The Complete Bernedoodle Standard Guide

The Bernedoodle standard is a fascinating topic, and understanding it can help you navigate the world of this lovable hybrid breed. The Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle, typically a Standard Poodle.

This unique combination of breeds results in a dog that's intelligent, loyal, and affectionate. They're often described as gentle giants, with a calm demeanor that makes them a great fit for families with children.

In terms of size, Bernedoodles can grow to be quite large, with males weighing up to 120 pounds and standing as tall as 28 inches. Their coats can vary, but they often inherit the low-shedding trait from their Poodle parent, making them a great choice for those with allergies.

Whether you're a seasoned dog owner or a first-time pet parent, understanding the Bernedoodle standard can help you provide the best possible care for your furry friend.

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The origins of Bernedoodles are quite fascinating. They were first intentionally bred in 2003 by Sherry Rupke in Canada.

Sherry Rupke's goal was to create a hypoallergenic dog that would also live a longer, healthier life. They only have an average life expectancy of 7 years, which is why she wanted to breed them with Poodles.

The Bernese Mountain Dog, the parent breed of Bernedoodles, was originally from Switzerland and bred to work hard in guarding and driving livestock. They're large, strong, and surprisingly gentle!

The Poodle parent brings intelligence, energy levels, and good looks to the mix. Bernedoodles can live up to 18 years, which is a significant improvement over the Bernese Mountain Dog's average lifespan.

Sherry Rupke successfully bred goldendoodles before creating the Bernedoodle breed. She wanted to replicate the health benefits she saw in goldendoodles with the Bernese Mountain Dog.

On a similar theme: Standard Goldendoodles

The Bernedoodle Standard is a wonderful crossbreed that's perfect for many families. They're large in size, weighing up to 90 pounds, and come in a variety of sizes including Standard, Mini, and Toy.

Their curly, long coat requires lots of grooming, but it's a small price to pay for their hypoallergenic and semi-Hypoallergenic properties. This means they're a great choice for families with allergy sufferers.

Bernedoodles are playful and active dogs who love to hike and be part of their family's adventures. They're highly trainable with positive reinforcement methods and are known for their strong loyalty tendencies.

Here are some key characteristics of the Bernedoodle Standard:

Bernedoodles are adaptable to cold weather and make great hiking companions. They're also very affectionate and love attention from their families.

The Bernedoodle standard is a breed that's known for its affectionate and friendly personality. They make great family pets because they can get along well with children and other pets, including other dogs.

Their coat type is typically wavy or curly, and they are hypoallergenic, making them a great choice for families with moderate to severe allergies. In fact, F1bb Bernedoodles are the most hypoallergenic and non-shedding of all the first-generation Bernedoodles.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Mini Bernedoodle Hypoallergenic

Bernedoodles require a moderate amount of exercise, around 60 minutes of running, walking, fetching, and playing each day. They also need ample attention, so leaving them home alone for extended periods is not advised.

Their intelligence level is high, making them trainable with positive reinforcement. However, they can be prone to hyperactivity, anxiety, and excessive barking, so early training is essential.

Here's a breakdown of the Bernedoodle's characteristics:

Their lifespan is estimated to be around 12-15 years for standard Bernedoodles, 14-16 years for mini Bernedoodles, and up to 18 years for tiny Bernedoodles.

For another approach, see: Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles

Taking care of your Bernedoodle Standard requires attention to their diet and nutrition. Feed measured meals twice a day rather than free feeding to prevent joint disorders and weight-related health problems.

To ensure your Bernedoodle grows in a healthy manner, feed them four times a day until they mature, around twelve months old. This will help protect their tummies from stretching.

Standard Bernedoodles require about 1,800 calories a day, depending on their activity levels and sex. This is because they are bigger and need more calories to maintain their size and energy levels.

Feeding your Bernedoodle a balanced diet is crucial for their growth and overall health. You should feed your Bernedoodle about four times per day until they mature, which is around twelve months old.

Small, frequent meals help prevent digestive issues and promote healthy growth. Cutting their feeding times to two once they reach maturity will also help regulate their appetite.

The size of your Bernedoodle - Standard, Mini, or Toy - determines what type and how much food you should give at each meal. Standard Bernedoodles require about 1,800 calories a day, depending on their activity levels and sex.

