A Medium Bernedoodle is a fantastic crossbreed between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Medium Poodle, typically weighing between 40-60 pounds. This size range makes them an ideal companion for many families.
Their intelligence and trainability are inherited from their Poodle parent, making them relatively easy to train. With patience and consistency, you can teach your Medium Bernedoodle to obey basic commands and even learn some fun tricks.
Their coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling, but the right tools and techniques can make this task a breeze.
Consider reading: Medium Poodle
What is a Medium Bernedoodle?
A Medium Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle.
They are wonderful family pets, loving people and adoring children and other pets.
Medium Bernedoodles are very intelligent, easy to train, fun loving, and happy.
History
The Bernedoodle breed has a fascinating history that dates back to 2003, when Sherry Rupke first intentionally paired a Bernese mountain dog with a poodle to create a healthier and more allergen-friendly breed.
Discover more: Bernedoodle Breed
Sherry Rupke, the pioneer behind the Bernedoodle, was inspired by her success with goldendoodles and wanted to achieve the same health results with the Bernese mountain dog breed. She successfully created the first intentional pairing of a Bernese mountain dog and a poodle, marking the beginning of the Bernedoodle breed.
The Bernedoodle breed was born in the wake of the "doodle" craze that swept the world after the Labradoodle came on the scene in the 1990s. This movement towards hybrid breeds aimed to combine the best qualities of different purebred breeds.
Bernedoodles are not recognized by reputable purebred dog registries, such as the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club, due to their hybrid status. This lack of recognition also means that Bernedoodles do not have an official breed standard, leading to variation in how individual Bernedoodles look and act.
The generation of a Bernedoodle plays a significant role in determining its characteristics. F1 Bernedoodles, for example, are a 50-50 cross between a purebred Bernese mountain dog and a purebred poodle, resulting in variable coat types and shedding levels.
See what others are reading: Best Dog Food for Bernedoodle Puppies
What Is a Doodle?
A Doodle is a cross between a Poodle and another breed, such as a Golden Retriever or Bernese mountain dog.
They are wonderful family pets, known for being intelligent and easy to train.
Both breeds are very intelligent, easy to train, fun loving, happy, love people, adore children and other pets.
They love to take part in family activities, such as camping, hiking/walking, swimming, etc.
Appearance and Characteristics
A medium Bernedoodle's appearance can vary depending on its parents, but they often have a tricolor coat with black, tan, and white markings. Their fur can be curly like a poodle or straighter like a Bernese mountain dog.
Their coat type will also affect their shedding habits, with curly coats being less prone to shedding. Brushing your Bernedoodle twice a week can make shedding less noticeable, but it's essential to brush them at least once a week to prevent matting.
Medium Bernedoodles can come in various sizes, including tiny, miniature, and standard. A standard Bernedoodle can reach up to 29 inches in height and weigh up to 90 pounds, while a mini Bernedoodle is between 18–22 inches tall and weighs 20–45 pounds.
Here are the different Bernedoodle sizes and their typical weights:
Overall, a medium Bernedoodle's appearance and characteristics make them a wonderful companion for many families.
Appearance
Bernedoodles can vary in color, but they're typically tricolor like their mountain dog mom or dad. They can also be pure black, black and white, or a random mix.
Their fur can be curly like their poodle parent or straighter like a Bernese mountain dog. The straighter the coat, the more your Bernedoodle will shed.
A curly Bernedoodle coat is typically sought-after because it's considered hypoallergenic. While no dog is 100 percent allergen-friendly, this breed's coat can be a good option for those who tend to sneeze, sniffle, or itch around dogs.
Bernedoodles come in three sizes: tiny, miniature, and standard. A smaller mix could easily live in an apartment as long as she gets plenty of walks and exercise.
A standard Bernedoodle can reach up to 29 inches in height and weigh up to 90 pounds. A mini is between 18–22 inches tall and weighs 20–45 pounds.
A "tiny", bred from a toy poodle, is only 12–17 inches and weighs 10–24 pounds. Brushing your Bernedoodle twice a week will make shedding less noticeable.
Here's an interesting read: Mini Bernedoodle Black and White
Most Bernedoodles have a wavy or curly hair coat that is low to no shedding. You can have your Bernedoodle trimmed every few months or you can do this yourself or have a professional do it.
Tri-color Bernedoodles are the most difficult to breed and are in the highest demand, making them the most expensive.
On a similar theme: Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles
Characteristics of the
The Bernedoodle's personality is a big part of what makes them such great family pets. They're known for being affectionate and friendly, which makes them a great fit for families with kids.
A Bernedoodle's temperament can vary, but they're generally calm and loyal. However, some Bernedoodles can be more outgoing or reserved, and some can even be hyperactive.
Bernedoodles are highly intelligent and trainable, but some can be stubborn, which can make training a bit more challenging. They're also known for being non-shedding, which is a big plus for people with allergies or who just don't like cleaning up dog hair.
For more insights, see: Great Bernedoodle
Here's a breakdown of some key characteristics of the Bernedoodle breed:
In terms of size, Bernedoodles come in three main varieties: Standard, Medium, and Mini. The size of a Bernedoodle can vary, but generally, they can range from 15 inches and under to 29 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 7 pounds to over 50 pounds.
Temperament and Behavior
Bernedoodles are a great family pet, especially for younger kids. They provide a wonderful lifelong companion as children grow into adults.
Bernedoodles can be apprehensive, sensitive, and skittish around strangers, but with proper socialization, they'll be comfortable and affectionate around new people. Positive reinforcement training can help them become very charming and charismatic.
