The Truth About Bernedoodles: 13 Must Know Facts (2024)

Ever wondered what a curly-haired Bernese Mountain dog would look like?

Bernedoodles are Bernese Mountain dogs crossed with Poodles. They are a curly-coated, fluffy-faced dog who loves adventures in the great outdoors and cuddling up on the sofa.

The Bernedoodle is quickly becoming one of the most popular ‘doodle’ breeds. They are known for their loving and laid-back personalities, which make them fun to own.

Luckily not all of these dogs are as big as Bernese Mountain dogs. This mix comes in standard, mini and tiny sizes.

Keep on reading to find out exactly what they are, how much they cost, how big they get, and other must know facts…

1. What Is A Bernedoodle?

Bernedoodles are hybrid dogs that are bred from a Bernese Mountain dog and Poodle.

The standard Bernedoodle has a standard Poodle parent, while minis will have a miniature Poodle parent instead.

As a hybrid these dogs can have a slightly unpredictable appearance, which makes each and every puppy unique.

One thing that is for certain is that these pups have adorable teddy bear-like faces with a cheeky smile and fluffy ears. Most of them shed very little, or not at all, as they have a Poodle parent. This makes them a great choice for those who want a cuddly, loving dog but suffer with allergies! Have a look here for some other great hypoallergenic breeds.

It is no wonder the Bernedoodle is so popular.

They are the perfect combination of cute, loving, fun and goofy. They love the outdoors and will happily hike, run, or swim with you, so long as the weather isn’t too warm for their fluffy coats.

Not only are they adventure fans, but they can also be couch potatoes and enjoy days inside cuddling and snuggling either on their beds or in yours.

2. How Big Does A Bernedoodle Get?

How big a full grown Bernedoodle will be can be somewhat unpredictable!

They are a hybrid so the size of an adult Bernedoodle is not always the same.

In general a standard Bernedoodle will be taller than 15 inches. This is because the standard Poodle must be taller than 15 inches according to their breed standard.

It is likely that most will be even taller than this because of their other parent. Bernese Mountain dogs are normally taller than 23 inches and can grow as tall as 28 inches.

There is a chance that your mix might be as tall as this, but in general you can expect your Bernedoodle to grow to between 15 and 25 inches in height.

3. Bernedoodles Can Cost As Much As $5,000

Bernedoodles will cost on average between $2,000 and $5,000. This price variation comes from which size you decide to adopt and what color they are. $2,000 is likely to buy you a standard Bernedoodle who is full or bi-colored. $5,000 will buy you a ‘micro’ in tri-color or a rarer merle coat.

Micros are more expensive than standards or minis because they are second generation puppies. They are bred from a mini Bernedoodle and a miniature Poodle and so are known as F1b micro bernedoodles.

Full and bi-colored dogs will cost less than merle or tri-colored as they are more common and not as popular.

Not only should the cost of buying a Bernedoodle puppy be considered when adopting this dog, but also the cost of keeping one. As a large breed they eat a lot of food which will add up over their 10 to 15 year lifespan. They also need regular grooming, visits to the groomer, health insurance, vet visits and toys!

Overall Bernedoodle costs can run to about $20,000 throughout their lives.

4. They Need Lots Of Grooming

How to groom a Bernedoodle will depend on which parent their coat takes after.

Bernese Mountain dogs have a thick coat that sheds lots and is prone to matting, particularly on the ears, neck, thighs, stomach and base of the tail. They need daily grooming as well as regular haircuts. The Poodle’s coat couldn’t be more different! They shed very little and are low maintenance when given the right haircut.

The reality of the Bernedoodle is that they will have a coat somewhere between the two.

Bernedoodles often have a medium length, curly coat that is low shedding. They need brushing at least once a week with a soft-bristle brush. With this grooming routine a trip to the groomers every 8 weeks should be enough to keep their coat in good condition.

An important part of Bernedoodle grooming is keeping their ears clean. Their Poodle parent is prone to ear infections and allowing wax and dirt to build up in their ears can increase this risk. Gently clean their ears once a week using a cleaning solution and a cotton ball to keep the wax and dirt from building up.

Toothbrushing is also a big part of their grooming routine. Dental disease is still the most common disease in dogs and by keeping plaque under control the risk is greatly reduced. The best way to brush their teeth is by using a soft human toothbrush and a meat flavored toothpaste.

A minute a day of toothbrushing is easily incorporated into their grooming routine and will make sure your dog has a Hollywood-ready smile!

5. What Is A Bernedoodle Mixed With?

The Bernedoodle is a Bernese Mountain dog cross Poodle.

