Bernedoodle
The Bernedoodle also known as a Bernese Mountain Poo is a hybrid dog that is a mix of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. There are actually three types of Bernedoodle. The standard which is a cross between a Standard Poodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Mini Bernedoodle which is a mix of a Miniature Poodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog and the Tiny or Toy Bernedoodle which is a result of crossing a Mini Bernedoodle with a Toy Poodle. The standard Bernedoodle is a large breed who lives 12 - 15 years, the mini is a medium dog who lives for 14 - 17 years and the tiny or toy is a small dog who should live 14 - 18 years.
The Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog was bred in the Swiss Alps to be a farm dog, where they helped out with things like taking cattle to the market or pulling carts. Being a mountain dog they were bred to withstand the cold and have been around for at least 2000 years. Today she is an easy going and loyal dog, fantastic with children and great family pets. They love attention and they bond so closely with their owner that should they need to be re-homed this can be difficult. She is intelligent, versatile and strong and has moderate needs when it comes to exercise. If not socialized well she can become skittish and reserved and can develop separation anxiety. She is short lived too having just 7 years as a life expectancy.
The Poodle
The Poodle is originally from Germany not France and was bred to hunt waterfowl. It is a very old breed that over the years has been bred to have three sizes, the standard, the miniature and the toy. Today she is an intelligent dog that a lot of people with dog allergies turn to as often she does not trigger an allergic reaction. She is great with children, easy to train, and has a loveable goofy streak sometimes. Affectionate with her family but takes time to warm up to strangers and has a high level of energy.
Where most dogs have double coats, poodles have a single layer coat of dense, curly fur that sheds minimally but does mat without proper care.
Bernedoodle
No two Bernedoodles are identical. The genes from the parent breeds meld in unique ways, and it’s endlessly fascinating to see what each litter produces.
Temperament
The Bernedoodle is friendly, loyal and playful. She usually has the intelligence of a Poodle and the goofiness too that makes her love to entertain, be a bit mischievous and play games. She is loving and cuddly with her family but can be cautious with strangers. If not trained and socialized that cautiousness can turn into skittishness. She can be headstrong when she is young as a puppy so training will need you to be persistent but that stubbornness normally eases up as she enters adulthood. She is energetic and enthusiastic and curious too.
What does a Bernedoodle look like
The Standard Bernedoodle is 70-90lbs in weight and 23-29 inches tall. The Mini is 25-49lbs in weight and 18-22 inches in height. The tiny is 10-24lbs and 12-17 inches. Colors are either the tri-color look that the Bernese has of brown, white and black for example, or some kind of other mix of those colors. You can see elements of the Poodle and Bernese in their coat with color being Bernese influences and coat type being more poodle. The curlier or wavier the coat is the more the Bernedoodle leans towards the Poodle in terms of being hypoallergenic.
Training and Exercise Needs
How much activity does she need?
Bernedoodles tend to have moderate needs when it comes to how much activity to give them. They would enjoy joining in a hike or run with you and they love to swim too. In fact the smaller varieties tend to have more energy to burn off than the larger one. A daily long walk plus play time should be enough but you could always fit in something like a trip to the dog park too. They are happy to chill and snuggle on the couch with you when it is time to take it easy.
Is she easy to train?
If they are more like the Poodle with that intelligence and will to please they will be easy to train. Sometimes though the Bernedoodle has a stubbornness that is more obvious when she is a puppy and then she grows out of it. That means when straining young you may have to stay focused and committed and persevere with it. Socialization and training is super important in any dog starting from an early age so it is important that you start early and stay consistent and positive using praise and rewards.
Living with a Bernedoodle
Grooming requirements
The Bernedoodle is low to non shedding so there is not as much need for cleaning up hairs around the house or off your clothing. However if it is more curly and like a Poodle's part of her grooming needs are going to being clipped every few months by a professional groomer which is an additional cost and responsibility. Most have a more wavy coat though and the straighter it is the more shedding there is. If coat is a factor when choosing a Bernedoodle tell the breeder. Some brushing once or twice a week will help remove anything that is matted into the coat and a bath when she needs it, some dogs are more drawn to mud and puddle than others!
Other grooming needs include checking her over once a week for any signs of infection or changes in her coat. Clipping her nails or having that done at a groomers also. Wiping her ears once a week to prevent infection and checking her eyes.
How good is she with children and other pets?
She is amazing with the young and old alike. She is able to adjust to be more gentle when it is needed which is lovely to see. Make sure children are taught or trained too though! No tail pulling or taking her food or hurting her. She is very friendly and happy to accept other pets in the house and even other dogs. Socialization and training from a young age helps her with this and to avoid being skittish.
