Bernedoodle Overview
- Parent Breeds:
- Bernese Mountain Dog & Poodle
- Breed Nickname:
- Bernedoodle
- Size:
- Small to Medium
- Height:
- 12 to 29 inches
- Weight:
- 10 to 90 pounds
- Life Span:
- 12 to 18 years. Smaller Bernedoodles tend to live longer
- Coat Colors:
- Black, white, brown, apricot, gray, and red
Bernedoodle Characteristics
About The Bernedoodle
What Is A Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle Mix called?
A cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle is commonly called a Bernedoodle. However, they can also be called Bernese Mountain Poo, Bernesedoodle, Bernesepoo, and Bernepoo.
Bernedoodles are known for their aloof personalities, with plenty of intelligence and loyalty to share with their owners.
They’re goofy yet gentle, and there’ll never be a dull moment around them. They are excellent companion dogs and suit the majority of family units!
Want to learn more about this lovable breed? Then keep reading our ultimate guide!
Bernedoodle Breed History
First bred in 2003 in Canada.
The popularity of the Bernedoodle grew instantly.
Both parent breeds have a history of being working dogs!
The Bernedoodle might have been bred naturally over the decades, but the first intentionally bred Bernedoodle was born in 2003 in Canada. Sherry Rupke bred her first litter in Ontario and continues to breed them today.
But with the quickly rising popularity that the Bernedoodle gained from their initial release, many more breeders needed to start mixing the parent breeds to keep up with demand.
The Bernese Mountain Dog was first introduced in the Switzerland farmlands, developed and used for pulling carts, herding animals, and being a watchdog and a companion. They’re large but loyal and loving, and they are great working dogs.
The Poodle is one of Europe’s pride and joys, originating from Germany as a water retriever dog.
However, they were quickly spotted by French nobles and taken to France where they became companion dogs, later even becoming the national dog of the country!
Bernedoodle Personality & Temperament
Loyal and loving companion dogs.
Are excellent with children and other pets.
Prefer an owner who has plenty of time to spend with them.
Bernedoodles are often considered very intelligent, loyal, hardworking, and sometimes goofy. They are excellent around children and other pets, provided that they have been properly socialized from a young age.
These dogs are very friendly, so they love being around people. They don’t like being left alone for too long, as boredom can set in which might lead to destructive behaviors.
A Bernedoodle’s favorite activities always include its owners.
While these dogs are good around children and pets, they might be wary of strangers. This can be put down to their loyalty to their owners. Their animosity to strangers can be minimized through early socialization.
Toy and Miniature Bernedoodles tend to have more energy than Standard Bernedoodles, and they’re also more stubborn. This can be put down to small dog syndrome, which is where small dogs will overcompensate for their size.
Bernedoodle Health
Routine health checkups should be completed by a professional vet.
Toy and Miniature Bernedoodles might be prone to dental issues.
Life expectancy of 12 to 18 years.
Bernedoodles tend to be healthier dogs than both the Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dogs, mostly due to minimizing the health risks that come from overbreeding. Inbreeding leaves most pure breeds susceptible to developing multiple health conditions.
As the Bernedoodle has only been around since 2003, there isn’t much information on their potential health issues.
However, most Bernedoodles seem to have a lower predisposition to cancer, which is the largest health risk for Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Some conditions to look out for when owning a Bernedoodle include joint dysplasia, skin problems, and eye issues.
Allergies and hot spots might also be a concern. Smaller dogs might also be susceptible to dental problems due to their smaller jaws promoting teeth overcrowding.
Bernedoodle Training
Always use positive reinforcement.
Often very trainable, but some might inherit a stubborn streak.
Early socialization is a must for these dogs!
Most consider the Bernedoodle to be a dream to train thanks to their Poodle parentage.
Poodles are considered one of the most intelligent dogs in the world, so it makes sense why so many people think they’ve won the training jackpot when it comes to Bernedoodles!
However, the Bernedoodle may inherit the Bernese Mountain Dog’s stubborn side. This can make training much more difficult as the dog likes to dictate when and how they are trained.
Teaching them early on that you are the top dog in the household will be a good way to prevent a power struggle later down the line when training.
Bernedoodle Exercise Requirements
Always use positive reinforcement.
Often very trainable, but some might inherit a stubborn streak.
Early socialization is a must for these dogs!
The Bernedoodle is a moderately active dog that loves walking, playing fetch, and spending time with its owners. Their energy requirement will change depending on their size.
Toy and Miniature Bernedoodles will need around 45 minutes of exercise a day, broken up into smaller bursts of playtime.
Standard Bernedoodles will need around 30 minutes of exercise a day. This reduction in exercise time is because the larger Bernedoodles don’t have as high energy levels as the smaller dogs.
Toy and Mini Bernedoodles are adaptable enough to live in an apartment, but they’d thrive in a house with a fenced yard that they could run around in.
Bernedoodle Diet & Feeding
Change their food intake as they age.
Look for food for moderate energy levels.
Toy and mini dogs will need food formulated for small dogs.
The amount of food you should give your Bernedoodle will depend on its size, age, and activity level.
These dogs aren’t too high-energy, so they won’t need as much protein as energetic dog breeds. Look for food formulated for dogs with moderate energy levels, whether that be for small or medium-sized breeds.
Standard Bernedoodles tend to be fast eaters, so offer smaller portions or try a food puzzle bowl to slow them down.
You may also be interested in:
Bernedoodle Cost
Cost between $2,000 and $5,000.
Smaller dogs can cost more due to higher demand.
Ongoing costs include toys, food, and grooming.
Doodle dogs are some of the most popular hybrids out there, so it’s expected that they’ll come with a high price tag. Bernedoodles can cost between $2,000 and $5,000.
Always vet potential breeders to ensure that they are using responsible breeding practices and can be trusted.
Ongoing costs for these dogs include vet bills, grooming treatments, sturdy toys, and food.
