Bernedoodle Heritage
To understand the true nature of a Bernedoodle, you first must understand where he comes from.
The Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is known for being calm, good-natured, and sturdy. A desirable balance between brain and brawn, the Bernese Mountain Dog’s tri-color markings make it a distinctively attractive animal.
Typical physical characteristics:
​
Height: 25-27.5 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
​
Weight: 80-115 pounds (male), 70-95 pounds (female)
​
Life Expectancy: 7-10 years
To learn more, click here.
The Standard Poodle
The Standard Poodle is known for being highly intelligent, athletic, and very proud. Its curly, low-allergen coat is a hallmark feature of its handsome appearance.
Typical physical characteristics include:
​
Height: Over 15 inches
Weight: 60-70 pounds (male), 40-50 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy: 10-18 years
​
To learn more, click here.
Meet the Bernedoodle
Bernedoodles take on a unique combination of personality traits from their parents. They are generally very good-natured, laid back, and intelligent. Our dogs vary in terms of athletic ability, and their Berner heritage can impart a lovable stubbornness - but they are loyal, goofy, and always very eager to please. The perfect family complement.
All of our pups are 'Standard Bernedoodles', with an observed size range between 50-90 lbs. Their lifespan is expected to range between 10-16 years, and they are low to non-shedding.
Bernedoodle Generations
Bernedoodles exist in a number of different “generations” depending upon their parents’ genetics. Among the most common include:
​
F1 Bernedoodle: a cross between a pure bred Bernese Mountain Dog and a pure bred Standard Poodle.
​
F1B Bernedoodle: a cross between an F1 Bernedoodle and a pure bred Bernese Mountain Dog or pure bred Standard Poodle. F1B’s are most commonly the product of an F1 Bernedoodle and a Standard Poodle, preferable for those families with significant sensitivity to dog allergens.
​
F2 Bernedoodle: a cross between two F1 Bernedoodles, some refer to this variant as the “Teddy Bear Bernedoodle" due to its shaggy and/or fluffy coat. There can be greater variability in coat type amongst pups in a given litter, but a furnished F2 is also low to non-shedding. Unfurnished pups (who inherit two copies of IC at the F locus) have coats more analogous to the pure bred Bernese Mountain Dog, a preference for some.
​
Ultra Bernedoodle: a cross between an F1B Bernedoodle and in most cases a pure bred Bernese Mountain Dog. If the F1B parent is double furnished (carries two copies of F at the F locus), all puppies will have low to non-shedding coats despite being ~66% Bernese Mountain Dog.
Caring for a Bernedoodle
The Puppy Stage: while intelligent, affable, and eager to please, Bernedoodles (like all other canine breeds) require a great deal of attention and discipline in the early days of adoption in order to ensure a smooth transition into your home. House training is an essential part of this transition, as it not only represents freedom from unpleasant accidents in your home but more importantly solidifies the bond between you and your Bernedoodle. Your puppy needs to understand as early as possible that the humans in the “pack” are his or her leaders – once this realization sets in, he/she will feel more secure, confident, and relaxed in your home.
Grooming: All Bernedoodle generations are generally low to no-shedding. As a result, their hair will continue to grow and therefore must be regularly brushed and trimmed in order to prevent matting. Starting when they are about 6-8 months old, we trim our pups’ hair roughly every 2-3 months. The interval should depend upon the dog’s preference with regard to comfort and your preference with regard to aesthetics.
Nutrition: We feed all of our dogs either Nutro or Purina One True Instinct dog chow and send each of our puppies home with a puppy food starter kit. There are many suitable foods available for purchase, but we do recommend a formulation designed specifically for large breeds, as their physical and nutritional needs are unique.
