bernedoodle is a Berner and Miniature Poodle mix. It can grow up to the height of 18-22 inches along with a weight of up to 22 kg. With an average lifespan of 17 years, a Mini Bernedoodle is among the best crossbreeds and its maintenance is less expensive as compared to other Bernedoodle types. Currently, the Mini Bernedoodle is the most popular of all the Bernedoodle types.

Tiny Bernedoodle

The cutest lad in all the Bernedoodle types is the Tiny Bernedoodle which is a Berner and a Toy Poodle cross, that is why it is also called a Toy Bernedoodle.

It may grow up to 17 inches and weigh between 4 to 10 KG. Its average lifespan is greater than other types of Bernedoodles and it can live up to 18 years. Its maintenance cost is also less as compared to other Bernedoodle types so the Tiny Bernedoodle can be an ideal choice for dog owners.

Other Bernedoodle Types:

Australian Bernedoodle:

An Australian Bernedoodle is a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and an Australian Labradoodle. Interestingly, Australian Labradoodle itself is a crossbreed of multiple breeds such as Poodle, American Cocker Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels, and Labrador Retriever.

Australian Bernedoodles are popular for their loyalty, intelligence, and hypoallergenic coat. They have gained popularity as the best family dogs.

Bernedoodle Generations:

There are three generations of Bernedoodles based on the ratio of both breeds crossed with each other. These generations are:

F1 Bernedoodle:

An F1 Bernedoodle is 50% Poodle and 50% Bernese Mountain Dog. The experts and vets prefer this generation of Bernedoodles to adopt as it is the healthiest breed of Bernedoodle.

F1b Bernedoodle:

The cross between a Poodle and a Bernedoodle is called an F1b generation. It is 25% Bernese and 75% Poodle, therefore it inherits the most features of Poodle.

F2 Bernedoodle:

Also known as a second-generation cross, it is a cross between two different F1 generations of Bernedoodle is called an F2 generation. It is also known as a “multigen cross”.

F2b Bernedoodle:

A cross between an F1 and F1b is called an F2b. This type of Bernedoodle is in high demand and because of its unique looks, it is also known as a Teddy Bear dog.

How big is a full-grown Bernedoodle?

It may take 18 to 24 months for a Bernedoodle puppy to grow fully and become an adult dog. Their size and weight may vary depending on their type; Tiny, Miny, or Standard.

A fully grown Tiny Bernedoodle would stand around 15 inches tall at the shoulder and may weigh up to 24 pounds.

The Mini Bernedoodle may grow up to 24 inches while its weight may lie somewhere between 25 to 49 pounds.

A full-grown Standard Bernedoodle would stand between 23 to 29 inches and weigh between 70 to 90 pounds.

Bernedoodle Behaviour and Temperament:

All the Bernedoodle sizes have exceptional temperament and behavior and they are safe for your kids and other pets. They are loving and love to be loved. They inherit intelligence from Poodles and their charm from the Bernese.

Moreover, they are responsive and playful. To keep them healthy, daily exercise and mind-boosting activities are a must. They love to meet strangers and guests and instantly grab the attention of others.

The well-bred Bernedoodles usually inherit the good features from their parent breeds. Their playfulness and friendly behavior make them an essential part of your life. The Bernese Mountain Dogs are the ones with the strong will and the Bernedoodles also inherit this feature. They always say yes to exercise and training.

Can Bernedoodle be used as a Therapy and Service Dog?

All the traits such as their excellent temperament, loving and cuddly nature, low-shedding coat, and trainability make them an ideal therapy dog and they can be used in hospitals, care centers, and disastrous areas.

When it comes to choosing a service dog, the Mini and Tiny Bernedoodle may not qualify as a service dog because of their size while the Standard Bernedoodle may be trained as a Service dog.

Pros and Cons

It is important to have a detailed look at a breed’s positive and negative traits so it would be easier for you to raise your puppy. So, let’s explore their positive traits or pros first.

Pros

Low-shedding coat: One of the best dog breeds in terms of hypoallergenic coats and best for the owners who are dander-allergic. One thing to remember, none of the dog breeds are completely hypoallergenic, so we assume it is a low-shedding breed. Also, remember, a low-shedding coat means you need to groom your pup more often.

Easily adjustable: They can easily be adjusted with all types of owners and make an excellent partner with them.

