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Bernedoodles are one of the most gentlest and happiest dog breeds to have as pets. These doggos are clever, friendly, and a little goofy too! They are loyal and are an adorable mix of their parent breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles.
This breed is also famous by names such as Bernese Mountain Poo, Bernesepoo, Bernesedoodle, or Bernepoo. The Bernepoo is a rising favorite amongst dog owners! These dogs are smart and witty, and are often seen winning medals on shows! They are more suited to always stay by your side and provide you comfort and company. Do you wish to learn more about these adorable doggos? You are certainly reading the right article!
Looking for a cuddle buddy for a chill night-in? They are excellent for it! The best one to get trained for patient owners, they are the best companion dogs. Bernesedoodles are gorgeous and low to non-shedding, which is an advantage for those with allergies or households with children.
Aren’t these extremely adorable? Each doggo of this breed is inherently different from one another, with various characteristics and looks, based on their parents. But all fans of this breed unanimously adore their playfulness, affectionate antics, and intelligence. You can live comfortably with them in apartments if they are small. Standard sized Bernesedoodles, however, enjoy a good run around a yard.
These cute dogs love attention and do not take well if left alone for long periods. They are also very friendly towards their families, especially kids. Also, they love to play and cuddle. Want a cute ball of fluff that is not only loyal and smart but endearing? Bernedoodles are a top choice. Read on to find out more about this delightful breed of dogs!
Bernedoodle History
Bernedoodles are a fairly new breed, first formally developed in the year 2003. Due to this, detailed information on this breed is limited. Most of the owners are still gaining new bits of knowledge regularly.
Breeder Sherry Rupke of Swissridge Kennels claims to be the first person to intentionally develop this breed. However, there is always a possibility that accidental breeding might have occurred before that. It derives characteristics from both its purebred parents.
Since it is a relatively new and mixed breed, many organizations and clubs are not officially recognized. The American Kennel Club does not recognize the Bernesedoodle. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the International Designer Canine Registry, the Designer Breed Registry, and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club.
Although this is a designer breed, it is not always necessary to contact a breeder if you are interested in getting yourself this breed’s companion. Many shelters and rescue organizations might have this breed, especially if they work with Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles. To adopt is always better than buying. Their owners leave behind many dogs, and it is truly unfortunate. Adopt one to provide it with a loving and caring home!
Mini Bernedoodle
Mini or Miniature Bernedoodles are a cross between Bernese Mountain Dogs and Miniature poodles. They are the most endearing dogs and can well adapt to apartments and small homes. They tend to be energetic and often skittish. However, with care and training, they are intelligent enough to pick up desirable traits. They are low maintenance companions whose goofiness always brings a smile to your face.
Bernesedoodles, even mini ones, can have quite authoritative barks, but they are generally calm and peaceful, so it is a very rare occurrence. Smaller variants of these dogs are slightly more expensive because they need extra careful grooming and training.
Personality
One of the biggest reasons why Bernedoodles have increasingly become popular is because of their amazing personalities! Although some individual characteristics might differ, they largely inherit most of their personality traits from Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles’ parent breeds.
The Bernesedoodle has a deep loyalty and the dedication from the Bernese Mountain Dog, as well as the playfulness and intelligence of a Poodle. They are also capable of working hard when needed, and so make for excellent therapy dogs. They are friendly, especially towards children and also other dogs.
This also depends on how they have socialized while growing up because many dogs of this breed inherit an apprehension towards strangers from their Bernese Mountain Dog parents. However, this is no cause for worry because they easily pick up commands due to their high intelligence and can be trained with love, care, and positive reinforcement.
Even if some of them pick up a stubborn streak from the Bernese Mountain Dogs, they tend to grow out of it as they begin to reach adolescence.
Bernedoodles tend to have moderate to high energy levels, courtesy of their Poodle parents. They crave attention and do not take well to be left alone for long periods. They like being surrounded by their family.
They are always ready for a walk or maybe even a hike! At the minimum, one walks a day is enough for them. They love to play around but do not mind being couch buddies for a relaxing night in.
