The Bernedoodle Breed

What is a Bernedoodle?

Bernese Mountain Dog crossed with a Poodle

A Bernedoodle is a Bernese Mountain Dog crossed with a Poodle — the combination that made doodles famous, and for good reason. From the Bernese comes the temperament families fall in love with: gentle, affectionate, famously goofy, and deeply attached to their people. From the Poodle comes intelligence, trainability, and a coat that typically sheds very little. The result is a dog bred to be a companion first — steady enough for a house with kids, smart enough to be a genuine partner, and soft enough to be the one everyone wants on the couch.

Living with a Bernedoodle

low to moderate energy

Bernedoodles are generally low to moderate energy. A good daily walk and some play usually does it, and then they're content to flop at your feet for the evening. They are, above all, people dogs. They want to be with you — which is wonderful if you're home a fair amount, and harder if the dog will be alone for long stretches. If your household is out ten hours a day, be honest with yourself about that before you commit. Adolescence can be enthusiastically stubborn. Somewhere between six and eighteen months most Bernedoodles decide to test what they can get away with. Consistency gets you through it, and the dog on the other side is worth it. They're sensitive dogs, too. Harsh correction doesn't work well; clear, upbeat, reward-based training does.

Generations

• F1 - the first cross: This is the first cross between a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog and a purebred Poodle. The genetics are split 50/50, so the dog would get 50% of their traits from the Bernese, and 50% of their traits from the Poodle. Typically F1 doodles will still have some shedding so if you are concerned with shedding or allergies this may not be the best generation for you! Coats are usually wavy, occasionally straighter or curlier, and shedding is low to moderate.

• F1b - bred back to Poodle: This generation is created by crossing an F1 Bernedoodle back to a Poodle. This will make them about 75% Poodle and 25% Bernese Mountain Dog. F1b Bernedoodle are known for their non-shedding and hypoallergenic coats, making them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers.

• F2 - crossing F1s: The F2 generation is created by crossing two F1 Bernedoodles. This typically results in the most diverse litter, with there being some puppies that get more of the Poodle traits in them, some that get more Bernese traits, and everything in between. For those looking for an unfurnished puppy, the F2 generation is your best bet.

• F2b - F2 bred back to Poodle: The F2b generation can be created by crossing an F2 back to a Poodle. The outcome of this crossing can vary greatly depending on the % Bernese to Poodle in the F2 parent. For example, if the F2 parent is 50% Poodle and 50% Bernese, then crossing it back to a Poodle will produce results very similar to an F1b generation.

• Multi-generation: This term is used when breeding past the second generation, so generally 3rd generation and greater. They usually tend to have a good balance of both breeds, and coats and temperaments are typically more predictable.

There's no "best" generation — only the one that fits what you're after. A curlier, lower-shedding coat means more grooming, not less. We're happy to talk through which of our pairings suits your household.

Size and coat

Size / Coat / Color / Grooming is not optional.

Size. Ours are mostly mini and medium — typically 30–40 lbs full grown — with the occasional standard litter at 50+ lbs. The parents' weights are the only meaningful predictor, so ask us about the specific pairing you're considering.

Coat. Usually wavy, sometimes curly. Low-shedding as a rule — but coat type varies within a single litter, and no honest breeder will guarantee you a non-shedding puppy.

Color. Tri-color, phantom, sable, and black-and-white are all common, often with white chest and paw markings.

Grooming is not optional. A wavy or curly coat needs brushing several times a week and professional grooming roughly every 6–10 weeks. Budget for it — in money and in the time it takes to teach a puppy to enjoy being handled. It's the single most underestimated part of doodle ownership.

Health and genetic testing

Health and genetic testing — what to actually ask about

A Bernedoodle brings together two parent breeds, each with its own genetic risks. Responsible breeding means testing for them.

Parents should be screened for hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy (DM), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-PRCD), von Willebrand disease (vWD1), and CDDY/IVDD (intervertebral disc disease).

It's also worth knowing honestly that Bernese Mountain Dogs carry an elevated cancer risk as a breed. It's a fair question to ask any breeder working with Bernese lines, and one reason careful outcrossing appeals to a lot of families.

How we do it

Embark tested

Every one of our parent dogs is Embark tested, and we publish the results — you can open the full panel yourself from each dog's profile. We plan our pairings around those results.

Is a Bernedoodle right for you?

We'd rather you find the right dog than simply buy one of ours.

They tend to thrive with

• Families who want an affectionate companion more than an activity partner

• Households where someone is home a fair amount

• Homes with children — they're among the gentlest doodle crosses

• Owners happy with moderate daily exercise rather than structured sport

They're often not the right fit for

• Homes where the dog would be alone all day — separation is genuinely hard on them

• Anyone who can't budget for grooming every couple of months

• People wanting a guaranteed size, coat, or color

• Households wanting a high-drive running or training partner