Family-safe: It is safe for your family and kids, in fact, it makes friends with kids very easily.

Playful and responsive: Bernedoodle is not just a dog but a playing partner for you. Whether you go running, jogging, swimming, or any other sports activity, Bernedoodle is there to join you.

Stranger-friendly: They are good with strangers, as well as, your guests and friends. Not only this, but they also do well with other animals and pets.

Good Overall health: If got your puppy from a reputable and expert breeder, there would be fewer health concerns.

Cons

Not an ideal guard dog: They are not qualified as guard dogs because of their friendly and loving nature. They’d prefer licking the predator’s hands instead of stopping them.

Shyness: Sometimes, they may feel shy around strangers so keep them supervised.

Boredom: Keep them engaged and they’ll be happy forever. If they are bored because of no activity, they may show disastrous behavior.

Daily exercise: Daily exercise is a must or they may develop several behavior issues. If you can’t manage to exercise them daily, Bernedoodle is not for you.

What are Bernedoodle’s Requirements for a living?

Apart from the fact that they need good food, exercise, and other activities, the most important thing they need is their owner’s attention.

In terms of space, they can easily be adjusted in a small home, apartment, or flat. All they need is your company and some moments to spare with you but a home with a backyard is the ideal home for them. They are less demanding dogs and won’t give you a tough time in this regard.

Before getting the puppy, make sure you have already arranged the necessary puppy items such as puppy food, pee pads, toys, and grooming tools.

Food and Diet:

Like other dog breeds, they also like boiled rice and boiled chicken. Regular treats make them ultra-happy and they love to have variety in their daily meals like the addition of pumpkin, yogurt, or boiled sweet potato in their regular feed. You can also feed them with boiled turkey, boiled liver, boiled meat, and cottage cheese. The expert vets suggest not to feed them with raw meat or raw chicken. All the mentioned eatables are healthy and full of proteins.

And remember one thing, never over-feed your pup because it may result in weight gain which can further lead to several health conditions.

How often you should groom your Bernedoodle puppy?

Brushing: The best part of having a Bernedoodle is that you don’t need to do something special to groom this fluffy dog. Simply, brush your Bernedoodle thrice a week, especially if its fur is curly or you’ll have to deal with tangles and mats that are a real mess.

Bathing: A bath every 2-3 months is enough. If you bathe them more often then they may lose the natural oils from their coats, that are necessary to keep their coat moisturized.

Hair cut: It is also recommended to get your Bernedoodle pup groomed by a professional groomer every three months so it maintains the best look of a Bernedoodle.

Brushing Teeth: Every dog’s oral health is as important as humans. So, brushing their teeth twice or thrice a week is really very important.

Ears: Check their ears once a week to make sure that they are free of infection and have no foreign objects in them. If your dog frequently touches his ears with his paws, you need to get it checked by a vet.

Nails: Check your Bernedoodle’s nails regularly and trim them if needed.

How to Train Bernedoodles?

As they have inherited intelligence from one of their parents, i.e., Poodle, they instantly understand all your instructions and brilliantly respond to them. It is recommended to teach them the difference between right and wrong, but don’t try to be more strict because they love to be treated with kindness.

Bernedoodles Exercise Needs

Once again, let us tell you that they need regular exercise as they may suffer health issues because of a lack of exercise. At least, a walk for about an hour will be perfect for them. Like many other breeds, they do also need at least 30 minutes from you daily.

If you have a tight schedule and cannot manage to give at least 30 minutes to your pets, you should not get a Bernedoodle, instead, you can go for an English Mastiff, Pug, or a Shih Tzu because these breeds don’t need much exercise.

Everything you need to know about Bernedoodle health

Any crossbred dog may inherit genetic diseases from its parents if they are not tested before breeding and similarly, Bernedoodle is no exception. A Bernedoodle may develop/inherit the below-given health conditions in its lifetime.

Diseases inherited from Poodle:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Immune System Diseases
• Skin problems
• Eye problems
• Junevile Renal Disease
• Thyroid issues
• Bloat
• Sebaceous adenitis

Diseases inherited from Bernese Mountain Dog:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Cancer
• Heart Diseases
• Patellar Luxation
• Sebaceous Adenitis
• Von Willebrand’s Disease

A Quick Overview of All the Diseases:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a painful disease that is common in large-sized breeds. In Hip Dysplasia, the dogs cannot move normally and in extreme cases, they can’t even walk. If any of your dogs have such symptoms, you should not waste your time seeing your veterinarian.

