All About Bernedoodles
Every Bernedoodle is a designer dog, a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. The result is the perfect family dog, a (relatively) hypoallergenic dog that is equally happy playing with the kids outdoors or cuddling up with the family on the couch. In this article we will answer the most common questions about Bernedoodles, including the all-important question "Where can I find a Bernedoodle near me?" But first let's start with the basic facts about Bernedoodles.
Fast Facts About Bernedoodles
Bernedoodle Size
Bernedoodles are large dogs. Adult Bernedoodles weigh from 70 to 100 pounds (32 to 45 kg) and stand 23 to 29 inches (58 to 74 cm) tall.
Bernedoodle Lifespan
Bernedoodles are long-lived dogs. Bernese Mountain Dogs seldom live to be more than 8 to 10 years old, but the Bernedoodle hybrid dog generally lives to be between 12 and 18. This health advantage only occurs in the first generation, however. Crossing a Bernedoodle with another Bernedoodle can result in puppies that have two copies of the recessive genes contributed by both of their grandparents.
Bernedoodle Colors and Coat
Bernedoodles don't shed a lot, like their Poodle parents. They can have long-hair or curly coats of black, white, liver, brown, or chocolate in brindle, merle, bicolor, tricolor, tuxedo, or black and tan patterns. The straighter their hair, the more they shed, and the less hypoallergenic they are. They seldom drool.
Bernedoodle Intelligence
Bernedoodles are intelligent dogs. They are willful as puppies, but easy to train. Throughout their lives, Bernedoodles are playful, friendly, active dogs that need a lot of exercise and activity.
Bernedoodle Temperament
Bernedoodles are bred to be companion dogs. Breeders select parents that will give their puppies the smarts, trainability, and sense of humor of their Poodle parent with the mellow, loving temperament of their Bernese Mountain Dog parent. They are gentle enough to be great pets for small children, long-lived enough to be your child's pet for many years.
Bernedoodle Activity Level
Bernedoodles love outdoor activity. They are great companions for hiking, biking, and days at the lake. Like their Poodle parent, they take to swimming naturally, although they have to be taught how to swim as puppies.
Bernedoodle Personality Traits
Bernedoodles don't have a sense of personal space. They like to get as up close and personal as possible. As long as their people are around, they don't bark a lot, although they are prone to separation anxiety when left alone for more than four hours at a time.
Bernedoodles don't make great guard dogs. Bernedoodles don't naturally bark a lot. They are so friendly that they will want to get petted by an intruder rather than chasing the burglar away.
The Ideal Home for a Bernedoodle
Every Bernedoodle needs lots of time and attention. They just aren't happy without their people.
Bernedoodles can be trained as puppies, during their third and fourth months of life, to socialize with cats. Your Bernedoodle can be friends with your cat, but a cat is not enough to keep your Bernedoodle company when the family is away at work and school. You should make sure your cat has high places to make a retreat when tensions arise. It helps if you get your cat before you get your Bernedoodle.
Tiny and miniature-sized Bernedoodles are OK in apartments if they get exercise every day. Ideally, any larger Bernedoodle should have a fenced-in yard for play time. A daily walk will help them burn off the energy they might otherwise direct into digging under the fence.
The secret to success in providing your Bernedoodle with a happy home is one most pet parents overlook:
Give your Bernedoodle a job.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are working dogs. Bernedoodles inherit their need for purpose. Giving your Bernedoodle a job to do satisfies their need to pitch in and support their human family.
What kinds of jobs can you give a Bernedoodle? Give your Bernedoodle a pack to carry when you go on your daily walks. Or enter your Bernedoodle into agility training for agility trials. Bernedoodles have the intelligence, stamina, and drive to win competitions with other dogs, giving them all the mental stimulation they need.
Keeping Your Bernedoodle Healthy
As hybrid dogs, Bernedoodles aren't prone to many of the health problems that plague their parents. Any conscientious breeder will have done genetic testing of the parents before breeding them for Bernedoodle puppies, and tested your Bernedoodle, too. But these problem can still pop up:
Matted hair. Bernedoodles don't shed a lot, but they need regular brushing to keep their hair from becoming matted.
Hot spots. Your Bernedoodle's skin can get infected after picking and scratching at it. These tiny areas of Strep or Staph infection can become red, oozy, and feverish, causing your dog constant pain. Keeping up with brushing and flea control keeps this problem under control.
Hip dysplasia. Problems with the hips are common in big dogs, like Bernese Mountain Dogs. Every responsible breeder will have done genetic testing for hip dysplasia before selling you the dog, but sometimes the trait doesn't show up in tests. Reduce the risk of hip dysplasia by making sure your dog does not have to go up and down steps and stairs as a puppy. It also helps to avoid overfeeding puppies to prevent fast growth that causes the disease.
Where Can I Find a Bernedoodle Near Me?
If you are looking for a quality bernedoodle breeder then look no further. Here at Kendrick Doodles we have excellent breeding standards for all dogs in our program. We also have a health guarantee that is unmatched. If you are interested in one of our puppies you can find them on our Bernedoodle Puppies page.