Other useful information on living with her
This is one of the most suitable dogs to be a companion with one person or a family. She will happily be at your side whether you are jogging, hanging out in the yard, on the couch for movie night. She will give affection and loyalty and will make you laugh. She thrives on being with you or the family though and would not do well being left alone for long. She can live in an apartment as long as she still gets some exercise, but obviously as for any dog a fenced in yard is a lovely bonus. She has some tolerance for hot and cold but for either in any extreme. When it comes to being fed give her high quality dry dog food. Different formulas work better depending on whether you have a standard, mini or tiny so check you have the right kind. Obviously how much she needs also depends on her size.
Health Concerns
There is not much known about health concerns at the moment because the hybrid is fairly young. As with other mix breeds they tend to be healthier than pure bred dogs. Health issues that may come up from their parents include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems, skin problems and allergies.
Appearance
Bernedoodles are usually pure black, black-and-white, black-and-brown, or tri-colour (black, white and brown), but I have seen other colors. Their overall appearance combines elements of the Bernese and the Poodle. Beyond color, well chosen parents tend to blend the traits of the Poodle and the Berner in a fairly consistent way. Although some pups may lean more toward the Poodle’s slighter build, or the Berner’s sheer bulk, there is a common “look,” and a breeder can, to some extent, control that by studying the results of matching various pairs. In short, Bernedoodles tend to look like shaggy teddy bears!
Many clients want a tri-color Bernedoodle, with markings as similar as possible to those of the Bernese Mountain Dog. That look is challenging to achieve, and people may have a long wait for it. Personally, I love Bernedoodles of all colors. Temperament is far more important to me than colour.
Coat
Every Bernedoodle has a different coat. The majority have a wavy coat that sheds minimally, if at all. Most people with allergies to dog dander (i.e., those who experience sneezing and runny eyes) are fine with a wavy-coated dog.
It’s rare to see a Bernedoodle with a straight coat. However, the straighter the coat, the more it sheds, and the less suitable the dog will be for people with allergies.
Bernedoodles with a curly coat are similar to the Poodle and will not shed. While there are no guarantees, even if you have serious allergies to dander, you should do well with a curly-coated Bernedoodle.
Breeders can often tell by the time a dog is a few weeks old what type of coat it will have, and can help match you to the best coat type for your situation.
If you are allergic to dog saliva, and your skin breaks out in hives when licked by a dog, you will most likely be allergic to all Bernedoodles regardless of coat type.
As for grooming, the curlier the dog’s coat, the harder it is to maintain. Since most Bernedoodles shed little, if at all, they need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting, and must be clipped every few months.
Sizes
Bernedoodles come in different sizes, depending on the parents and the vagaries of genetics. Females are usually smaller than males.
Standard Bernedoodle – results from crossing a Standard Poodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog, will generally be 50 lbs. and up, and around 23-29 inches at the shoulder. Most standards are in the 70-90 lb. range.
Mini Bernedoodle – results from crossing a Miniature Poodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog, generally ranges from 25-49 lbs. and is 18-22 inches at the shoulder.
Tiny Bernedoodle – results from crossing a Toy Poodle with a Mini Bernedoodle, ranges from 10-24 lbs. and is about 12-17 inches at the shoulder.
These ranges capture the averages, but sometimes a pup will fall outside the expected height and weight.
In terms of temperament, Mini and Tiny Bernedoodles may have a slightly higher energy level than the standard, to reflect the same in the Miniature and Toy Poodle parent. However, using calm poodles, regardless of size, tends to produce docile Bernedoodles.
Different Generations
F1 – is a first generation cross, in which the pup is 50 per cent Bernese Mountain Dog and 50 per cent Poodle. The F1 cross is considered the healthiest, as the parents have the least likelihood of contributing genes for common inheritable diseases.
F1b – is a backcross in which a Bernedoodle is bred with a poodle. The puppy is 25 per cent Bernese, and 75 per cent Poodle. F1b puppies are the most likely to be non-shedding and allergy-friendly. Some breeders have backcrossed a Bernedoodle with a Bernese, which results in a dog with more of the Bernese traits. I prefer not to breed this backcross as there is a greater likelihood of shedding.
F2 – is a second-generation cross, in which an F1 Bernedoodle is crossed with another F1 Bernedoodle. If this is done for 7 generations a breeder could apply to register this dog as a purebred. The closer the generations come together the more consistency there will be in the lines, but the genetic problems of the purebreds are more likely to reappear, and hybrid vigor diminishes. Some F2 pups may have an improper coat—not the fleece softness we love in the ’doodles.
While bernedoodles vary in appearance and coat type, an experienced breeder will be able to give you an idea of what the pup will look like as an adult, based on what the parents have produced in the past and what traits they see in the pup.
