What’s better than getting a pet that’s gentle, clever, loyal, and goofy at the same time? The Bernedoodle dog breed is the one that’s got all of these characteristics. This mixed breed has got the best qualities from its parents- Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog. To learn more about this interesting breed, keep scrolling.
| Breed Name | Bernedoodle |
| Other Name | Bernie |
| Dog Breed Type | Mixed breed |
| Origin | 2003 |
| Parent Breeds | Bernese Mountain Dog, Poodle |
| Height | 10-29 inches |
| Weight | 10-90 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 12-18 years |
| Coat Type | Wavy coat |
| Common Colors | White, Black, Brown |
| Grooming Needs | High maintenance |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
| Temperament | Intelligent, Goofy, Friendly, Playful |
| Apartment Living | Suitable for apartment living |
| Pet-Friendly | Yes |
| Health Concerns | Hip dysplasia, Ocular diseases, Elbow dysplasia, Allergies |
| Overall Health | Healthy |
| Intelligence Level | High |
| Trainability | Easy to train |
| Energy Level | High |
| Activity | Active |
| Litter Size | 6-8 puppies |
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability 3 stars
Adaptive to apartment living 3 stars
Suitable for new owners 3 stars
Sensitivity range 4 stars
Comfortable being alone 2 stars
Comfortable with cold weather 5 stars
Comfortable with hot weather 3 stars
All about friendliness 4 stars
Lovable with family 5 stars
Kid-friendly 5 stars
Dog-friendly 4 stars
Frank with strangers 3 stars
Grooming and Health Requirements 3 stars
Shedding quantity 1-star
Drooling capacity 2 stars
Effortless to groom 3 stars
Overall health 4 stars
Capable of weight gain 3 stars
Size 3 stars
Trainability 4 stars
Effortless to train 4 stars
Smartness 5 stars
Capable of biting 4 stars
Tendency to attack prey 3 stars
Urge to howl or bark 3 stars
Wanderlust nature 3 stars
Physical Requirements 4 stars
Energy level 4 stars
Intensity 3 stars
Exercise requirements 3 stars
Playful nature 5 stars
Vital Statistics
DOG BREED GROUP: MIXED BREED
HEIGHT: 10-29 INCHES
WEIGHT: 10-90 POUNDS
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12-18 YEARS
Highlights
Getting a Bernedoodle as a pet means getting a lifetime friend. These dogs get their intelligence from the Poodle and the goofy and charming personality from the Bernese. They feel heavenly when they get to spend time with their owners. It can be a tricky job to identify the exact nature of a mixed breed like these, as any parent’s traits can get dominant.
The Bernedoodle is loved by everyone because of its friendliness, intelligence, and affection. Talking about these dogs’ appearance can vary. They can be seen in a variety of colors with straight or curly coat textures. The thickness of a Bernedoodle’s coat makes them survive in cold temperatures. They are hypoallergenic dogs that have no definite size.
History
The Bernedoodle is a fairly new mixed breed, so there’s not much known about their history. It is said that Sherry Rupke of Swissridge Kennels was the first one to breed Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles to create the Bernedoodle you see today. However, this mixed breed might have been accidentally present before this time also.
The Bernedoodle might not be considered by the American Kennel Club, but clubs like the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Breed Registry, the International Designer Canine Registry, and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club recognize this breed.
To know how a mixed breed like the Bernedoodle will turn out to be, you should be made aware of their parent’s history. The Bernese Mountain Dog’s origin can be found around 2,000 years ago when Switzerland was invaded by the Romans with their guard dogs and cattle drivers. The crossing of Roman mastiff-type dogs was done with the local flock guarding dogs whose coats were suitable for the severe climate in the Alps.
Poodles come from Germany though some thought that this breed comes from France. These dogs can be seen in different sizes, from mini poodles to big poodles. Their name literally means “splash of water.”
Size
The Poodle parent of the Bernedoodle comes in different sizes, so there’s no definite size for this mixed breed too. They can be mini, tiny, or large. The standard size of a Bernedoodle can be a maximum of 29 inches. The mini ones can grow between 18-22 inches, and the tiny dogs can grow between 12-17 inches only. Small size dogs can easily live in an apartment setting. Standard Bernedoodle can also live in apartments as long as you’re giving them loads of exercise.
