What is a Bernedoodle? [Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle hybrid]

Bernedoodles are a hybrid breed between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle. These are unique dogs known for their wonderful personalities and wavy coats. Though they aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club, they do make excellent family dogs, even for those with small children. 

Below, we’ll talk a bit about the history of the Bernedoodle as well as their physical description, types of Bernedoodles, and Bernedoodle care.

We’ll also talk about common medical issues in Bernedoodles and how you can combat them.  Keep reading to learn everything you ever wanted to know about the amazing Bernedoodle!

Bernese Mountain Dog History

Bernese Mountain Dogs originated somewhere around the city of Berne and the Swiss Alps in Switzerland. 

Their ancestors include Roman Mastiffs, a breed that has contributed to their large size. 

When they were first domesticated in the 1800s, they were known as farm dogs for their work driving livestock, guarding farms, and pulling heavy loads.

In addition to being great workers, Bernese Mountain Dogs were known for their sweet, loving personalities. 

Once machines began to replace animals in work, the breed declined, but lovers of the dog began to breed them more to keep them from extinction. 

After arriving in the US in the early 1900s, the Bernese Mountain Dog was officially recognized by the AKC in 1937. 

Poodle History

If you thought poodles originated in France, you’d be wrong! Poodles actually have origins in France’s neighbor, Germany. 

The word “poodle” comes from the term “pudel,” which is the German term for “splash.” This name was inspired because of the popular dog breed’s involvement in duck hunting.

The show poodle’s distinct curly coat styling is a result of those who wanted to show their dogs while also using them for retrieving ducks during hunting. 

Fur was traditionally only left on the areas of the dog most susceptible to the cold, such as the ankles, chest, and tail tip. 

Years later, the Standard Poodle was bred down to Miniature Poodles, and then Toy Poodles in America, where they all received AKC recognition.  

Bernedoodle History 

The Bernedoodle is a hybrid dog breed that originated in 2003. 

The designer breed is a cross between a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog and a purebred Poodle and was solely bred as the perfect companion dog rather than for work or hunting. 

They are known for their temperament, intelligence, loyalty, and mostly hypoallergenic coat. 

Because they considered are a newer breed and not purebred dogs, they are not yet recognized as a pure breed by the American Kennel Club. 

If they continue to be bred over time, this special dog breed may receive recognition from the AKC someday. 

Bernedoodle Characteristics

Standard Bernedoodles are extremely large dogs. This designer dog breed can reach up to 29 inches in height and 90 pounds in weight. 

Because the Bernese Mountain Dog is so large, it creates a large puppy when bred with a Poodle, though they can be different sizes depending on the type of Poodle it is bred with. 

These mixed-breed dogs have floppy ears and long curly hair. They can come in a variety of coat colors including brown, pure black, white, and liver. 

Bernedoodles can also have many markings on their body which makes every Bernedoodle unique. 

Types of Bernedoodles

Believe it or not, there are actually technically three types of Bernedoodles! 

The main kind is the Standard Bernedoodle, which is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Standard Poodle. 

These dogs are the largest of the types because their parent breeds are both big dogs.

Miniature Bernedoodles or Mini Bernedoodles are a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Miniature Poodle. 

This dog breed is typically medium-sized but still has all the personality and hair as the standard type.

Finally, Tiny Bernedoodles are a new type of smaller Bernedoodle because they are a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Toy Poodle. 

These are essentially toy-sized Bernedoodles as they reach 12-17 inches in height and only weigh up to 30 pounds. 

Tiny Bernedoodles are harder to find because of the difficulty of cross-breeding these designer dogs, but they make excellent fur babies once found. 

What is the difference between F1 and F2 Bernedoodles?

F1 Bernedoodles are dogs that result from the original cross between a Poodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog. This is also called a first-generation cross. 

F2 Bernedoodles are the result of a cross between two F1 Bernedoodles! They are also called an F1 cross. 

If you get an F1b Bernedoodle, this means they’re “backcrossed” and are 75% Poodle and 25% Bernese Mountain Dog. F1b puppies may be harder to find because of this. 

Bernedoodle Temperament

Bernedoodles are known for having great temperaments. In this section, we’ll go over their general personality, behavior with other animals, and behavior with children. 

This is the best way to decide if a Bernedoodle is right for your home!

