Bernedoodle Temperament: Pros, Cons, & Family Suitability

The Bernedoodle is an adorable, fluffy Dood known for its friendly and gentle nature. If you consider adopting a Bernedoodle puppy, you’re probably wanting to know more about the Bernedoodle temperament and personality traits. And although Bernedoodles generally make great pets, it doesn’t mean that they’re suitable for everyone. So, if you’re interested in learning more about the Bernedoodle temperament, you’ll surely find this article of Bernedoodle personality pros and cons a helpful guide. 

Table of Contents

• What Is A Bernedoodle?
• Most Common Bernedoodle Temperament Traits
• Bernedoodle Temperament: Pros & Cons
• Are Bernedoodles Suitable For You?
• Bernedoodle Temperament: Frequently Asked Questions
• Bernedoodle Temperament: Final Thoughts

What Is A Bernedoodle?

The Bernedoodle is a hybrid cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle. Like other Doodle breeds, Bernedoodles were first created to achieve a Bernese-inspired pup with a low-shedding coat, combining the best traits from both purebred parents. 

The Bernese Mountain Dog originates from the mountains of Switzerland, where they’re raised as farm dogs. Meanwhile, the Poodle is thought to originate from Germany as a hunting dog. Today, their Bernedoodle offspring are on their way of becoming almost as famous as their purebred parents. 

The Bernedoodle has the perfect mix of the loyal and hard-working Bernese Mountain Dog, and the intelligent and playful Poodle. And compared to the super-shedding Bernese, the Bernedoodle sheds considerably less thanks to its Poodle heritage. 

As one of the more established Doodle breeds, the Bernedoodle comes in a variety of sizes – Standard, Mini/Medium, and Tiny/Toy Bernedoodle, depending on the size of its Poodle parent. Even though a Standard Bernedoodle would prefer to live in a more spacious home, a Tiny Bernedoodle can very well thrive in an apartment setting, provided that your pup gets to exercise and play each day. 

So, what is the Bernedoodle temperament really like? Let’s find out. 

Most Common Bernedoodle Temperament Traits

Obviously, genetics control everything from their looks, shedding levels, to personality. So, we can only try to predict which Bernedoodle temperament traits these pups may inherit. Thanks to the Bernedoodle’s mixed heritage, their personality can resemble more of the Bernese Mountain Dog, lean more on the Poodle side of their lineage, or combine the traits of both of the parental breeds. 

Just like the Bernese parent, Bernedoodles are known to be calm and sweet companions that make excellent family companions, service, or therapy dogs. Both the Poodle and Bernese parents are highly intelligent so these pups are super smart by default, meaning that training these Doods should be an absolute breeze.

On the other hand, Bernedoodles are known to sometimes inherit a stubborn streak from the Bernese Mountain Dog parent. As a result, these pups may be slightly harder to train during their teenage years. In addition to that, Bernedoodles may be a bit cautious around strangers for the first time. Although with early socialization, this shouldn’t become an issue. 

Bernedoodles are extremely loyal and loving with their families. They’re also excellent with children, cats, and other dogs, making them great pets for anyone, regardless if you’re single or a family of five. They absolutely adore their humans and love spending time with their loved ones. 

In terms of personality, there shouldn’t be much of a difference between Standard or Mini Bernedoodle temperament. However, as their genetics play a role here, some backcross generations like F1b, F1bb, F2b, and F2bb may show more Poodle-like characteristics, such as being more active and playful. It has also been reported that Mini and Toy Bernedoodles may be somewhat more energetic than Standard Bernedoodles. 

Bernedoodle Temperament: Pros & Cons

Bernedoodles are cute and cuddly, loving and smart. In general, the perfect dog! However, this doesn’t mean that the Bernedoodle is necessarily the most suitable dog for you personally. You’ll want to carefully consider the amount of time and care your dog requires, and also their personality traits, including their activity levels and overall demeanor. 

To make this a little bit easier for you, let’s discuss the potential pros and cons of the Bernedoodle temperament. 

Bernedoodle Temperament: Pros

Friendly & Good Natured

One of the most well-known Bernedoodle temperament traits is that these Doods are extremely loving and calm. As we mentioned before, not only do Bernedoodles make great companion dogs, they’re also a popular choice for service and therapy dogs. 

They’re also praised for their loyalty and protective nature. They bond very well with their families and they won’t hold back with their affection. In fact, they love all members of the household, and they’re great with children and other pets. 

All in all, Bernedoodles are sweet and friendly Doods. They’re generally easygoing and goofy, and love spending time around humans. As much as they love playing fetch and their daily walkies, Bernedoodles want nothing more than to snuggle up on the couch with you after a long day. 

