Bernedoodles are a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle, but identifying traits in mixed breeds can be challenging. What are some of the differences between the Bernedoodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog? In this article, we’ll examine their differences, health problems, and more below.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Bernedoodle Overview

Bernedoodles are a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle, which means they share both dogs’ characteristics. Their coat colors range from white, black, brown, and rust. They have fluffy, curly fur that needs regular care to stay brilliant and gorgeous but have an affectionate temperament. They share the Bernese Mountain Dog’s appearance and many of the Poodle’s personality traits.

An important characteristic to note is the difference in their lifespans. Bernedoodles live longer than Bernese Mountain Dogs, living an average of 13 years compared to just 7 to 10 years.

Grooming

As a Poodle offshoot, Bernedoodles need more frequent brushing and grooming than Bernese Mountain Dogs. The silver lining is that they shed less, but they’ll still shed a lot in the hot summer months to keep them cool.

Personality & Temperament

Any crossbreed involving the Poodle will be affectionate, and the Bernedoodle is no exception. They’re an energetic, friendly hybrid that does well with active families or single people. The Bernedoodle needs thorough training and socialization to become a well-behaved dog, but due to the Poodle’s influence, they may be easier to train than a Bernese Mountain Dog.

Health Issues

While healthier than Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bernedoodles can inherit some of their issues and some of the Poodle’s common health problems. From the Bernese Mountain Dog, elbow and hip dysplasia are risks to keep an eye on, and the Poodle can pass down ocular diseases like cataracts from retinal degeneration.

Suitable for:

Bernadoodles are suitable for active individuals or families that get a moderate to high amount of exercise. Bernedoodles have a lot of energy and need a lot of exercise to wear them out compared to Bernese Mountain Dogs, so that needs to be planned accordingly when you adopt one.

The Bernedoodle may also inherit the Poodle’s aloof character. Bernese Mountain Dogs are more sociable, but Bernedoodles can take more work to socialize with unfamiliar family members or pets. They’re better suited for families without other pets, but you can socialize them with patience.

Bernese Mountain Dog Overview

Bernese Mountain Dogs are herding dogs native to the Swiss Alps, with long wavy fur in several common color configurations: white, black, brown, and rust. Atypical colorings may be mixed in from other breeds, but those are the most common. They were slower to come to the United States than other breeds but enjoy great popularity today.

Grooming

Like most long-haired large dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs need a regular grooming routine for their fur to stay clean and untangled. When neglected, a Bernese Mountain Dog’s fur can become tangled or matted over time. They need to be brushed daily to remove loose, dead hair. Around the feet are problem areas, and regular trims are needed to prevent shaggy toe hair that could obscure long nails.

Ancestry

Also known as the Berner Sennenhund, Bernese Mountain Dogs can trace their ancestry to herding dogs in the Swiss Alps. Most historians believe the breed is descended from the Mastiff-type hunting dogs brought to the country during the Roman expansion over a millennium ago, which were bred with local herding dogs to make the Bernese Mountain Dogs we know and love today.

Health Issues

Sadly, Bernese Mountain Dogs are more vulnerable to health conditions, including cancer and hip and elbow dysplasia, than most breeds. Dysplasia is a painful joint condition where the joints don’t grow and develop normally, so you’ll have to watch out for it and have your Bernese Mountain Dog regularly checked out to prevent it.

Suitable for:

The Bernese Mountain Dog is suitable for nearly any family with experience with large dogs. They are undemanding compared to many other breeds. Despite their lineage as hunting/herding dogs, Bernese aren’t energetic dogs and only need about an hour of vigorous exercise per day. As long as you exercise them, maintain veterinary appointments, provide a balanced diet, and keep them well-groomed, a Bernese Mountain Dog could be the ideal pet.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

If you have a high-energy house, perhaps with smaller kids, the Bernedoodle is probably more suitable for you. They’re more energetic with an overall smaller size than the Bernese Mountain Dog but may inherit some health issues from either parent.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a great pet for nearly any house in need of a large dog. They aren’t especially hyper and require an average amount of exercise, but they need more regular grooming and vet checks to stay healthy and happy.

See also:

• 11 Dogs Similar to the Bernese Mountain Dog (With Pictures)
• Labradoodle Dog Breed vs. Bernedoodle Dog Breed: The Key Differences (With Pictures)

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Featured Image Credit: Top – Bernedoodle (Cavan-Images, Shutterstock) | Bottom – Bernese Mountain Dog (André Dehne, Unsplash)