Many describe Bernedoodles, also known as the Bernepoo, as the perfect companion dog. Active, playful and friendly, this adorable hybrid combines the loyal and gentle nature of the Bernese Mountain Dog with the playful intelligence and hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle. While their size can vary, this delightful mix breed combines the best traits of both parent breeds, creating a loyal, friendly and affectionate canine companion. Whether enjoying outdoor adventures or cuddling at home, these loveable mix dogs bring their human family plenty of joy and energy.
Origins of the Bernese Mountain Dog Cross Poodle
While accidental crosses may have existed over the years, Bernedoodles, a mix of Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles, are said to have been deliberately bred by Sherry Rupke of SwissRidge Kennels in 2003. Since then, Bernedoodles have grown in popularity, most likely due to their wonderful temperaments and suitability for family life.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is known to be a placid and easygoing dog breed, and it shows extreme loyalty to members of its family. Originally bred as farm dogs that could drive cattle to market or pull carts for the farmers, the Bernese is a strong, versatile breed.
However, without correct socialisation, this breed can be wary and skittish around strangers. If not properly trained and stimulated in a home environment, they can show herding or guarding tendencies. With the right training from a young age, they make wonderful companions and are particularly good around children.
The Poodle, which comes in four sizes ranging from Toy to Standard, is a playful, cheerful and very loving pet. The breed was first created for hunting water birds, and it is easily trainable and very intelligent. However, as social dogs, the Poodle can become vocal or anxious without the right socialisation and training.
The aim of crossing these breeds was to create a companion pet with the best traits of each parent, resulting in a loving, smart and gentle doodle mix. The most common breeding is a first cross, or F1 Bernedoodle, whereby the litter results from one Bernese Mountain Dog and one Poodle parent. This can result in varying coat types and temperaments, as each puppy may inherit different traits from their parents.
While an F1b mix of a Bernedoodle and a Poodle is more likely to result in a non-shedding coat, no coat can be considered 100% hypoallergenic. While their wavy or curly coats do need regular grooming, shedding is fairly minimal compared to many other breeds. But it's important to remember that individual Bernedoodles' shedding largely depends on their genetic makeup.
Regular brushing, professional grooming, and a healthy diet can help minimise shedding and keep their coats looking and feeling their best.
Bernese Mountain Poodle cross types
The Bernedoodle comes in three types, depending on the size of their Poodle parent. Size is not guaranteed in hybrids, meaning it can vary even among littermates, but here are the key features of each type.
Tiny Bernedoodle
The smallest of the family, the Tiny Bernedoodle, has Toy Poodle parentage in its bloodline. It is the product of two Bernedoodles, also known as an F2 cross. It averages around 17 inches in height.
Mini Bernedoodle
The Mini Bernedoodle falls between the Toy and the Standard, reaching an average height of between 18 and 22 inches. These dogs are active companions but can adapt to smaller spaces, making them ideal pets for flats or apartments, provided they are encouraged to be active every day. Despite their small stature, mini Bernepoos still benefit from access to outdoor space for exploring and exercise.
Standard Bernedoodle
The standard Bernedoodle is 23-29 inches tall. These are large, strong dogs that need plenty of space to run and explore. The standard Poodle will always be the parent for this cross.
Bernedoodle care
The Bernedoodle is generally considered a healthy breed. With a wider gene pool than many purebred dogs, this crossbreed usually avoids many health concerns typically seen in the Poodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog. Despite this, the Bernedoodle can be predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease and cancer, so it's important to ensure your pet's parents have been health tested.
Coat care
A Bernedoodle's low-shedding coat will depend on the traits it inherits from its parents. From black to black and white to tri-colour, you never quite know what you'll get with a litter of Bernedoodle puppies. The curlier the coat, the more allergen-friendly it will be. However, no coat is ever completely hypoallergenic.
Grooming requirements will vary depending on each dog's coat type, but it's important to be prepared for regular coat care. Whether straighter or more curly, brushing will always be needed to prevent painful knots and matting.
Diet
When it comes to diet, you'll want to ensure your pup is eating a high-quality, well-balanced diet. The right food for a Bernadoodle pup consists of a mixture of real meat, complex carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and healthy fats, with the occasional treat offered in proportion to their main meals. Look for food formulated for your Bernadoodle's size and activity level to support its nutritional needs. Keep an eye on portion size, though, to prevent overfeeding, which can lead to obesity. Your vet can recommend the right food for your Bernepoo pup.
Bernedoodle training
The Bernedoodle is an active, intelligent dog that needs regular exercise and mental stimulation. As fast learners, it can pick up good habits as quickly as unwanted ones, so it needs committed owners to help it learn good manners from a young age. While Bernedoodles benefit from regular exercise, including daily walks, play sessions and interactive games, to maintain their physical and mental well-being, they have fairly low exercise requirements compared to other breeds. However, they benefit from a consistent routine to help prevent boredom and negative behaviours.
Positive reinforcement will go a long way in training your Bernedoodle puppy. Without the right boundaries and guidance, Bernedoodles can be headstrong and very energetic. Short, regular training sessions to teach basic manners are essential from a young age. Bernedoodles love having a job to do, so it may be worth looking into local activities such as agility and obedience classes.
Bernedooodles love spending lots of time around their people, as they are deeply social family dogs who adore company. Getting your puppy used to spending time alone will be very helpful in preventing separation anxiety at a later stage in life.
Bernedoodle temperament
As a combination of two breeds, the Bernedoodle inherits traits from each parent. The extent to which any specific trait is exhibited will depend on the kind of cross your four-legged friend is, and upbringing and training will also contribute to it. For the most part, Bernedoodles are known to be cheerful, gentle and social dogs who love to spend time around people. In fact, they like nothing more than being with their owners and forming strong bonds with their families.
Bernedoodle puppies are incredibly cute and playful. From birth, they are very curious and affection dogs, eager to explore their surroundings. Early socialisation and consistent training from a young age are particularly important for nurturing well-adjusted dogs, especially given the temperament of the parent breeds. They thrive in environments where they get plenty of love and attention.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is known to form very strong, lifelong bonds with its people, and the Bernedoodle will be no different. Prepare for a dog who loves to be by your side on any occasion and in any weather!
Bernedoodles for sale: What to look out for
Sadly, many unscrupulous backyard breeders are more interested in making money than the welfare of animals. Therefore, you must do plenty of research before choosing a breeder. Responsible breeders prioritise the health and well-being of every dog in their care, ensuring they are raised in loving and nurturing environments before they find their forever homes. They will have taken all possible measures to check the health of the parent dogs and will be able to provide you with the results of any tests. This helps ensure that your puppy will become a happy and healthy adult dog.
It's also important that you understand what you'll be taking on before bringing your Bernedoodle puppy home. The Bernese Mountain Dog is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat and cancer, while the Poodle is known to suffer from additional issues such as progressive retinal atrophy, eyelid problems and skin problems. Thankfully, as a combination of two breeds, the Bernedoodle is thought to suffer fewer health conditions, with a lifespan of around 12-18 years. This is a significant increase from the purebred Bernese Mountain Dog, which, unfortunately, can have a life expectancy of as little as seven years.
However, with good-natured, healthy parents, a strong start in life and the right training and socialisation, the Bernedoodle will make an excellent companion pet and the best addition a family could ask for.
Bernadoodles are a popular hybrid of the Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles. Known for their friendly, gentle and affectionate nature, they are a great family pet. But it's important to remember that they require regular grooming to maintain the health of their coat and moderate exercise to stay happy and healthy.
