Bernedoodle Dog Breed Information, Facts, Temperament & Size | All Things Dogs (2024)

Clever, loyal, and goofy – this is exactly what we get with the Bernedoodle.

A happy-go-lucky family dog this mix is a Bernese Mountain Dog crossed with a Poodle.

First bred in 2003 by Sherry Rupke this dog is intelligent and goofy with a spoonful of charm

Very similar in temperament to many doodles, while being just a little more mischievous as puppies! This puppy can adapt to a range of lifestyles as they come in three different sizes: toy, miniature, and standard.

Read on to learn more about this low-shedding, loving companion…

What Is A Bernedoodle?

The Bernedoodle was first bred by dog breeder Sherry Rupke in 2003 when she crossed a Poodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog. Due to size differences, a female Bernese Mountain Dog is used with a male Poodle.

This breed originated in the United States.

They were originally bred to combine the positive traits of both the Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog:

• The happy, charming, and down-to-earth nature of the relaxed Bernese Mountain Dog.
• The intelligence and hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle.

The result is normally an intelligent, gentle, sociable, and enthusiastic dog who is suited for family life.

Types Of Bernedoodles

The Bernedoodle dog comes in three different sizes depending upon their parents:

1. Standard (Standard Poodle Bernese Mountain Dog)
2. Mini (Miniature Poodle Bernese Mountain Dog)
3. Tony (F1 Mini Bernedoodles Toy Poodle)

Since this dog is a hybrid they aren’t recognized by any Kennel Clubs.

They have been a registered breed with the International Designer Canine Registry since 2009.

This dog is widely known as the perfect family companion.

Let’s see what this perfect companion’s parents are like.

The Bernese Mountain Dog

Built for hard work, the Bernese Mountain dog is robust and powerful.

Originating in Switzerland, the Berner’s job was to drive cattle and protect farmyards.

They were renowned for their drafting capabilities, being able to pull many times their own body weight.

This history creates an image of a hard worker, strong and muscular. The Berner is all those things, but owners know them better for their goofy, placid, and sweet nature.

The Poodle

You have probably seen a Poodle in their full continental clip. The rounded tufts of fur on their tail and legs are called pompons.

The poodle comes in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard.

Generally, all poodles have an intelligent and playful temperament.

Smaller poodles can have higher energy levels than their larger siblings and their lifespan is normally longer too.

Despite their association with France, they actually originated in Germany.

Why We Love The Bernedoodle Dog

Bernedoodle Puppies

Often described as similar in nature to the Goldendoodle, the main difference is that these puppies can be particularly headstrong. However, with positive training most puppies grow out of this.

This dog’s size is key in your hunt for a puppy:

• For standard-sized puppies the mother and father are interchangeable.
• For a mini-sized puppy, the litter should have a Bernese Mountain Dog mother and a Poodle father.
• Finally, for a toy variation, the litter should have a F1b mini bernedoodle parent.

Due to the three different sizes of puppies, it can be difficult to predict how big your puppy will get.

Sometimes a reputable breeder will have a good idea of their size based on the parents or previous litters. Standard-sized puppies are fully matured at around 18 months, mini and toy variations at 12 months.

How Much Is A Bernedoodle?

A Bernedoodle Puppy from a reputable breeder will generally cost between $2,500 – $5,000. Prices vary depending on the color of the puppy, size, or which generation they are.

This is a rare breed and sourcing a breeder may be difficult. However, your puppy should be sourced from a reputable breeder. This is one of the most essential steps.

Reputable breeders will be able to adequately answer any questions you may have about your puppy, their health, and their parents.

They will also not re-home puppies before 8 weeks of age. Be wary of breeders who try to sell puppies into new homes at a younger age.

Places To Adopt A Bernedoodle Rescue

The Bernedoodle is a very new and rare hybrid.

There is not currently a shelter dedicated to the rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming of bernedoodle rescue dogs in the United States.

However, you can try doodle rescue centers. These centers are dedicated to the rescuing of Poodle mixed breeds.

As a designer dog breed, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club so there isn’t a list of official breeders either.

Breed Appearance, Color, and Size

The Bernedoodle is a shaggy, fluffy, and goofy-looking breed.

