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What is an Australian Bernedoodle?

what is an australian bernedoodle
Photo Credit: @cupofmacchi on Instagram

It seems like new variations of Poodle mix breeds are popping up every day! What began as basic 50/50 crosses like Labradoodles and Bernedoodles have turned into Australian Labradoodles, Bernese Labradoodles, and now, the Australian Bernedoodle.

Confusingly enough, these are all their own distinct crosses! Let’s talk about the Australian Bernedoodle and what makes these dogs so unique. So, what is an Australian Bernedoodle?

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The Australian Bernedoodle is a designer dog breed that crosses the purebred Bernese Mountain Dog with the hybrid Australian Labradoodle. Australian Bernedoodles are best known for their fluffy, low-shedding, and allergy-friendly coat that comes in a variety of color patterns.

While this crossbreed is quite rare, it is also highly sought after by prospective dog owners. Let’s take a look at some of the characteristics of the Bernese Mountain Dog and Australian Labradoodle mix to see if it’s right for you or whether you’re better off getting a Bernedoodle, Australian Labradoodle, or other “doodle” breed instead!

Australian Bernedoodle vs Bernedoodle

While they share many of the same characteristics, Bernedoodles are considered an entirely different breed from Australian Bernedoodles.  This distinction comes down to the lineage of each of these mixes…

To breed a first generation, F1 Bernedoodle, a purebred Poodle is crossed with a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog.

In contrast, to breed an F1 Australian Bernedoodle, a hybrid Australian Labradoodle is crossed with a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog.

It’s important to note that an Australian Labradoodle is also a distinct breed from a “regular,” American Labradoodle. Normal Labradoodles are a cross between a purebred Labrador Retriever and a purebred Poodle. Australian Labradoodles, on the other hand, are typically a cross between a Labrador Retriever, Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, and Irish Water Spaniel.

Therefore, a cross between a regular Labradoodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog is NOT an Australian Bernedoodle—that would be considered a Bernese Labradoodle.

Besides these technical differences, the Australian Bernedoodle vs Bernedoodle breeds are very similar in both personality and appearance!

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Size of an Australian Bernedoodle

Australian Bernedoodles can range significantly in size but are typically categorized into three groups—toy, miniature, and standard. 

Standard Australian Bernedoodles grow to about 21 inches tall and reach 60 pounds in weight.

Miniature Australian Bernedoodles are slightly smaller, reaching 15 to 20 inches tall and weighing between 25 and 50 pounds.

Toy Australian Bernedoodles are the most petite. They only weigh between 10 and 24 pounds as adults and reach a height of 15 to 20 inches.

You can compare these numbers to the average size of a Bernedoodle!

Australian Bernedoodle Typical Cost

Australian Bernedoodles from high-quality breeders are expensive. There is a growing demand for them, and their price is skyrocketing.

Expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on the generation (F1, F2, F3), coat color, and the breeder’s level of experience.

Do not be fooled by their name – Australian Bernedoodles do not actually come from the land down under. Most Australian Bernedoodle breeders are based in the United States. It can be difficult to find a genuine Australian Bernedoodle in other parts of the world.

It is crucial to take the time to find a good breeder because not all of them are trustworthy. Be suspicious if you see Australian Bernedoodle puppies for sale at very low prices.

Never buy an Australian Bernedoodle puppy online without seeing the breeding facility and ideally meeting the parents first. A reputable breeder should have no problems answering questions and show proof of health testing and vet records.

Unfortunately, while you can sometimes find Labradoodles and Bernedoodles in rescues, Australian Bernedoodles are such a rare and specific cross that finding them in shelters is essentially impossible.

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Lifespan Of An Australian Bernedoodle

Australian Bernedoodles have a longer lifespan than their purebred parents. It’s commonly thought that hybrid breeds have longer lifespans in general because their genetic diversity bolsters their health.

