Large Bernedoodle: Origins, Characteristics, and Care Guide

The Large Bernedoodle is a unique and lovable breed that's a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. This mix creates a dog that's intelligent, friendly, and adaptable.

Their origins date back to the early 2000s when breeders started experimenting with different combinations of breeds to create a dog that's low-shedding and easy to train. The result was the Large Bernedoodle, which quickly gained popularity due to its gentle and affectionate nature.

In terms of characteristics, the Large Bernedoodle typically stands between 23-27 inches tall and weighs between 80-120 pounds. They have a thick, curly coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Bernedoodle Hunting Dog

The origins of Bernedoodles date back to 2003, when Sherry Rupke intentionally bred a Bernese Mountain Dog with a Poodle in Canada.

Rupke's goal was to create a hypoallergenic dog that lived a longer, healthier life, as Bernese Mountain Dogs have an average life expectancy of just 7 years.

Additional reading: Bernedoodle Food

The Bernese Mountain Dog is originally from Switzerland, where it was bred to work hard in guarding and driving livestock.

Rupke's Bernedoodle breeding was a success, with the hybrid living up to 18 years and inheriting the gentle and patient nature of its Bernese Mountain parent.

The Poodle parent brought intelligence, energy levels, and good looks to the mix, making Bernedoodles a popular choice for families.

Broaden your view: Bernese Mountain Dog vs Bernedoodle

The origins of Bernedoodles date back to 2003 when Sherry Rupke first intentionally bred them in Canada. She wanted to create a hypoallergenic dog and reduce the health problems associated with Bernese Mountain Dogs.

The Bernese Mountain Dog, originally from Switzerland, was bred to work hard in guarding and driving livestock. They are large, strong, and surprisingly gentle!

Rupke's goal was to produce a dog that lives a longer, healthier life, and she was right - Bernedoodles can live up to 18 years. Sadly, Bernese Mountain Dogs have an average life expectancy of just 7 years.

Their Bernese Mountain parent contributes to their patient and good-natured temperament, making them a great fit for families with kids.

For your interest: Mountain Bernedoodle

The Bernedoodle's history is a fascinating one. It all began in 2003 when Sherry Rupke in Canada intentionally bred the first Bernese Mountain Poo.

Sherry Rupke's goal was to create a hypoallergenic dog that lived a longer, healthier life. She was successful in doing so, as Bernedoodles can live up to 18 years, a significant increase from the average 7 years of a Bernese Mountain Dog.

The Bernese Mountain Dog originated in Switzerland, bred to work hard in guarding and driving livestock. They're large, strong, and surprisingly gentle, making them a great family pet.

Most Bernedoodles inherit their patience and good-natured temperament from their Bernese Mountain parent. This makes them a great choice for families with kids.

The Poodle parent of the Bernedoodle brings intelligence, energy levels, and good looks to the mix. This combination makes for a truly unique and lovable breed.

The Bernedoodle is not yet recognized as its own breed by many dog organizations, including the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Expand your knowledge: Bernedoodle Breed

The large Bernedoodle is a lovable and playful companion, weighing up to 90 pounds and standing between 23 to 29 inches tall.

Their friendly and outgoing nature makes them an excellent choice for families with children, and their high intelligence means they're highly trainable with positive reinforcement methods.

A Bernedoodle's coat is curly, long, and low-shedding, making them a great option for people with allergies, although some individuals may shed more than others.

Here's a quick rundown of the characteristics of a large Bernedoodle:

Overall, the large Bernedoodle is a wonderful companion for active families who want a loyal and loving friend.

A designer breed is a type of dog created by intentionally breeding two purebred dogs of different breeds. This is exactly what a Bernedoodle is, regardless of the size you are interested in.

Designer breeds are created for a variety of reasons, often to combine the desirable qualities of both parent breeds. Some people breed designer dogs in an effort to create a breed that has the intelligence and trainability of a Poodle, like the Bernedoodle.

Here's an interesting read: Largest Hypoallergenic Dogs

The Bernedoodle, for example, was bred to combine the friendly and gentle nature of a Bernese Mountain Dog with the low-shedding coat of a Poodle.

Designer breeds are not recognized as official breeds by major kennel clubs, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC). This means that they are not eligible to participate in AKC-sanctioned conformation shows or other events.

However, some designer breeds may be recognized by other organizations, such as the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC).

Here are some key characteristics of designer breeds like the Bernedoodle:

Overall, designer breeds like the Bernedoodle can make wonderful pets for the right owner, offering a unique combination of characteristics and traits.

The Bernedoodle is a friendly and outgoing breed, known for its gentle and playful nature. They are excellent companions for families with children or other pets.

Their intelligence is high, making them highly trainable with positive reinforcement methods. They are eager to please and love to learn, which makes them well-suited for various dog sports or as therapy dogs.

Bernedoodles come in three different sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy, depending on the size of the Poodle parent. They can weigh anywhere from 10 pounds to 90 pounds, with the Standard variety weighing up to 90 pounds.

Their coats can be curly, wavy, or straight, and they are generally low-shedding, making them potentially suitable for people with allergies. However, some individuals may shed more than others.

Here are the different sizes and weights of Bernedoodles:

Their lifespan is typically 12 to 18 years, which is a relatively long time for a dog. They are active dogs who require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.

