The Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle Mix (Bernedoodle)

Poodles have increasingly become one of the most desirable designer breeds. In this day and age, poodle mixes of any kind are one of the most popular pets in America.

You have probably already heard of the Labradoodle, the Goldendoodle, or even the hilarious Sheepadoodle. But have you heard of the latest and greatest doodle creation? Let us present: The Bernedoodle.

The Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle Mix, also known as the Bernedoodle, is a famous designer breed that has climbed the ranks to become one of the most sought-after household pets in the world today.

But what kind of dog is the Bernedoodle? How hard are they to care for, and do the bold personalities of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle blend well?

We have created this guide to give you a deep understanding of the Bernedoodle, helping you decide whether or not this is the breed for you.

Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle

The Origins Of The Bernedoodle

Most designer breeds have an ambiguous history. The Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle mix is no different. Pinning down an exact innovation date for this designer breed is nearly impossible. However, we know that it is a relatively new addition to the mixed breed family. 

Luckily, both parent breeds (the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle) have a more easily attainable (and documented) history. The history of these two parent breeds is the best place to start when you want to understand the Bernedoodle.

The Bernese Mountain Dog has been a popular breed for centuries. Originating in Switzerland, this breed was the farmers’ dog of choice. Perfectly designed with superior strength and bravery, the Berner was, and still is, the ultimate protector.

Swiss farmers would often choose the Bernese Mountain Dog to herd farm and pasture animals in frigid weather. Today, the Bernese Mountain Dog has become a popular family pet and is regularly seen in show competition circles. 

The Poodle is quite the opposite, coming from a long line of show dogs. Their origins, however, may come as a shock to some, given their present-day “primpy” reputation. 

Now seen as pampered pooches, Poodles actually originated in Germany and were bred to hunt ducks. The name comes from the Low German word “puddeln,” which loosely translates “to splash.” 

There are some contradictions regarding the Poodle’s diverse and colorful history. Many people believe that Poodles originated in France due to their affiliation in the media.

While the French are very fond of the Poodle, their earliest known dates of origin do, in fact, point to a primarily German heritage. 

Whichever country the Poodle hails from, we do know for sure that they were bred to be a water dog. Much like the British, with their English Water Spaniel, and the Irish, with their Irish Water Spaniel, Poodles were historically bred to retrieve fowl and arrows while hunting with their human companions.

Over time, Poodles became popular in France for use in the circus ring. It was during this time that Poodles were bred down for these circus performances. Carnies believed that making a Poodle smaller would make them more trainable for certain show tricks.

The intelligence and athleticism of Poodles have been admired for generations. Perhaps this is why this fancy pooch has remained so popular?

While the Bernedoodle has very little recorded history, you can already see they are bound to be a rather special mixed breed based on their parent history.

Bernedoodle Puppy

What Does The Bernedoodle Look Like?

Both parent breeds of the Bernedoodle are relatively large, indicating that a mix of the two is likely to be a substantially sizeable dog.

However, there are three official sizes of the Poodle: Miniature, Toy, and Standard. The size of the Poodles chosen for breeding can significantly impact your Bernedoodles’ adult size.

Due to their mixed-breed status, the appearance of a Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle mix can vary greatly, especially with their pedigree parents looking so different.

Their coats can be curly like the Poodles or wavy and thick like the Bernese Mountain Dog. Grooming requirements are entirely dependent on what type of coat your Bernedoodle sports.

The Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle will usually have deep, brown eyes. Their coat colors may vary.

Bernedoodle: Coats and Colors

Both the Poodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog have very different coats and sets of official colors. These physical traits are one of the many things that makes them such popular pure-breds. 

While Bernese Mountain Dog mixes can come in various colors, true (pure-bred) Berners must have particular coloring and marking patterns to be considered breed standard.

For instance, a pure-bred Berner will only come in a tri-color pattern of black, white, and red or rust coloring with a very specific pattern arrangement. 

Poodles sport very dense coats. However, unlike the wavy, thick fur of a Bernese Mountain Dog, the texture is typically curly. The curly coat of a Poodle can quickly get out of control if it’s not clipped regularly.

The fun thing about a Poodles coat is that it can be clipped and styled into different patterns and designs. This is because the density of the Poodles coat gives it more structure.

There are ten official “breed-standard” colors for a Poodle. These include some of the most popular and recognizable colors like apricot, black, blue, brown, and white, though many more “unofficial” colors can be seen in mixes. 

Thanks to the parent breeds’ fun and diverse color wheel, you can find Bernedoodles in various colors. They are usually some mix of black, brown, or white.

The Bernedoodle can go one of two ways when it comes to their coat type, inheriting the thick, wavy, double coat of the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Poodle’s curly coat. Either way, their fur will likely be medium in length with varying textures.

How Big Does The Bernedoodle Get?

Although it is common practice to breed a Bernese Mountain Dog with a Standard Poodle for medical safety purposes, the Poodle can come in three official sizes: Standard, Minature, and Toy.