General Personality

Bernedoodles in general are known to be intelligent, loyal, and playful. 

They are particularly sweet with their owners and love to be involved in your favorite activities, whether that’s running or playing in the yard. 

Because of their high intelligence, they learn tricks quickly and are easily trained compared to other dogs, and they also make great therapy dogs! 

Bernedoodle Behavior With Other Animals

Because Bernedoodles in general have lower prey drives, they tend to live excellently with other animals including cats and dogs. 

Because the Standard Bernedoodle is a larger dog, you’ll want to consider getting them as a puppy so they have time to grow and develop with the other animals in your home. 

If you get one as an adult, you may run the risk of issues between your animals, though not always. 

Are Bernedoodles Good Around Children?

Bernedoodles are well known to be a great choice for households with children. 

Because Bernedoodles tend to be silly dogs that love to play, they make a good fit for energetic kids and are perfect family dogs. 

Kids will love playing fetch and other games with your Bernedoodle, and your Bernedoodle will show them love right back. 

Bernedoodle Care

Your Bernedoodle will need the best care you can provide to stay happy and healthy. This includes feeding, physical exercise, training, and grooming requirements. 

That last one is particularly important for Bernedoodles versus other breeds! If you follow the following care guidelines carefully, your Bernedoodle will thrive. 

Food and Water

Bernedoodles, like all creatures, need access to food and water. 

To properly provide for a Standard Bernedoodle, you’ll want to invest in some dog food specifically for large breeds since they are bigger dogs. 

If you have a Miniature or Tiny Bernedoodle, you can get either regular or small-breed dog food. 

For Bernedoodle puppies, you’ll want to get large-breed puppy food so they develop healthy joints. The wrong food can cause development issues in your dog. 

Always make sure you get your Bernedoodle high-quality food with proper nutrients and provide them access to clean water at all times. 

Physical Exercise

Bernedoodles are known to be extremely playful and have high energy levels. As a result, they tend to need more exercise than some other breeds. 

Types of exercise Bernedoodles enjoy include running, jumping, and playing with toys, which makes the dog park a great place to take them.

Toys that your Bernedoodle may enjoy include tennis balls, frisbees, fake bones, and rope for tug-of-war. 

If your child wants to play with your Bernedoodle, make sure it is gentle and does not irritate the dog. Throwing a tennis ball is a great option for your kids to help exercise your Bernedoodle. 

Proper Training

Bernedoodles need proper training to behave properly, including behavioral training and obedience training. 

Obedience training is a must for puppies, as it teaches them basic commands like sit, stay, and lay down, and can also teach them not to jump or bite through positive reinforcement. 

Some obedience training includes housetraining if done privately in your home, which often yields the best results.

Behavioral training is similar but is typically done after obedience training. This training focuses on reducing aggression and teaching additional commands. 

Training may also include techniques to teach your dog home defense or how to interact with children. 

The types of training you choose for your Bernedoodle are ultimately up to your needs!

Bernedoodle Grooming Requirements

Because Bernedoodles are usually at least partially hypoallergenic (i.e. they have hair instead of fur thanks to their poodle parent), they’ll need more grooming than other dogs. 

They won’t shed like many other dog breeds, so they’ll need regular haircuts that can take a long time if you aren’t experienced. 

Your Bernedoodle will also need to spend a lot of time regularly brushing them. 

Because their hair is long and curly (unlike their straight-coat parent), they’ll need their hair detangled at least a few times per week. 

This will prevent their hair from matting and causing them pain later on. 

What Brush is Best For My Bernedoodle?

Nearly any brush will work for your Bernedoodle’s hair, but the best types will be ones specifically designed for untangling hair rather than combing through the fur. 

A comb may also be a good choice for detangling, especially around the face, ears, and tail. 

Are Bernedoodles Hypoallergenic Dogs?

Bernedoodle coats tend to be somewhat hypoallergenic, which is an important thing for allergy sufferers. However, it is important to note that not all Bernedoodles are the same. 

Since the Bernese Mountain Dog has a straighter coat type (that is not hypoallergenic), some Bernedoodles may come out with fur more similar to their Berned parent. 

If you are truly allergic to dogs, you’ll want to contact a breeder that is known for breeding pups with a higher likelihood of being hypoallergenic. 