Large Bernedoodles are naturally sweet and patient, making them a great match for families with younger kids. They'll happily play gently with toddlers and romp around with older kids, but they do need plenty of exercise and attention to keep them happy and healthy.

With sixty minutes of running, walking, fetching, and playing each day, your Large Bernedoodle will thrive. To prevent boredom, mix up their activities with brain games designed for dogs. They're also intelligent and social, but may be wary of strangers, so early socialization is key.

Here are some key characteristics to consider when deciding if a Large Bernedoodle is right for your family:

Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their intelligence, which makes them a great breed for families with children. They are also strong and versatile, which is why they're often used in search and rescue and as guide dogs.

Their original purpose was to work on farms, pulling carts and guarding livestock, which has helped them develop a strong work ethic. They're a large breed, but they're also popular as family pets.

In some parts of the world, they're still used for work on farms today. They were first recognized as a breed by the Swiss Kennel Club in 1907.

Recommended read: Mini Bernedoodle Dogs

Bernedoodles make great family pets, especially for outdoor enthusiasts and active families. They're perfect for families who love to spend time together and engage in activities like hiking or playing fetch.

One of the main reasons Bernedoodles are great is because they're intelligent and social, which makes them easy to train. They thrive on positive reinforcement training and can be very charming and charismatic with the right approach.

Bernedoodles are also great for families with younger kids, as they're gentle and patient. However, it's essential to socialize your Bernedoodle puppy to ensure they're comfortable around new people.

If you're looking for a low-maintenance pet, Bernedoodles might not be the best choice. They do require regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling of their fur.

Here are some key characteristics that make Bernedoodles great:

Bernedoodles are known for their loving and loyal nature, making them a great addition to many families. They thrive on attention and interaction, so it's essential to spend quality time with them.

Their intelligence and energy levels require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. A minimum of sixty minutes of running, walking, fetching, and playing each day is recommended.

Bernedoodles are particularly fond of younger kids and provide a wonderful lifelong companion as children grow into adults. They're also great with older kids, who can engage in more energetic activities with them.

However, socialization is crucial to help Bernedoodles become comfortable and affectionate around new people. It's essential to introduce them to various environments, people, and situations to prevent apprehension and skittishness.

Here are some key points to consider when bringing a Bernedoodle into your family:

With proper training, socialization, and attention, Bernedoodles can become the best family pet you've ever had.

A large Bernedoodle's diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. They do best on a high-quality dog food with real meat as the first ingredient.

Feeding a large Bernedoodle can be expensive, with larger members of the group eating a lot. Your dog food bill could add up to a formidable expense throughout their lifetime.

Regular exercise is essential for keeping your Bernedoodle fit and preventing obesity-related health issues. It also promotes muscle growth and supports overall well-being.

To maintain a healthy weight, Bernedoodles should be fed a high-quality, well-balanced diet tailored to their specific size, age, and activity level. It is crucial to follow the feeding guidelines provided by your veterinarian or pet food manufacturer and monitor your dog’s weight regularly.

A balanced diet that meets their specific requirements based on their age, size, and activity level is essential as your Bernedoodle grows. Monitor your dog’s body condition and consult with your veterinarian for recommendations on the best diet for your Bernedoodle.

Exercise is also an important factor in your Bernedoodle’s growth and development. Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, promotes muscle growth, and supports overall well-being.

Here are some general guidelines for exercise and diet:

Large Bernedoodles are generally a healthy breed, with a lifespan of 12-18 years. They may not inherit the same health risks as their Bernese Mountain Dog parent, which has a life expectancy of only seven years and is prone to cancer, hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease, and epilepsy.

However, Bernedoodles can still be predisposed to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, ocular diseases, and some allergies. They may also develop skin issues like hot spots due to their thick coats.

Regular grooming is essential to prevent skin problems and keep your Bernedoodle's coat clean and healthy.

For another approach, see: Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles

Bernedoodles can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, a condition that affects joint development and can cause pain and lameness. This is especially true if they're over-exercised in puppyhood.

Their thick coats can lead to skin issues like hot spots, which are caused by excessive licking or chewing of an area. Keeping up with regular grooming is essential to prevent these issues.

See what others are reading: Bernedoodle Health Issues

The Bernedoodle's Bernese Mountain Dog parent breed is known for having a short life expectancy of 7 years due to a high risk of cancer. However, this risk decreases with the size of the pup, with Toy Bernedoodles having the lowest cancer risk.

Bernedoodles may also inherit a predisposition to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, ocular diseases, and some allergies from their parent breeds. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian can help identify these issues early on.

While Bernedoodles are generally a healthy breed, they may still develop conditions like hip dysplasia, allergies, or eye diseases that require lifelong treatment. Dog insurance can be a valuable tool to manage these costs and provide peace of mind for pet owners.

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The Bernedoodle breed is known for its intelligence and low-shedding coat, making it a great choice for many dog owners. They're also loyal and friendly, which is perfect for families or individuals looking for a little playmate.

A long-lasting battery and in-built GPS make the Fi collar a reliable choice for tracking your pup's movements. With the Fi collar, you can have eyes on your little dog at all times, which is especially important for breeds like the Bernedoodle that are known for their adventurous nature.