Bernedoodle Dog Breed

The Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle cross is primarily a family companion, although they do enjoy completing tasks and some excel at therapy work, retrieving and agility training. This inclinations make sense as one parent is a loyal, reliable working dog and the other a super-smart performer and hunting companion. Bernedoodles make excellent companions for individuals or families alike and are often described as smart, silly, playful, loyal, affectionate and even cuddly! They enjoy being in your presence, doing whatever you are, and make good indoor pets. Just make sure you have enough time to bond with and exercise them daily to keep them happy and healthy! Consider the following Bernedoodle quick facts:

PROS

• Excellent choice for any type owner
• Wonderful playmate for children
• Social with other pets
• Friendly and outgoing with new people (usually)
• Hypoallergenic
• Indoor friendly as long as they get exercise
• Cuddly, affectionate-- a true companion
• Can be trained as a therapy dog
• May enjoy water, swimming, retrieving
• Exercise needs can be easily met by most owners

CONS

• Some may be reserved around strangers
• Moderate-high maintenance grooming required for the wavy-curly coat
• May experience anxiety or display bad behaviors if bored/lonely
• Training may be moderately difficult
• Daily outdoor exercise required
• Not a guard dog

Although this is a fairly recent hybrid, Bernedoodle info if pretty abundant due to their fast rising popularity! Keep in mind, these puppies will vary much more in appearance and temperament than a purebred. Breeders contend this mix usually retains the Poodle intelligence and hypoallergenic qualities but takes more after the Bernese in regards to body type, energy level and stubbornness! This breed is great with kids and other pets but may either be outgoing or reserved around strangers depending upon which parent they take after.

Smart, charming, playful and even goofy are often words used to describe this cross. They require a medium amount of effort to train because, although they retain the Poodle intelligence, they often also inherit the stubbornness of the BMD. They enjoy training that is put to them in the way of a task since they are dedicated hard workers. Bernedoodles often excel as therapy dogs.

Members of this breed are considered moderate energy level. A few daily walks, some games and outdoor time in the yard should keep them in good shape. Truly, they enjoy doing whatever you are doing so feel free to take them on hikes, camping trips, swims, sports games and the dog park.

Upon first glance, the Bernedoodle has a happy, "I'm-just-here-to-have-fun" image--which, upon getting to know this hybrid, isn't far from the truth! Both the Standard and Miniature size varieties have rangy, almost "blocky" builds beneath their thick coats.

But exactly what does a Bernedoodle look like? The Bernedoodle head is squarish, the face wide, and the muzzle short. Bernedoodle ears are long, rounded, and hanging, and Bernedoodle eyes are large, round, and soft. The chest is wide and deep, the legs are thick and of medium length, and the body is ample. The Bernedoodle tail is long, curved, and sabre-like.

Three Bernedoodle coat types exist, and will depend on the genes inherited from the parents. A Straight-Coat Bernedoodle has either straight or slightly wavy hair; a Wavy coat is the most common type, and is "in between" the parents' coat types; and a Curly coat is more Poodle-like. All three coat variants are usually medium in length.

This breed has several size variants, with the most common being the Standard Bernedoodle and the Mini Bernedoodle. Standards range from 60-90 pounds whereas Miniatures will weigh 30-50 (usually). There are also multiple other smaller versions that go by various other names such as Petite, Tiny, and Toy Bernedoodles.

Another variation of concern to many owners is the hypoallergenic quality of the coat. Although, in general, this cross breed is considered hypoallergenic the wavy to curly coats will be much more so than the straight (which are relatively uncommon, anyways). Both F1 and F1b Bernedoodles are considered hypoallergenic, however, the F1b that is crossed back to a Poodle will be moreso than once crossed back to a Bernese Mountain Dog.

For those that are not familiar with what these generational terms mean:

• An F1 is the litter of puppies produced from crossing a purebred Poodle with a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog
• An F1b is when a breeder breeds an F1 back to a purebred Poodle or Bernese to enhance certain characteristics
• An F2 is the litter of puppies produced from crossing two F1 Bernedoodles

Bernedoodle personality will vary from one puppy to the next due to the greater genetic variation of hybrids-- even those from the same litter may show different characteristics! Experts generalize the Bernedoodle temperament as a family companion-- smart, loving, less high strung than the Poodle (but still a little goofy)!
Some may be extra playful and energetic like the Poodle, while others may be more calm but stubborn and headstrong (like the Bernese).

Most members of this breed will be friendly, social and charming, getting along well with strangers and other pets, however, there is the possibility they may be reserved around newcomers if they take after the Bernese. Versatility is one of the wonderful traits this hybrid possesses; they can be couch potatoes with you, romp in the yard with the kids or diligently perform tasks (even therapy work)! Know that whatever she does, she will due with loyalty and affection towards you.

The Bernese Mountain Dog x Poodle hybrid should produce puppies healthier than either purebred breed (reffered to as "hybrid vigor"). Although this mixed breed is fairly new and little concrete health information has been established, is already appears that they remain free of inheriting the Poodle's laundry list of ailments. We still believe you should visit both the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle pages to familiarize yourself with ALL possible health concerns, however, you can safely expect your Bernedoodle to live anywhere from 12-18 years (depending upon the size-- Standard, Mini, Tiny, etc.). A few issues that have been noted specifically in this hybrid include:

• Joint issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia
• Skin allergies
• Bloat
• Eye diseases
• Cancer