Adopting Mini Bernedoodles: Top Tips for Success

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Are you thinking about adopting a Mini Bernedoodle? Congratulations! These are great dogs that are fantastic for a variety of owners and their families.

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To make your adoption go as smoothly as possible, we’ve put together the following tips for you. You’ll learn more about the breed and how to help your puppy settle in for a new life in your household.

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Mini Bernedoodle Breeding

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A mini Bernedoodle dog is a mix between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a miniature Poodle. Both breeds can be either the sire (father) or the dam (mother). Other various combinations of these two breeds exist depending on the generation of mini bernedoodle.

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For example, we mostly breed F1b bernedoodles. This combination is 25 percent Bernese Mountain Dog and 75 percent Poodle, resulting in less shedding and reduced size.

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Breeding the Bernese Mountain Dog with the Poodle helps reduce the risk of health issues that can arise in just one breed. And owners get the benefit of the best traits from both breeds, both physically and temperamentally. Since Bernese Mountain Dogs usually have a shorter life span, for example, they live longer when crossed with a Poodle – typically around 12-15 years or more for a mini Bernedoodle.

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Mini Bernedoodle Conformation

 

The physical appearance of the mini Bernedoodle is one reason they are so popular. Many describe them as looking like a stuffed animal or teddy bear as they tend to be a small, compact dog but are known for their fluffy, roundish faces. They are smaller, but still well-built, athletic dogs. Most of our mini Bernedoodles weigh about 20-35 pounds as adults.

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Bernedoodles have long, thick coats that are wavy or curly, depending on the amount of Poodle in them. Their coat colors can vary tremendously and can include mixes of black, white, and brown in various patterns.

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Their coats are another reason Bernedoodles are so much in demand today. Mini Bernedoodles have little to no shedding, so they are great for people with allergies. And of course, you’ll have a lot less sweeping and vacuuming to do than with many other breeds!

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Mini Bernedoodle Temperament

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Mini Bernedoodles benefit temperamentally from both breeds that contribute to their gene pool. They are goofy, affectionate and fun-loving like the Bernese Mountain Dog, and tremendously clever like the miniature poodle. This combination results in a dog that’s typically ideal for families. They are intelligent and eager learners, which can make training fun. 

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We always recommend owners start training early, not only with formal classes but also integrating basic good manners into daily living, which reinforces the behavior you desire in your dog.

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Many appreciate owning an athletic, energetic dog in a small body that can fit easily in smaller homes or when traveling.  Well-adjusted mini Bernedoodles love to cuddle and are known for being goofy and enthusiastic.

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Because mini Bernedoodles are so human-oriented, they don’t like being left for long periods on their own. These are definitely great dogs if you work or stay at home or if you like including your dog on your weekend adventures, such as touring, camping, and hiking.

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Based on their Bernese Mountain Dog heritage, most mini bernedoodles do well in the cold and snow, and many enjoy swimming, too. They do need daily exercise, whether that’s playtime in your yard, a trip to the beach, or walks around your neighborhood.

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Sometimes mini Bernedoodles can be a bit stubborn, a characteristic of the Bernese Mountain Dog. However, a firm but kind hand in early training  will keep any Bernedoodle on track for the training results you want. Thankfully, the miniature poodle is a highly trainable dog and these temperament genetics help to balance out the Berner stubbornness.

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Mini Bernedoodles are generally good with children, hence their popularity with families. We recommend supervising your dog around young kids, however, so you can ensure both are safe and develop a loving relationship with each other.

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If you are interested in adopting a mini Bernedoodle for service work, you’ve made the right choice. Our dogs make fabulous helpers for all kinds of service and therapy work due to their kind, diligent natures.

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Adopting & Taking Your Mini Bernedoodle Home

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You can learn lots more about picking a puppy in our FAQ section. One of the most common questions is: Should I get a male or a female dog? In general, we recommend females for owners who want a more active dog and males for those who prefer a laid-back pup. 

 

Also, consider that male puppies often bond better with female owners and vice versa – something to think about if you will be the sole owner of your mini Bernedoodle or if you have a single-sex household.

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Puppies are allowed to go home with their new families at eight weeks of age. Here are a few final tips to help you get settled:

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1. Shop in advance for your puppy’s needs, such as bedding, dishes, a leash, and toys. It’s much easier if you have the basics on hand when your dog comes home with you.

2. Prepare your house for a puppy by doing a bit of “puppy-proofing.” In any spaces where your dog will be allowed, remove low-level breakable objects and things it might chew on. You’ll probably want flooring that is easy to clean in the event of any accidents, which do happen even during vigilant potty training. Make sure any toxic plants have been removed from the environment, including your yard.

3. Speaking of your yard, you’ll want to get that ready, too, making sure it is escape-proof if you plan to allow your puppy to run off the leash there.

4. Consider where your dog will stay when you aren’t home or available to supervise it. A puppy can get in a lot of trouble even while you’re taking a quick shower! We recommend a crate and starting crate training right away, so the crate becomes a natural and welcome quiet space for your dog.

5. Think about a veterinarian in advance of bringing your dog home. You’ll need vaccinations and well care early on, so it’s ideal to have someone picked out by the time you arrive home with your new puppy.

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Do you have more questions that aren’t addressed in our FAQs? We’re happy to talk with you via phone, email, social media, or our convenient online form. 

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