As a mixed breed it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly which physical traits they will receive from either parent.

They may be more like their Poodle parent, or a bit more robust like a Bernese.

Either way, they will definitely be cute.

Coat and Colors

Generally, the Bernedoodle is described as a shaggy teddy.

You will immediately recognize them from their shaggy, almost unkempt look.

They come in a variety of different colors: solid black, black and white, black and brown, and tri-color (pictured above). Some may also have markings on their chest similar to a Bernese Mountain Dog.

Do Bernedoodle Dogs Shed?

The Bernedoodle is often known to be hypoallergenic and is a very low shedding breed. As they are a mixed breed, most dogs have a curly or wavy coat, but it is possible for them to have a straight coat.

They don’t shed, but they still need regular grooming.

Most owners choose to clip their dog every six to eight weeks. As it is not a purebred dog there isn’t a grooming standard, so most have a teddy bear clip.

With these coat types, it’s not generally advised not to clip it until at least 7-9 months old; clipping too early can impact growth and cause irreversible damage.

How Big Does A Bernedoodle Get?

The Bernedoodle can come in three different sizes. The most common is standard sized. Standard Bernedoodles are the largest of the three. They weigh around 70 to 90 pounds and stand approximately 23 to 29 inches.

The miniature weighs 25 to 50 pounds with a height of 18 to 22 inches.

Finally, the toy is the smallest. Toy varieties weigh approximately 10 to 24 pounds and stand 12 to 17 inches at the withers.

Bernedoodle Temperament

The Bernedoodle makes an excellent companion for many – this is all thanks to their wonderful temperament. They are a docile breed that is known to be both affectionate and caring.

Combining the intelligence of the Poodle with the goofy, placid, and sweet nature of the Bernese Mountain Dog makes for a loving and playful dog.

With both parent breeds being working dogs, this breed is said to inherit a lively and playful nature. They do best in homes where they will have an excess of 60 minutes of exercise per day.

This breed does not have any aggressive tendencies and is known to be quite social.

As a breed that loves affection, the Bernedoodle loves being by their owner’s side. For that reason, they are suited to homes where they will have company for most of the day. Too much alone time may lead to unwanted behaviors such as separation anxiety.

Being a hybrid, as much as we hope for the positive traits, it is possible that your puppy could still inherit the less than desirable traits from either or both parents:

• Bernese Mountain Dogs can have stubborn and headstrong tendencies that make training challenging.
• Poodles can be neurotic and hyper.

But when socialized and trained from puppyhood, they are sociable, gentle, and loving dogs.

In an active home with a patient and gentle owner, this dog really is a curious and smart addition to any family.

Overall, their temperament is very mellow and affectionate.

Are Bernedoodles Good Pets?

Yes. They are a fantastic family dog! Their super playful, goofy and affectionate personality means that they get along infamously with children.

They are gentle with babies and toddlers, energetic enough to play in the yard with teenagers, and sensitive with the elderly.

However, you should teach your children how to play with dogs safely as the smaller variants (toy and mini-sized) are delicate as puppies.

The Bernedoodle loves spending time with family members. They are a loving and loyal breed.

This breed is not recommended for individual adults with time constraints or inactive seniors who are not able to effectively provide them with time and affection.

They are generally tolerant of other pets in the home, even cats if they have grown up with them. However, correct socialization with other dogs and family pets is important.

Overall, the Bernedoodle is known to be an extremely compatible addition to many families.

Care Guide, Diet, Exercise and Grooming

The Bernedoodle is an adaptable dog!

This breed does well in a busy home where there is lots of attention and love to share.

As a low shedding breed, they have limited grooming requirements. This makes caring for them a lot easier! You will be giving most of your attention to training and keeping them occupied.

The Bernedoodle is always happy, so long as their social, exercise and training requirements are met.

Let’s take a look at what it takes to care for them…

Diet and Feeding Guide

Daily Food Consumption
Calories	1,500
Cups of Kibble

Your dog’s feeding requirement is dependent upon his size. Toy and miniature-sized dogs require fewer calories and cups of kibble compared to the standard sized Bernedoodle:

• Standard between 1,400 – 1,800 calories
• Mini between 750 – 1,400 calories
• Toy between 400 – 960 calories

As a puppy, you should be feeding your dog a minimum of four times per day. This can reduce to two meals per day when fully matured.