Their parent is usually a standard Poodle, but in some cases it can be a miniature to make a Mini Bernedoodle.

The aim of this mix was to keep the sweet-natured, laid back personality of the Bernese Mountain dog, while making it shed less, not drool as much and live longer.

Overall this has been a success.

Bernese mountain dogs rarely make it into double digits, whereas the life expectancy of a Bernedoodle is 12 to 18 years. This is over 90 years old in human years. When crossed with a Poodle you also get a smaller, lower-shedding pup that doesn’t drool.

6. What Does A Bernedoodle Look Like?

The Bernedoodle is a large dog that has a shaggy appearance similar to the Bernese Mountain dog. The difference is they have a wavy, mid-length coat that does not shed as much. They often have a lion-like mane at their chest and big feet which are hidden by more curly hair!

Their general stature is similar to the Bernese Mountain dog.

Bernedoodles have a broad, deep chest, straight back and strong neck. Their heads are wide with a prominent brow bone and short snout. This bulky look gives them a ‘big boned’ appearance rather than being too muscled.

They have almond shaped eyes which are usually dark brown to black, but might be blue in merle-coated mixes. Their ears are triangular and hang down close to the face.

Most of their facial features including their eyebrows, muzzle and chin are hidden under a mountain of Poodle-like fur!

7. They Can Be Tricolor

Tri-color Bernedoodles are very popular as they are the classic color of the Bernese Mountain dog. They have the traditional black body with brown markings on the muzzle, eyes, bottom of the legs and chest. They also have the famous white blaze on their face and chest, white paws and a white tail tip.

The most common Bernedoodle colors are:

• Black
• Black and white
• Black and brown
• Tri-color (black, white, and brown)

Since this hybrid is not a kennel club recognized breed there is no breed standard and therefore no rules on colors.

Other coat colors exist such as the Merle Bernedoodle. Merle dogs have mottled coats of white, black, grey, or brown and they often have either one or two blue eyes.

8. Their Parents Date Back 2,000 Years

The first internet search for a Bernedoodle was in 2008. However, their parents have a much longer history.

Bernese Mountain dogs date back 2,000 years to the Roman times in Europe. They were bred to guard and drive flocks of sheep in the Alps and they have thick coats to withstand the freezing conditions. They were also used to pull carts of villagers who were too poor to afford horses, hence their large size!

Poodles also come from Europe. They were bred as duck hunters in Germany and they have a short, curly coat which stops them from getting too waterlogged when swimming.

9. There Are Three Bernedoodle Sizes

The largest Bernedoodle is the standard which is created by breeding a Bernese Mountain dog with a standard Poodle. These dogs weigh around 60 pounds, but some large males can be as much as 90 pounds. Females and males measure 23 to 28 inches at the shoulder.

As a puppy the standard might already weigh 25 pounds when you get them at 8 weeks old.

The miniature Bernedoodle is a cross of the Bernese Mountain dog with a miniature Poodle. They are smaller than a standard weighing on average 35 pounds, but can be up to 50 pounds. A full grown mini Bernedoodle will be short and measure 18 to 22 inches tall. At 8 weeks old a puppy will weigh between 10 and 15 pounds.

Micro Bernedoodles are the smallest of them all. They have one parent who is a Mini Bernedoodle and one parent who is a toy or mini Poodle. They are considered an F2 generation.

The micro weighs in at around 15 pounds and measures 12 to 17 inches fully grown.

10. They Have A Couch Potato Temperament

Bernedoodles are best described as goofy, smart, cuddly, loving and happy dogs.

They fall somewhere between the Bernese Mountain dog’s laid-back couch potato personality and the Poodle’s active, lively lifestyle.

Bernedoodles have a moderate activity level. It is normal for them to love to run, play, swim and walk, but after doing all of that they also love to relax and cuddle on the sofa under a blanket. They might not realize their size and think they are a lap dog, trying to climb onto you for snuggles and hugs.

These dogs suit most households as their loving and friendly personalities make them suitable for both large families with other furry friends, and single-person houses who want a cuddly companion to keep them company!

They make a great family dog for households with older children – although gentle and loving dogs, their size might not make them suitable playmates for young children.

The Bernedoodle can sometimes have a skittish attitude to new situations or when meeting new people. This trait is often inherited from their Bernese Mountain dog parent who are known to be nervous around strangers. However, this energy can be easily redirected into playtime and training. Soon enough they will chill out and enjoy a cuddle instead.

11. F1 Bernedoodle

An F1 Bernedoodle is when a Bernese Mountain dog is directly crossed with a Poodle. They are also known as a first generation. If an F1 Bernedoodle is then bred with another Poodle this is called an F1b. They are also known as a first generation back cross.

