Bernedoodle’s are adorable dogs that have a fluffy soft coat that is considered mostly hypoallergenic and nonshedding. They are a combination of the Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog and have a sweet, loyal, clever, and fun personality. Since they inherit their Poodle parent’s non-shedding coat and a combination of the Bernese Mountain dog coloring, these fluffy dogs can be found in a wide range of coat colors that are as unique as this hybrid breed. In this article will go through the most popular Bernedoodle colors as well as some rare coat colors.
Fun fact, the Poodle comes in 10 different coat colors as defined by the AKC. The standard Poodle colors are Apricot, Black, Blue, Brown, Cream, Gray, Red, Silver, Silver Beige, and White. As you can imagine, there are basically infinite color combinations of the Bernedoodle.
Black Bernedoodle Color
Bernedoodle Colors & Coat Patterns
Bernedoodles that have an all-black coat are unique but often difficult to find. A solid black coat originates from a recessive gene found in one or both of the parents. This coat is rare and most of the time is only found in one puppy out of an entire litter. The fluffy all-black coat creates a unique look that makes a Bernedoodle look like a cute little bear.
In order to get a pure black Bernedoodle, both parents would need to be carrying a recessive black coat gene. The chances of a pure black Bernedoodle are rare and in many cases, you will see white colored spots on the bottom of their feet.
Merle Bernedoodle Color
What Colors do Bernedoodles Come In?
A merle colored coat is often inherited when one parent has the same coloring or holds a recessive gene. The coloring of merle varies but you will see Bernedoodles that have red, brown, black, and white markings. Alternatively, the merle Bernedoodle color will be blue, grey, and white. Breeders often avoid mating two merle colored Bernedoodles due to dominant genes causing hereditary defects. Research has revealed that many dogs with both parents featuring a merle colored coat are often born with deformities such as blindness and deafness.
The merle Bernedoodle coloring is rare and has recently been growing in popularity as people are seeking merle colored dogs. However, the merle color isn’t part of the Bernese Mountain Dog or Poodle family. If you see a merle colored Bernedoodle than it is likely coming from the misclassification of a purebred Poodle.
Black and White Bernedoodle Color
Bernedoodle Colors Guide
Black and white Bernedoodle’s often have small spots of white located near their nose and chest. Sometimes the white fur patches can show up on their paws making it look like they are wearing boots.
Since every dog is unique some black and white Bernedoodle’s that belong to the same litter can have white spots located in different areas. It all depends on heredity and the genes that get passed along to each individual puppy. The black color in a Bernedoodle is typically a recessive gene which is why you will usually see Bernedoodle that are tricolor or multicolor.
Tricolor Bernedoodle Color
What Colors Do Bernedoodles Come In? What About Patterns?
Bernedoodles that have a tricolor coat often inherit their coloring from their Bernese Mountain dog parent. Tricolor coats are unique and can include any colors from the list below.
White
Black
Apricot
Brown
Cream
Red
Sable
Tan
Any three color combination is possible but depends on heredity. Bernedoodles that have this unique coat are adorable and have a one of a kind look.
The tri-color Bernedoodle is by far the most sought after color of this dog. People love seeing a multi-color dog. Typically, the white color will be on the Bernedoodles chest, feet, or snout areas. You’ll see a combination of darker colors like black, brown, or apricot along the rest of the body. When people think of a Bernedoodle, they are typically thinking of a tricolored black, brown, and white coloring that comes from the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Phantom Bernedoodle Color
Phantom colored Bernedoodles are rare and feature two colors in specific areas on the body. The color placement is often compared to other dog breeds such as the Manchester or Yorkie. Generally, there is a primary color that covers a majority of the dog’s body while the second color is found near the lower part of the legs, near the eyes and on the muzzle of the nose.
Usually, phantom coated Bernedoodles have a black and tan color combination but it can be different since the coloring is totally dependent on the ancestry of the dog’s line. If you are looking for a phantom colored puppy you can pick them out from the time they are a young puppy since there are born with the color markings that never change as they grow.
Sable Bernedoodle Color
Bernedoodles that have a sable colored coat are born with either a dark brown or solid black coat. This means if you choose your pet as a puppy thinking they will remain this solid color their entire life you might be tricked down the road. The sable coat begins to appear as your Bernedoodle grows older and the solid color begins to fade. You will usually see the originally coat coloring around the ears of the Bernedoodle, but the rest of the body will begin to fade into lighter shades of coloring.
So you might be wondering how to be sure your solid black Bernedoodle will turn into a beautiful sable adult later in life. You need to ask the breeder about the color coats of both parents and any lineage information they have to ensure your pup will end up with a sable coat later in life. Typically you can figure out if your Bernedoodle has sable colored genetics by doing a hereditary test.
Rare Bernedoodle Colors
The coat colors mentioned above are common for Bernedoodles but there is an infinite number of colors that can appear due to genetics. All dogs have their own ancestry that can include recessive color traits that hide under dominant genes. Suddenly one or more pups in a litter can have unique multi-color coats that don’t appear on their siblings or parents. These rare coats are amazingly beautiful and these special dogs often get scooped up right away by loving pet parents. If you are looking for a Bernedoodle that has multi-coloring be prepared to pay more than you would for dogs with common color coats.