Size And Appearance
Generally, Poodles come in three sizes: toy, mini, and standard. Similarly, depending on the breed’s parents, Bernedoodles come in three sizes: tiny, miniature, and standard. All of them make for the perfect cuddle buddies! Mini or Tiny sized Bernesedoodles are the ones to go for if you are living in an apartment.
The Miniature or the Mini Bernedoodle stands at eighteen to twenty-two inches tall. On average, it weighs around twenty-five to forty-nine pounds. On the other hand, this breed dog is only twelve to seventeen inches tall and weighs about ten to twenty-four pounds.
The third and last variant, the standard sized ones, stands at twenty-three to twenty-nine inches and weigh up to seventy to ninety pounds. The smaller ones also tend to be more energetic and skittish compared to the larger ones. Also, in general, male Bernedoodles tend to be bigger than their female counterparts.
Bernedoodles can vary greatly in appearance from one another as it all depends on which of the traits they have received from each of their parents. Every Bernesedoodle has a different coat, and they come in a variety of colors.
Some have pure black coats, and others may have black and white, ore black and brown. Sometimes Bernesedoodles are even tri-colored with patches of black, white, and brown. This pattern is also very popular among people interested in getting a Bernedoodle.
In general, they tend to have low to almost non-shedding coats, so they make for easier pets for the ones with allergies. Their coats can vary from looking more like their Poodle parent or their Bernese Mountain parent.
The wavier and curlier the coats, the less they shed. Straight coats shed comparatively more. Their thick coats also help them beat harsh, cold temperatures and help them protect themselves from the sun in summers.
Depending upon how curly the Bernedoodle’s coat, it becomes more difficult to maintain it. They need to be brushed regularly to avoid it from being tangled. Based on how fast the coat of your Bernepoo grows, you must also take it for regular trimmings.
Brushing your Bernepoo’s coat can also be a good bonding exercise! This breed loves a good brushing session and resembles cute teddy bears!
Health
As mentioned, Bernepoos are the new-fangled and unexplored for dog breeds. Though not much has been discovered about their health, they are regarded as a healthy breed because of their crossbreeding origination.
Inbreeding often leads to several purebred dogs being prone to genetically inherited diseases and conditions, but crossbreeding ensures a lower risk. These dogs are a very good example of this. The reduced risk of health conditions has compelled the breeders of Bernedoodles to choose crossbreed over purebred dogs.
Owing to their mixed nature, they also have fewer health problems and longer life expectancy than Bernese Mountain Dogs or Poodles.
There is a little knowledge about their health conditions as these are considered to be one among the new breeds developed.
The occurrences of cancer in this breed seem to be lesser compared to the Bernese Mountain Dogs. While this breed is believed to be healthier than its parent breeds, it cannot be said that they are not prone to the ailments. There lies a possibility, with all species to get affected by certain conditions.
A few conditions that show up in Bernedoodles are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye problems, and skin issues like allergies and hot spots. All animals and all breeds are susceptible to falling ill; however, these dogs usually have healthy lifetimes.
Different classes of Bernesedoodles can get affected by different health issues. It is observed that the little Bernepoo is more prone to concerns regarding the digestive system and immune system as they have a more significant percentage of Poodle genes in them. The dogs who inherit more genes of their Bernese parent are susceptible to bones-related issues and dog cancers.
Almost all breeders will go for genetic testing as it diminishes the risk of many hereditary diseases. They explore and invest in prudent tests on the parent and offspring to make sure they are less exposed to certain ailments.
This is the reason for the higher cost of this breed. Buyers should make sure to choose a reputable breeder who has invested in the health and training of the pups. A bit of investigation about the health of puppies before purchasing will lower your future vet bills.
Feeding
Bernedoodles are bred dogs and hence requires special diet according to the need of their body. Owners should explore and choose a perfect food recipe best-suited for their dog’s requirements. Nutrients values and diet depends on their size, age, and activity levels.
These tiny doggos will demand dog food framed for small-breed dogs, whereas standard-sized Bernedoodles will require a diet formulated for large-breed dogs.
Also, some owners prefer to feed their dogs by making their recipes for them. They should confirm the food provided by them contains all the essentials nutrients mandated for their dog’s healthy life.