F1 Bernedoodle traits are not always easy to predict. This is because their parents are so different that you cannot know exactly what feature the puppy will get from either parent.

The benefit to F1s is known as hybrid vigor.

This is a situation whereby the mix will be healthier than both its parents. Because of this you can expect your dog to live a healthier and longer life than either of its parents.

12. Are Bernedoodles Hypoallergenic?

Bernedoodles usually inherit a curly Poodle coat and therefore shed very little. Most of these mixes are considered hypoallergenic. Their parents are Poodles who are a well-known hypoallergenic breed that sheds very little.

How hypoallergenic this mix is will depend on just how curly their coat is.

If they have a straighter, thicker coat like their Bernese Mountain dog parent they will shed more and therefore be more allergenic. If they inherit their Poodle parent’s short, curly coat they will be hypoallergenic.

You can usually tell what kind of coat your Bernedoodle will have by the time they are 6 weeks old. You can pick a puppy with a short curly coat if you want a hypoallergenic dog.

13. Bernedoodle Haircuts

There are many different haircuts your Bernedoodle can have!

What cut suits them will depend on their coat, your personal preference, their personality and what season it is. If your Bernedoodle is a keen swimmer, but has inherited a shaggy, thick coat then it may be better to keep it cut short to prevent them getting too waterlogged.

However, if you live in a colder climate a longer teddy bear cut will probably be better for keeping your pup toasty warm!

Below are some common Bernedoodle haircuts:

• Teddy Bear is a short cut all over the body and legs, but keeps the head and ears long. This gives your dog an adorable, round, teddy-bear-like face which is where the name of the cut comes from.
• A summer cut is an all-over short shave with the fur being cut to less than 1 inch in length. Its purpose is to keep your dog cool in the summer months and it is especially popular in warmer climates.
• The Kennel cut is even shorter than the summer cut and keeps the fur less than ½ inch in length all over. It is useful for Bernedoodles who are prone to matting or for owners who cannot take their dog to the groomer as often as every 6 weeks.
• A poodle cut will bring out the Poodle features of your dog, but can be difficult to maintain. It is a short cut on the lower back, belly, back leg, feet, and tail, but keeps a long chest, upper back, head, and front legs.

Many haircuts are well-known, but it is best to take a picture and fully describe to your groomer what cut you want your Bernedoodle to have. Different cuts can mean different things to every groomer.

14. Bernedoodle Puppies Have Giant Feet

One adorable feature of Bernedoodle puppies is their gigantic feet!

The feet bones are the only bones in a puppy’s body which do not have a growth plate. This means that by the time you pick up your puppy at 8 weeks old, their feet will be the size they will be as fully grown adults.

It can take up to two years for your puppy to grow into their feet. Some Bernedoodles might always look like they have massive feet throughout their whole lives because of their fluffy coats.

As a large breed these puppies start big and grow quickly to become even bigger adults. Getting a balanced diet is absolutely vital for their proper growth and health. It is best to feed them on a large-breed formulated puppy food that already has all the nutrients and requirements worked out for you.

15. Puppies Are Stubborn and Headstrong

Bernedoodles can have a tendency to be stubborn and headstrong. This is a trait they inherit from their Bernese Mountain dog parent whose history as herding and guard dogs gives them an independent personality.

This stubbornness is particularly obvious in puppies who have just been brought home. Puppies will try their luck to see which naughty things they can get away with!

Luckily this stubbornness can easily be trained out of them from a young age as they are an intelligent breed. Their Poodle trait of being eager to please takes hold after a few months and they can be well-behaved dogs.

With patience and positive reinforcement training any Bernedoodle can be obedient.

Summary

The Bernedoodle is a fluffy, large and easy-going dog. They combine the adorable, laid-back features of the Bernese Mountain dog with the low-maintenance Poodle. The result is a charming mix who equally loves to play outdoors and cuddle on the sofa.

Bernedoodles have grown in popularity over the last ten years. This increasing popularity can be seen in the Instagram accounts of famous Bernedoodles such as @theminibernedoodle and @moose_bernedoodle.

No matter whether you adopt the standard, the mini, or go one step further with a tiny Bernedoodle, you can guarantee you will get an adorable dog to cuddle and love.

Their cuddly, friendly, and easy-going personalities fit right into any household.

Do you think the Bernedoodle is the dog for you?

Leave us a comment and let us know.

Meet More Poodle Mixes

The Truth About Sheepadoodles: 15+ Must Know Facts

Saint Berdoodle: 12 Facts You Most Likely Didn’t Know