The Bernedoodle also known as a Bernese Mountain Poo is a hybrid dog that is a mix of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. There are actually three types of Bernedoodle. The standard which is a cross between a Standard Poodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Mini Bernedoodle which is a mix of a Miniature Poodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog and the Tiny or Toy Bernedoodle which is a result of crossing a Mini Bernedoodle with a Toy Poodle. The standard Bernedoodle is a large breed who lives 12 - 15 years, the mini is a medium dog who lives for 14 - 17 years and the tiny or toy is a small dog who should live 14 - 18 years.
The Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog was bred in the Swiss Alps to be a farm dog, where they helped out with things like taking cattle to the market or pulling carts. Being a mountain dog they were bred to withstand the cold and have been around for at least 2000 years. Today she is an easy going and loyal dog, fantastic with children and great family pets. They love attention and they bond so closely with their owner that should they need to be re-homed this can be difficult. She is intelligent, versatile and strong and has moderate needs when it comes to exercise. If not socialized well she can become skittish and reserved and can develop separation anxiety. She is short lived too having just 7 years as a life expectancy.
The Poodle
The Poodle is originally from Germany not France and was bred to hunt waterfowl. It is a very old breed that over the years has been bred to have three sizes, the standard, the miniature and the toy. Today she is an intelligent dog that a lot of people with dog allergies turn to as often she does not trigger an allergic reaction. She is great with children, easy to train, and has a loveable goofy streak sometimes. Affectionate with her family but takes time to warm up to strangers and has a high level of energy.
Where most dogs have double coats, poodles have a single layer coat of dense, curly fur that sheds minimally but does mat without proper care.
Bernedoodle
No two Bernedoodles are identical. The genes from the parent breeds meld in unique ways, and it’s endlessly fascinating to see what each litter produces.
Temperament
The Bernedoodle is friendly, loyal and playful. She usually has the intelligence of a Poodle and the goofiness too that makes her love to entertain, be a bit mischievous and play games. She is loving and cuddly with her family but can be cautious with strangers. If not trained and socialized that cautiousness can turn into skittishness. She can be headstrong when she is young as a puppy so training will need you to be persistent but that stubbornness normally eases up as she enters adulthood. She is energetic and enthusiastic and curious too.
What does a Bernedoodle look like
The Standard Bernedoodle is 70-90lbs in weight and 23-29 inches tall. The Mini is 25-49lbs in weight and 18-22 inches in height. The tiny is 10-24lbs and 12-17 inches. Colors are either the tri-color look that the Bernese has of brown, white and black for example, or some kind of other mix of those colors. You can see elements of the Poodle and Bernese in their coat with color being Bernese influences and coat type being more poodle. The curlier or wavier the coat is the more the Bernedoodle leans towards the Poodle in terms of being hypoallergenic.
Training and Exercise Needs
How much activity does she need?
Bernedoodles tend to have moderate needs when it comes to how much activity to give them. They would enjoy joining in a hike or run with you and they love to swim too. In fact the smaller varieties tend to have more energy to burn off than the larger one. A daily long walk plus play time should be enough but you could always fit in something like a trip to the dog park too. They are happy to chill and snuggle on the couch with you when it is time to take it easy.
Is she easy to train?
If they are more like the Poodle with that intelligence and will to please they will be easy to train. Sometimes though the Bernedoodle has a stubbornness that is more obvious when she is a puppy and then she grows out of it. That means when straining young you may have to stay focused and committed and persevere with it. Socialization and training is super important in any dog starting from an early age so it is important that you start early and stay consistent and positive using praise and rewards.
Living with a Bernedoodle
Grooming requirements
The Bernedoodle is low to non shedding so there is not as much need for cleaning up hairs around the house or off your clothing. However if it is more curly and like a Poodle's part of her grooming needs are going to being clipped every few months by a professional groomer which is an additional cost and responsibility. Most have a more wavy coat though and the straighter it is the more shedding there is. If coat is a factor when choosing a Bernedoodle tell the breeder. Some brushing once or twice a week will help remove anything that is matted into the coat and a bath when she needs it, some dogs are more drawn to mud and puddle than others!
Other grooming needs include checking her over once a week for any signs of infection or changes in her coat. Clipping her nails or having that done at a groomers also. Wiping her ears once a week to prevent infection and checking her eyes.
How good is she with children and other pets?
She is amazing with the young and old alike. She is able to adjust to be more gentle when it is needed which is lovely to see. Make sure children are taught or trained too though! No tail pulling or taking her food or hurting her. She is very friendly and happy to accept other pets in the house and even other dogs. Socialization and training from a young age helps her with this and to avoid being skittish.
