Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle: Which is Best for You? (Comparison & Quiz)
So you decided you want a doodle? You’ve narrowed down your search a ton, but there’s still a lot more to compare! With doodle breeds growing in popularity, more breed options are becoming available. We’re here to help! In the debate between the Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle, we’ll give a run down of all the important characteristics to help you determine which is best for you!
Adding a pup to your family is a big decision! There’s a ton of factors that need to be taken into account from size, to energy level, to personality. All of these need to mesh well with your lifestyle to ensure a great fit. The Bernedoodle or Goldendoodle are both good choices, so let’s compare and contrast the two to see which may be a better addition to your family!
Should You Get a Bernedoodle or Goldendoodle? Take the Quiz!
Use this quiz as a quick reference, but be sure to read the entire article to fully understand your options and ensure you make the best and most informed decision.
Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle: Puppy Selection
Availability / Popularity
With Goldendoodles being the most popular poodle mix, breeders are not in short supply. It’s likely that you’ll be able to find a breeder relatively close to you. Bernedoodles are also fairly common, so they’re not too hard to find either!
The most important aspect, regardless of whether you go with a Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle is that you find an ethical doodle breeder. That is the first step in ensuring you will have a healthy and happy puppy. Both of these doodle breeds are common enough where it may be possible to find one at a local rescue or shelter.
On average, Goldendoodle litters are between 4-8 puppies. Bernedoodles have similar-sized litters that average between 6-8 puppies. Of course, some may be above or below the average.
Price
These “designer” dogs tend to have “designer” prices. Goldendoodles average between $1,500-$3,000. Bernedoodles tend to be a bit more expensive—they can range anywhere from $2,000-$4,000. If price is a big factor for you, this extra cost could be something to consider.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle: Appearance
Size
Goldendoodle sizes can range greatly, as they come in teacup, toy, mini, medium, and standard sizes. The teacup Goldendoodle maxes out around 15 pounds, and stands less than a foot tall. Standard Goldendoodles can weigh up to 85 pounds or more and stand around 2 feet tall at the shoulder.
Bernedoodles tend to be slightly larger in size. The Bernedoodle comes in four sizes, all of which tend to be larger than the comparative size of the Goldendoodle. The smallest, the Toy Bernedoodle weighs between 10-24 pounds and stands 12-17 inches tall. The largest, the Standard Bernedoodle, on average weighs 70-90 pounds and stands 23-29 inches in height. Keep in mind, those numbers are averages and Standard Bernedoodles can easily weigh significantly over 100 pounds!
The two main differences in appearance between the Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle are the unique coloring patterns of the Bernedoodle and difference in size. Beyond just height and weight differences, Bernedoodles tend to have a bit of a stockier build than Goldendoodles do.
Colors
Both of these breeds can come in a variety of colors. Goldendoodles can be red, apricot, black, brown, white, or tan. They can be one of these colors or multiple! It really depends on the parents.
Bernedoodles also have a wide array of colors. Traditionally, they’re black, white, and brown. However, besides the traditional tri-coloring, Bernedoodles can be black, brown, white, or tan. They also can be a unique merle color, or have sable or phantom patterns.
Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle: Grooming & Maintenance
Coat
Both the Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle can have a curly Poodle coat or they can have a coat more like their Golden Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog side and be more straight. The more Poodle a puppy has in their DNA, the curlier their coat will typically be. This is true for both the Bernedoodle and the Goldendoodle.
The generation of a Bernedoodle or Goldendoodle is a defining factor in the coat. With the F1, a 50-50 mix between the Poodle and the other parent, the coat can be fairly unpredictable. Doodles with a higher percentage of Poodle in them, such as the F1B or the F1BB generations, will have more predictably curly coats.
One other thing to note about the coat of the Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle is that the Bernedoodle is more adaptable to cold weather. If you live in a cold climate, the Bernedoodle may be a better fit if you’ll be doing outdoor activities a lot!
The blessing and the curse with doodles is their coat. They do make them look oh so cute, but they are also oh so much work. Regardless of whether you choose the Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle, their coats both require a lot of maintenance, and you should be prepared to dedicate adequate time to it. The more Poodle in your doodle, the more attention you’ll need to give to your dog’s coat.
Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles both require frequent brushing. It’s recommended to brush them at least every other day, if not every day. If your dog got a summer cut and has a shorter coat, you may be able to go a little longer between brushings. Additionally, if they have less curly hair you may be able to space brushings a little more.
If your doodle doesn’t get brushed enough, they will quickly become matted. Matted hair can be painful for your pup, and lead to more health issues. The best, and easiest way to prevent matting, is simply keeping up with coat care!