Of course, early socialization is crucial to raise a well-socialized and confident Bernedoodle. For this, make sure you introduce your pup to adults and children, other dogs, and cats from an early age. 

Easy To Train

From the highly intelligent Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle parents, the Bernedoodle has inherited its smarts and the ability to pick up new tricks and habits very quickly. They’re eager to please their humans, making them super trainable.

As with any other dog, the key here is positive reinforcement and early introduction to good behavior and manners. You’ll want to establish routines and boundaries so that your new puppy will pick up on them from an early age. Moreover, owners report that Berneodoodles respond especially well to positive reinforcement with tasty treats. Something worth remembering! 

The downside of having such a witty pup is that Bernedoodles can easily become bored and start showing undesired behaviors. Daily mental and physical stimulation are crucial to keep your Dood occupied with fun and interesting activities and games, and prevent them from becoming stressed or destructive. 

Activity Levels

Bernedoodles are perfect pets for active people. Poodles are highly active, whereas the Bernese Mountain Dog is more relaxed and laid-back. By combining these two outdoorsy breeds, we get rather active Bernedoodles that enjoy their daily walkies and playtime. 

However, if your Bernedoodle puppy takes more after the Poodle parent, it’s very likely that they’ll be more energetic and require more exercise. Additionally, Toy and Mini Bernedoodles may also be more active compared to larger Standard Bernedoodles. 

Due to their size, Standard Bernedoodles would do better in a spacious home with a fenced backyard, where they have plenty of space to roam around. In contrast, smaller Mini and Toy Bernedoodles can also live perfectly well in apartments (provided that they get to exercise each day).

Are They Good With Strangers?

Although they’re sometimes thought to be wary of strangers, Bernedoodles are actually wonderful with anyone they meet, as long as they’ve been properly socialized from a young age. 

Bernedoodles are outgoing and social, and enjoy being at the center of the attention. But as with any other breed, the key to raising confident and well-rounded adults lies in proper socialization and training. Only then they’ll learn how to properly communicate with people and pets outside of their immediate family.

However, sometimes their protective mode may kick in, and they can be slightly cautious of new people. In addition to that, because Bernedoodles can be a little bit sensitive, they may also be a bit standoffish around new people and in new surroundings. Nonetheless, if your pup has met plenty of new people and other animals, they should generally do well around strangers. 

Bernedoodle Temperament: Cons

Stubborn & Sensitive

One of the less desired Bernedoodle temperament traits is that they can inherit a stubborn streak from its headstrong parents. Unfortunately, this can also make the Bernedoodle a bit harder to train, especially during the adolescence period. Just make sure you stay consistent with training, and your pup will soon catch up. 

Fortunately, Bernedoodles usually grow out of their stubbornness as they mature emotionally. Of course, they may still show their stubborn side from time to time. However, if you keep your pup trained, entertained, and happy, it’s very likely that they won’t cause you much trouble. 

In addition to that, Bernedoodles are also known to be somewhat sensitive, a trait that’s inherited from the Bernese Mountain Dog parent. Due to their sensitive nature, Bernedoodles may sometimes be a bit skittish – usually when they’re in unfamiliar places or meeting strangers. 

Furthermore, their sensitivity is also something worth considering when it comes to training. Although we always recommend training puppies and dogs only with positive reinforcement, the Bernedoodle especially needs a gentle and loving approach.

Herding

Herding instinct is inherited from the Bernese Mountain Dog Parent. After all, they come from the Swiss Alps, where one of their main responsibilities has been herding cattle. If your pup has inherited this Bernedoodle personality trait, they may try to herd smaller family members, such as children, smaller dogs, and cats. 

Fortunately, the excessive need to herd can be prevented with proper training and socialization. From an early age, you’ll want to teach your puppy the right way to behave and interact with people of all ages and other animals. If left undealt with, it can become a behavioral concern over time. 

Separation Anxiety

As outgoing, loving, and affectionate as Bernedoodles are, their ability to bond so easily comes with its negatives. Namely, it can often lead to separation anxiety. They’re extremely social dogs and being close to their humans is what makes them truly happy. The downside of this is that they don’t like being left alone for too long. 

Separation anxiety in dogs can manifest in various ways. Typically, dogs start excessively whining, barking, chewing, pacing, or digging. Some pups lose their appetite, others start leaving accidents around the house. Not only is this unpleasant for the owner, it also causes emotional distress to the dog. 

If you work long hours away from home, one option would be to sign your pup up for doggy daycare or hire a dog walker. However, this doesn’t guarantee that your Dood won’t develop separation anxiety. For this reason, Bernedoodles might not be the best choice for people who have to leave them alone for long periods of time, including office hours. 

