MINIATURE BERNEDOODLE PUPPIES
Playful. Friendly.
Also called the Bernese Mountain Poo, Bernesepoo, Bernesedoodle, and Bernepoo, the Bernedoodle hybid mixes the happy-go-lucky temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog with the intelligence of its Poodle parents. Mini Bernedoodles are happiest when they're spending time with their families, children included. (In fact, because they prefer to be close to you, they don’t do well when left alone for long periods.) They are willing participants in playtime and cuddle fests alike. Fans of the breed adore their friendliness, playfulness, intelligence, and affection. They are fairly adaptable and go with the flow. If you need a dog for the whole family, or if you're a single owner looking for a lovable, smart mixed-breed with good health that will put a smile on your face with their antics, you won't be able to find a much better choice than the Miniature Bernedoodle.
Temperament
They love spending time with their human family and should not be left alone for long periods. They can be wary of strangers, but early training can help their socialization.
Toy and mini Bernedoodles can be more energetic and stubborn than the standard version, but you will find them relatively easy to train because of that Poodle intelligence.
Appearance
Their skull is moderately round with flat cheekbones and a long, straight muzzle with a scissor bite. Their eyes are dark, oval, and set far enough apart to make their facial expressions appear alert and intelligent. Ears have wide and thick ear leather and hang close to the head, at or just below eye level.
Coats can be curly, dense, and highly textured, or corded, hanging in tight even cords of varying lengths. The coat is tricolor with black as the base and markings in rich rust and clear white.
The tail will vary in length, but it is bushy and carried high.
Exercise
This breed tends to wander and hunt, so a fenced-in yard is important. They can adapt to urban or rural settings provided there is time and space for daily exercise.
This breed requires a lot of human interaction, so leaving him alone outside for long periods will not work for the Bernedoodle.
We recommend at least an hour of exercise every day. They will do well with time to fetch, run, and learn new tricks.
The Bernedoodle hybrid combines the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle. The initial breeding of these two likely occurred long ago, but Sherry Rupke claims the first intentional breeding of two Bernedoodles in 2003 in Ontario, Canada, where she continues to develop this hybrid today. Bernese Mountain Dogs were developed in Swiss farmlands in an area called Bern, which is where its name comes from. Originally developed as a working dog pulling carts, herding cattle, and serving as a watch dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs are loving, loyal, fiendly, calm, and well-suited for obedience and tracking activities. The Poodle was developed in France and Germany in the 1400s as a hunting companion and retriever of waterfowl. (Their name originates from the German word “pudel” or “pudelin,” which means to splash, and the French term “chian canard,” which means duck dog. Their coats were developed especially to protect their vital organs and prevent their hair from snagging on underwater debris. Bernedoodles are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKS) because they are a hybrid of two pure breeds instead of being a new breed. However, the breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the International Designer Canine Registry, and the Designer Breed Registry.
Major health concerns to be aware of:
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Sebaceous Adenitis
- Hip Dysplasia
Minor health concerns to be aware of:
- Cataracts
- Color Dilution
- Alopecia
- Hyperadrenocorticism
- Hypoadrenocorticism
Bernedoodles require brushing once or twice a week to prevent mats and manage shedding. For Bernedoodles with curly and wavy coats, the shedding rate is minimal, but for the less-common straight coats, the shedding rate is low to moderate, especially during seasonal shedding. Consider trims every few months, but only bathe when necessary as more frequent bathing could lead to dry skin. Be sure to also include nails, eyes, and ears in your puppy’s regular grooming routine.
Toy and mini Bernedoodle pups can be very energetic and playful, so we recommend starting training early. While Bernedoodles are generally smart, alert, and easy to train, your window to train them properly as puppies is smaller than it might be with some of the more calm breeds. As with any puppy, we find that a bit of training and practicing skills with your Bernedoodle early on can create a well-behaved and calm family companion.
