Bernedoodle Dogs: A Complete Breed Guide

Is your idea of an ideal pet a gentle, intelligent, trainable dog that can be easily managed? Meet the Bernedoodle. Derived from a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle — hence, the name — Bernedoodle dogs have become a widely popular and well-loved breed since they arrived on the scene in 2003. And are especially popular on social media.

So, if you’re looking for a canine companion to break the internet with, the Bernedoodle — also known as Bernese Mountain Poos — can be the perfect pick. But more than their adorable faces and lovable demeanor, the defining trait of Bernedoodle dogs is their intelligence. They inherit their intelligence from the Poodle, which is known for its sharp mind. 

Sounds like just the dog for you? Let’s take a closer look at Bernedoodle dog personality, temperament, grooming and nutritional requirements, and health issues, along with some other key aspects of Bernedoodle breed info, to make sure you really know what you’re signing up for. 

The History of Bernedoodle Dogs

The Bernedoodle is a crossbreed designer dog bred by Sherry Rupke of Swissridge Kennels in Canada in 2003. This was the first recorded instance of the Bernes Mountain Dogs and Poodles being intentionally bred to create a new hybrid dog breed. However, hybrids of these two breeds having accidentally even before this cannot be ruled out.  

Considering its novelty and hybrid status, Bernedoodle dogs are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. However, the breed has been recognized by other bodies such as the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Breed Registry, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, and the International Designer Canine Registry.

Suggested Reading: Lhasa Apso Dog Breed — Facts and Personality Traits

Given that these are hybrid dogs, there is no established breed standard either. There are different types of Bernedoodle, and the characteristics and physical attributes of these dogs vary depending on the genetics and bloodlines of the parents and the specifications a breeder is aiming for. 

Typically, Bernedoodle types include standard, tiny, and miniature. Of these, the standard variety is the most common. Bernedoodle types are also classified based on their color patterns. On that parameter, Bernedoodle dogs with the tri-color pattern of the Bernese Mountain Dog are the most popular.    

Bernedoodle Breed Info 

This Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle mix is an adorable small- to medium-sized dog (depending on genetics and breeding specifications). There is quite a variation in the height, weight, and appearance of different types of Bernedoodle dogs: 

Type	Height	Weight
Standard Bernedoodle	23 to 29 inches	70 to 90 pounds
Miniature Bernedoodle	18 to 22 inches	25 to 49 pounds
Tiny Bernedoodle	12 to 17 inches	10 to 24 pounds

They have a wavy or curly coat and can be either single or double-coated. There is enough variety in Bernedoodle colors and patterns as well. Their coat can be black, white, tan, blue, rust, red, sable, or silver, and the patterns include tri-color, merle, and piebald. The lifespan of a Bernedoodle is 10 to 12 years. 

Everything You Need to Know About Raising A Bernedoodle Dog 

While Bernedoodle breed info can offer a lot of insight into the lineage of these dogs, to decide whether it is the right fit for you what you really need to know is what raising and caring for a Bernedoodle entails. What is the Bernedoodle dog personality like? What are their nutritional and activity needs? What are the common health problems to be aware of in Bernedoodles? 

I answer all these questions for you, and then some so that you know precisely what to expect when bringing a Bernedoodle puppy home:

Bernedoodle dog personality and temperament

Bernedoodle dog personality makes this breed a perfect fit for families. This family-friendly dog is especially fond of children and proves to be a wonderful canine companion. However, it is important to teach kids the right — and safe — way to interact with them (or any dog, for that matter) to avoid any untoward accidents. 

They are affectionate and playful and desire a ton of attention and love from their humans. The Bernedoodle dog personality can be best described as: 

• Goofy 
• Attention loving 
• Intelligent 
• Trainable 
• Mellow 
• Loyal 
• Playful 
• Friendly

While a Bernedoodle is essentially a teddy bear dog that loves cuddles and quality time with their family, they can be wary of and a little skittish around strangers. As with any other dog breed, it is important to socialize your Bernedoodle early on so that they are comfortable in new settings and around new people. Given that this is a highly trainable dog, molding them into well-mannered pets shouldn’t be hard provided you catch them young and reinforce desirable behaviors consistently. 

A standard Bernedoodle is an active dog that requires space to run around and play, so, they thrive in homes with a fenced-in yard. In addition to playing on their own, they also need regular walks, structured playtime, or both to expend their energy. 

If you’re planning to raise a Bernedoodle in an apartment or a home with very little open space, bear in mind that you’ll need to invest extra time and energy in getting your pet their daily dose of exercise and physical activity. Without it, they can start displaying undesirable, often destructive, behaviors like digging, chewing things, and tearing things apart.

