Bernedoodle Dog Breed Temperament and Characteristics

Bernedoodles possess a loving and humorous personality making them an excellent addition to any home. People commonly describe Bernedoodles as goofy and they will likely make you laugh out loud daily. These pups get their amazing traits from their Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle parents. We’re going to delve in deeper and discuss temperament, personality, trainability, and much more about the Bernedoodle dog breed.

Temperament & Personalities

In our experience, the personality of a Bernedoodle can vary due to genetics, environment, and how it is raised. They are often thought to be great family pets, as they are very socially interactive and have a cuddly teddy bear physical appearance.

In general, Bernedoodles tend to be friendly, sociable, and intelligent dogs. If you have a Bernedoodle, you will likely describe your dog as loyal and affectionate towards you. Due to their gentle and snuggly character, they tend to be very friendly to children and other pets.

Because their parents, both Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles, are relatively laid-back breeds, Bernedoodles are often calm and easygoing. However, they are not deemed lazy and do enjoy nature, exercising, or taking a long walk. Typically, people describe them as moderately active because they still require some exercise, but they are likely to spend a lot of time relaxing too.

It’s important to note that temperament can vary within any breed. However, breeders will try to match parents that will create pups with a temperament fit for family life. Additionally, proper socialization, training, and exercise can go a long way in shaping a Bernedoodle’s temperament and behavior.

Bernedoodle Breed Coat Characteristics

Properly produced Bernedoodles have a low to no shed coat. This also means that they are deemed hypoallergenic since people with allergies to dogs tend to react less to a dog that sheds less.

At Fox Creek Farm, we only breed multigenerational Bernedoodles due to their higher non-shedding success rate. Using the DNA technology available allows us to pair dogs together that have a higher chance of producing non-shedding litters, and therefore, being more compatible with those that have low to moderate dog allergies.

The Color and Appearance of the Bernedoodle Dog Breed

Bernedoodles’ coats can display in any combination of black, brown, grey, and white. A dog that has the traditional colors of a Bernese Mountain dog is called a tri. Other common colors are parti, sable, phantom, and merle. It is rare for a Bernedoodle to be solid in color. A Bernedoodle’s coat can be wavy, curly, or straight. The texture and appearance of the coat are dependent on the furnishing and curl genes inherited from each parent. As long as a Bernedoodle puppy inherits two furnishing genes, it should be non-shedding regardless of whether it exhibits a curly, wavy, or straight coat.

About Bernese Mountain Dogs

Bernese Mountain Dogs, also known as Berners, are large, strong, and built for rigorous work. They also have an affectionate, nurturing, and sweet side to them. Not only are their personalities exemplary, but their coats are also gorgeous with distinctive tricolor black, brown, and white colors.

Bernese Mountain Dogs are originally from the Swiss Alps and began as working farm dogs. Bernese Mountain Dogs will get along with the entire family and are particularly gentle with children, but they will often become more attached to one lucky human. These dogs have a desire to please and are loyal to their families.

About Poodles

Poodles are popular in the show ring with their fancy hairdos, but there’s a lot more to them than just looks. Working dogs are usually duck hunters because they are good retrieving dogs and love the water. Poodles are very athletic and are known to be easy to train.

Poodles are incredibly intelligent. As a result, they require lots of mental stimulation and prefer to be with people rather than spend long periods of time alone. Breeders commonly breed Poodles with other purebred breeds that shed as Poodles will always offer up a non-shedding gene in their contribution to the genetic makeup of the offspring.

The Trainability of the Bernedoodle Breed

You can expect a Bernedoodle to be somewhat stubborn, but they are still eager to please. The stubborn side of them can make training more difficult, so diligence is necessary. They are, however, typically highly responsive to training because of their calm, eager-to-please, and intelligent personalities. Just remember that patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement will always deliver the most desirable results. Positive reinforcement is especially important since they are sensitive dogs. Bernedoodles will recognize frustration and anger in your voice when you use negative reinforcement and they will not respond to that as well as they will to positive reinforcement. Be sure to celebrate their successes when they listen and respond to your commands.

Early training and socialization from puppyhood are important for Bernedoodles because they can be sensitive to new experiences or unfamiliar situations. It is essential to expose them to different people, animals, and environments at a young age to help them develop into well-adjusted dogs.

