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Bernedoodle

The Bernedoodle is a friendly and intelligent companion dog that combines the best qualities of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle.

Weight
23–50kg
Height
45–74cm
Life Expectancy
12–18years
Size: MediumCoat Length: Medium LengthCompare
Bernedoodle
High energyChild-friendlySheds very little

Poodle intelligence, Bernese gentleness, and a coat that barely sheds: the Bernedoodle was deliberately bred as a designer dog by Sherry Rupke in Canada in 2003. With a weight range of 23 to 50 kg (depending on the Poodle line) and a life expectancy of 12 to 18 years, he is a child-friendly family dog, not a guard dog. The flip side: no FCI recognition, highly variable litters, and a grooming appointment every 6 to 8 weeks. Are you looking for a cuddly companion who comes with a grooming calendar instead of a pedigree?

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Temperament & Traits: Bernedoodle

The Bernedoodle stands out for its temperament and adaptability. Here are the key points at a glance.

For Beginners
For BeginnersConditional
Exercise
ExerciseHigh
Child Friendly
Child FriendlyVery good
Apartment
ApartmentConditional
Grooming
GroomingModerate
Shedding
SheddingLow
Watchfulness
WatchfulnessLow

Fact Sheet: Bernedoodle

Height
Height45-74 cm
45-74 45-70
Weight
Weight23-50 kg
25-50 23-45
Life Expectancy
Life Expectancy12-18 years
Fact Sheet: Bernedoodle
BreedBernedoodle
FCI GroupNot Recognized
ColorsBlack, White, Brown
CharacterThe Bernedoodle is a friendly and intelligent companion dog that combines the best qualities of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle.

Pros & Cons: Bernedoodle

Best suited for:

For owners who are patient with grooming and exercise, and ready for a long-term commitment.

Active lifestyle with plenty of exercise
Families with children

Pros

  • Very child-friendly and great for families
  • Sheds very little to none
  • Great companion for active people and athletes

Cons

  • Needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation

Did you know? Bernedoodle

The Bernedoodle is one of the longer-lived breeds at 12-18 years

At up to 74 cm shoulder height, the Bernedoodle is an impressively large dog

The Bernedoodle barely sheds and is a good choice for allergy sufferers

Characteristics

The Bernedoodle is a charming mix of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle that combines the best of both breeds. Its coat can range from wavy to curly and varies in density, which often makes it considered particularly low-maintenance and allergy-friendly. Color variations range from classic black and white to tricolor patterns to various shades of brown and grey. Its build is athletic and well-proportioned, giving it an elegant yet robust appearance. The expressive eyes and often slightly wavy coat texture give it a friendly and intelligent look that immediately catches the eye.

Information

The Bernedoodle is a friendly and intelligent companion dog that combines the best qualities of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle. It is characterized by its balanced and affectionate nature and forms a close bond with its people. Through its gentle and playful nature, it is suitable for both families and individuals seeking a loyal companion. At the same time, it is attentive and willing to learn, making it an easily trainable dog. Its cheerful disposition ensures it gets along well with children and other pets, while its sensitive side makes it particularly receptive to its owners' moods.

Nutrition

A balanced diet is particularly important for the Bernedoodle to support its health and vitality. High-quality wet food is a good choice, as it has a high moisture content and thus contributes to adequate fluid supply. It also usually contains fewer artificial additives than dry food and is more closely aligned with a dog's natural diet. It is important to look for a high-quality composition with a high meat content and without excessive grain additives. Fresh ingredients such as vegetables or healthy oils can enrich the food to provide the Bernedoodle with all important nutrients.

Care

The Bernedoodle is a friendly and intelligent companion that appreciates both activity and affection. Its curly or wavy coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and maintain coat health. Brushing several times a week helps remove dirt and keep the coat smooth. Since the Bernedoodle forms a close bond with its people, it feels most comfortable in a home where it can spend plenty of time with its family. Adequate exercise and mental stimulation are essential, as it has inherited both the playful and eager-to-learn sides of its parent breeds. Walks, retrieving games, and puzzle tasks help keep it physically and mentally stimulated. As it can adapt well to different living situations, it feels comfortable both in a house with a garden and in an apartment, as long as it receives enough attention and exercise.

