Standard Bernedoodle
Bernese × Standard Poodle. The biggest, calmest and most Bernese-like. Best for active families with room to roam and a vehicle big enough for a 70–90 lb co-pilot.
Breed Guide
The Bernedoodle: Sizes, Coat Types & Temperament
The Bernedoodle is a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle: a gentle, goofy, people-first companion that comes in three sizes and a range of coat types and colors. This guide covers Standard, Mini and Tiny Bernedoodle sizes, curly, wavy and straight coats, tri-color, merle and phantom markings, shedding and allergies, temperament, and lifespan, so you know exactly what to expect from a Bernedoodle puppy.
The Cross
What Is a Bernedoodle?
A Bernedoodle (sometimes written Bernadoodle or Bernese Mountain Poo) pairs the calm, loyal, family-devoted Bernese Mountain Dog with the intelligent, athletic, low-shedding Poodle. The first intentional Bernedoodle litters were bred in the early 2000s, and the cross has since become one of the most sought-after Doodle breeds in the United States.
The goal of a well-bred Bernedoodle is simple: the Bernese temperament and tri-color look in a healthier, longer-lived, lower-shedding package. Bernedoodles are not recognized by the American Kennel Club because they are a hybrid, but both parent breeds are, and reputable breeders health-test the parents to the standards of each breed club.
- Bernese Mountain Dog side: steady, affectionate, slow to mature, deeply bonded to its family; AKC size 23–27.5 in and 70–115 lb; typical lifespan only 7–10 years
- Poodle side: highly trainable, athletic, low-shedding curly coat; Standard, Miniature and Toy sizes; lifespan commonly 10–18 years
- The result: a loyal, trainable, often low-shedding family dog that frequently outlives a purebred Bernese
Size Chart
Bernedoodle Sizes: Standard, Mini and Tiny
Bernedoodle size is set almost entirely by the Poodle parent. Breed a Bernese to a Standard Poodle and you get a Standard Bernedoodle; use a Miniature Poodle and you get a Mini Bernedoodle; a Toy Poodle (usually through a Mini Bernedoodle dam) produces the Tiny or Toy Bernedoodle. Within each size there is still real variation, especially in F1 litters, so a responsible breeder quotes a range, not a number.
At Still Water Doodles we focus on Standard and Mini Bernedoodles, the two sizes best suited to active Utah families who hike, camp and ski with their dogs.
- Standard Bernedoodle: 23–29 inches at the shoulder, 70–90+ lb; full grown around 18–24 months
- Mini (Miniature) Bernedoodle: 18–22 inches, 25–50 lb; full grown around 12–15 months
- Tiny / Toy Bernedoodle: 12–17 inches, 10–24 lb; full grown around 10–12 months
- Males usually run larger than females within the same litter
- Puppies reach roughly half their adult weight by 4–5 months and most of their height by 9–12 months
Coat Genetics
Bernedoodle Coat Types: Curly, Wavy and Straight
Coat type is the question we get asked most, because it drives shedding, grooming and allergy-friendliness. Three genes do most of the work: the curl gene (KRT71) controls curly versus straight hair, the furnishings gene (RSPO2) gives the Doodle beard and eyebrows and is strongly linked to low shedding, and the length gene (FGF5) makes the coat long. A 2009 study in Science found that variants of these three genes account for about 95 percent of coat variation across dog breeds.
- Curly coat: tight Poodle-type curls, the lowest-shedding and most allergy-friendly option, needs brushing several times a week and professional grooming every 6–8 weeks
- Wavy coat: the classic teddy-bear Bernedoodle look, loose waves, minimal to light shedding, the most common coat in F1 and F1b litters
- Straight coat: closer to the Bernese, sheds more and is the least allergy-friendly; usually seen when a puppy lacks the furnishings gene (an 'unfurnished' or 'improper coat' puppy)
- Furnishings: the beard, mustache and eyebrows that make a Doodle look like a Doodle; puppies with two copies of the furnishings gene are the most reliably low-shedding
- No dog is truly hypoallergenic: furnished, curly and wavy Bernedoodles shed far less dander and hair, which is why many allergy-sensitive families do well with them
Patterns
Bernedoodle Colors and Markings
The signature Bernedoodle look is tri-color: a black base with rust (tan) points over the eyes, on the cheeks and legs, and white on the chest, blaze, muzzle and feet, exactly like a Bernese Mountain Dog. But because the Poodle brings so much color genetics to the cross, Bernedoodles come in far more patterns than their Bernese parent.
- Tri-color: black, rust and white; the classic Bernese pattern and the most requested
- Phantom: a solid base (black, chocolate or blue) with rust points but little or no white
- Merle and merle tri-color: a marbled, mottled coat from the merle gene; merle should only ever be bred to a non-merle dog, because double-merle puppies carry serious risks to hearing and vision
- Sable: hairs that are rust or cream at the base and tipped in black, often lightening as the puppy matures
- Chocolate (brown) tri-color, bi-color (black and white), and solid black, cream or apricot also occur
- Blue eyes: usually tied to merle, but can also come from the ALX4 blue-eye gene (see our ALX4 Blue-Eyed Gene page)
Temperament
Bernedoodle Temperament and Family Life
Bernedoodles are affectionate, goofy and loyal. They tend to be gentle with children, friendly with other dogs, and happiest when they are part of whatever the family is doing. Most inherit the Poodle's trainability, which makes house-training, crate training and basic manners straightforward with consistency and positive reinforcement.