Protein is an important element to be included in the diet of these dogs, therefore including eatables rich in protein such as meat and rice (brown or white) in their diet. Before providing them home-cooked food, consult a veterinary nutrition specialist to get proper advice regarding your dog’s distinctive need.
Irrespective of the brand you choose for your pup’s diet, assure it is of high quality and contains all the valuable nutrients. When your Bernepoo is a puppy, feed them with a meal on time and provide them at least 3-4 meals each day.
On becoming six months old, the diet could be reduced to two meals a day. Giving proper food is necessary, assuring that they don’t obese is also an important point to keep in mind for your dog’s healthy life.
So, make sure to research and consult before making any changes to their diet or hopping on any different brand for dog food.
Bernedoodle Generations
Now we know that Bernedoodles are a crossbreed of Poodles and Bernese mountain dogs. The genes it takes from each of its parents are categorized into four different categories.
F1 Bernedoodle
It is a generation of these dogs where it takes 50% of Poodle’s genes and 50% of it from Bernese mountain dog. This is called the first generation Bernedoodle. It is the healthiest kind of all as it inherits only the reasonable traits from its parents and not the hereditary diseases.
They mostly have a wavy and gorgeous coat. They come in many different sizes. The largest standard dog could weigh approximately 80-100 pounds.
F1b Bernedoodle
Here, a bernedoodle is bred with a poodle, giving the offspring 75% traits of Poodle and 25% traits of these dogs. They are non-shedding and are allergy-friendly. One who has even a bit of allergy from dogs should go for this generation of the breed. They are tiny in size. The standard bernesedoodle under this category can weigh more than 55 pounds.
F2 Bernedoodle
This is the second generation of this breed, where one dog of this breed is bred with another bernepoo. They are more likely to get affected by health issues. Also, they have an improper coat instead of the fluffy coat that the F1 generation offers.
F2b Bernedoodle
This breed is developed by crossing an F1 bernedoodle with an F1b bernedoodle. This results in 62.5% of Poodle and 37.5% of Bernese mountain dogs. F2b can have coats of a variety of colors. They also have a high success rate for non-shedding.
Coat Color And Grooming
Bernedoodle coat varies in shape from curly and wavy hair to straight hair. They have a thick hair coat all over their body. The majority of this breed is seen with a wavy coat. The ones with straight hair are rare to find.
The curlier this pet’s coat is, the harder it will be to groom, and the straighter the coat, the more it will shed. So, both of these varieties have their advantages and disadvantages, which you need to consider while having your Bernesedoodle.
Color
These species also come in various colors ranging from black, white to brown, and much more. They also come in a combination of two-color or sometimes even tricolor. Some are pure black or pure white. Others are a mixture of black and white or brown and white and even black, white, and brown.
You have a wide range to choose from as per your desire. Some other kinds of colors are,
· Phantom Benredoodle Color
These phantom colored dogs have only colors over the specific areas around their body. Most of the color patterns are similar to other dog breeds like Manchester or Yorkie.
The prominent color will be spread across the body. In contrast, the secondary color will usually be underneath and other areas like legs, around the eyes, and the region around the nose.
· Merle Benredoodle Color
The merle colored dog of this breed inherits the color if the parent has the same color or contains a recessive gene which will be passed on. Moreover, the merle Bernesedoodle can have color combinations like blue, grey, and white, which again is upon their breeding.
The merle color is not included in both Bernese Mountain Dog or Poodle breeds. So, it is mainly from the misclassification of Poodle’s purebred. The merle coloring is known to be the rarest, and hence, many of the buyers are looking forward to buying one.
· Sable Bernedoodle Color
The Sable colored coat includes solid colors of either black or dark brown. You will be able to see these solid colors emerging only once they start growing up. Also, once they have grown old, it fades as well. This can be seen in areas around their ears when it begins to fade away.
You can cross-check with your breeder about the color of your Bernepoo so that it is easier to linage the traits based on their parents.
· Black and White Bernedoodle Color
This is the most common color combinations of any dog breed you see. When it comes to Bernesedoodles, they only have smaller patches of white around their nose and chest.
