Bernedoodle Characteristics

Coat Type

Each Bernedoodle has a unique coat. Most have a wavy coat that sheds minimally, if at all. Many people with allergies to dog dander (i.e., those who experience sneezing and runny eyes) are not affected by a wavy-coated dog. Bernedoodles with a curly coat look similar to a Poodle and will not shed. While there are no guarantees, even if you have sious allergies to dander, you should do well with a curly-coated Bernedoodle.

We can often tell by the time a dog is a few weeks old what type of coat it will have, and can help match you to the best coat type for your situation. If you are allergic to dog saliva, and your skin breaks out in hives when licked by a dog, you will most likely be allergic to all Bernedoodles regardless of coat type. As for grooming, the curlier the dog’s coat, the harder it is to maintain. Since most Bernedoodles shed little, if at all, they need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting, and must be clipped every few months.

Coat Colors

Bernedoodles can come in many “base colors”. The traditional base color is Black, but base colors can also be Brown, Cream or Red. Following are common Bernedoodle coat colors and coat patterns:

  • Tri-Color Bernedoodle – has the classic color and pattern of the Bernese Mountain Dog. It is the most desirable look for a Bernedoodle but also the hardest to produce.
  • Sable-Color Bernedoodle – appear to have two-toned coats. Sable dogs can change or lighten in color with age. The tips on the coat of a sable puppy can be either black or brown depending upon their color genetics. These tips may not be as visible on an adult, other than possibly showing on the tips of the ears or possibly on the legs.
  • Bi-Color Bernedoodle – has the classic pattern of the Bernese Mountain Dog but missing the rust points on the legs and face. Bi-color Bernedoodles are stunning.
  • Phantom-Color – The black and rust pattern of a Bernese Mountain Dog that has no white. Phantom can also be in brown and tan/cream.
  • Parti-Color – is not a color but a pattern that affects the pigment of the coat and changes it to white. A parti-colored dog is at least 50 percent white.
  • Mis-Marked Bernedoodle – has markings that are atypical from the classic pattern, but just as eye-catching as all other Bernedoodles.
  • Solid-Color Bernedoodle – has all the beauty of a Bernedoodle temperament in a stunning solid colored dog.
  • Merle – a marbled pattern with darker spots or patches (either blue or red varieties).
  • Brindle – a mixture of black, brown and tan; usually in a “tiger stripe” pattern.

Sizes

Bernedoodles come in different sizes, depending on the size of the parents and genetic factors. Females are usually smaller than males. At Wolf River Bernedoodles we breed the following sizes of dogs:

  • Standard Bernedoodle – results from crossing a Standard Poodle or Doodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog and will generally be 50 lbs. or more, and measure around 23-29 inches at the shoulder. Most standards are in the 70-90 lb. range.
  • Mini Bernedoodle – results from crossing a Miniature Poodle or Doodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog, generally weigh from 25-49 lbs. and be 18-22 inches at the shoulder.

Multigenerational Bernedoodles

Most of our puppies are Multigenerational Bernedoodles (Bernedoodle x Bernedoode)

Multigenerational Bernedoodles can offer greater predictability and more intentional trait selection than F1 or F1b Bernedoodles—when they are produced by an experienced breeder using thoroughly health-tested dogs and a carefully planned breeding program.

Advantages of Multigenerational Bernedoodles

  • More predictable coats: Breeders can select specifically for furnishings, coat texture, curl level, and shedding tendency. This can reduce the wide coat variation often seen within F1 litters.
  • Better balance between the parent breeds: F1b Bernedoodles are usually approximately 75% Poodle, which can produce lower-shedding coats but may also create a more Poodle-dominant appearance and temperament.
  • Multigenerational breeding allows breeders to maintain desirable Bernese characteristics without sacrificing coat quality.
  • More consistent appearance: Careful multigenerational breeding can produce greater consistency in teddy-bear faces, balanced structure, coat quality, coloring, markings, and mature size.
  • More consistent temperament: Breeders can evaluate multiple generations and select dogs with stable, affectionate, confident, intelligent, and adaptable personalities. This allows breeding decisions to be based on the qualities the dogs actually demonstrate—not simply their breed percentages.
  • Greater size predictability: F1 puppies can vary considerably because they come from two very different parent breeds. Multigenerational lines allow breeders to use dogs with more established size histories, improving adult-weight estimates.
  • Ability to improve each generation: Responsible breeders can retain the strongest qualities from previous generations while working to improve health, temperament, structure, coat, and overall consistency.
  • Potential for lower-shedding coats without extreme curl: Multigenerational breeding can produce soft, wavy, furnished coats that are often lower shedding while avoiding the very curly, Poodle-like coat frequently seen in F1b puppies.

How the Generations Compare

Generation Typical Parentage Common Characteristics

  • F1 Bernese Mountain Dog × Poodle = Greatest variation in coat, shedding, size, appearance, and temperament
  • F1b F1 Bernedoodle × Poodle = Typically curlier and more Poodle-dominant; often lower shedding
  • Multigenerational Bernedoodle × Bernedoodle or another carefully selected pairing = Greater opportunity to refine and predict coat, size, structure, appearance, and temperament

The generation label alone does not determine a puppy’s quality, health, or shedding level. A thoughtfully bred multigenerational Bernedoodle from extensively health-tested parents may be highly predictable, while a poorly planned multigenerational breeding offers no special advantage. The breeder’s knowledge, health testing, pedigree analysis, temperament evaluation, and selection standards matter far more than the generation name itself.

Health and Lifespan

The first Bernedoodles were bred in 2003 by Sherry Rupke of Swissridge Kennels in Ontario, Canada, so there is limited information about longevity and health concerns. At this point, we can only estimate an average lifespan: Standard Bernedoodles are predicted to live 12-15 years; and Mini Bernedoodles up to 17 years. Usually, the smaller the dog is, the longer it lives.

While Bernedoodles tend to be healthier than their parent breeds, they can still be prone to conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia and certain eye problems. Skin problems, such as hot spots and allergies, are also seen in this mix. Like any other breed of dog, they may get cancer.

Genetic testing can reduce the risk of many diseases. At Wolf River Bernedoodles, we will perform a number of tests and provide evidence of the successful results. It’s important for prospective buyers to understand that breeders invest a great deal of money upfront in finding healthy breeding stock and doing the required testing. This investment is usually reflected in the higher cost of the puppy for the buyer. A higher upfront cost will most likely reduce vet bills down the road.