They are intelligent pups and tend to be goofy and love attention from their humans. Bernedoodles are easy to train and love to work, making them perfect therapy and service dogs.
Temperament
Bernedoodles are known for their affectionate and playful nature, making them a great family pet. They're especially fond of younger kids and provide a wonderful lifelong companion as children grow into adults.
They can be a bit apprehensive, sensitive, and skittish around strangers at first, but with proper socialization, they'll be comfortable and affectionate around new people too.
With positive reinforcement training, Bernedoodles can be very charming and charismatic. They thrive on attention from their humans and love to be around people.
Bernedoodles are intelligent pups and tend to be goofy, which makes them a joy to be around. They're easy to train and love to work, making them perfect therapy and service dogs.
They're very gentle around the elderly and children, and seem to know what people can handle. This makes them a great fit for families with kids or elderly members.
Like with any puppy, Bernedoodles need training early on. This is best for both you and your Bernedoodle, as it helps them develop good behavior and strengthens your bond.
Related reading: Bernedoodle Training
Dog Training
Bernedoodles are highly intelligent and easy to train, making them a great choice for first-time dog owners.
Positive reinforcement training methods like clicker training paired with tasty treat rewards will help you get the best results from your Bernedoodle.
It's recommended to start obedience training using positive reinforcement from a young age to help your puppy grow into an adult dog who knows the rules.
You can expect to pay around $100 annually for training classes, but this isn't a must for all owners, especially experienced ones.
Professional dog training isn't mandatory, but it's always a good idea to ensure your dog is well-behaved and socialized.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Bernese Mountain Dog vs Bernedoodle
Care and Maintenance
Medium Bernedoodles have a wavy or curly coat that's ideal for those with allergies, but they'll need frequent brushing to prevent painful matting.
A very curly, "hypoallergenic" dog will need a haircut every few months, so just because they're low-shedding doesn't mean they're low-maintenance.
Standard Bernedoodles do best with a fenced-in yard to run around and play in, and they'll need daily walkies to burn off their energy.
They'll need consistent social stimulation to reinforce positive behaviors, and the more exposure they have to new pets and humans, the more likely they are to be well-behaved when introduced to a foreign person or situation.
A Bernedoodle's smarts make her typically easy to train, but it also means she can learn behaviors (good or bad) quickly, so it's essential to keep up with training, even past her puppy days.
Training a Bernedoodle requires positive reinforcement and patience, and they may inherit the Bernese's willfulness or the poodle's high energy, which will need more of your time and attention.
Bernedoodles need regular grooming, including brushing and trimming, to prevent matting and shedding.
Trim your Bernedoodle's nails every two weeks and look inside their ears weekly, cleaning them with a pet safe ear cleaner if they look dirty.
Taking your Bernedoodle to a groomer 4 or 5 times a year should be enough, and that might add up to around $400-$500, which includes a bath, trimming, and ear care.
Broaden your view: Bernedoodle Potty Training
Health and Wellness
The Bernedoodle lifespan is 12–18 years, which is a significant advantage over the Bernese Mountain Dog's life expectancy of only seven years.
Their hybrid nature may reduce the risk of inherited health issues, but they can still be prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, ocular diseases, and some allergies.
Regular grooming is crucial to prevent skin issues like hot spots, which are often caused by excessive licking or chewing due to a dirty and matted coat.
Genetic testing can help reduce health concerns in Bernedoodles, especially for hip, elbow dysplasia, and eye problems.
Bernese Mountain Dogs and Standard Poodles need to be tested for various genetic disorders, while Mini Poodles require testing for eyes, hips, and Vwd.
As a responsible Bernedoodle owner, it's essential to keep an eye out for warning signs like excessive drooling and weight gain, which can indicate underlying health issues.
Take a look at this: Mini Bernedoodle Health Issues
Ownership and Costs
The cost of owning a medium Bernedoodle can be a significant investment.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to over $5,000 for a Bernedoodle, depending on whether you adopt or buy, and from where.
A quality breeder can charge at least $3,000 for a purebred Bernedoodle puppy.
At Central Illinois Doodles, their prices start from $4,000, which includes necessary vaccinations, a blanket, and more.
You'll also need to factor in long-term costs, such as food, grooming, health care, and accessories, which can exceed $1,000 annually.
Over the expected life span of 10-12 years, you can expect to pay at least $14,000 for buying and upkeeping your Bernedoodle.
Finding and Preparing
Finding a quality breeder is crucial when looking for a medium Bernedoodle. Central Illinois Doodles is a renowned breeder in the Midwest, making them a top choice for American families.
There aren't many Bernedoodle breeders in the US, especially those who provide nationwide services. This scarcity makes Central Illinois Doodles a standout option.
You can either adopt a Bernedoodle from a shelter, buy from a backyard breeder or puppy mill, or purchase from a reputable breeder. Adopting from a shelter is a great option, but it's not the only way to bring a Bernedoodle into your life.
All puppies available for sale at Central Illinois Doodles are carefully bred, undergo health testing, and are raised in a loving environment. This ensures that you're getting a healthy and well-socialized pup.
Central Illinois Doodles has the experience, expertise, and love needed to breed beautiful and healthy Bernedoodle pups.
Sources
- Bernedoodle - Dog Breeds - Daily Paws (dailypaws.com)
- 2003 by Sherry Rupke (bernedoodleworld.com)
- Temperament, Coat, Size, Color... Everything ... (bluegrassbernedoodles.com)
- About Goldendoodle & Bernedoodle Puppies (riverdoodles.com)
- How Much Do Bernedoodles Cost? (centralillinoisdoodles.com)
Featured Images: pexels.com