Mini Bernedoodle Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Mini Bernedoodle?

The Miniature Bernedoodle breed has not been around for all that long and, therefore, doesn't have much of a history.

Sherry Rupke of Swissridge Kennels claims that she was the first breeder to intentionally breed a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle together back in 2003. However, it is likely that Mini Bernedoodles have been bred unintentionally before this.

The Mini Bernedoodle is currently not recognised by the American Kennel Club owing to how new the breed is, although it is recognised by other notable registers.

While the Miniature Bernedoodle is a new breed, its Bernese Mountain Dog parent has been around in some form for nearly 2000 years! Bernese Mountain Dogs were primarily used as farm dogs to pull carts, guard livestock, and act as loyal companions.

The Mini Bernedoodle's other parent is the Poodle, which was used for hunting and retrieving waterfowl. The Poodle is also believed to be an ancient breed, as it has been around in some form since the 8th Century.

Who are Mini Bernedoodle dogs best for?

The Mini Bernedoodle was bred specifically to be a companion dog, which is why it excels most of all at this.

Those who are looking for a Bernese Mountain Dog in a small package should definitely consider the Mini Bernedoodle, as this is essentially what the breed is.

The Mini Bernedoodle can be a good apartment dog so long as its owners are active enough to exercise their dog at least once a day. One long walk daily will usually be enough for this breed.

Mini Bernedoodles tend to be great family dogs, as they are affectionate and love nothing more than to spend time with their families. Mini Bernedoodles even get on well with other dogs provided that they are correctly socialised.

They do have a relatively high prey drive, however, which means it may not be a good idea to take a Mini Bernedoodle home if you have other small animals like rabbits.

If you're interested in dog sports, it is best to look at other dog breeds, as Mini Bernedoodles can be quite difficult to train at times.

How much grooming does a Mini Bernedoodle need?

Does a Mini Bernedoodle shed much? Thankfully, very little - owing to the inclusion of Mini Poodles in their breeding. This also means that they produce less dander than other dogs.

However, your Bernedoodle may be difficult to groom depending on the type of coat it has. This can depend on whether they inherit a curly coat from their Mini Poodle parent or a straight coat from their Bernese Mountain Dog parent.

This means that the breed may require daily brushing in order to stop their coat from getting matted. Their coat will also need to be trimmed a few times per year, depending on how quickly it grows back.

Do Mini Bernedoodle bark much?

Mini Bernedoodles aren't known for barking excessively, but like most dogs, they can start a habit of barking if they do not receive enough physical and mental stimulation.

This behaviour needs to be trained out sooner rather than later, as it will be difficult to curb if it becomes a habit.

You should also then try to incorporate more exercise or play time into your Mini Bernedoodles schedule, as this will also stop other bad habits like digging from forming.

Do Mini Bernedoodle bite?

Mini Bernedoodles aren't particularly known for biting or nipping, but like many other dog breeds, they may bite and nip as puppies.

This behaviour should not be tolerated, as it can become a more serious issue when they are fully grown.

Taking your dog to puppy kindergarten class can help with some of these basic behaviours.

What is the temperament & personality of a Mini Bernedoodle?

The Mini Bernedoodle seems to get the best traits from both of its parents. They are normally intelligent, goofy, and loyal dogs.

They are known to be very needy and often crave a lot of attention from their owners. Therefore, prospective owners should not choose this breed if they plan on spending a lot of time away from home.

They can be quite wary of strangers at first, but if your dog is properly socialised from a young age, this will likely not be a problem.

Mini Bernedoodles are often happy to play in the yard or be cuddled up on the couch next to one of their owners, provided that they've had enough exercise for the day!

What is the weight & size of a Mini Bernedoodle?

The Mini Bernedoodle is a lot smaller than its Bernese Mountain Dog parent, as they stand between 45 and 55cm tall and weigh between 11 and 22kgs.

How much training does a Mini Bernedoodle need?

Mini Bernedoodles are known to be exceptionally intelligent dogs, and many take to training very well; however, some dogs can inherit their Bernese parent's stubbornness.

This can sometimes make them difficult to train, but usually, this will go away once they get a little bit older. Thankfully, the majority of Mini Bernedoodles take after their Miniature Poodle parent and are easy to train.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Mini Bernedoodle?

Mini Bernedoodles are known to be healthier than both the Poodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog. However, they are still predisposed to certain health conditions that affect both breeds, such as:

• Hip Dysplasia

• Elbow Dysplasia

• Eye Problems

• Skin Issues

• Allergies

What is the lifespan of a Mini Bernedoodle?

Mini Bernedoodles tend to live for quite a while, as owners can expect their canine companions to live to be anywhere from 12 to 18 years old.

How much should you feed a Mini Bernedoodle?

The amount of food you give your Bernedoodle will depend on how big they are and how active their lifestyle is.

Owners should be careful not to overfeed this breed, as they are known to be quite partial to food!

What is the price of a Mini Bernedoodle in Australia?

A Mini Bernedoodle puppy doesn't come cheap, as they are considered to be a designer breed. This means owners can spend anywhere between $3000 and $5000.

Prospective owners should also be careful if they find puppies for cheaper than that, as it is possible that they could have come from a puppy mill.