BERNEDOODLE

Temperament: Smart, Clever and Loyal
Height: From 10 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder; as sizes vary from tiny to standard
Weight: From 10 to 90 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 18 years. Tiny Bernedoodles tend to live longer than standard.
Dog Breed Group: Mixed Breed Dogs

ABOUT THE BERNEDOODLE

Bernedoodle fans boast that this mixed breed has the best of both worlds from its Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle parents.

The Bernedoodle is a companion dog, through and through. The breed inherits the intelligence of its Poodle parents and the charming, goofy, happy-go-lucky temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog. Bernedoodles are happiest when they’re spending time with their families, children included, and are willing participants in playtime and cuddle fests alike.

The breed hasn’t been around for long, so it may be difficult to accurately make predictions about individual dogs. Sometimes they get more Poodle traits, and other times they more closely resemble the Bernese. That said, fans of Bernedoodles adore their friendliness, playfulness, intelligence, and affection. They also tend to be more hypoallergenic, which is a blessing for allergy sufferers.

If you need a dog for the whole family, or if you’re a single owner looking for a lovable, smart mixed-breed with good health that will put a smile on your face with their antics, you won’t be able to find a much better choice than the Bernedoodle.

PERSONALITY

Because the Bernedoodle is a combination of two different breeds, the puppies will have a combination of personality traits from each parent breed. However, for the most part, Bernedoodles are known as a well-rounded, playful, and affectionate breed. They do well with children and they love to spend time with their families. These are quite affectionate and loyal animals, regardless of which of their parents they take more of their personality from.

FEEDING

The appropriate amount to feed a Bernedoodle depends on their size, age, and activity level, which means it is highly individualized. Standard Bernedoodles may be voracious eaters that will gulp down whatever you put in front of them, so you’ll have to take care to monitor their food intake and weight while providing them with plenty of physical activity. You should ask your veterinarian for dietary recommendations that suit your particular dog.

HEALTH

Bernedoodles tend to be healthier dogs than either of their parents. Inbreeding has left many purebred dogs open to genetically inherited diseases and conditions, but cross-breeding reduces that risk. Because the breed hasn’t been around for very long, information about health concerns for Bernedoodles is somewhat limited. The instances of cancer in the Bernedoodle seem to be lower than those of the Bernese Mountain Dog.

There are, however, some conditions that Bernedoodles may be predisposed to, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye problems, and skin issues such as allergies and hot spots. All breeds may be affected by any number of health concerns, but the Bernedoodle is generally a healthy breed.

CARE

This breed doesn’t require much personal space, and as long as their moderate needs for physical and mental stimulation are met, they shouldn’t be too destructive. They love being around their humans, so the less time they spend alone, the better.

Like Poodles, Bernedoodles are quite intelligent, which means they can learn bad habits just as easily as good ones. It is important to keep up with training. Early socialization and exposure to other dogs and humans is always a good idea and will help keep them well-behaved when meeting new people or pets.

GROOMING

The color of Bernedoodle coats have quite a range. Some are pure black, others are black and white, and others are black and brown. Sometimes Bernedoodles are tri-colored with patches of black, white, and brown. They may even have other colors, as well.

The curlier the Bernedoodle’s coat is, the harder it is to groom. Because they shed less, they need to be brushed more often to prevent their coat from getting matted. Some Bernedoodle owners brush their dog’s coat daily and treat it as a bonding experience, which this breed tends to love. Their coat must also be trimmed every few months, depending on how quickly it grows.

Source: dogtime, petguide.