Elbow Dysplasia

The Bernedoodles are also prone to elbow dysplasia. It is a common disease in many dog breeds, Bernedoodles may inherit it from their parent breeds.

Hyperadrenocorticism

Hyperadrenocorticism is usually known as Cushing’s disease. Actually, there is a beneficial hormone in the dog’s body that is called cortisol hormone, but the excess of this useful hormone results in Cushing’s disease. There are various symptoms of this disease and some of them are lack of energy, increased hunger and thirst, excessive urination, and insomnia.

Hypoadrenocorticism

It is another disease that is related to hormones. In this disease, the adrenal glands cannot produce a sufficient amount of hormones which results in an imbalance of salt, water, and potassium in the dog’s body. Also known as Addison’s disease, the common symptoms of this disease are dehydration, weakness, weight loss, shivering, and vomiting. Although it is uncommon in Bernedoodles, if found, you must see your vet immediately.

Cataract

It is an eye disease in which the eye lens of the dog may have cloudiness. Usually, this disease is caused because of diabetes mellitus and old age. An electric shock or lower levels of calcium in the blood may also be a major cause. If you feel any sort of cloudiness in the dog’s eye, you must visit your vet immediately.

Skin diseases a Bernedoodle may inherit:

Color Dilution Alopecia

Bernedoodles usually inherit Color Dilution Alopecia from their parent breeds. It is a hair and skin-related disease that may lead to itchy skin and hair loss. It is not a harmful disease in terms of the doggy’s life, still seeing your vet will be a good idea.

Sebaceous Adenitis

Sebaceous Adenitis is a skin disease that is not only found in dogs but also in other animals like horses, cats, and rabbits. Poodles are prone to this skin disease because they have a double coat, so Bernedoodles usually inherit it from them. The symptoms of this disease are silver dandruff and hair loss in extreme conditions.

Other than these diseases, the Bernedoodles may also suffer from several skin allergies, hot spots, ticks and fleas, and other small issues. The Bernedoodles that are maintained properly, are less prone to any type of disease. Usually, the Bernedoodles are more healthy than other dog breeds, especially their parent breeds.

Moreover, try to brush their teeth regularly to avoid any oral health issues in your cute doggies because oral hygiene is very important for a dog’s general health.

The only reason to mention all these diseases is to let you know that the Bernedoodles are prone to these diseases. Getting a puppy from a good breeder, keeping it up to date on shots and regular vet visits reduce the risks of any disease.

Random lab tests to avoid any health issues in Bernedoodles

A Good breeder always vaccinate their dogs before handing them over to the new owners. In the case of mixed breeds like Bernedoodles, several lab tests are necessary to avoid any complexity in the future. Some of the important tests are:

• Urine
• Blood
• Hip
• Elbow
• Eye
• Skin Scraping
• Heartworm and tick-borne diseases test

The Best Bernedoodle Breed to Adopt:

Although all the Bernedoodle types are the best, the F1 generation of Mini and Tiny Bernedoodles is recommended the most. Standard Bernedoodle costs more because of its large-sized body and shorter lifespan.

Update: As per the stats, the Mini Bernedoodle is the popular one and it has become a hot cake among dog lovers.

Comparison Between Bernedoodle and Other Doodles

There is no big difference between Bernedoodles and other Poodle crosses such as Shih Poo, Saint Berdoodle, Cavapoo, Groodle, etc. Luckily, we have compared some Poodle crosses and we’re sure you may be interested in them. Read these comparisons on the below links.

• Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle
• Bernedoodle vs Shih Poo
• Standard Bernedoodle vs Saint Berdoodle
• Bernedoodle vs Cavapoo
• Bernedoodle vs Pomsky

We’ll keep adding more comparisons for our readers. If you want us to compare Bernedoodles with other breeds or between any of the 2 breeds, let us know.

How much Bernedoodle Puppies Cost?

A Bernedoodle puppy may cost you more than your expectation but when you meet your puppy for the first time, that moment pays off whatever you’ve spent. On average, you may need to pay around $3000 for your Bernedoodle puppy.

If you have specifications such as a tri-color puppy or need a specific type such as a Mini or Standard male puppy, it may cost you up to $6000. So, it is better to keep an eye on your budget before making a decision.

