Bernedoodle Dog breed guide: Care, training, and fun facts
23 September 2026
Breed guide overview
About Bernedoodles
Temperament
Exercise
Grooming
Training
Diet
Health
About the Bernedoodle breed
Bernedoodles, also known as Bernepoos, are a sturdy crossbreed in varied size. They were first bred in Canada, in 2003, to be family companions. They are a combination of the gentle, affectionate Bernese Mountain Dog and the intelligent Poodle. They have a low shedding, wavy to curly coat, often in the classic Bernese tricolour of black, white and orange. Bernedoodles have a goofy, loving and loyal personality and are known for their devotion to their families.
Weight, height & life expectancy
Bernedoodles come in tiny, miniature and standard sizes, depending on the Poodle parent. Bernedoodle males are an average height of 63–74cm, while females are slightly smaller at 58–69cm. Bernedoodles weigh between 32-41kg on average, while miniatures weigh around 11-22kg and tiny ones around 4.5-11kg.
The breed has a life expectancy of around 12–18 years, with smaller Bernedoodles tending to live longer.
What is the temperament of a Bernedoodle?
Bernedoodles have a gentle, affectionate and playful temperament. They are devoted to their family and mildly protective of their territory, often barking to alert you to visitors, but they are not natural guard dogs. They are people oriented rather than independent, and can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. They are usually friendly with strangers once introduced, although some inherit a more reserved, wary streak from their Bernese parent. Early socialisation and proper training are crucial to ensure they become well-adjusted and well-mannered dogs.
Bernedoodles are known for being wonderful family pets. While they are gentle and patient with children and other animals when properly socialised, they may display boisterous, bouncy behaviour, particularly as puppies. A large standard Bernedoodle can easily knock over a small child during play, so supervision around little ones is recommended.
How much exercise does a Bernedoodle need?
Bernedoodles are a varied-size and moderately active breed that need a medium amount of exercise. They have good stamina and enjoy physical activity, although their thick coats mean they can tire quickly and overheat in warm weather. On average, they need around 1-1.5 hours of exercise per day, with miniature and tiny Bernedoodles needing slightly less. This can include daily walks, hiking, games of fetch, swimming and off-lead play in a secure area.
Bernedoodles also benefit from mental stimulation through puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, scent games and short training sessions. It's important to provide them with regular exercise and mental enrichment to prevent boredom-related behaviours and to keep them physically and mentally fit.
Bernedoodle puppies have different exercise needs compared to adult dogs. As growing puppies, they require careful management of their exercise to avoid putting excessive strain on their developing bones and joints. It's important to provide them with age-appropriate activities that stimulate their minds and bodies without causing overexertion.
Full exercise at an adult level can typically be introduced slowly around 12 months for mini Bernedoodles and tiny Bernedoodles, and 12-18 months for standards, but it's best to consult with your vet for specific exercise recommendations.
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Do Bernedoodles need a lot of grooming?
Bernedoodles have a low-shedding coat that requires a high level of grooming. Their wavy coat can mat easily, particularly behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar. Regular daily brushing with a slicker brush followed by a metal comb will keep their coat tangle-free. They also need a professional clip every 6–8 weeks.
Between around 6-12 months of age their puppy coat changes to an adult one, and more frequent brushing is necessary. Bernedoodles are a fairly clean breed with little doggy odour. Although their beards and floppy ears can trap moisture and dirt, so need to be checked and cleaned weekly. Bathe them roughly every 4-8 weeks; this can often be booked alongside their professional groom.
Like any dog, regular tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste twice daily is ideal.
Are Bernedoodles easy to train?
Bernedoodles are highly intelligent and only moderately independent. This usually makes training fairly easy, unless they inherit a stubborn streak from their Bernese parent. They have a natural instinct to be affectionate and people-focused. The breed combines a playful, retrieving side from the Poodle and a gentle working nature from the Bernese, so proper socialisation and early training are crucial. Keep training sessions interesting, varied, and mentally stimulating to keep them engaged.
Bernedoodle Puppies
Start training your Bernedoodle puppy from a young age, focusing on loose-lead walking, not jumping up and reliable recall. You'll also need to get them used to short periods alone. Reward-based methods, such as positive reinforcement with treats, praise and play in short, fun sessions, work best with this breed. They are sensitive dogs that respond poorly to strict correction.
Early and ongoing socialisation with a wide range of people, animals, and environments is vital to ensure they grow up to be well-rounded and well-behaved dogs. Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are key to successful training with Bernedoodles.
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What do Bernedoodles eat?
Bernedoodle puppies have specific dietary needs to support their growth and development. It's important to provide them with a balanced and high-quality puppy food formulated for large breeds (standard Bernedoodles) or small-to-medium breeds (miniature and tiny). Follow the feeding guidelines provided on the puppy food packaging, but they usually need 3-4 meals a day until around 6 months of age. Then the number of meals can be reduced to 2 meals per day.
As they reach their adult size at 12–18 months (depending on size) you can transition them to an adult dog food suitable for their size. Adult Bernedoodles do well on 2 meals per day. It's important to monitor their weight and adjust the portion sizes accordingly to prevent obesity. Providing fresh water at all times is essential.
Are Bernedoodles healthy?
Bernedoodles are generally a healthy breed, but like any dog, they may be prone to certain health conditions, many of which are inherited from their parent breeds. Some of the health concerns that may affect Bernedoodles include:
Bones and joints
- Hip Dysplasia - a condition where the thigh bone and pelvis do not sit together properly at the hip joint, which can lead to discomfort and arthritis.
- Elbow Dysplasia - this condition is where there is an issue with how the bones fit together at the elbow joint, more commonly seen in standard Bernedoodles.
- Patellar Luxation - where the kneecap slips out of its normal position, more commonly seen in miniature and tiny Bernedoodles.
Eyes
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - a gradual degeneration of the retina that can lead to loss of vision.
- Cataracts - a clouding of the lens of the eye that can affect vision.
- Entropion - this is where the eyelids roll in, causing eyelashes to rub onto the surface of the eye.
Gastrointestinal
- Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) - this occurs when the stomach twists and gas and contents get trapped inside. It is a very serious condition and a vet should be contacted immediately. Standard Bernedoodles inherit a deep chest from both parent breeds, which increases their risk, so it is important to watch for the signs of this dangerous condition. Feeding two smaller meals a day and avoiding vigorous exercise for an hour before and after meals can help reduce the risk.
- Sensitive stomachs - some Bernedoodles are prone to food sensitivities and digestive upsets, so introduce any change of diet gradually
This list is by no means comprehensive, if you have any concerns about the health of your dog, or if you want to discuss further if a Bernedoodle is right for you, consult with your vet.
Vet top tip
Teach alone time early! Bernedoodles are devoted, people-loving dogs that can be prone to separation anxiety. From puppyhood, gradually build up short periods apart using a comfy bed and a long-lasting chew or food puzzle, so they learn that being on their own is safe and calm.
Information on this page should never replace advice given by your veterinarian. Potential health issues presented are given as a guide only and are not meant to be comprehensive. If you ever have any concerns about your dog’s health contact your local vet.
