May 23, 2025, 9:35 am | Read time: 7 minutes
The Bernedoodle immediately captures attention with its fluffy appearance and gentle face—but there’s much more to this charming mixed breed than just a cute teddy bear look. As a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle, it combines two contrasting personalities in one dog, offering a potential for surprises. How its traits develop is somewhat a matter of chance.
The Bernedoodle is part of the so-called designer dogs, a modern trend in dog breeding where two purebred dogs—in this case, a Poodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog—are intentionally crossbred. The goal is to combine the positive traits of both parent breeds: the intelligence and hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle with the calmness and friendliness of the Bernese. However promising this idea may sound, the reality is complex. Both the appearance and temperament of the Bernedoodle can vary greatly. Additionally, many breeders now work with F2 or even Fx generations, meaning dogs that themselves come from mixed pairings. This practice leads to genetic diversity that is hardly controllable—with all its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the Bernedoodle is especially suitable for people who are willing to embrace an unpredictable yet lovable companion.
Origin of the Bernedoodle
The Bernedoodle emerged in the early 2000s as part of the “designer dog” movement. The first intentional crossbreeding of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle is attributed to Canadian breeder Sherry Rupke of SwissRidge Kennels. As early as the 1980s, Australian Wally Conron laid the foundation for the designer dog wave by crossing a Poodle with a Retriever—the Labradoodle. Originally intended as a solution for allergy sufferers in need of assistance dogs, it developed into a worldwide breeding phenomenon.
The Bernedoodle was born as another attempt to combine the hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle with the calm temperament of a Bernese Mountain Dog. Today, there are hardly any binding standards. Many breeders work with crossbreeds from multiple generations, making the outcome increasingly unpredictable. Despite its popularity, the Bernedoodle is not recognized as a breed by international dog associations such as the FCI. Therefore, there are no official breed standards or breeding controls, making it difficult to select reputable providers.
Appearance & Coat
The Bernedoodle is a medium to large dog with a strong, muscular build. Its appearance is usually elegant and harmonious, without exaggerated proportions. It has the typical droopy ears of the Bernese Mountain Dog and an expressive face. Its height at the withers varies depending on the type of Poodle used: Standard Bernedoodles reach 23 to 28 inches, Mini Bernedoodles 18 to 22 inches, and Toy variants remain under 17 inches. The weight ranges from about 11 to 88 pounds.
The coat is particularly striking: It is long, soft, often curly or wavy—a mix of the dense fur of the Bernese and the curls of the Poodle. In terms of color, almost anything is possible, from solid black, white, or brown to the coveted tricolor of the Bernese Mountain Dog. Due to this variety, the appearance cannot be standardized—every Bernedoodle looks different.
Character & Temperament
Hybrid dogs are often bred with the goal of combining the positive traits of both breeds in one dog. However, it cannot be controlled which traits are inherited. Hybrid dogs are, therefore, often a surprise package when it comes to their character traits. Whether the playful, active side of the Poodle or the calm, loyal nature of the Bernese Mountain Dog dominates depends heavily on the genetic distribution. In many cases, Bernedoodles exhibit a friendly, people-oriented personality with a strong attachment to their caregivers. They are generally friendly and open, get along well with children and other animals, and are therefore well-suited as family dogs.
Bernedoodles are affectionate and form an intense bond with their owners. Some are more lively and tend to chase more than their owners might expect. In these cases, the Poodle genes are more dominant. However, all Bernedoodles have one thing in common: They love being outdoors in nature.
Despite the uncertainties regarding temperament inheritance, many owners report a harmonious combination of intelligence, good-naturedness, and playfulness—ideal for active families who enjoy being outdoors even in bad weather.
Training a Bernedoodle
Training a Bernedoodle requires consistency, clarity, and early socialization. Due to the high intelligence inherited from the Poodle, they are generally eager to learn and easy to motivate. However, they can—depending on the individual character—show a certain stubbornness, which can occur especially in Bernese-influenced dogs. They are generally suitable for novice dog owners, provided they are patient and seek professional support. A good puppy school and positive reinforcement help to optimally promote learning potential and avoid unwanted behaviors. It is also important to build a stable human-dog relationship, as the Bernedoodle is closely bonded to its caregiver.
Proper Care & Maintenance
The Bernedoodle loves being outdoors and needs plenty of time outside every day. Exercise in the backyard and long daily walks are ideal. Due to the mix of the two breeds, the energy level of the Bernedoodle can vary greatly. If the Poodle is more dominant, the Bernedoodle can be bursting with energy; if the Bernese Mountain Dog prevails, the dog can be a bit more laid-back. Regardless of which breed is genetically dominant, the Bernedoodle is suitable for extensive outings in nature.
Sports such as agility or special clicker training and intelligence games can also be enjoyable for the Bernedoodle and provide meaningful activities for the breed. Depending on the extent of the Bernese Mountain Dog’s genetic influence, care should be taken to ensure that sports involve ground-level training—not too many jumps—to protect the dog’s joints.
The coat care of the Bernedoodle is quite demanding. Since the dogs have long and wavy fur, they require regular grooming. It is best to get them used to combing and brushing their fur as puppies. The more curls the Bernedoodle has, the less hair it sheds. However, this does not mean it requires less care. On the contrary, if the coat continues to grow like a Poodle’s, mats can quickly form. Therefore, regular grooming every three months is important.
The Bernedoodle’s droopy ears need to be checked regularly. It is often necessary to remove the hair inside them. It is best to leave this to the veterinarian to avoid injuries.
Nutrition
The Bernedoodle does not have special dietary requirements but should be fed a balanced and high-quality diet like all dogs. A high meat content, essential fatty acids, and a good protein profile are recommended. Depending on the life stage—whether puppy, adult, or senior—the nutritional needs vary. Weight and activity level should also be considered. Raw feeding is possible if done knowledgeably. It is important to make dietary changes slowly and be aware of possible intolerances. If unsure, a nutritional consultation with a veterinarian or specialist retailer can help.
Susceptibility to Certain Diseases
As a hybrid dog, the Bernedoodle can inherit both genetically predisposed and robust traits. Typical health issues include hip and elbow dysplasia, which are common in both parent breeds. Eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) or hereditary blood clotting disorders like von Willebrand disease are also possible.
Additionally, skin problems and allergies can occur due to the dense coat. There is a risk of heart problems, particularly from the Bernese lineage. Responsible breeding with health checks of the parent animals is important. Preventive veterinary visits and an adapted exercise program—especially during growth—are essential for health.
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The Bernedoodle at a Glance
- Size & Weight: 12–28 inches at the shoulder, 11–88 pounds (depending on the crossbreed)
- Coat: Long, curly, or wavy, high maintenance; colors vary greatly
- Character: Intelligent, friendly, playful, suitable for families
- Care Requirements: High–regular brushing, grooming, and ear checks necessary
- Suitable for: Active households, families, allergy sufferers (to some extent)
- Special Features: No FCI recognition; temperament and appearance are hard to predict