What is a Sable Bernedoodle?
If you’re curious and want to learn about the sable Bernedoodle, you’ve come to the right place. The Bernedoodle has grown in popularity due to its even temperament, hypoallergenic coat, and sweet personality. This mix is known by many names, including Bernese Mountain Doodle, Bernese Poodle, Bernedoodle, Bernepoo, and Bernese Mountain Poo.
Bernedoodles combine Bernese Mountain dog and Poodle. Sable Bernedoodles have black-tipped hairs with roots of solid color when they are young. There is no particular pattern to these colors. The black tips eventually fade, but this coloring is what gives them the label of Sable.
A Sable Bernedoodle is Born with a Solid Black Coat
Newborn Bernedoodles are usually born with a solid black coat. However, some lighter patches of fur will appear within a few days. As they age, the lighter ones will become cream in color, and the darker ones will clear out to a darker tone.
The overall color of the dog becomes much clearer as they grow older. Since the colors change, it is important to find a proper breeder who does the testing to know you are getting the dog you want. For Sable Bernedoodle puppies, you might have to wait 18-24 months for the breeder to conduct genetic health tests.
More Specifically:
- F1: These Bernedoodles come in traditional tri-color like the Bernese Mountain dog. They also can be tri-color Sable, Sable phantom, Sable and white, tri-color phantom, phantom, tri-color merle, merle and white, merle phantom, brindle and white, black, black and white, and parti.
- Colors that F1 Bernedoodles should never be are chocolate, cream, cream, and white, tri-color chocolate, or chocolate and white. The puppy’s parents would need to carry these colors for the puppies to be these colors. You won’t see a Bernese Mountain dog have brown, chocolate, or cream colors.
- F1B: Bernedoodles from this generation can come in some similar colors, with the addition of a few as well. They come in traditional tri-colors like the Bernese Mountain dog, Sable phantom, tri-color Sable, Sable and white, black, brindle and white, tri-color phantom, black and white, phantom, parti, tri-color merle, merle and white, merle phantom, cream, chocolate, cream and white, chocolate and white, and chocolate phantom.
- Multi-generational Bernedoodles: Multi-generational Bernedoodles can also come in these same colors.
We already know that a Bernedoodle Sable breed has hairs that are dark at the tip but lighter at the base. Here are some brief descriptions of the less than obvious color labels:
- Parti-Bernedoodle: A parti is half white and half another solid color.
- Merle: A merle has irregular or spotted patterns on patches or solid color.
- Brindle: A brindle has a light base color with dark “tiger” stripes.
- Tri-color: Tri-color puppies are unique with three randomly placed patches of solid color.
- Phantom: A phantom-colored Bernedoodle has a solid-colored base. However, the chin, legs, throat, tail, eyebrows, and paws have a second color.
Bernedoodle is a Relatively New Breed
Compared to its cousins, the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle, the Bernedoodle is a relatively new Poodle mix breed. They have only been around since the early 2000s, when a Canadian breeder wanted to develop a Doodle that was a bit more relaxed than the other Doodle mixes.
You Can Learn a Lot About The Sable Bernedoodle by the F Label
- Labels like F1 or F2 and F1B or F2B tell you the dog’s generation and genetic makeup. The first thing to note is that the F stands for Filial Hybrid. This means two different purebreds – in this case, a Poodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog – have produced a hybrid dog. The number 1 or 2 tells you the puppy is a first or second generation of the Bernedoodle offspring.
- The letter B means backcross. Backcross means they’ve been bred with a purebred Bernese Mountain dog or Poodle. Most breeders breed back to Poodles because they are allergy-friendly and don’t shed. Sable Bernedoodles can come from any generation and can be any size.
Two Pigments Determine all Coloring of the Pups
- The same two pigments that determine the coat color also determine the eye color and the color of the eye rims, lips, nose, and paw pads. These two pigments are called eumelanin and pheomelanin. Specific gene interaction tells the pigments how much to use to create different shades, tones, patterns of hair, and eye color.
- These pigments also determine the color of the eye rims, lips, nose, and paw pads. For example, although most Bernedoodles have brown eyes, they can also have amber, blue, or green eyes, depending on the inherited genes.
Bernedoodles have a Low-Shedding Coat with Hypoallergenic Properties
Bernedoodle coats can be curly, straight, or wavy. Wavy is the most common coat type, while a curly coat is more hypoallergenic than the others. People love the Bernedoodle coat because it takes on the low-shedding coat with hypoallergenic properties of the Poodle parent. This makes it easier to keep the house clean and relieves allergy sufferers.
Sable Bernedoodles are Prone to Color Fading
- Sable is the most likely color to fade (also called clearing) of all the Bernedoodle colors. The coat will become lighter as the puppy grows, and the black tips will eventually grow completely.
- The Poodle has a gene that increases the risk of fading, so the Bernedoodle carries this trait. Your black puppy will likely fade to a silver or gray color, while chocolate or brown may turn more beige.
