What makes the Bernedoodle one of the most popular mixed breeds available? Read on to find out more about these goofy dogs!
Height: Between 10-29 inches. Bernedoodles come in a variety of different sizes
Weight: 5-41 kilos
Lifespan: 12-18 years. Generally, the smaller the Bernedoodle the longer the lifespan
Pedigree (recognized by the KC?): No, the Bernedoodle is not recognized by the Kennel Club
Positives and Negatives
Pros
- Great dog for an active family with older children
- Bernedoodles are generally hypoallergenic and produce low amounts of allergens
- Friendly with other dogs and household pets
- Great choice for a first-time owner
Cons
- This breed doesn’t like to be left alone, they won’t suit an owner who has to work all day
- Requires regular grooming multiple times a week
- The Bernedoodle isn’t cheap so it may be best to look at rehoming options
- Needs to be trained properly or it could become mischievous
Overview
The Bernedoodle is a crossbreed, its parent dogs are the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle. They can come in three different sizes, tiny, mini, and standard.
Hybrid litters vary and no Bernedoodle is the same, so it is important if you decide to purchase over rehoming, that you find the right breeder to meet your needs. Due to the variety, you also need to decide which sized Bernedoodle would suit you and your lifestyle best.
Of course, with pure breeds it’s much easier to research information on what character traits to expect but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider crossbreeds as a choice. It’s the combination of characteristics from two different breeds that makes these dogs so interesting.
If a Bernedoodle has been bred correctly, you obviously have a higher chance of receiving a healthier puppy. After all, the Bernese Mountain Dog was originally crossbred to enhance their lifespan, which is only around 6-8 years!
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The Bernedoodle’s coat can vary from texture to colour. Most have wavy fur whilst others can come out curlier like the poodle. The curly fur rarely sheds, and the straighter it becomes the more likely you will see fur across your home. The general colors you will see in this breed’s coat are black, white, and brown.
The curlier the fur, the more likely your dog will be hypoallergenic, so you should bear this in mind if you have anybody who suffers allergies in your household. You aren’t promised a hypoallergenic pooch but you stand a much higher chance of getting one.
History
The Bernedoodle was officially created by Swissridge Kennels in Ontario, Canada. In 2003, Sherry Rupke decided to breed the Bernese Mountain dog with the Poodle creating Bernedoodle puppies, one of the most popular hybrids seen today.
The Bernese Mountain dog originated in Switzerland and was used to herd cattle, protect the farmland and pull carts. It is estimated this breed has been around for 2,000 years working in the Alps on Swiss farms.
The Poodle is believed to have originated in Germany and developed further in France. The French were responsible for enhancing the traits of the Poodle we now see today. It is thought this breed could possibly date back to 1st century Egypt. Poodles were bred as retrievers/ gundogs and were occasionally used for hunting.
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Bernedoodles weren’t bred to assist humans with activities. They were simply created as companions, to enjoy the best traits that both the Bernese Mountain dog and Poodle have to offer. They are often referred to as ‘Designer dogs’ as another reason for the cross-breeding was to increase the Bernese Mountain dog’s very short lifespan.
The Bernedoodle quickly became one of the most popular hybrid breeds available. But you won’t generally see this dog competing in dog shows as these are mainly for pedigree and KC registered dogs.
Personality
We all know rehoming is best and you may be able to rehome a Bernedoodle from your nearest animal shelter, however, if you do decide to purchase a puppy, be certain it is coming from a reputable breeder.
A reputable breeder will ensure you are receiving a puppy that more than likely holds the best traits from its parents rather than potentially taking the worst, leaving you with an increasingly difficult puppy to train.
Smart, loyal, friendly, and intelligent, the Bernedoodle will easily become your best friend and loyal companion. However, they can’t be away from you for too long as they may get separation anxiety.
Bernedoodles are not a breed you can just leave at home all day and should only be left alone for around 4 hours maximum. Despite being quite needy, the Bernedoodle temperament is generally very good. They are regarded as excellent family pets.
Are Bernedoodles Friendly With Strangers?