For a Bernedoodle, the black color is a recessive gene, which is repeated in almost all combinations. Also, each pup has different patches of whites on their bodies. The spots are completely inherited from the patterns of the parent.
· Chocolate Bernedoodle Color
The chocolate-colored Bernesedoodle has a rich and elegant solid color throughout the body. The chocolate color might be a result of the fusion of both black and silver-colored parent breeds. Another interesting fact about the chocolate-colored coat is its consistency over the years. Unlike other dog breeds, this colored coat doesn’t change throughout its lifetime.
Also, in a few chocolate-colored dogs of this breed, they may have light shade patches, which is mostly seen in the puppyhood.
· Tri-Color Bernedoodle Color
This color variant is mainly inherited from its parent, the Bernese Mountain breed. This tri-color can have multiple combinations, including shades like black, white, brown, red, cream, sable, tan, and apricot.
They can inherit any combinations from the hues, as mentioned earlier, depending upon their heredity. Most of the buyers prefer tri-color over other ones due to their unique combinations.
· Black Bernedoodle Color
A significant color among the dog lovers. But when it comes to Bernepoo, a pure and all-black colored coat is rare to find among these breeds. Usually, there will be only one puppy in the entire litter with such an all-black coat.
We cannot deny that these cute little ones look even cuter in pure black, making it rare. As mentioned earlier, if you need to get one with a completely black coat, the breeding should be between parents who carry the black coats’ recessive gene.
Grooming
Grooming this breed of dogs comes as a challenge and is exhausting as well. But this pain is worth taking if it makes your dog healthy and beautiful. Brushing is the main part as it helps to prevent coat matting and to maintain hygiene.
Different coats require different grooming process. So, let’s look at some ways to groom this unique breed.
· Brushing
The one with a straight coat can be brushed twice a week or even once a week. As they shed a lot of their hair, it will be beneficial to brush their coat less than regular.
On the other hand, one with curly hair will require brushing several times a week to prevent tangles. They would also demand trimming their coat once every couple of months.
· Bathing
Frequent bathing is not required in Bernedoodles, causing dry skin, discomfort, and itchiness. Bathe them only when it becomes dirty and make sure to use a dog-friendly shampoo. It should be free from all the harsh chemicals that may damage your dog’s coat or skin.
· Nail Clipping
Nail clipping is a necessary part of the grooming process as long nails can cause pain and inefficient walking. It can be risk-taking for your dog, so it is better to take it to a vet to get their nail clipped.
· Cleaning the eyes and ears
Always use a grooming wipe to clean the eyes and ears of your Bernepoo. Make sure to do this process very gently and slowly as it may cause irritation or itching if done improperly. In any case, if you notice any abnormal changes in their eyes and ears, take them to the vet immediately.
Bernedoodle Temperament
Bernedoodle inherits the best personality traits from its parents that is Bernese mountain dogs and Poodles. They are excellent companions and are considered to be a colonial breed. They are admiringly intelligent, loyal, loving, and playful with a bit of goofiness. They are quite friendly and are not violent at all.
These dogs suffer from separation anxiety and should not be left alone for a long time. They like to be near their owners, so it becomes necessary to train them to socialize with others.
Let’s dig deep into the temperament of these dogs in different situations.
1. With Family
At their puppy stage, they are a bit rigid. But as soon as they pass this phase, they become extremely friendly and gentle with the family. They are excellent family dogs and get attached to the family in no time. Often, they are also used as therapy dogs because of their cheerful nature.
2. With Kids
Bernedoodles have a special kind of affectionate towards little kids. They are extremely playful and enjoy being around children. With a bit of training, they can become great playmates for your children. The kids should also be trained to treat Bernepoos gently and acceptably, especially when they are small and young.
3. With Other Dogs
Like we discussed, Bernepoos are kind and gentle, and they do fit with other dogs as well. All they need is a bit of training to deal with different people and situations.
4. With Strangers
It depends on the routine and training they have followed since they were young. They are social animals but have a bit of separation anxiety and do not like to spend more time near strangers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Bernedoodle dogs shed?