You may also want to wait until the puppy is a bit older to fully determine if they’re hypoallergenic, as it may not always be obvious when they are puppies. 

Remember, no dog is truly hypoallergenic.

Bernedoodle Common Health Problems

Every dog owner thinks about health concerns when it comes to their precious pups. These are two of the most common health issues that can arise in your Bernedoodle. 

Please note that we are not medical professionals and are only providing basic medical information. 

If you suspect your Bernedoodle has any of these conditions, contact your local vet immediately for a consultation.  

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is typically a genetic condition that can be inherited in Bernedoodles. This condition is typically seen in large breeds and giant dogs. 

This condition is normally passed down from the Bernese Mountain Dog parent, as they are susceptible to the condition along with Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds. 

This condition means the elbow joint has developmental abnormalities which can result in pain, lameness, and arthritis. 

If not treated, loss of function of the limbs can occur. In many cases, especially severe cases, surgery is required to remove loose cartilage and alter the joint. 

If you suspect your Bernedoodle has this condition, reach out to a vet for an assessment. 

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is unfortunately common in many dogs but is especially common in large-breed and hybrid-breed dogs. 

This condition can be passed down through both Bernese Mountain Dog genes and Poodle genes, as these breeds are known to develop this condition as they age. 

The health problem is caused by the ball and socket joint of the hip not fitting together properly, which causes grinding on the hip. 

It is recommended that you avoid putting unnecessary stress on your Bernedoodle puppy’s hips with exercise, stair climbing, or excess weight, especially before the age of 12 months. 

This can potentially decrease the chance of this condition developing in your dog in later years. 

If you suspect your Bernedoodle has hip dysplasia, contact a vet for consultation and treatment, which could require medication or surgery. 

Bernedoodle Pros and Cons

As with any dog breed, Bernedoodles will have some good traits and maybe some not-so-good ones. This also can be dependent on your particular situation and the type of pet you are looking for.

Bernedoodle Pros

• Smart 
• Loyal
• Low Shedding
• Lives a long life if well taken care of
• Great family dog
• Easy to train
• Don’t bark too much
• Typically not aggressive
• Can be a variety of sizes (They can be large though too!)

Bernedoddle Cons

• Expensive dogs to purchase because they are designer dogs
• Don’t like being left alone
• Require regular daily grooming or their coat will become tangles
• Benrnedoodles require a lot of attention
• They will chew up things if not happy or content
• Some can have the herding instinct

Bernedoodle Names

When you have a special dog such as a Bernedoodle you need to make sure you have a special name for them! Here is a brief list of some popular Bernedoodle names to choose from.

• Abby
• Bear
• Bernie (of course!)
• Biggie
• Chloe
• Doodle (another classic!)
• Lola
• Mickey
• Rascal
• Sophie
• Ziggy

Related Bernedoodle Questions

Are Bernedoodles good family pets?

Yes! Bernedoodles are a good option as a family pet. They do excellently with children and are extremely loyal to their family members. 

What is the life expectancy of Bernedoodles?

The average lifespan of a Bernedoodle is somewhere between 12 and 18 years! This is a longer lifespan compared to other standard-size dogs. 

This is likely due to the longevity of Poodles compared to Bernese Mountain Dogs, which have a much shorter lifespan. 

Where can I find a Bernedoodle?

If you’re interested in getting a Bernedoodle, it is a good idea to reach out to a reputable breeder near you. 

These breeders will know which genes to breed to produce the best puppies, and may even breed second-generation Bernedoodles to ensure hypoallergenic traits. 

Reach out only to responsible breeders who are transparent with you about their breeding process for this popular breed. 

If you plan on performing in any dog shows with your Bernedoodle, make sure you get any relevant paperwork from the breeder. 

Bernedoodles are a Unique New Dog Breed

Though they’re a newer breed, Bernedoodles make excellent family pets. Their gentle, loving, and playful temperaments make them a great choice for families with small children. 

They are also extremely loyal and intelligent, which makes the Standard Bernadoodle a particularly good choice when it comes to home protection. 

Before taking your new Bernadoodle puppy home, make sure you remember their general care such as grooming and training requirements. 

You’ll also want to make sure you have enough room for a large, playful dog. If you do, you’ll be ready for your Bernadoodle pup in no time!