Accessories

The Bernedoodle is a friendly and intelligent companion that appreciates both activity and comfort. To ensure it feels completely at ease, its accessories should be carefully selected. A well-fitting harness is ideal for walks, as it distributes pressure evenly and is therefore comfortable for the dog. Due to its curly or wavy coat, the Bernedoodle needs a high-quality brush to prevent matting and keep the coat in good condition. A cozy dog bed with ample space provides restful rest periods, while sturdy toys support its playful and eager-to-learn nature. A water bowl with a non-slip base is also practical to ensure adequate fluid intake at all times.

History

The Bernedoodle is a relatively young hybrid breed that emerged from the deliberate crossing of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. This mix was originally developed to combine the friendly, loyal nature of the Bernese Mountain Dog with the intelligence and hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle. Particularly in North America, the Bernedoodle enjoys growing popularity as a family dog and is often suitable as a companion for allergy sufferers. Through the combination of two strong-charactered and hard-working breeds, the Bernedoodle brings both a pronounced protective instinct and high adaptability, making it a versatile companion.

Health

The Bernedoodle is considered a robust and healthy hybrid breed that can benefit from the genetic diversity of its parent breeds. Nevertheless, certain health problems that are known in both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle can occur. These include joint diseases such as hip or elbow dysplasia, as well as hereditary eye problems. Tendencies toward allergies or skin sensitivities are also possible, particularly in animals with curly coats that require regular grooming. Responsible breeders ensure that only healthy parent animals are paired and conduct health examinations to minimize the risk of hereditary diseases. A balanced diet, sufficient exercise, and regular veterinary check-ups also contribute to maintaining the Bernedoodle's health.

Trainability

The Bernedoodle is a friendly and intelligent dog characterized by its balanced nature. It has a medium to high energy level and needs regular exercise to be physically and mentally stimulated. Extended walks, play sessions, and mental challenges are important to keep it content. Due to its high willingness to learn and close bond with people, the Bernedoodle is highly trainable. With positive reinforcement and loving consistency, it is easy to train and often shows great joy in learning new commands or tricks. Its adaptability makes it a suitable companion for both active families and individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the temperament of a Bernedoodle?

The Bernedoodle is a friendly and intelligent companion dog that combines the best qualities of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle.

How much does a Bernedoodle weigh?

An adult Bernedoodle weighs around 23-50 kg.

How long does a Bernedoodle live?

The life expectancy is 12-18 years.

Is the Bernedoodle suitable for beginners?

The Bernedoodle needs an experienced owner. Consistent training and prior dog experience matter with this breed.

How much exercise does a Bernedoodle need?

The Bernedoodle needs plenty of exercise. Daily walks of at least 1.5 hours and active play keep it balanced.

Can a Bernedoodle live in an apartment?

Yes, the Bernedoodle can live in an apartment with sufficient outdoor exercise. Regular walks are essential though.

Does the Bernedoodle shed a lot?

The Bernedoodle sheds very little to not at all and is considered relatively allergy-friendly.

Is the Bernedoodle a good family dog?

The Bernedoodle is an excellent family dog. It is patient with children and fits well into family life.

Claudia Weise

Written by

Claudia Weise

Editor-in-Chief, Certified Nutrition Consultant & Animal Welfare Practice

Editor-in-Chief at HundeoCertified Dog Nutrition ConsultantActive in animal welfare and with dogs every day

Claudia has worked closely alongside Enrico on Hundeo since the early days. She is a certified dog nutrition consultant, is active with animal welfare topics and dogs every day, and brings that practical experience into health, care, breed, and accessory content as Editor-in-Chief.

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