Suggested Reading: Alaskan Malamute Dog: A Complete Breed Guide

Nutrition and feeding

The right nutrition and food vary for different types of Bernedoodle dogs. If you have a standard Bernedoodle, expect them to have a significant appetite whereas the miniature and toy varieties naturally have a lower food requirement. Irrespective of the size and type of your dog, it’s important to offer them a well-balanced, nutrient-rich, high-quality diet, with a special focus on vitamins and minerals that can support their cartilage and joint needs.  

While the Bernedoodle is by and large a healthy dog breed, they’re prone to stomach problems and bloating, which is why feeding them smaller, more frequent meals is highly recommended. It’s also important to control portion size and caloric intake to keep them at a healthy weight. 

Health

Bernedoodles are considered resilient and healthy dogs. However, even with most mindful and ethical practices of breeding Bernedoodles, they can be prone to certain health concerns, such as: 

• Hip dysplasia: A common condition in many dog breeds wherein the hip joint is not developed properly, as a result, the socket is too shallow to accommodate the femoral head (ball). This can cause pain and lameness
• Elbow dysplasia: A condition similar to hip dysplasia affecting the elbow joint
• Bloat: Another common canine health concern wherein the stomach fills with gas and twists, cutting off blood supply. This can prove fatal if not addressed in time
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): A degenerative eye condition that can lead to blindness
• Cataracts: Clouding of the eye lens, leading to vision problems or loss
• Demodex mange: A skin condition caused by mite infestation 
• Von Willebrand’s disease: A blood clotting disorder
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): A chronic inflammation of the digestive tract
• Hypothyroidism: A condition caused by an under-functioning thyroid gland, resulting in inadequate hormone production 

It’s important to schedule regular checkups and educate yourself about the symptoms of these conditions so that any potential health problems can be detected and addressed early on. 

Suggested Reading: Scottish Deerhound: History, Traits, and Care

Tips for grooming a Bernedoodle

A Bernedoodle is a hypoallergenic, low-shedding dog, which not only makes it an ideal pet for people with allergies but also fairly low maintenance. However, even a non-shedding dog requires regular grooming and care. The coat can be like that of a Poodle or a Bernese Mountain Dog, depending on the standard followed while breeding Bernedoodles. Either way, their coat tends to run wavy or curly, which means it requires regular brushing and also needs to be trimmed every few months. 

Bernedoodles love being brushed and groomed by their humans, so brushing their coats daily can be a great bonding experience. In addition to taking care of your dog’s coat, it’s also important to pay attention to their dental hygiene. Offer dental chews or bones at least once a week to prevent tooth decay and bacteria buildup. Their nails need to be trimmed regularly as well to prevent pain and injuries while running or walking.

Watch this video to witness the grooming of a Bernedoodle:

How to train and socialize a Bernedoodle

This is an extremely sharp breed with a definite streak of stubbornness to them. Likewise, while a Bernedoodle is an affectionate dog, they are known to be wary of strangers and unfamiliar environments. That’s why it’s vital to familiarize yourself with how to train and socialize a Bernedoodle puppy. 

Since they’re intelligent dogs, they can learn both good and bad behaviors pretty quickly. That’s why it’s imperative to start training your puppy early on and continue well past puppyhood. These strong-minded dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. The right way to train them is with a lot of treats, love, and appreciation for good behavior. You’d also need to be patient as your puppy learns what’s expected of them and what’s not. 

As with training, starting early with socialization is also immensely important for raising a well-adjusted dog. Once your pet’s basic vaccinations are done and the vet clears them to venture outside the home, start exposing them to new people and environments so that they get comfortable with the unexpected. 

 Training and socialization are also critical for Bernedoodle dogs because they tend to have unique personalities and their behavior, responses, and temperament cannot be as accurately predicted as with a purebred dog. In fact, their response to training can be eager and intense (like that of a poodle) or laid-back and nonchalant (like that of a Bernese Mountain dog). 

Suggested Reading: Doberman Pinscher Dog: Breed Information & Characteristics

Is a Bernedoodle right for you?

A playful, loving, loyal dog, a Bernedoodle makes for an ideal pet for families, especially those with younger children since these dogs adore kids. They may not, however, be well-suited for environments where they’re required to spend a lot of time alone daily given that they thrive on love and attention from their humans. So, if you’re a single person or a small family where every member goes out to work or study, a Bernedoodle may not be the right fit for you.