Bernedoodles are a cute combination of Poodles and Bernese mountain dogs. You could say that they are the best of both worlds. They are popular among designer breeds and have grown quickly in popularity. Many consider these dogs to be the perfect pet because it is so allergy-friendly. These canines are very loyal and are super energetic.
So, do they shed? The answer is yes, they do. But they shed so little that they can be classified as a “non- shedding” breed. This is one of the main reasons why Bernepoos are considered to be allergy-friendly.
Their fur will only shed if you comb them, and even then, the shedding is very minimal. You won’t have to be worried about constantly finding balls of fur on your carpet and couch. They are nothing like the experience you have with huskies or German Shepards.
2. How big do Bernedoodles get?
The size of Bernesedoodles depends upon the parent poodle it is bred from. Based on the size, these are classified into 3. They are tiny, miniature, and standard.
The tiny doggo of this breed grows up to a height of 12-17 inches to the shoulder. They weigh around 10-24 pounds. When we talk about the tiny Bernepoos, we have to keep in mind their size will depend on the size of the parent Poodle and Bernese. Sometimes the tiny Bernepoo can weigh more than 25 pounds if it was bred with a healthier Bernese.
The miniature Bernesedoodles, when fully grown, stands up to a height of 12-17 inches to the shoulder. They can get up to 25-49 pounds in weight. The size of these puppies varies with breeders. If toy poodles or miniature poodles are used, the Bernepoo will be smaller in size.
Standard dogs of this breed can grow as tall as 23-29 inches. They weigh more than 60 pounds and is the biggest among the three. Their size comes from the fact that they are exactly 50% poodle and 50% Bernese. The sizes of all the three vary between males and females. Males tend to grow bigger than females, as we see in many breeds.
3. Is Bernedoodles hypoallergic?
Let’s first clear out what hypoallergic means. People often seem to think that being hypoallergic means the same as being non-allergic. There is a considerable difference between the two.
Hypoallergic means that it has a very less chance of starting an allergic reaction to someone. “Very less” does not mean “none at all.”
Non-allergic would mean that it will not produce any allergic reaction no matter what. Let’s get one thing straight; no dog is non-allergic. The protein that causes people to get allergies is present in the dog’s saliva and comes out of their body and fur.
Now that we have it figured out. You must now know that Bernepoos are also considered a hypoallergic. The fact that they have only a single coat makes them very allergy-friendly. The curly coat breeds are considered to be the best for people who are extremely sensitive or allergic.
4. How much do Bernedoodles cost?
In the case of Bernesedoodles, they aren’t the type to shy away in the matter of money. Bernepoos are considered to be one of the costliest breeds. Their price can be anywhere between 500$ to 5000$.
They are mainly bred because of their attractive color combination and their cute attire. Depending upon their coats’ color, the price of Bernepoos can vary from 2000$ to 4000$. People often tend to adopt a dog of this breed instead of buying one. The adoption cost only comes around 500$.
5. How long do Bernedoodles live?
For the matter of the fact that they are bred from both Poodles and Bernese, Brenadoodle fills in all the two’s faults. They are indeed the best of both in every way possible. They tend to have very fewer health problems when compared to their parent breeds.
These qualities of Bernedoodles usually tend to live up to 12-18 years. So these are the best choice if you want a canine companion for your kids. These super cute bundles of joy will make your kid’s childhood vibrant and beautiful.
6. What is the difference between an f1 and f1b Bernedoodle?
F1 Bernedoodle
These are the first generation puppies, which are the cross of a poodle and a Bernese. They are 50% poodle and 50% Bernese mountain dog. Standards and mini Bernesedoodles come in these sections.
They are highly recommended for families who are mildly allergic. These breeds come in a common color pattern. F1 is associated with a curlier coat and sheds very little.
F1B Bernedoodles
These are the Bernepoo puppies, which are a cross of F1 Bernedoodle and Poodle. They have a higher rate of non-shedding. They are very much suited for families who are highly allergic. They are 75% poodle and are highly hypo-allergenic.
They are a cross of Poodle and F1 Bernedoodle. They contain very wavy fur. This means there is close to no shedding when compared with many other breeds.