Personality
The Bernedoodle gets the best characteristics from its parents- Poodle and the Bernese Mountain dog. It’s quite tricky to determine which specific traits they will get from their parents as it’s a mixed breed. Any parent’s trait can get dominant in their personality. Even puppies from the same litter can have different personalities.
These dogs can be highly intelligent, just like their Poodle parents, goofy and lively, just like their Bernese Mountain dog parent, or simply a combination of both. Generally, the Bernedoodle is said to be friendly, hardworking, goofy, and loyal. They might get their stubborn personality from the Bernese Mountain dog, which makes it a bit difficult to train them. However, their smartness can help in training them.
You can always control your pet’s negative behavior by socializing them from a young age. These dogs like attention and are full of energy. As they want attention, leaving them alone wouldn’t be the best idea. They might get destructive to get your attention when you get home.
Health
Mixed breeds are generally considered healthier in comparison to their parents. As the Bernedoodle is still a new breed, there’s not much known about the health issues they can face. The chances of getting cancer are fairly low as compared to their parent Bernese Mountain dog. Other health issues they will probably face are elbow dysplasia, allergies, hip dysplasia, eye problems, and hot spots. Regular health checkups with your vet should be done to avoid any major health issues.
Care
Miniature and tiny Bernedoodles can do well in apartments, whereas the standard Bernedoodle might need a house with a yard to run around. They don’t demand personal space as long as you are giving them enough mental and physical stimulation. This helps in preventing them from getting destructive. Their intelligence levels make them learn things quickly, which is good and bad at the same time. Their chances of learning good things are as high as their chances of learning bad things. That’s why socialization and training become necessary from the puppy stage.
Feeding and Diet
Every dog, especially the mixed breed, has unique dietary requirements. What should and should not be fed to your dog depends on its age, size, health, and environment. The Bernedoodles are said to be compulsive eaters that will eat whatever you give them. The moment you bring a Bernedoodle home, you should take them to your vet and make a diet plan for your pet. Taking recommendations from a vet helps to maintain the health of your dog and fulfill its nutritional requirements.
Coat color and grooming
The coat of a Bernedoodle can either look like the Poodle or the Bernese Mountain Dog. Usually, their coats are known to be curly and wavy. Their coats can be seen in a variety of colors, like a combo of white and black or black and brown. Sometimes, they are tri-colored, too, with brown, white, or black patches.
Bernedoodles’ grooming needs become high depending on their coat’s curls. They shed less, so you need to brush them more to avoid matting. You can even brush their coat daily and make grooming a bonding session with your dog. Coat trimming is required to be done every few months depending on the growth.
Children and other pets
Bernedoodles make great pets for families with kids though you should always supervise the play sessions with the kids. Teach your kids how to handle tiny and miniature Bernedoodles, as the chances of injury are high with such dogs. The Bernedoodle loves spending quality time with family and loves playing. Usually, these dogs are good with other pets, but socialization is still needed for them to be on their best behavior.
Shedding
The shedding quantity of a Bernedoodle depends on its coat’s texture. When the coat is curly and wavy, they tend to shed less. On the other hand, if the coat is straight, they tend to shed more. Straighter coats also mean they are less hypoallergenic.
Male vs. female attitude
The attitude of a Bernedoodle depends on the parent’s dominant traits, not their gender. Even puppies of the same gender are said to have different personalities. The attitude of mixed breeds like these depends majorly on their parent’s dominant traits and the environment they grew up in.
Exercise
The Bernedoodles are considered full of energy. Even a daily long walk with their owner would be enough to keep them happy and healthy both physically and mentally.
Little known facts
Greta Gerwig, actress, and filmmaker, takes her Bernedoodle-Wizard with her wherever she goes.
FAQ on breed
- Where do the Bernedoodle dog breeds come from?
Their breeding was done in 2003.
- What is the best diet routine for a Bernedoodle?
Feed this breed a diet full of proteins and nutrients.
- How much exercise is required for a Bernedoodle?
Daily long walks and activities.