What is a Bernedoodle? A Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. They are super loving and loyal dogs that are known for leaning in to those they love. Most Bernedoodles being made are F1 Bernedoodles and are 50% Cavalier and 50% Poodle, using a Poodle dad and a Bernese mom. Bernedoodles can also be made using a F1 Bernedoodle bred back to a Poodle making them 25% Bernese and 75% Poodle those would be called F1b Bernese, but are not as common these days. Another variation is a F1 Bernedoodle bred back to a Bernese making it a Reverse F1b Bernese resulting in a Bernedoodle that is 75% Bernese and 25% Poodle; those are less common because it can produce some puppies in the litter that are unfurnished and can shed. Another type of Bernedoodle that is really gaining popularity, and for good reason, is a Multigenerational Bernedoodle, these are made breeding a Bernedoodle to another Bernedoodle of any percentage of Bernese. These are rising in popularity because breeders have discovered that they can produce puppies that are healthier and have more desirable coats and can increase the percentage of Bernese in the puppies that are produced. While some Multigenerational Bernedoodles can actually be less desirable in health, coat and temperament traits if the breeder doesn't have a good understanding of genetics; it is always so important to do your research and select your puppy from a breeder that is ethical and has a firm understanding of genetics and their parent dogs being used. Bernedoodles are not all created equal and it is important to work with a breeder that understands the genetics and temperament being used to create their Bernedoodle Puppies. A newer generation of Bernedoodles, called Ultra Bernedoodles, is being created by several breeders. Ultra Bernedoodles are where the Bernese percentage is higher than the Poodle percentage in the puppies produced; but unlike the reverse F1b Bernedoodles, all the Ultra Bernedoodle puppies will have at least one furnishing if bred correctly with the intention that Ultra Bernedoodles were created with.

How big do Bernedoodle get? Anywhere from 15 to 90 lbs typically. Breeders will specify the size of the parents used and the size of the puppies created for each specific litter. Bernedoodles come in many sizes because Poodles also come in many sizes, but the most common Poodle size used to make Bernedoodles is the Toy Poodle, Because Bernese are so large to begin with ranging from 60-110 lbs, most breeders like to breed down the size of the puppies by using a Toy Poodle, creating 20-50 lbs size in general for F1 Bernedoodles depending on how big the Bernese mom used is. However, Standard Poodles are often used to create Standard size Bernedoodles both F1 and F1b's and those are more 60-90 lbs. Medium Bernedoodles are typically 40-60, and can be F1, F1b or Multigenerational same with Mini Bernedoodles that are typically 25-40 lbs. "Toy", "Petite" Bernedoodles are 15-25 lbs, but to get to that tiny size takes a lot of generations and they usually are a very high percentage of Poodle verses Bernese ratio and are usually F1bb or Multigenerational. Each Breeder has different pounds range listed for the different size names so it is always important to check with each program how they classify their different sizes. For example one program will say Minis are 20-40 lbs, while another program would call that same size Medium.

Do Bernedoodles shed? No, but yes. Let me explain: Bernedoodles are considered hypoallergenic and many consider them to be non-shedding. However, all dogs will shed to some degree just as humans do. There is a lot of misconception out there about hypoallergenic dogs. Many think that it's the coat texture that determines the shed factor, whether a dog has a curly, wavy or straight coat. But that is wrong and does not have to do with the amount of shedding. The actual genes that determine shedding are the furnishing gene and the shed gene. The furnishing gene being the strongest to determine the amount of shedding, verses the shed gene that mosly determines whether the hair follicle is softer and more fine or thicker/coarser. If a dog has even a single furnishing then they will have hair insead of fur and that is what makes them hypoallergenic and what many would call "non-shed". Fur follicles grow to a certain length and then fall out and replaces itself and that's the shedding that happens in most dogs. Compared to hair follicles that continuously grow with only some falling out, like with humans, but most hair follicles continue to grow and those dogs are the ones that are low to "non" shed and are considered hypoallergenic. Dogs with furnishings will need regular hair cuts every 2-4 months typically. Dogs with 2 furnishings shed even less than dogs with 1 furnishing, even though both are hypoallergenic and hardly shed at all compared to dogs with fur. Dogs with 2 furnishings and 2 low shed genes will shed the very least and are the absolute best for those that may suffer with dog allergies, and the dog's coat will be the softest. Dogs with 2 furnishings and only 1 shed gene will still be great for allergy sufferers and the coat will still be soft. Dogs with 2 furnishing and no low shed genes will still be less shed but their coats may not be as soft and the coat may bother some with allergies. Dogs with 1 furnishing and no low shed genes may shed a little more noticeably but still not very much, but have a higher chance of bothering allergy sufferers. Dogs with no furnishings will have fur and will shed noticeably whether they have 0-2 low shed genes and usually do bother those that have dog allergies. How the two genes interact will determine the shed amount and coat softness. For example many Poodles with 2 furnishings have no low shed genes and their hair has a more coarse feel to it but they still don't shed, at least not anymore than a human. But all Cavaliers do not have any furnishings but do have 2 low shed genes and their fur sheds noticeably but their coat is silky soft. Always ask your breeder how many furnishings the puppies will have. All F1 puppies will only have 1. F1b puppies may have 1 or 2, Multigenerational can be anywhere from 0-2. The intended goal with Multigenerational is to produce all puppies with 2 furnishings.

How long do Bernedoodles live? Bernedoodles generally live 12 - 15 years. The smaller ones even up to 18 years. There are many factors that can influence a Bernedoodle's lifespan, the main ones are size, genetics, diet, exercise and preventative care. Purchasing from a reputable breeder who tests both genetically and physically with DNA and OFA testing for health issues in both parent breeds and pairs their dogs responsibly will increase the longevity and quality of a Bernedoodle's life. Size also plays a factor because smaller dogs have less stress on their heart and joints. What a dog eats can also affect it's length and quality of life. Regular veterinary visits are also important to catch any issues early on, especially in their senior years starting around 8 years old.