Breeding a Bernese Mountain Dog with any of the smaller Poodle sizes can affect the final adult size of your own Bernedoodle. Meaning they may be anywhere from medium to large in size.

When it comes to the Bernedoodle, when using a Standard Poodle for breeding, the average weight can range anywhere from 70 to 90 pounds.

Their height can also be anywhere from 23 inches to 29 inches. It’s also common for females to present slightly smaller than males. As with most designer, mixed breeds, sizes and weights can vary greatly.

The Bernedoodle Personality

With two mid-energy parent breeds full of personality, you can be sure the Bernedoodle will be a massive amount of fun to own.

The Bernedoodle is very intelligent and excellent when it comes to training. However, they can be destructive if not kept busy and mentally stimulated. If your Bernedoodle finds themselves regularly bored, you will be inviting some destructive behaviors into your home.

Chewing, digging, and incessant barking are all signs that your Bernedoodle is bored out of its mind and needs some physical or mental stimulation.

The Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle mix is also incredibly loving and loyal. So if you are looking for a doting family pet, this could be the dog for you.

However, due to the high intelligence inherited from both parent breeds, your Bernedoodle may be more susceptible to anxiety.

They don’t respond well to fear-based training and can get lonely if left alone for long periods. This breed wants to be a front-and-center part of your family, not just sitting on the sidelines.

Should I Get A Male Or A Female Bernedoodle?

While the personality difference between a male and a female Bernedoodle are really quite subtle, they may be enough to make a difference for potential owners.

While Bernedoodles of both genders make fabulous, fun family dogs, the males do tend to be more energetic and goofy in nature, while female Bernedoodles tend to be a bit more shy or reserved.

Male Bernedoodles tend to be more difficult to train due to their stubborn nature, but are typically much more dependent and affectionate. Females, in contrast, are generally more independent and easier to train. 

Adolescent Bernedoodle

How To Care For Your Bernedoodle

The Bernedoodle has some specific care requirements. These needs vary depending on what breed they pull most of their physical traits from.

This is especially true when it comes down to the care of their coat. Good grooming, high-quality nutrition, and practical training techniques are essential to having a happy pet and a happy owner.

It might seem like your Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle mix is very high maintenance. In reality, with a few simple tweaks to your dog’s care routine, this dog can be very easy to care for.

Feeding Your Bernedoodle

Your Bernedoodles diet can be made up of wet food, dry kibble, or a combination of the two. It is good to purchase food formulated explicitly for medium energy breeds.

As long as your dog meets their calorie requirements and is fed decent, quality food, your Bernedoodle will thrive.

A large Bernedoodle may need upwards of four cups of dried kibble per day. The amount of food your dog will need is influenced by things like exercise, overall health, and the type of food itself (protein content, fat content, etc.)

Keeping an eye on food intake is incredibly important for the Bernedoodle owner. They can be greedy, and it is very easy for them to gain too much weight.

Excessive weight gain in the Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle can exacerbate weight-related health issues, such as diabetes, spinal pain, or osteoarthritis.

Exercising Your Bernedoodle

The Bernedoodle is a medium energy breed. This means they need regular walks and exercise activities every single day.

Two hours a day will generally be enough, and you can break these up into smaller sessions of exercise throughout the day.

Because of the Bernedoodle’s intelligence, you may find that walks or runs don’t seem enough to tuck your dog out. Bernese Mountain Dog Poodles are a breed that needs more than just exercise. They need plenty of mental stimulation as well.

Puzzle games are perfect for this, keeping them occupied as they try to get tasty treats out of their toys. They are also fantastic for when you need to leave your dog on its own, keeping them occupied and anxiety-free while you are away.

Grooming Your Bernedoodle

The Bernedoodle can have a wide range of grooming requirements, and you really won’t know what they are until you know what type of Bernedoodle you are getting.

If your Bernedoodle takes after their Bernese Mountain Dog parent, you will have a thick double coat to contend with. Double coats are medium shedding during most of the year, but a double-coated breed experiences seasonal shedding.

During seasonal shedding, your pup will shed its coat once during the spring and again during the autumn. This is all to prepare their coats for the coming season.

These shedding seasons, also known as blowouts, can be hard to keep up with if you don’t brush your dog frequently. 

So you can go from only having to brush their coat once a week to suddenly brushing them one or two times a day during these seasons.

You might feel tempted to shave them during this time but try to resist that urge. Shaving a double coat can negatively affect their coats’ natural growing rhythm, and you may find their fur doesn’t grow back quite like it was (or at all)

If your Bernedoodle takes after the Poodle parent, your dog won’t have a double coat. However, they will have a dense, curly coat that will need regular brushing to remain free of knots and mats.

You will also need to have their fur regularly clipped by a professional. Due to their tight curls, you may see less visible shedding. 

Shedding tools and brushes are great for grooming this breed. It can also save you money if you can brush them more often at home as you may be able to avoid constant trips to the groomer. 

You can also bathe your Bernedoodle with shampoo formulated for dogs, but we recommend you not wash them more often than once a month.