They do need daily exercise and mental work. A Standard Bernedoodle is a good hiking, running and snowshoe partner; a Mini is a little easier in an apartment or small yard but still wants a daily walk and play. Like the Bernese, Bernedoodles can be sensitive and slightly stubborn as adolescents, and they bond so closely that they should not be left alone for long stretches every day. Early socialization, which we begin in our home with Early Neurological Stimulation and Puppy Culture protocols, is the best predictor of a confident adult dog.
- Great with kids: patient, sturdy and playful; supervise all dog and child interactions as always
- Trainable: eager to please and quick to learn, respond best to reward-based training
- Moderate energy: 45–90 minutes of activity a day for a Standard, somewhat less for a Mini
- Velcro dogs: they want to be with their people and do poorly when isolated
- Low to moderate barking: most Bernedoodles are calm indoor dogs once they mature
Health
Bernedoodle Health and Lifespan
A well-bred Bernedoodle typically lives 12–15 years for a Mini and 12–14 years for a Standard, noticeably longer than the Bernese Mountain Dog average. Hybrid vigor helps, but it is not a guarantee, which is why parent health testing matters more than the label on the puppy.
At Still Water Doodles every parent dog is screened with OFA hip and elbow evaluations, an eye exam, and a DNA panel that covers the conditions known in both parent breeds, including degenerative myelopathy, von Willebrand disease and progressive retinal atrophy. Ask any breeder to show you the actual certificates, not just a sentence on a website.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia: screened by OFA or PennHIP in both parents
- Eye conditions: annual CAER eye exam plus DNA for PRA
- Bloat (GDV): a risk in deep-chested Standards; feed smaller meals and avoid hard exercise right after eating
- Cancer: the leading cause of death in Bernese Mountain Dogs; one reason the Poodle cross is attractive
- Grooming: brush 2–4 times a week, professional groom every 6–10 weeks, nails, ears and teeth on a schedule
Size Guide
Which Bernedoodle Size Is Right for You?
Mini Bernedoodle
Bernese × Miniature Poodle (or F1b/multigen). The most popular size: big enough to hike, small enough for a car seat and a city yard.
Tiny Bernedoodle
Mini Bernedoodle × Toy Poodle. A lap-sized Bernedoodle for apartments, travelers and seniors. We do not currently breed Tiny Bernedoodles.
FAQ
Bernedoodle Questions We Hear Most
- Do Bernedoodles shed?
Most Bernedoodles shed very little. Curly and wavy coats with furnishings (the beard and eyebrows) are the lowest-shedding; a straight, unfurnished coat sheds more like a Bernese. No dog is 100 percent hypoallergenic, but many allergy-sensitive families live comfortably with a furnished Bernedoodle. If allergies are a concern, tell us and we will steer you toward the right coat and generation.
- How big does a Mini Bernedoodle get?
A Mini Bernedoodle usually finishes at 25–50 pounds and 18–22 inches at the shoulder, with females on the smaller end. Puppies from the same litter can vary by 10–15 pounds, so we give every family a range based on the parents, not a promise.
- Are Bernedoodles good family dogs?
Yes. The Bernese side brings patience and loyalty, the Poodle side brings trainability and playfulness. Bernedoodles are typically gentle with children and other pets, and they thrive on being included in family life. They do not do well left alone for long days.
- How long do Bernedoodles live?
Mini Bernedoodles commonly live 12–15 years and Standards 12–14 years, compared with 7–10 years for a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog. Health-tested parents, a healthy weight and regular veterinary care make the biggest difference.
- What is the difference between an F1 and F1b Bernedoodle?
An F1 is a Bernese bred to a Poodle (50/50). An F1b is an F1 Bernedoodle bred back to a Poodle (roughly 75 percent Poodle), which makes curlier, more reliably low-shedding coats. Our Doodle Generations page walks through every generation.
- How much do Bernedoodle puppies cost in Utah?
Well-bred Bernedoodle puppies from health-tested parents typically run $4,000–$6,500 depending on size, color and generation. Our puppies are $5,500 and include a written health guarantee, microchip, vaccinations, deworming, early training and lifetime breeder support.
References
Sources & Further Reading
- American Kennel Club — Bernese Mountain Dog breed information — official height, weight, lifespan and temperament
- American Kennel Club — Poodle (Standard, Miniature, Toy) — the three Poodle sizes that set Bernedoodle size
- Cadieu et al. 2009, Science — Coat variation in the domestic dog is governed by variants in three genes — RSPO2 (furnishings), FGF5 (length) and KRT71 (curl) explain ~95% of coat variation
- National Human Genome Research Institute — Variants in three genes account for most dog coat differences — plain-English summary of the coat-gene study
- UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory — Dog coat color and coat type DNA tests — where coat, color, merle and furnishings tests are ordered
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — Hip, elbow and eye screening — look up any parent dog's published health clearances
- Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America — Breed health information — the parent club's health resources, including cancer and longevity data
Ready to Meet a Bernedoodle?
Join our waitlist to be first in line for upcoming Standard and Mini Bernedoodle litters raised in our Salt Lake City home.