Bernedoodle Annual Maintenance Cost

A Bernedoodle may cost you up to $1500 annually which includes vet visits, food, grooming, crate, leashes, socialization and training, and other basic needs. Once again, think well before getting a Bernedoodle puppy. If you can’t afford this cost then you should go for a breed with fewer maintenance costs.

Where to get a Bernedoodle

Before going to a breeder, try adopting a Bernedoodle from your local shelters or rescue groups. Still, if you can’t find one, you may try the following breeders.

• Namaste Bernedoodles
• Rocky Road Doodles
• Prize Poodles and Doodles

How to Adopt a Bernedoodle from a Shelter?

Planning to adopt a Bernedoodle? First of all, receive our regards for such a humble decision. Secondly, to adopt a Bernedoodle, try the following shelter and rescue group websites. All you have to do is fulfill their requirements, submit a small fee, and take the dog home.

• Michigan Doodle Rescue Connect
• Doodle Rock Rescue
• Poo Mix Rescue
• Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America

Bernedoodle FAQs

Is Bernedoodle good with children?

Yes, Bernedoodle is excellent with children and is a perfect companion dog.

Is there any significant difference between Bernedoodle and other Poodle crosses?

Yes, all of them may have differences as they also involve breeds other than Poodles. Even, the puppies from the same litter may also be different from each other.

Can we keep a Standard Bernedoodle in an apartment?

Yes, as per the customers’ feedback, they are successfully raising their Standard Bernedoodle dogs in their apartments, townhomes, and condos.

Why is Bernedoodle so expensive?

Well, several factors let breeders decide their puppies’ prices such as the puppy’s color, coat, gender, generation type, and several others. Also, microchipping and vaccination costs are included in the puppy price so on average, we can say that it isn’t very expensive and you can find one for as low as $2000.

Can Bernedoodles be registered?

Unfortunately, Bernedoodles can’t be registered with the American or Canadian Kennel clubs because it is a mixed breed and the mentioned Kennel clubs don’t recognize mixed breeds.

Who is the best Bernedoodle breeder?

There are many best and most well-reputed breeders around the US and Canada. Choose the one that allows you to meet the parents, show you the parent’s health clearances, provide you with health guarantees, and provide you with references from vets and some of the older clients.

Bernedoodle Health FAQs

Can Bernedoodle puppies have parasites?

Yes, like other puppies and dogs, they can have intestinal parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and protozoa.

Are Bernedoodles completely Hypoallergenic dogs?

There is almost no dog breed in the world that is completely hypoallergenic. But Bernedoodles mostly have low to non-shedding coats. One thing to keep in mind; a breeder can never guarantee the hypo-allergenic coat in a puppy, and in fact, they may have a shedding coat too.

I am allergic to dog saliva, will a dog with a non-shedding coat like Bernedoodle work for me?

Well, in that case, you’ll most probably be allergic to Bernedoodles. So, try to get a smaller dog. Small dog, less saliva.

Bernedoodles Recognition with different Kennel Clubs

American Kennel Club:

American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize mixed breeds, therefore, the Bernedoodles are not recognized by them.

Canadian Kennel Club:

Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) doesn’t recognize hybrid breeds; therefore, you cannot register a Bernedoodle puppy with them.

American Canine Hybrid Club:

American Canine Hybrid Club (AKHC) has recognized the Bernedoodles and they are named Bernese Mountain Poo.

Recognition with other clubs:

Bernedoodles are recognized by many other clubs such as the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the International Designer Canine Registry, and the Designer Breed Registry.

So, these were the detailed features, facts, pros, and cons of the Bernedoodles. If you are still unable to make a decision about Bernedoodles or have a question in your mind, just feel free to ask and we’d love to help you.

What is the Final Conclusion?

• Good for almost all types of owners.
• Fewer health concerns as compared to other dog breeds.
• They are the best family dogs that become a soulmates of every member of the family.
• They are fluffy as well as hypoallergenic and low-shedding.
• To keep them healthy and active, regular exercise is necessary for them, especially in the early years of their life.
• You can keep them in any type of home such as a small apartment or a big home with a backyard.
• They are an attention seeker and love to be cared for and treated as a real family member.
• Swimming, running, playing, and jogging are their favorite activities.
• Social with other animals and pets.
• Also a good breed for a single living person.
• Because of their low-shedding coat, you have to spend more time and money to groom them.