Overbathing your pooch can strip away many natural protective oils on the skin and fur. This can result in some pretty nasty and sore skin conditions leaving your dog very unhappy.

Adult Bernedoodle

Bernedoodle Health Issues

Luckily, as with most designer dog breeds, breed-associated health risks tend to be diluted. Especially if the genetic pool of your dog is assorted and inbreeding has been kept to a minimum.

It is always a good idea to be aware of any health issues your dog may be at risk for. The quicker health problems are treated, the better chance your dog can continue living in good health.

Any reputable breeder will also have health tested your puppy’s parents so that they can notify potential adopters of potential health issues you may need to keep an eye out for.

Some health issues your Bernedoodle may be susceptible to include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye issues, or allergy-related skin conditions such as hotspots. 

A Bernedoodles life expectancy tends to fall somewhere between its parent breeds. Keeping an eye out for any genetic health issues and regular vet visits can see your Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle mix live anywhere from 12 to 18 years.

How To Train Your Bernedoodle

Training your Bernedoodle can be a fun experience for you both. It can also help your dog bond with you. Thanks to the intelligence of both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle, you can expect your Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle mix to be intelligent.

They will pick up tricks fast and be eager to show off what they have learned. The Bernedoodle can be a very greedy breed, and although this can be difficult when it comes to feeding time, it comes in handy when treat training.

As long as you have some tasty morsels tucked away in your pocket, this dog will do almost anything you ask.

As with most dog breeds, it’s important to start basic training with a Bernedoodle when they are very young. Puppy training classes are also an excellent place to start.

Puppy training gives you a solid training foundation and provides early socialization, which is very important in lessening your dog’s chances of becoming reactive. 

Is The Bernedoodle A Good Family Pet?

Bernedoodles are a fantastic family pet. They love to be loved and just want to be part of the family. They are incredibly loyal and very protective. 

Bernedoodles can also be great with children and pets, especially when raised alongside them. However, especially in the early days, monitoring any interactions between this breed and your children is smart.

The Bernese Mountain Dog, as a herding breed, may nip to herd small children. So until you have taught your dog what you expect of their behavior when they are around small children, they must be supervised.

Do Bernedoodles Like To Cuddle? 

The short answer is a resounding YES. Bernedoodles are known to be very loving, affectionate dogs who absolutely love to be the center of attention.

Many Bernedoodle owners believe that their pups think of themselves as “lapdogs”, not able to understand why they can’t be held in their owner’s lap like a Chihuahua.

Potential Bernedoodle owners should consider investing in a very large bed as your new pup will definitely plan on sharing it with you every single night. 

Are Bernedoodle Good For First Time Owners?

The Bernedoodle may be a challenge for first time pet owners. While they are incredibly loving and loyal, they tend to be very needy in terms of care requirements and training needs.

Bernedoodle care, as with childcare, takes a village. First time owners, unless equipped with a village of their own that includes a quality groomer, veterinarian, trainer, and pet food supplier, may be better off starting with a more low-maintenance breed. 

Why Should You NOT Get A Bernedoodle?

As wonderful as Bernedoodles are, they are most certainly NOT for everyone. Bernedoodle are prone to separation anxiety and can be destructive if left alone for too long.

This will likely not be ideal for someone who has an active social life or who works long hours. However, this separation anxiety can be treated by signing your pup up for doggy daycare or day boarding.

Bernedoodles also require daily brushing and frequent trips to the groomer – if this isn’t in your budget (or your schedule), this may not be the breed for you.

Bernedoodle Puppy

How Much Do Bernedoodles Cost?

Thanks to the popularity of Poodle crossbreeds, you may find the Bernedoodle comes in at a higher price than many of the other Bernese Mountain Dog mixed breeds. Finding a reputable breeder is essential, and they can charge anywhere from $2000-$5000 per puppy.

You may find these gorgeous dogs, as adults, in dog pounds, and in breed-specific rescues. Searching those first will save you money and give you all the good feels for saving a beautiful dog from a life of homelessness.

Many Bernedoodles are surrendered because their owners didn’t anticipate their demand for attention and exercise. Before looking at a puppy, it is vital to research this breed in great detail. 

Why Do Bernedoodles Cost So Much?

There are a suprisingly few amount of quality Bernedoodles breeders, thereby increasing the rarity and, subsequently, the cost. In addition, Bernedoodles can be difficult to breed due to the lack in availability of pure-bred parent pups.

The Poodle itself is in high demand and there is often a long wait list for puppies birthed for the purpose of breeding. Such is the case with a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog, as well.

Therefore, Bernedoodle breeders have to charge a decent amount to ensure that they can continue purchasing (and finding) high-quality parent breeds. 

Conclusion

When it comes to designer dogs, you can never go wrong with a Bernedoodle. This beautiful mixed breed is a fantastic choice for any active, fun-loving family.

Their activity levels make them a great companion for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors. In addition, their shaggy, teddy bear-like appearance is adorable to almost everyone, and their loyalty is beyond compare.