High Energy Levels

Although we listed their energy levels as a positive for many reasons, it might also be a dealbreaker for many dog owners. As the Bernedoodle temperament can lean on either side of its lineage, some Bernedoodles are naturally much more active, just like their Poodle parents.

These Doodles love to hike, jog, swim, and do almost anything outside. And if the pup is highly active, it can become a bit too much to handle for some people. Very active Bernedoodles may even need up to two hours of exercise each day. If you’re not prepared to set aside that much time for your Dood daily on top of every other activity, the Bernedoodle might not be the best choice for you. 

Are Bernedoodles Suitable For You?

Now that we’ve discussed all the potential pros and cons of the Bernedoodle temperament, you hopefully have a better understanding of this hybrid breed. Maybe you’ve already made up your mind, or maybe you still need a moment to decide whether or not the Bernedoodle is suitable for you. 

At the end of the day, it’s crucial that you carefully consider all aspects before taking on this huge commitment for the next 10 years, at least. So, does the Bernedoodle temperament match your own lifestyle and family dynamics? Here’s a quick recap to help you decide:

The Bernedoodle is suitable for you if you:

• Are looking for a friendly, gentle, and cuddly companion that gets along with everyone in the family
• Enjoy an active lifestyle and have plenty of time for daily walkies and playtime
• Work from home or can bring your dog to the office
• Have children in your family

The Bernedoodle might not be an ideal choice if you:

• Have to be away from home for long hours
• Aren’t as active or don’t have time for daily exercise, at least an hour or two each day
• Have a more chaotic lifestyle with no routines 

Bernedoodle Temperament: Frequently Asked Questions

Are Bernedoodles Good Pets?

Bernedoodles are the perfect pets for almost anyone. They’re sweet, loving, gentle, and intelligent Doods that make equally great family dogs and service or therapy dogs. The Bernedoodle is a social and affectionate companion that thrives in human company. They’re equally amazing with adults and children, even with other pets in the household. 

Another great thing about the Bernedoodle is that they’re highly intelligent and eager to please – the winning combination when looking for an easily trainable family companion or therapy dog. As an added bonus, the Bernedoodle comes in three different sizes. So, if you’re not ready for a gigantic Standard Bernedoodle just yet, a Mini or Toy Bernedoodle would be a great choice for you. 

What Are The Cons Of A Bernedoodle?

In terms of the Bernedoodle temperament, there are few things you’d want to consider before choosing to adopt this hybrid breed. Firstly, Bernedoodles are highly intelligent and moderately active, meaning that these dogs require plenty of mental and physical stimulation every day to avoid destructive behaviors. 

Secondly, since Bernedoodles are social and affectionate dogs, they are prone to separation anxiety. For this reason, the Bernedoodle isn’t an ideal choice for people who have to leave their pup alone for the majority of the day. 

And lastly, some Bernedoodles can be quite stubborn, a trait that’s common in both Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs. However, with early training and socialization, puppies usually grow out of it once they reach adulthood.  

In terms of other negatives, the Bernedoodle is also rather expensive and high-maintenance. Adopting a new puppy from an ethical breeder will set you back at least $3000, if not more. On top of that, there are all the ongoing costs of dog ownership, including regular trips to the groomers every few months, and time investment of daily grooming activities at home. 

How Long Does It Take To Potty Train A Bernedoodle?

Because Bernedoodles are intelligent and easily trainable, it usually won’t take long for a Bernedoodle to become fully house trained. On the other hand, as some puppies tend to be stubborn, it may take a little bit longer for them, and require more patience on your end. 

With consistent training, puppies can usually be mostly house trained within a month or two, especially with positive reinforcement and yummy treats. However, it’s not uncommon for accidents to happen from time to time. Realistically, Bernedoodles can be fully house trained somewhere between 3 and 6 months, sometimes even up to a year. 

In addition to being consistent, you’ll also want to pay close attention to your dog’s cues and give them enough opportunities and time to go potty. We recommend you start your new puppy on potty training as soon as you bring them home to successfully establish good bathroom behaviors. 

Bernedoodle Temperament: Final Thoughts

Before you adopt your new puppy, it’s vital that you carefully consider all the pros and cons that come with dog ownership. This includes your dog’s grooming requirements, activity levels, and overall disposition. Ultimately, you have to make sure that you’re not only picking a puppy for its looks, but also how well they mesh with your own lifestyle and household. We hope you gained some new insights into the Bernedoodle temperament, along with its pros and cons, so you can make an informed decision beforehand.