There Are Three Sizes of the Bernedoodle Dog Breed
The size of a Bernedoodle is determined by the parent Poodle’s size and the generation of the Doodle. The smaller the Poodle, the less percentage of the Poodle in the mix makes a smaller Doodle.
The three sizes are:
- Mini Bernedoodle: The Sable mini Bernedoodle can range between 18-22 inches tall and 20-50 pounds. However, Bernedoodle minis are quite a bit smaller than the typical dog.
- Standard Bernedoodle: The standard size of a Sable Bernedoodle is between 23-29 inches high and between 60 – 100 pounds. Some Poodle mix breeds can grow to a larger size than either parent. Still, most adult standard-sized dogs will range between a Bernese Mountain dog and Standard Poodle size.
- Tiny or Micro Bernedoodle: The tiny Sable Bernedoodle puppies sit around 12-17 inches tall and 10 – 24 pounds in weight. This is about the same size as a mini Goldendoodle, which can fall between 13-20 inches tall and 15-35 pounds.
Sable Bernedoodles Are Ideal For Families
The mix of a sweet, loyal, and calm Bernese Mountain dog and an intelligent and playful Poodle make the Sable Bernedoodle an ideal dog for families.
Some of their best characteristics are:
- Friendly
- Calm
- Laid-back and easy-going
- Sweet
- Good with children once trained
- Good energy and personality
- Smart
- Less energetic than other Doodles
- Easy to train
Some of the more challenging aspects of a Bernedoodle are that they can inherit some stubbornness and wariness of strangers from the Bernese Mountain dog parent. But with good breeding and training, the positive qualities outweigh these slight challenges.
Bernedoodles are known to love children, but like all dogs, their high energy can sometimes lead to nipping. Therefore, teaching children how to play appropriately is essential.
Sable Bernedoodles Need Less Exercise Compared to Labradoodles or Goldendoodles
- Depending on the dog’s size, most Bernedoodles require about 1 ½ hours of exercise daily. The smaller they are, the more exercise they will need. Activity can come in the form of walks or playtime. Standard-sized dogs run around a bunch at once but then need rest. However, they love to come on hikes or long walks even if they don’t need them.
- The mini and tiny-sized dogs will need a little bit more exercise. Walks or lots of playtimes will fulfill this need. People often ask when their Bernedoodle puppy will start to settle down. It is usually around 6 to 8 months that you’ll begin to notice a difference. This is much sooner than many other breeds.
Sable Bernedoodles Are Prone to Common Health Issues that Would Affect Both Breeds
Bernedoodle puppies tend to be healthier than their parent breed. However, they are still prone to common health issues that affect both breeds. Studies show Bernese Mountain Dogs can have health issues that include cancer, hip and elbow dysplasia, other orthopedic issues, bloat, eye diseases, autoimmune diseases, hypothyroidism, and degenerative myelopathy.
Poodles’ health issues often include:
- Addison’s disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Thyroid issues
- Cancer
- Eyelid problems
- Gastric torsion
- Skin problems
You can see how this combination of breeds can result in some health concerns for Bernedoodles.
Some conditions that can emerge are:
- Cancer
- Hip and elbow dysplasia.
- Eye disease.
- Skin issues.
Buying from a quality breeder is the best way to avoid these issues. A quality breeder will invest in health testing, ensuring they are not breeding health conditions into the puppies.
How to Recognise a Sable Bernedoodle Puppy
- Most reputable breeders who are familiar with Bernedoodles and their potential coat colors will be able to recognise a sable Bernedoodle. When they’re first born, they may be mistaken for phantom colored puppies. But, between the first few days of their life and the first few weeks, sable coloring will develop
- Let breeders know what color Bernedoodle you’re looking for, and they may be able to prioritise you when this shade turns up in a litter.
Finding Sable Bernedoodle Puppies
- Doodle dogs are very popular at the moment, so it likely won’t be hard to find a Bernedoodle breeder near you. But, it also meant that puppy mills, pet stores, and backyard breeders are all the more likely. So, put plenty of research in to ensure you’re choosing a reputable breeder.
- It’s also a good idea to decide your preference about the Doodle’s generation, and whether a different generation would be a deal-breaker. But, bear in mind that first generation puppies tend to be more unpredictable than later generation mixes.
- Bernedoodles tend to cost between $1200 and $3000. But, price will vary based on a huge number of factors, including color, coat type, location, demand, and so on. You might need to sign up to a waiting list. If you’re looking for a cheaper puppy, and don’t mind the age of the dog you bring home, it’s a great idea to check local rescue centers.
Final Thoughts
Bernedoodles inherit a sweet and fun personality from the Bernese Mountain dog side. They like to play fetch outside and can also acclimate to an indoor lifestyle. From the Poodle side, they often inherit intelligence, making them very clever dogs. With these combined qualities, Sable Bernedoodles are perfect for the family lifestyle!