Bernedoodle is one of the most popular designer dogs in the US, the UK, Australia, and Canada, is a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle.
It was first crossbred by Sherry Rupke of SwissRidge Kennels in 2003. This lovely breed inherits some wonderful traits and features from both parent breeds such as the Poodle’s intelligence and the Bernese’s temperament, as well as, smartness and a low-shedding coat.
Bernedoodle is a complete package because it is social, friendly, loving, and cuddly. Along with that, it is an ideal dog for those who are allergic to dog dander and hair because its low-shedding coat doesn’t shed much. The best thing about Bernedoodle is that it comes in various sizes and generations, and you can choose one according to your needs. Just make sure you get a puppy from a well-reputed and responsible Bernedoodle breeder.
So, if you have planned to get a Bernedoodle dog and looking for its positive and negative traits aka pros and cons, you are just in the right place.
In this post, you’ll find all the pros and cons of Bernedoodles.
Bernedoodle Pros aka Positive Traits
Given below are the most common pros of Bernedoodle dogs. Let’s have a look at them below.
Low-shedding coat:
There is nothing like a hypoallergenic coat because every dog has a shedding coat, some shed more and some less. One of the Bernedoodle’s parent breeds- the Poodle has a curly coat which is considered a low-shedding coat and a Bernedoodle may also inherit this trait.
So, the Bernedoodle’s low-shedding coat makes it the best choice for people who have low to mild dog hair allergies. Although no one can guarantee what coat they’ll have, still, if you want to make sure that you have a dog with a low-shedding coat the F1b Generation Bernedoodle with 75% tendency of Poodle is the right choice for you. An F1 Bernedoodle may also have a low-shedding coat, the chances are 50-50 though.
Exceptional temperament:
Like most of the Doodle (or Oodle) breeds, Bernedoodle is also matchless in terms of temperament. But make sure you socialize and train your Bernedoodle puppy from an early age to avoid any behavior issues.
Overall, they are affectionate, loving, and happiest dogs who love to interact with their humans. They are ideal dogs for kids, seniors, individuals, and almost everyone, especially the Mini Bernedoodle is pure love.
Best for children and family:
Many Bernedoodle owners admitted that their pup is an ideal family dog for them because it is very loving and friendly. It is always ready to grab your attention and please you. If you have children, Bernedoodle will even be more vigilant for them. In fact, Bernedoodle loves the company of children and becomes their soulmates.
Pet-friendly:
You do not need to worry about getting a Bernedoodle if you already have other dogs or non-canine pets such as a cat, ferret, or rabbit, etc. The Bernedoodle can adjust to almost all pets and it makes a strong bond with all of them. But you should socialize your fur baby from an early age otherwise the situation may be the opposite of what we have said.
Also, if you are planning to get a Tiny Bernedoodle while you already have a large-sized dog such as a Great Dane, you need to supervise them when they are playing or the puppy may get injured or don’t get the Tiny Bernedoodle for a safe side.
Your best exercise partner:
All dogs need to be exercised daily to ensure their health, some breeds need less and some need more. Likewise, Bernedoodle becomes your true companion during exercises, jogging, swimming, playing, and other activities.
Friendly:
Bernedoodles are socio-friendly and guess what? They can impress your guests at first sight.
So these were the detailed Pros of Bernedoodles, now, let’s move to their Cons.
Bernedoodle Cons
Given below are some of the Bernedoodle cons that you should know before making the final decision because most people give up their dogs due to such reasons.
Daily exercise:
If you do not have time to take your dog outdoors for walks and exercise, don’t get a Bernedoodle. It is an exercise-loving breed and would not like to miss its daily walks and exercise.
At least 30 minutes of a daily walk (2 different walking sessions of 15 minutes each or so), exercise, and other enrichment activities are highly recommended or they may develop behavioral issues such as destructive chewing and excessive barking.
Inheritance of health-related issues:
As they are a designer breed, they may inherit diseases from their parents if the parents are not tested for such genetic issues before breeding. To avoid any such health issues, try to buy a dog from a certified and well-reputed breeder. As a precaution, ask for the health certificates of puppies and parents.
Your puppy may develop health-related issues with time if you have gotten it from a puppy mill and it may cost you thousands of bucks as vet bills.
Not a guard dog:
Bernedoodles have various types and generations but unfortunately, none of them becomes an ideal guard dog because it is too friendly to become a guard. They are so friendly that they’ll end up helping your predator with their friendly behavior.
So, if you are looking for a guard dog, consider other smart breeds such as a German Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois.
More than enough playfulness:
The Bernedoodles have more energy as compared to other breeds so their activity level is high. Their playfulness and responsiveness may sometimes become a headache for you because they hate to be bored and show bad behavior.
Remember, a bored dog is a destructive dog and it can further lead to many complex issues such as separation anxiety, excessive barking, destructive chewing, etc. Read everything about Separation Anxiety.
Regular grooming:
The low-shedding coat has many advantages but at least one disadvantage- regular grooming. A Bernedoodle dog usually sheds very little because of its curly coat, so you need to brush them regularly, or they’ll have a matted or tangled coat. They should be brushed 3 to 4 weekly while professional grooming is needed every 2-3 months.
Expensive:
The Bernedoodle’s cost may vary between $2500-$6500 because of their high demand, which means, they are relatively more expensive than many other dog breeds. These dogs also come in several beautiful color patterns that may cost you even more.
Moreover, it is a high-maintenance breed especially the Standard Bernedoodle which may cost you around $600-$1000 every year.
What Bernedoodle Owners say about this breed?
We have collected feedback from over 50 Bernedoodle owners and found out some important facts and figures. So, we thought to summarize what they have said and present it to you so you’ll have a clearer idea about the breed. Actually, it is important to know the instances of owners along with breeders and experts.
Remember, the below-given feedback is collected from different owners and the situation may be different for other owners because every dog is different and mostly, it depends on how you raise and train your dog. We are sharing this feedback and reviews just for the sake of our readers, especially those who are planning to get a Bernedoodle puppy
So, read them to know more about Bernedoodles.
Positives:
- We got our puppy at the age of 8 months and he had already developed many bad habits but we trained him and he is now a champion dog. We spent some extra time training him and got the fruit.
- Very easy to potty-train. Easily trained and picked up all commands. Great with children. Requires a lot of exercise.
- Incredibly easy to train. We potty-trained him for one week after he arrived at our home. He wakes up at 4 am sharp to pee and sleeps instantly after doing the job. Very loving and intelligent.
- Our 2-year-old F2 Bernedoodle doesn’t shed at all. He knows how to open the door. He is very loving.
Negatives:
- Velcro dog that cannot be left alone because it gets highly destructive. Needs daily brushing.
- My Bernedoodle is very stubborn and does not like to be left alone. Sometimes, he shows very bad behavior, such as jumping and biting.
- My Bernedoodle is excessively hyper and extremely mouthy.
- My Standard Bernedoodle sheds although his coat is thicker and straighter. He eats everything and swallowed a chew toy so we need to keep an eye on him all the time.
Final words:
You are once again recommended to buy from an expert and certified breeder and make sure your dog has had all the necessary vaccinations.
As we have listed the major Pros and Cons of Bernedoodles, if you feel you can easily bear them, they are the best of the best dogs for you. They become your life partners and the best companions.
If you have any questions about Bernedoodles, we would like to answer them.