7. Is Bernedoodles aggressive?
First of all, every dog act like the surrounding it is raised in. Dogs that belong to a warmer and affectionate family show no signs of unnecessary aggression. Berneddodles are very humble and non-aggressive dogs by nature.
If they are being raised in an environment with not much interaction or love, their behavior can change. With a little love and affection, they can be your most loyal friend.
Bernepoos are also preferred in households because of their playful nature. When kids are around, they are at their best. They love running around and playing with kids. They are one of the best choices if you want your baby to grow up with a canine best friend. This is great on the dog, too, as kids give the attention they need.
8. Is Bernedoodles easy to potty train?
Like humans, take time to learn and train. You need an ample amount of patience to train your dogs. It can take up to a couple of weeks to a couple of months to fully potty train a Bernepoo. It depends on how long you have to supervise. If you are with your dog more, the training will take less time.
Bernedoodles can sometimes be stubborn and rowdy. The earlier you start the training, the better it is. But that said, Bernesedoodles depend on your affection and love. A little positive motivation is all they need. With some positive reassurance, the rowdy dog becomes a gentle and well-trained pet.
This is an intelligent breed. They catch up on things from a very early age. The earlier you start, the sooner you will get results. Because of its cleverness, boundary training is one of the best ways to teach potty training.
So, give some time and patience. If you start at a very young age, they can be toilet trained without much effort.
9. Do these dogs bark a lot?
There are a variety of reasons for which dogs bark. Because they are descendants from wolves, dogs use baking for many reasons. They bark to communicate with other dogs, alert for any danger, or simply because they hate cars and traffic.
The only way to stop their barking is by training them at a very young age itself.
Bernedoodles, like many small dogs, make up for their small size with their deep and authoritative barks. But because of their calm and friendly demeanor, they can be trained to bark less. Bernepoos take some time to get used to strangers. They take an offensive stance when around strangers. But they are great with families and are adored by all.
Bernesedoodles are very friendly with family aren’t the best choice for guard dogs. They are very friendly and easy-going breeds. They also sometimes bark into the dead of the night. But as they are so family-friendly, they can be trained in such a way that your sleep doesn’t get affected.
10. Does a Bernedoodle have a double coat?
A double coat means the small undercoat near the skin of the dog. Under the long hair, there lies a dense coat of short hairs called guard hairs. Fluffy dogs have a dense undercoat. The dense undercoat protects the dog’s skin from dirt and temperature.
Bernedoodles coat can be different in thickness, consistency, and color. Because they are bred from Poodles and Bernese mountain dogs, each kind of breeding produces a different kind of coat. Bernesedoodles come in three types of coats: straight hair coat, wavy fleece coat, and curly wool coat.
The straight coats shed the most and are the weakest of hypo-allergenic coats. The length of each fur will depend on the length of the parent’s fur. Even though they are called straight hair coats, they still have a slight wave to it. Straight coats are very rare to find in Bernepoos, as it is not much desired.
Wavy fleece type is closer to the non-shedding type of coast. It is one of the most commonly seen coats in this breed. As the name suggests, the fur has a wavy nature. The coat appears very free-flowing and is liked by families who are only mildly allergic.
Out of the three, the curly wool type is the closest to the “non-shedding” coat. This makes it the most hypo-allergenic of them all. But that does not mean it will not shed at all. No dog is 100% non-allergic.
The curls have a tight texture, which highly resembles a poodle. Even the curls that shed get caught on them, with a little brushing that could be solved. The curly coats are highly desired by owners who love dogs but are allergic to them.
Whenever you buy any dog, always remember the coat’s curlier, the better it is. When you choose to buy a Bernesedoodle, it is always better to go for Curly wool coated one. The only thing you will have to take care of is the grooming. Because the fur is curly, the hair which sheds gets stuck on it.
When this happens for a very long time, it can be irritating for the dog. If you are ready for that, then they are your best bet.
To sum Up
A Bernedoodle will make for your best friend. Loyal, intelligent, and always willing to stay by your side. Love them, and you will get all the love back. Hopefully, the detailed information above will convince you of how wonderful this breed of dog is.
You can contact a professional breeder and look at shelters and rescue homes, as mentioned above. Adopt a gorgeous and adorable Bernepoo and gain a companion!