Other useful information on living with her
This is one of the most suitable dogs to be a companion with one person or a family. She will happily be at your side whether you are jogging, hanging out in the yard, on the couch for movie night. She will give affection and loyalty and will make you laugh. She thrives on being with you or the family though and would not do well being left alone for long. She can live in an apartment as long as she still gets some exercise, but obviously as for any dog a fenced in yard is a lovely bonus. She has some tolerance for hot and cold but for either in any extreme. When it comes to being fed give her high quality dry dog food. Different formulas work better depending on whether you have a standard, mini or tiny so check you have the right kind. Obviously how much she needs also depends on her size.
Health Concerns
There is not much known about health concerns at the moment because the hybrid is fairly young. As with other mix breeds they tend to be healthier than pure bred dogs. Health issues that may come up from their parents include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems, skin problems and allergies.
Appearance
Bernedoodles are usually pure black, black-and-white, black-and-brown, or tri-colour (black, white and brown), but I have seen other colors. Their overall appearance combines elements of the Bernese and the Poodle. Beyond color, well chosen parents tend to blend the traits of the Poodle and the Berner in a fairly consistent way. Although some pups may lean more toward the Poodle’s slighter build, or the Berner’s sheer bulk, there is a common “look,” and a breeder can, to some extent, control that by studying the results of matching various pairs. In short, Bernedoodles tend to look like shaggy teddy bears!
Many clients want a tri-color Bernedoodle, with markings as similar as possible to those of the Bernese Mountain Dog. That look is challenging to achieve, and people may have a long wait for it. Personally, I love Bernedoodles of all colors. Temperament is far more important to me than colour.
Coat
Every Bernedoodle has a different coat. The majority have a wavy coat that sheds minimally, if at all. Most people with allergies to dog dander (i.e., those who experience sneezing and runny eyes) are fine with a wavy-coated dog.
It’s rare to see a Bernedoodle with a straight coat. However, the straighter the coat, the more it sheds, and the less suitable the dog will be for people with allergies.
Bernedoodles with a curly coat are similar to the Poodle and will not shed. While there are no guarantees, even if you have serious allergies to dander, you should do well with a curly-coated Bernedoodle.
Breeders can often tell by the time a dog is a few weeks old what type of coat it will have, and can help match you to the best coat type for your situation.
If you are allergic to dog saliva, and your skin breaks out in hives when licked by a dog, you will most likely be allergic to all Bernedoodles regardless of coat type.
As for grooming, the curlier the dog’s coat, the harder it is to maintain. Since most Bernedoodles shed little, if at all, they need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting, and must be clipped every few months.
Sizes
Bernedoodles come in different sizes, depending on the parents and the vagaries of genetics. Females are usually smaller than males.
Standard Bernedoodle – results from crossing a Standard Poodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog, will generally be 50 lbs. and up, and around 23-29 inches at the shoulder. Most standards are in the 70-90 lb. range.
Mini Bernedoodle – results from crossing a Miniature Poodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog, generally ranges from 25-49 lbs. and is 18-22 inches at the shoulder.
Tiny Bernedoodle – results from crossing a Toy Poodle with a Mini Bernedoodle, ranges from 10-24 lbs. and is about 12-17 inches at the shoulder.
These ranges capture the averages, but sometimes a pup will fall outside the expected height and weight.
In terms of temperament, Mini and Tiny Bernedoodles may have a slightly higher energy level than the standard, to reflect the same in the Miniature and Toy Poodle parent. However, using calm poodles, regardless of size, tends to produce docile Bernedoodles.
Different Generations
F1 – is a first generation cross, in which the pup is 50 per cent Bernese Mountain Dog and 50 per cent Poodle. The F1 cross is considered the healthiest, as the parents have the least likelihood of contributing genes for common inheritable diseases.
F1b – is a backcross in which a Bernedoodle is bred with a poodle. The puppy is 25 per cent Bernese, and 75 per cent Poodle. F1b puppies are the most likely to be non-shedding and allergy-friendly. Some breeders have backcrossed a Bernedoodle with a Bernese, which results in a dog with more of the Bernese traits. I prefer not to breed this backcross as there is a greater likelihood of shedding.
F2 – is a second-generation cross, in which an F1 Bernedoodle is crossed with another F1 Bernedoodle. If this is done for 7 generations a breeder could apply to register this dog as a purebred. The closer the generations come together the more consistency there will be in the lines, but the genetic problems of the purebreds are more likely to reappear, and hybrid vigor diminishes. Some F2 pups may have an improper coat—not the fleece softness we love in the ’doodles.
While bernedoodles vary in appearance and coat type, an experienced breeder will be able to give you an idea of what the pup will look like as an adult, based on what the parents have produced in the past and what traits they see in the pup.
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