Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle: Breed Comparison

Here are some facts to help you decide between the lovable Goldendoodle puppy and the adorable Bernedoodle puppy to find the one that’s right for you! You’ll see why these dog breeds make some of the best family pets.

Both these mixed breeds have one poodle parent. Goldendoodle puppies are the product of golden retrievers and poodles, while Bernedoodle puppies have poodles and Bernese mountain dogs as parents. Like many mixed-breed dogs, these two breeds are extremely friendly and great with small children and other dogs.

What is the Goldendoodle?

• The Goldendoodle is a hybrid breed known for its loving personality and mixture of Golden and Poodle traits. Their fur can be either straight, curly, or wavy, depending on how much of the Poodle genetics they receive. This breed is a mix between a Golden Retriever, and the Standard Poodle.
• The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds for all kinds of families and homes. In fact, according to the American Kennel Club, they are the #2 most popular purebred dog breed. Their gentle presence and traditional beauty make them a top choice for many families with small children and other pets.
• The Standard Poodle adds height to the Goldendoodle and more lanky limbs than a Golden Retriever. These dogs, just like the Bernedoodle, have an affectionate and loving temperament, as well as a large size compared with other dog breeds and crosses.
• The Goldendoodle is one of the most well-researched Poodle hybrids, and many breeders have several generations of experience breeding the dog. Goldendoodles are popular for their moderate size, with most of them being about 22-24 inches tall.
• In between a Poodle and a Golden in height, a Goldendoodle is manageable for someone with a large home or fenced yard for them to play in. As a hybrid with a beautiful appearance and hypoallergenic qualities, this breed is a very active breed and loves to play and swim which is a characteristic common among Golden Retrievers.
• In addition, Goldendoodles are always willing to run and walk with their loving owners, even for several miles at a time. The Goldendoodle is a breed that typically gets along well with other dogs and protects their owner’s house with loud barks but quickly warms up to strangers and other dogs.
• The Poodle genes make the Goldendoodle more reserved, but the Golden Retriever friendliness shines through in many puppies and adult dogs of this breed. Goldendoodles are arguably the most popular hybrid dog breed in the entire world.

What is the Bernedoodle?

• The Bernedoodle is a mixed breed, combining the traits and best characteristics of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Standard Poodle. Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their exceptionally large size and luxurious coats of fur, making them appear even larger.
• On the other side of the mix, a Standard Poodle is another large breed of dog that’s the second most intelligent of all dog breeds. The Poodle can come in several different colors, with white, black, and brown being some of the most recognizable and gorgeous. In fact, they come in over 10 different standard coat colors so you will see all types of color variations.
• They’re extremely intelligent dogs that tend to shed minimally, need haircuts regularly, and love to fetch. They’re a special dog breed with a long history, originally bred with long hair to protect their organs, as well as a tall stature and strong build overall.
• The Bernedoodle is a large dog without as much size or the shedding of a Bernese Mountain Dog. Many breeders use a toy or miniature Poodle to create the famous tiny Bernedoodle or mini Bernedoodle breeds. These are a smaller sized dog that fits well in smaller living spaces.

Bernedoodle vs. Goldendoodle Size

• Standard-size Bernedoodle dogs are slightly larger than their golden retriever-based counterparts, which makes sense since the Golden retriever is smaller than the Bernese mountain dog.
• A Standard Goldendoodle is 20 to 24 inches tall and weighs 40 to 60 pounds. Bernedoodles tend to reach 23 to 29 inches in height and 65 to 100 pounds in weight.
• While both breeds can do well in an apartment setting, it’s important to note that standard-sized Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles need more space to stretch their legs. Opt for a mini or tiny size Bernedoodle or Goldendoodle if you have minimal space.
• A Mini Bernedoodle, with the parent breeds of a mini poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog, weighs 25 to 50 pounds and stands 18 to 24 inches tall. Mini Goldendoodles weigh 25 to 40 pounds and stand 15 to 20 inches tall.

Bernedoodle vs. Goldendoodle Coat Color and Type

• These popular breeds are distinguished from one another by their colors. Bernedoodles typically have rust, black and white coats, while the Goldendoodle’s coat may come in a range of colors, including apricot, caramel, cream, red and gold.
• The coat type varies from wavy to curly for Bernedoodles, while Goldendoodles may have straight, wavy, or curly hair that’s more like a poodle coat. Both Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles have very similar hair coats.

Bernedoodle vs. Goldendoodle Temperament

While Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles are both very friendly breeds, there are some other differences in their temperament. Bernedoodles are much calmer and more relaxed than Goldendoodles. Many Bernedoodles are happy just to sit and cuddle with their owners, but Goldendoodles have higher energy levels and will be looking to play more.

Both breeds can be prone to separation anxiety. For the goldendoodle, it arises from its social nature. Bernedoodles have a pack instinct that can cause anxiety for them if left alone too long.

Bernedoodle vs. Goldendoodle as Therapy Dogs

• Are you considering these doodle hybrids as possible support animals? Goldendoodles are extremely intelligent, making excellent service animals and often trained to assist people with disabilities. Consider a Goldendoodle if you’d like to train your dog as a service animal to support you.
• Also very intelligent and trainable dogs, Bernedoodles are more emotionally supportive and tend to be highly aware of and responsive to their owner’s emotional states. If you’re looking for a companion dog for emotional support reasons, the Bernedoodle may be a good choice.

Bernedoodle vs. Goldendoodle Grooming Requirements

• Both the Bernedoodle and Goldendoodle will need to have their hair cut, typically every 4-6 weeks for a trim or 10-12 weeks for a complete haircut. You will also want to daily brush your dog in between groomings to keep their hair clean and free from tangles or mats.
• All our dogs are low-shedding or non-shedding, although frequent grooming helps keep their hair soft and healthy.
• However, if you’re very concerned about shedding and looking for an allergy-friendly dog, our F1b Bernedoodles or F1b Goldendoodles are optimal.

Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle: Lifespan

The lifespans of these two breeds can also differ. The lifespan of a standard Bernedoodle is between 12 and 15 years, while the lifespan of a Goldendoodle is about 10 to 15 years. The miniature versions of each breed typically have a longer lifespan and may live to be up to 18 years old.

Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle: Health

• Overall, Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles are both healthy dog breeds. However, each breed has its own concerns that owners should be aware of. Since Bernedoodles are larger, they may develop hip or elbow dysplasia. Bernedoodles are also more likely to lose eyesight when they’re older.
• Goldendoodles have a higher risk of developing an ear infection due to their floppier ears. They may also be more likely to suffer from tooth or gum disease.