Mini Bernedoodles need about 1,400 calories a day, while Toy Bernedoodles require around 900 calories. Feeding your Bernedoodle measured meals twice a day is a better approach than free feeding, which can lead to overeating.

It's essential to keep your Bernedoodle lean to prevent joint disorders like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, as well as weight-related health problems like diabetes. Standard Bernedoodle puppies that may grow to be giant-sized by adulthood should eat food formulated for large-breed puppies.

For another approach, see: Toy Petite Bernedoodle

To ensure your Bernedoodle receives the best care, it's essential to understand their unique needs. Bernedoodles are a mix of the poodle and Bernese mountain dog, so their coat and temperament can vary significantly.

Training is crucial for Bernedoodles, and consistency is key. You could have two Bernedoodles that are quite different in terms of their coat and temperament.

Spending quality time with your Bernedoodle is vital for building a strong bond. Proper grooming is also necessary to prevent matting and tangling of their coat.

Exercise is a must for Bernedoodles, and they require regular physical activity to stay happy and healthy.

Explore further: Standard Poodle Traits

Bernedoodles are prone to developing tangled mats due to their low-shedding coats, so regular brushing is essential. Brush your Bernedoodle at least twice a week to prevent matting.

Some Bernedoodles shed more than others, and it's not always possible to predict how much they'll shed. The higher the percentage of Poodle in the mix, the better the likelihood of a low-shedding coat.

Broaden your view: Bernedoodle Shed

Coats that are more straight than wavy tend to shed more and need daily or every-other-day brushing to remove loose hair and prevent matting. Regular trimming from a professional groomer every four to eight weeks is also necessary for these coats.

In addition to brushing and trimming, it's essential to keep your Bernedoodle's nails trimmed every two weeks and their ears clean. Look inside their ears weekly, and clean them with a pet-safe ear cleaner if they look dirty.

Hip and elbow dysplasia is a common concern with large breeds, and it can be worsened if your Bernedoodle is over-exercised in puppyhood. This condition causes pain and lameness due to abnormal joint development.

Bernedoodles have a higher risk of developing cancer compared to other dogs, which is inherited from their Bernese Mountain Dog parent. Sadly, this is why the parent breed has an average life expectancy of only 7 years.

The risk of cancer is highest with Standard Bernedoodles and decreases with the size of the pup.

Grooming is an essential part of caring for your Bernedoodle. Brushing your Bernedoodle at least twice a week can help prevent tangled mats.

The low-shedding coat of the Bernedoodle can be prone to matting, especially if it's not brushed regularly. It's also a good idea to have your Bernedoodle professionally groomed from time to time.

Some Bernedoodles shed and mat a lot, while others shed very little or not at all. The likelihood of a low-shedding coat increases with the percentage of Poodle in the mix.

Brushing frequency depends on the type of coat your Bernedoodle has. If your Bernedoodle has a straight coat, it needs to be brushed daily or every other day to remove loose hair and prevent matting.

Curlier coats, on the other hand, shed less but still need regular brushing to keep the coat untangled. Brushing wavy and curly coats a few times a week is a good rule of thumb.

Trimming from a professional groomer every four to eight weeks is also necessary for wavy-and curly-coated Bernedoodles, just like Poodles.

Expand your knowledge: Bernedoodle Coat Types

Training your Bernedoodle requires patience and time, but with the right approach, you can raise a happy, friendly, and confident companion.

Bernedoodles are smart, but their trainability depends on whether they inherited the more agreeable nature of the poodle or the stubborn side of the Bernese mountain dog.

Positive training methods like clicker training paired with tasty treat rewards will help you get the best results from your Bernedoodle.

Start obedience training using positive reinforcement from a young age, so your puppy can grow into an adult dog who knows the rules and gets along great with people and other pets.

Early socialization to a variety of places and people is essential to ensure your Bernedoodle pup is happy, friendly, and confident.

Reward your Bernedoodle for good behavior with verbal and physical praise when they complete tasks appropriately, and redirect them instead of punishing them when they do something wrong.

Related reading: Bernese Mountain Dog vs Bernedoodle