Physical Needs

Bernedoodles are adventurous but also love to chill out. They love being active outdoors (think hiking, swimming, running, etc.), but they also adore being your snuggle buddy. When snuggling, they may not give you much personal space. If you own a standard size, you may find you need a king-size bed to accommodate you both comfortably. Because of their intelligence, they will need a great deal of mental stimulation, including puzzle toys, games, outside time, and training time.

Of course, Bernedoodles also need a balanced diet. This will allow them to maintain their health and energy levels. Use high-quality dog food like pawTree dog food to meet their nutritional needs.

Health Needs

• Regular Vet Visits: It’s important to take your fluffy friend to the vet for regular checkups and vaccinations to ensure they stay healthy and to catch any potential health issues early.
• Exercise: Bernedoodles need daily exercise to keep them healthy and mentally stimulated.
• Dental Care: Brushing your Bernedoodle’s teeth regularly prevents gum disease and tooth decay. You can give your pup dental chews or chew toys to help keep their teeth clean.
• Socialization: Bernedoodles are social dogs that need plenty of interaction with their families and other dogs. Socialization, especially during the puppy stage, can help prevent behavioral problems and anxiety.

Grooming Needs

• Coat Care: The Bernedoodles’ coat needs regular attention since it can get matted pretty easily. Brushing their coat at least 3 times a week should prevent matting. Clipping the coat short can decrease the amount of maintenance required to prevent matting.
• Bathing: Bathing your Bernedoodle every 2-4 weeks is critical to keeping their coat clean and healthy.
• Nail Care: Trim your Bernedoodle’s nails regularly to prevent them from becoming too long and causing discomfort for both you and your pup.

Bernedoodle Sizes

Bernedoodles come in many different sizes:

• The standard Bernedoodle can reach up to 29 inches in height and weigh up to 90 pounds.
• A medium Bernedoodle is between 18-22 inches tall and 36-50 pounds.
• A mini Bernedoodle is between 14-17 inches tall and weighs 25-35 pounds. This is one of the most popular sizes that we breed upon request at Fox Creek Farm
• A petite or toy Bernadoodle is 12–14 inches and weighs 10–24 pounds.

These sizes do vary, and the weight and height may not always coordinate. However, your breeder should be able to estimate the size they expect the pups to be based on their parents’ sizes.

Bernedoodle Generation Guide

The generations are depicted using scientific labels where F indicates filial, B indicates backcrossed to one of the original parent breeds, and the number indicates how many generations it has taken to reach this point.

Let’s break down the differences between each generation:

• F1 Bernedoodle: A first generation is a 50/50 cross of a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle meaning its parents are a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. F1s always have a wavy coat and possess just a single furnishing gene which likely produces mild shedding.
• F1B Bernedoodle: This generation is created by crossing an F1 Bernedoodle with either a Poodle or a Bernese Mountain dog. Breeders typically choose a Poodle for this cross to increase the non-shedding odds in the offspring which makes them more hypoallergenic. This cross will provide for half the litter to have a wavy coat and half to have a curly coat. Half the litter will inherit two furnishing genes making them non-shedding.
• F2 Bernedoodle: Like an F1, this is a genetic mix of 50% Poodle and 50% Bernese mountain dog, with two F1 Bernedoodle parents. This pairing will have the widest variety of coat types with some being curly, some wavy, some straight, and some flat (meaning short hair on the muzzle and missing the fluffy coat typically associated with Doodles). Because of this wide array of options, this generation is not common practice.
• F3 Multi-Generation Bernedoodle: This type of doodle is usually a mixture of F1B and F1B or F2 and F2, although there can be many other iterations. With the use of DNA technology, this generation can have entire litters of non-shedding puppies. This is why Fox Creek Farm tends to breed only multigen litters of Bernedoodles.

Bernedoodles are an excellent choice for a family dog and are quickly growing in popularity. The variety of colors, the wonderful temperaments, and the increased longevity over the purebred Bernese Mountain Dogs are appealing to the Doodle-loving customer. These fluffy pups are adorable, smart, loyal, and goofy and they love to play which will be sure to make you smile daily. Overall, Bernedoodles are wonderful companions for those who have the time and space to give them the love and attention they deserve. Want more info? Check out our available bernedoodle puppies for sale.