The lifespan of an Australian Bernedoodle depends on its size:

  • A standard size dog can expect to live between 12 and 15 years.
  • A miniature size dog has a lifespan of 13 to 17 years.
  • A toy size dog is the longest-lived, reaching an age of 14 to 18 years. 

Related: Bernedoodle Lifespan: How Long Do Bernedoodles Live?

Feeding your Australian Bernedoodle a high-quality diet and taking care of their health with adequate exercise will ensure that they live for as long as possible.

Australian Bernedoodle Coat Colors

Australian Bernedoodles are often one solid color—usually black, brown, or white. Bi-color dogs are sometimes available in brown and white or black and white.

The most desirable coat pattern for Australian Bernedoodles is tri-color—black, white, and rusty brown. This pattern is similar to what you’d expect a Bernese Mountain Dog to look like and is very difficult to find as they tend to only occur in F1 puppies and are highly sought after.

Australian Bernedoodle Temperament

Both Bernese Mountain Dogs and Australian Labradoodles have fantastic temperaments, so it is no surprise that the Australian Bernedoodle would as well.

Australian Bernedoodles are often bred to be service dogs, so they are friendly, gentle, people-oriented dogs. They are fantastic with children and make wonderful family pets because they are so loving and loyal.

They have high energy levels but are usually not hyperactive if they get enough physical and mental activity. Australian Bernedoodles require about an hour of daily physical exercise. Take them for a morning walk and another in the evening.

Their intelligence makes them naturally curious and highly trainable. Australian Bernedoodles are eager to please and respond well to commands once trained.

Shedding & Allergies

One of the best traits of the Australian Bernedoodle is their low-shedding, allergy-friendly coat. Many breeders of this cross claim that they are completely hypoallergenic and never shed.  While this may be true for some Australian Bernedoodles, it can’t be 100% guaranteed.

When comparing the likelihood of shedding and allergic reactions, you’ll not only want to look at the parent breeds, but also which generation you’d be getting.

For example, here’s a breakdown of how Bernedoodle generations work.  Australian Bernedoodle generations will work in a similar fashion, except a bit more complex thanks to the multiple parent breeds of the Australian Labradoodle.

Australian Bernedoodle Grooming Requirements

Australian Bernedoodles are quite high-maintenance when it comes to grooming and maintaining their gorgeous, curly coat. It is not good for their skin and coat to bathe them more than about once a month, but to keep their coat free from matting and knots, they need a daily brush.

Many doodle owners including myself swear by the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush. While it has a premium price, it makes keeping up with the curly coat of Poodle mixes incredibly simple!

Chris Christensen Big G Dog Slicker Brush

Additionally, you will need to trim your dog’s nails, clean their ears, and brush their teeth regularly. Get your pet used to these tasks from an early age so that grooming does not scare them.

Potential Health Issues

Australian Bernedoodles are generally healthy dogs with long lifespans, especially if they come from a reputable breeder that screens the parent dogs for health problems.

However, it is important to note that Bernese Mountain Dogs have a higher-than-average risk of developing cancers. A predisposition to cancer can be inherited from the parent, so reliable breeders always test the parents to help mitigate this risk.

That being said, here are a few of the health issues Australian Bernedoodles can develop:

  • Epilepsy
  • Heart disease
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Skin problems like sebaceous adonitis

Along with many of these issues comes expensive veterinary bills.  To protect yourself financially and ensure your dog will always get the best possible care, I suggest investing in a pet insurance policy from Healthy Paws or another reputable provider.

They’ll cover up to 90% of your dog’s vet bills due to accidents and illnesses.  Make sure you enroll as early in your puppy’s life as possible so you avoid being denied for pre-existing conditions.

Conclusion

Australian Bernedoodles are a wonderful, hybrid breed that share all the great characteristics of their parent breeds—the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Australian Labradoodle.  Their gentle, loving temperament and the fact that they are allergy-friendly make them great family pets!

If you decide this mix is right for your family, your next steps are researching which generation and size you’d prefer as well as finding a reputable breeder in your area!