Bernedoodle
The living teddy bear.
- Weight
- 10–90 lbs
- Height
- 10–29 in
- Lifespan
- 12–15 yrs
In short
The Bernedoodle is a North American cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle, bred as a family companion since the early 2000s, weighing 10–90 lbs depending on size and living about 12–15 years. Owners should know size, coat and temperament vary widely, so meet the parents and ask about their health testing.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a family dog that's affectionate with kids
- prefer a lower-shedding coat and accept grooming bills
- enjoy moderate walks and hikes
Think twice if you…
- need a guaranteed size or coat type
- are away from home most of the day
- can't budget for grooming every 6–8 weeks
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 35–180 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study8.0/10
EnergyActive6.0/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors10.0/10
SheddingModerate shedder4.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Wide size range
Bernedoodles come in tiny, miniature and standard sizes, so a puppy's adult size depends on the Poodle parent and can be hard to predict.
-
02
Variable coat
Coats range from wavy to tightly curled; curlier coats shed less but mat faster and need regular grooming.
-
03
Berner markings
Many inherit the Bernese tricolor pattern of black, white and rust, though solid and parti colors are common.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 10–90 lbs (by size) | 10–80 lbs (by size) |
| Height | 12–29 in (by size) | 10–27 in (by size) |
| Lifespan | 12–15 yrs | |
| Coat | Wavy to curly, often low-shedding coat | |
Personality
Most Bernedoodles are affectionate, goofy family dogs that want to be wherever their people are. Some inherit the Bernese's sensitivity and the Poodle's sharp mind, which can mean a clever dog that is shy with change. Standards are big and slow to mature, so expect a long puppyhood.
With kids
Generally gentle and good with kids, though big puppies knock over toddlers easily. Teach calm greetings early.
With other pets
Usually friendly with dogs and cats, especially when raised with them.
With strangers
Typically friendly; some lean shy, a trait more often seen in the Bernese side.
Alone time
Many dislike long periods alone and can develop separation distress. Build alone time gradually and avoid leaving them for full workdays without a break.
Training
Bernedoodles learn quickly and respond best to gentle, upbeat training; harsh corrections can make sensitive ones shut down. Some have a stubborn streak from the Bernese side.
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How often
Two or three short sessions a day, 5–10 minutes each.
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Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8–16 weeks, prioritize calm exposure to new people, places and sounds to head off shyness, plus daily handling of paws, ears and face so grooming is easy later.
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Self-control
Teach polite greetings with four paws on the floor before the dog gets big, and practice settling on a mat during busy moments.
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What it works for
Most work happily for praise, play and small, high-value food pieces kept within 10% of daily calories. Freeze-dried liver can be one high-value option for tricky skills.
Exercise
Bernedoodles enjoy moderate, varied exercise like walks, hikes and play, rather than intense endurance work. Standards tolerate cold well and heat poorly.
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Daily walks and easy hikes
- Fetch or play in a fenced yard
- Swimming in cool weather
Brain work
- Food puzzles and snuffle mats
- Trick training
- Scent games like find-the-toy
Best home
Minis and tinies can suit apartments with daily outings; standards do best with a house and yard. Hot climates need careful exercise timing.
Watch for Large puppies should avoid repetitive jumping and long runs until their growth plates close, and thick coats make heat a real risk.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Bernedoodle (10–90 lbs) lands around 350–1,800 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 425–2,250 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 45–225 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–11 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 350–1,800 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 35–180 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–9 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 475–2,475 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 50–250 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–12 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 300–1,575 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 30–160 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–8 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 425–2,250 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 45–225 kcal | 2–11 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 350–1,800 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 35–180 kcal | 2–9 pieces |
| Active / Working | 475–2,475 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 50–250 kcal | 2–12 pieces |
| Senior | 300–1,575 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 30–160 kcal | 2–8 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Bernedoodles can inherit the Bernese's joint problems and cancer risk and the Poodle's eye and skin disorders, so parent screening matters more than any 'hybrid vigor' claim. Choose a breeder who tests both parents and keep the dog lean.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip and OFA elbow evaluation | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Degenerative myelopathy | DM DNA test | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Von Willebrand disease | vWD DNA test | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Inherited eye disease, including PRA | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs |
| Heart disease | Heart exam by a veterinary cardiologist | Before breeding; ask for the latest result |
Health tests to ask for
The Bernedoodle has no CHIC program of its own, so ask for the tests the OFA requires for each parent breed.
Bernese Mountain Dog parent
- AKC DNA Profile
- Hip evaluation
- Elbow evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Heart exam
- Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) DNA test
- One elective test from the breed club list
Poodle (Standard) parent
- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- One elective test from the breed club list
Grooming Low to moderate year-round, depending on how curly the coat is
Brush down to the skin 3–4 times a week to prevent mats, and book a professional groom every 6–8 weeks. Check and dry ears after swimming or baths, trim nails every 3–4 weeks, and brush teeth several times a week.
History
1800s–1900s
Two parent breeds
The Bernese Mountain Dog worked Swiss farms as a drover and draft dog, while the Poodle was a German and French water retriever.
2003
First deliberate litters
Breeder Sherry Rupke in Ontario, Canada, is widely credited with producing the first intentional Bernedoodles.
2010s–today
Rising popularity
The cross grew popular as a lower-shedding family dog, and multigenerational breeding aims for more predictable size and coat.
Questions owners ask
Are Bernedoodles easy to train?
Usually. Most are smart and eager to please, though some inherit a Bernese stubborn streak. Gentle, reward-based sessions work best because sensitive dogs shut down under harsh correction.
Are Bernedoodles good with kids and other pets?
Usually, yes. Most are gentle with kids and friendly with other dogs and cats. Large puppies can bowl over small children, so supervise and teach calm greetings.
How much exercise does a Bernedoodle need?
About 60–90 minutes a day of walks, play and some mental work. Minis may need a little less intensity; standards should avoid hard running until fully grown.
Do Bernedoodles shed?
Usually a little. Curlier coats shed less but mat more, and no dog is truly allergen-free. Expect brushing several times a week and professional grooming every 6–8 weeks.
What health problems do Bernedoodles have, and how long do they live?
Hip and elbow dysplasia, cancer, eye disease, skin problems and bloat in larger dogs are the main concerns from the parent breeds. Lifespan is usually about 12–15 years, often longer in smaller sizes.
Is a Bernedoodle good for apartments or first-time owners?
Often a good fit for first-timers who can commit to grooming and training. Mini and tiny sizes adapt to apartments; standards do better with more space.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Bernedoodle needs only 2–9 pieces a day, well inside the 35–180 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Bernedoodle ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Bernedoodle
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