Chocolate Bernedoodle Color
Chocolate colored Bernedoodles feature a rich mahogany color that is solid all over the body. The color is possible due to a recessive black or silver gene in one or both of the parents. The chocolate-colored coat remains the same color throughout the dog’s entire life. Some chocolate Bernedoodles have small patches of other colored hair in various areas on their body but they are visible during puppyhood so you will know exactly what the coat will look like from the very beginning.
Color Coat Changes
Bernedoodle puppy coats go through a clearing or holding phase. The holding phase means your puppy keeps the same color coat throughout their entire life without any changes while the clearing phase lightens or fades the coat. Sometimes during the clearing phase, the coat can become quite dull too.
These phases start when your Bernedoodle starts to develop their adult coat. This is also the same time frame when you will notice that color will hold in specific areas of the coat more than others. The most common area for coats to hold color is around the muzzle and ears.
If you are looking for a specific color Bernedoodle and you don’t want their coat color to change, you need to choose a puppy that has a slightly darker coat color than you want. This way when your dog begins to grow their adult coat the lighter hue will turn into the exact color you wished for in the first place.
What color will my Bernedoodle puppy be when they grow up?
As mentioned earlier, there’s a wide range of coat colors your puppy can end up having when they are older. It’s difficult to guarantee that your puppy will maintain the same color coat throughout their entire life.
The only way to provide a 100% guarantee of color coat is to have a DNA test performed and most pet parents don’t want to go through all that trouble just to determine the true color of their pet’s coat. However, if the coat color is highly important to you, a DNA test can be arranged with a breeder prior to purchasing your dog or at a veterinarian’s office. This test takes a closer look at the puppy’s specific genetics including the phenotype and genotype.
A DNA test also shows the variety of alleles that are present and reveals if they are recessive or dominant genes. Alleles come in pairs such as a B dominant black allele and a B recessive black allele. For example, if two black Bernedoodles mate their offspring usually comes out brown or some combination of the recessive and dominant alleles.
Generally, most pet parents take a good look at the mother and father of the puppies when they meet the breeder. You can also ask questions about the coloring of the father if he is not present during your visit.
Bernedoodle Personality Traits
While you might be focused on the color of the coat and the soulful eyes of a Berniedoodle, it’s also good to know they have the following awesome personality traits:
Laidback
Loyal
Good watchdog
Gentle
Playful
Excellent with children
Lovable
Fun and goofy at times
How to Pick Out a Bernedoodle Puppy
It’s super exciting to pick out a Bernedoodle puppy to welcome into your family. These adorable fluffy coated dogs are sweet and loyal to the family. Many pet parents begin the process of picking out a puppy by choosing whether they prefer a boy or girl dog. There are pros and cons to each one so this decision needs to be carefully made.
If you are a pet parent that has a clear idea of the color coat you want your Bernedoodle to have, you will be able to pick out your pup quickly when you see the entire litter playing together. When coloring is the most important aspect of your pup in your eyes, then it’s wise to choose the coloring closest to your wishes. However, you should always keep in mind the possibility of the coat fading as they grow their adult fur. If you are concerned about the coat color-changing you can discuss the issue with the breeder.
If you are a pet parent that doesn’t have any preference regarding if your pup is a boy or girl and you are open to any type of coloring, you will have a lot of fun choosing your pup from the litter. First, always use a qualified and responsible breeder when purchasing a dog.
Once you schedule a visit with the breeder you will have a lot of fun getting to know each puppy, their personality, and their coloring. Whether you are choosing your pup with specific requirements in place or by simply choosing the pup by their personality, always make sure you are choosing your new furry family member with your heart too!
Related Questions
What Is The Rarest Bernedoodle Color?
The rarest variations are bi-color black and white Bernedoodle, sable, phantom, and merle patterns, solid black, and solid white. What’s more, as the tri-color Bernedoodle is one of the most coveted variations, you might have to wait slightly longer to adopt this Bernese-looking pup.
What Color Will My Bernedoodle Puppy Be When They Grow Up?
Bernedoodles often carry the fading gene that’s inherited from the Poodle’s side of the lineage. For this reason, it’s not uncommon for Bernedoodles to change color as they age. Black Bernedoodles can fade into gray or silver tones, and chocolate Bernedoodles might fade into silver, silver beige, and beige tones. If you’re after a specific color, ask your breeder about the previous litters and if the puppies carry the fading gene. The only way to accurately predict the color of your puppy is by DNA testing, which you can arrange at an additional cost with your breeder.
Why Do Bernedoodles Turn Grey?
Bernedoodles can turn grey if they inherit the ‘fading gene’ from their Poodle parent. The ‘Progressive Greying” gene is on the G locus. It is a dominant mutation as there is a good chance that a Bernedoodle will inherit it depending on the generation of the breed
Are Sable Bernedoodles Rare?
Yes, Sable Bernedoodles are quite rare. Most Bernedoodles are a solid color or tri-color. Sable Bernedoodles are as rare as phantom, parti and merle Bernedoodles. As the sable coat is quite rare, Sable Bernedoodles are sold for very high prices as they are difficult to breed.
Do Sable Bernedoodles Fade?
Sable Bernedoodles can fade with age. Their sable coat will be the most distinct as a young puppy and the black-tips of their hairs will start to fade as they get older. Usually as an adult dog you can still tell that a Bernedoodle is sable however sometimes their hairs lighten to an almost solid color.
Final Thoughts
There are several different types of Bernedoodle colors including tricolor, black, chocolate, sable, phantom, etc. The amount of colors on this dog varies because there are several colors of the Poodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog. Combining these two different breeds results in a variety of different color coats.