For your puppy to grow to its full potential you should be feeding a high-quality kibble specially formulated for larger and active breeds.

We recommend feeding your Bernedoodle a high-quality dry kibble diet. However, owners may opt for wet or dry food so long as their energy requirements are met.

As a large breed, the Standard Bernedoodle is at risk of bloat; small but frequent meals are thought to reduce the risk of bloat.

The important thing is to ensure the food meets his daily nutritional requirements.

Exercise Guide

Daily Exercise Requirements
Minutes	Over 60
Activity Level

As both parent breeds are working dogs this mix is high energy!

We think most of their energy comes from the Poodle though as the Bernese Mountain Dog is generally a calm, docile and placid dog.

What we do know is they love being active.

Exercise is important for both the physical fitness of your dog and their mental stimulation.

They love their exercise and will happily hike for hours. A Standard Bernedoodle should be exercised for 60 minutes per day.

This breed, especially the standard sized, is at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia and for that reason, it is essential to avoid over-exercising as a puppy.

For every month of age a dog can walk for 5 minutes. So you can walk your 4-month-old for 20 minutes per day without causing any growth issues.

Over-exercising can also contribute to other health issues such as dislocating kneecaps. This is an important consideration for mini and toy Bernedoodles.

Training Guide

Training sessions are very rewarding when it comes to the Bernedoodle. Although, they may not be as easy as you may think. There are plenty of puppy training tips to help you train your Bernedoodle.

Boasting the intelligence of a Poodle, you would think this mix would be easy to train.

This isn’t always true.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is renowned for being hard-headed as a puppy. They often grow out of this, however, it can be frustrating if you are not expecting it.

Early and continued socialization will reduce the likelihood that you end up with a stubborn and skittish dog.

Positive reinforcement and reward-based training are the best ways to train a dog.

If he is being stubborn, stay calm and reduce your expectations.

Always set him up to succeed and enable him to carry out the behavior you want to see. Punishment never works.

Grooming Guide

The Bernedoodle has a single-layer coat. This means, less shedding!

Often known to have a low-shedding or even hypoallergenic coat, grooming this breed is quite simple.

You should aim to brush your dog 2-3 times a week. Regular brushing will help to keep their fur shiny and pristine.

Other basic grooming requirements include teeth brushing and nail clipping.

Bernedoodle Lifespan and Health Issues

The Bernedoodle has an average lifespan of between 7 to 18 years. Smaller versions (such as the Mini and Toy) will live longer whereas the standard size will be closer to seven.

This dog is generally healthy; however, they do suffer from some of the same health issues their parent breeds do.

Like Boxers, Bernese Mountain Dogs have one of the highest cancer rates compared to other breeds. Cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. The increased risk of cancer cannot be eliminated from the Bernedoodle.

The Poodle is often predisposed to progressive retinal atrophy. This leads to impaired vision and is known to worsen over time.

Hip and elbow dysplasia (i.e. abnormal joint development) is common in this dog.

Some breeders suggest the following tests should be carried out when breeding:

• Hip and Elbow Scores
• Eye Test
• Von Willebrand’s Disease
• Sebaceous Adenitis
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Patella
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• MTC (Macrothrombocytopenia)

Reputable breeders will inform you of any medical concerns associated with your puppy.

Summary

Toy-sized, miniature, or standard-sized – this is an excellent all-around family member!

The Bernedoodle is a perfect addition to any family home because they are adaptable, loving, and sensitive. They thrive in a busy home with patient and gentle owners.

Goofy and clever, early and continued training and socialization are essential.

Be prepared for a stubborn puppy, but once you’re through this challenging stage you will have a loving and playful companion.

Any questions about this loveable breed? Leave us a comment below.

Other Poodle Mixes

If you’re interested in learning about other Poodle mixes, check out the hybrid dog breeds below.

Poodles Mixes

• Corgipoo
• Bichon Poodle
• Shepadoodle
• Saint Berdoodle
• Aussiedoodle
• Irish Doodle
• Goldendoodle
• Australian Labradoodle
• Labradoodle
• co*ckapoo