Sometimes a Bernedoodle may become a little reserved and distanced around strangers, but as long as you feel reassured, so will they. This breed is not a guard dog type and will not become naturally defensive or aggressive towards those they don’t know.
Are Bernedoodles Friendly With Children?
Bernedoodles are fantastic family dogs they get along great with both older and younger children. The Bernedoodle is quiet and well mannered in the home, yet playful and energetic outdoors, always keeping up with the kids!
It is always best to introduce a puppy into your household if you have kids, this way your pooch will grow up with the children together.
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Are Bernedoodles Ok With Other Dogs?
This breed gets along great with other dogs and household pets. They are very intelligent and love to play. They will quickly make friends with other dogs much easier than most breeds.
Socialization of course, will play a massive part in your dog’s behavior towards other dogs and animals. You can take puppy training classes if you prefer the help of a professional, or just interact with others on your daily walks.
Health
If you are serious about rehoming or purchasing a Bernedoodle, you must be aware of any related health issues that could be common with the breed.
The following are health issues seen more commonly seen amongst Bernedoodles:
- Elbow Dysplasia –Â Mismatched bone growth can prevent the elbow joint from moving correctly. Over time the pressure can cause pain.
- Hip Dysplasia –Â This health problem could be inherited from the Bernese Mountain dog. Over time this can become painful and could cause difficulty in walking.
- Von Willebrand Disease – An inherited bleeding disorder from the Bernese Mountain dog. Dogs that inherit this have half the level of Von Willebrand coagulation factor, compared to other dogs. This lack of protein prevents normal blood clotting.
- Skin Conditions – Bernedoodles could become susceptible to skin issues such as moist dermatitis and other allergies, caused by excessive licking or itching. You will be able to see scabs on the dog’s skin.
Exercise
The Bernedoodles size varies due to it being a crossbreed. Some are small, others are large, and the rest are in between. Dogs on the smaller side will be fine with around 45 minutes of exercise per day. They will also be happy to live in an apartment-sized home and don’t necessarily need a garden as long as their outdoor needs are met.
The intelligence trait is passed down from the Poodle, the national dog of France. The Poodle is classed as a gundog and had many different uses from retrieving game, to hunting ducks. They were prized for their ability to track prey but most importantly for their obedience when listening to their owner.
Larger Bernedoodles should receive around 1 hour of exercise per day and should have access to some form of a garden or outdoor space. One long walk will be sufficient for this sized Bernedoodle.
This breed is highly intelligent so it is a great idea to play brain games. You can keep them interested with different activities and new walking routes.
Intelligence & Trainability
As discussed above the Bernedoodle is an intelligent breed, yet this sometimes comes at a cost! They can often be stubborn in their younger years. When it comes to listening and being told what to do harsh training styles will not work on this pooch.
A gentle touch, positive feedback, and food rewards with affection can help to keep your dog interested and engaged in training. Once you have your dog’s complete attention, they should pick up rather quickly on your commands.
Remember you must socialize your dog with both strangers and other pets from as early as possible. Bernedoodles are known to be mischievous if they aren’t trained correctly.
Grooming
This breed can have both wavy and curly fur. The curlier the fur, the higher the chance you have in getting a hypoallergenic dog. It also makes shedding for this breed rare, all thanks to the Poodle!
Common combinations of the Bernedoodles coat are all black, black and white, black and brown, or a mix of black, brown, and white. You should brush your pooch around two or three times a week to prevent any tangles or mats from forming.
You should bathe this breed once every 4-8 weeks depending on how they smell and you should trim their fur once every 3-5 months, depending on the growth and weather seasons. Eyes and ears should be cleaned weekly or every other week and nails can be trimmed around your dog’s bathing time.
Detangling spray can be used on your Bernedoodle but make sure the product is ok to be used on sensitive skin or is specifically for the breed type. The best brushes to use on your dog’s fur are slicker brushes, grooming rakes, and pin brushes. Each has its own use that when combined will help leave your dog’s fur smooth, clean and tangle-free!
I’d like to adopt a bernedoodle. Specifically and looking for standard sized and either a tricolor or non-traditional tricolor stop. Do you know what the range in price is. Also do you know what the weight difference isbetween a standard and one size smaller. Eric