My Goldendoodle, Chewie, is an F1BB, and has an extremely curly coat! Despite his frequent brushings, the groomer would always tell me about some minor matting. After doing some research, I stumbled upon the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush, which seemed to solve all my issues! Chewie tolerated this brush more than other brushes we’ve tried in the past, and it worked better as well! It may be more expensive than other brushes, but for me, this is worth every penny! It saves time and money at the groomers!
When comparing the Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle, the category of shedding is pretty even. Both the Bernedoodle and the Goldendoodle have one hypoallergenic parent and one parent who is not hypoallergenic. Because of this, it’s nearly impossible to guarantee that either would be hypoallergenic. However, their mix with a hypoallergenic, non-shedding breed, the Poodle, does mean that they’ll shed less than the purebred Bernese Mountain dog or Golden Retriever would.
If this factor is an important one for you, the most important thing to pay attention to is the generation. For both the Goldendoodle and the Bernedoodle, the F1BB, F2BB, and F1B are the least likely to shed, or irritate allergies. This is because these generations contain more Poodle in them than Golden Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog. These generations have a decreased risk, but genetics are difficult to predict, so despite our best guesses, these may not be accurate 100% of the time.
Both the Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle have great personalities! They’re affectionate, loyal, and can be big goofballs. Both of these doodle breeds are fun loving, friendly, and generally easy to train.
The main differences between the personality of the Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle is their independence. Goldendoodles are known for being very attached and can easily develop separation anxiety. They’re best for families where someone will be home a lot of the time. Bernedoodles, while still attached to the family, are a bit more independent.
Bernedoodles also make better watchdogs as their protectiveness, but lack of aggression, pairs well with their intimidating stature.
Activity Level
Both the Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle require regular, daily activity, but the Goldendoodle definitely requires more. Goldendoodles need at least an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise. This could include a walk, jog, or game of fetch. Bernedoodles, while larger, are more adaptable to the exercise habits of their family, but still require at least half an hour of moderate exercise daily.
Exercising your dog properly will help keep your dog happy and healthy. If your dog is too hyped up, due to a lack of activity, they’ll often take it upon themselves to engage in some destructive behaviors in order to entertain themselves.
Trainability
The Poodle, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Golden Retriever are all highly intelligent dogs. As previously noted, they also form very close bonds with their human companions and are eager to please. This makes the training process fairly easy. Both of these breeds are thought to make great therapy dogs due to their trainability.
With these intelligent breeds, it’s important to exercise them not just physically, but mentally as well. If they’re not stimulated enough mentally, it can have just as detrimental effects as if they weren’t properly exercised. A regular training program as well as games, puzzles, or learning new tricks are all important to keep them occupied! If you’re looking for new ideas, I highly recommend this Brain Training for Dogs program!
Good with Kids & Pets?
Both of these dogs tend to be good with children as well as other pets. Although they tend to naturally do well, they do need to be properly socialized with children and dogs to ensure that they know how to behave properly.
The main difference between the Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle in this category comes down to the Bernedoodle’s natural prey drive. This can make acclimating them to smaller family pets a bit more difficult than a Goldendoodle.
Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle: Health & Wellness
Life Span
In the debate between Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle, the Goldendoodle outdoes the Bernedoodle in this category. On average, Bernedoodles live for 8-12 years, while Goldendoodles average between 10-15 years. Additionally, the toy and mini versions of these dogs often live longer than the standard size.
Potential Illnesses
All dogs are more prone to certain health issues, but mixed breeds, such as doodles, are often at a decreased risk of developing hereditary conditions. This is due to their mixed gene pool.
Not just with doodles, but with all breeds, illnesses and accidents can happen at any time. These accidents can wrack up expensive vet bills that can be difficult to afford.
Should you get a Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle? The conclusion…
If you know you want a big dog, a Bernedoodle may be best for you. However, if you want a smaller dog, a toy or mini version of either breed, but particularly the Goldendoodle, might be the better option.
Consider your average daily activity level. Goldendoodles require significantly more exercise than Bernedoodles!
If you live in a colder climate and enjoy the outdoors, a Bernedoodle may be better as they love the cold weather. While Goldendoodles can tolerate the cold, it’s only for shorter periods of time and less harsh conditions.
Goldendoodles tend to have a slightly longer lifespan than Bernedoodles.
Bernedoodles can be a bit more pricey than Goldendoodles.
If you have cats or other small pets, the Bernedoodle may be a bit harder to acclimate than the Goldendoodle due to their prey drive.
