Mini Bernedoodle – Everything About These Super Cute Dogs

Poodle mixes are getting more popular all the time. Their adorable curly coats aren’t just cute, but they’re also often hypoallergenic – which makes grooming a little bit easier. You might have heard of the Bernese Mountain dog and Poodle mix (AKA the Bernedoodle) but have you heard about the even cuter Mini Bernedoodle?

We know you want to find out everything about these seriously sweet dogs. This blog will go through everything from temperament and exercise needs to food and possible health problems. You’ll be able to decide whether this beautiful breed is the correct one for you and your family.

What Is a Mini Bernedoodle?

A mini Bernedoodle is the incredible mix of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Miniature Poodle. They’re very friendly little dogs that are much smaller than the Standard Benedoodle. These pups are playful, intelligent, and very sweet-natured. They love outdoor fun and need a moderate amount of exercise to keep them entertained.

This breed can also be called a Mini Berniepoo, Mini Bernesepoo, and Mini Bernese Mountain Poo.

Parent Breeds of the Miniature Benedoodle

The two parent breeds of the Mini Bernedoodle are the Bernese Mountain dog and the Miniature Poodle. Understanding both of these pups can give you a better idea of the Mini Bernedoodle too.

Bernese Mountain Dog

These amazing, powerful Swiss dogs have been popular family pets for decades. They’re friendly, sweet-natured, and get on very well with children and other dogs.

Bernese Mountain dogs were first bred to drive cattle, guard farms, and be loyal and loveable companion dogs. As you might imagine, these large pups that were used to roaming Swiss pastures are not suited to apartment living. They need lots of space to play and exercise and will benefit from having a backyard.

These rugged mountain dogs have thick, double coats to keep them warm in the cold Alps. Because of this, you can expect these fluffy pups to shed a regular amount – especially during shedding season. When the weather changes, Bernese Mountains dogs will grow a new cooler or warmer coat and shed the old one.

Bernese Mountain dogs are wonderful companions for active families who want a furry bear-like canine.

Miniature Poodle

Poodles are very aristocratic dogs. Although many think of Poodles as French pups, they actually originated in Germany. There are 3 acknowledged varieties of Poodle: standard, miniature, and toy. There’s also the Moyen Poodle but these are not a standard variety according to the American Kennel Club.

Poodles are among the most intelligent dogs. They’re quite easy to train and are happy to please their owners, but their intelligence can sometimes make them a bit stubborn.

The reason why there are so many Poodle crossbreeds (such as the mini Goldendoodle, Schnoodle, and Aussiedoodle) is that this iconic breed has a hypoallergenic coat. OK, there’s no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic coat, but a Poodle has one of the best ones for allergy sufferers.

These pooches are athletic dogs that need regular exercise. But it’s not enough for them just to get a good run around. You also need to keep their brains fit and stimulated.

History of a Mini Bernedoodle

Mini Bernedoodles are one of the most popular Doodle mixes in America. But they actually came after their bigger, Standard Bernedoodle cousins. It’s thought that they were first bred in 2003 in Ontario, Canada. Breeders there were breeding Mini Poodles with Bernese Mountain Dogs (as well as smaller Standard Bernedoodles) to create the beautiful Mini ones.

Since then, these pups have become a beloved choice for many dog owners and keep increasing in popularity!

Are All Mini Bernedoodles The Same?

All pups are different and that goes for the Mini Bernedoodle too. For purebred dogs, there is a breed standard set out by the American Kennel Club (or another kennel club) which gives you a good indication of a breed’s temperament and appearance. With a mixed-breed pup, however, it’s a little more complicated.

Your Mini Bernedoodle’s personality and appearance will depend on many factors, including what generation miniature Benedoodle they are.

An F1 Mini Bernedoodle is 50% Miniature Poodle and 50% Bernese Mountain Dog. It will be harder to predict the appearance and temperament of an F1 dog as they can take more after their Mini Poodle or Bernese Mountain dog parent.

An F2 Mini Bernedoodle puppy, however, is bred from two F1 dogs. The further this carries on, the easier it is to be sure of the appearance and personality of a dog.

The Temperament of a Mini Bernedoodle

Mini Bernedoodles are quite active dogs. They’re very friendly and will love to meet new human and canine friends in the puppy park. Because they’re so sociable, they love to be the center of attention. They’re generally happy little dogs that are loyal, keen to please, and goofy!

Of course, the generation of your puppy plus how you care for them will also play a role in their temperament. Like all dogs, Mini Bernedoodles need training and socialization from a young age. Try to expose them to lots of new sights and sounds so that they grow up to be happy and confident little dogs.

If your pup has more of its Poodle parent in them, they’re likely to be very intelligent and a little mischievous! They’ll pick up training well, although sessions should be kept short to keep them engaged.

If they take after the Bernese Mountain Dog more, then you can expect them to be cheeky, courageous, and sometimes a little lazy too.

The Ideal Owner of a Miniature Bernedoodle

Mini Bernedoodles tend to get on very well with kids and they like to be part of a large pack. They’re active, so having other littler legs to play with can help to keep them entertained. The most important thing for a Mini Bernedoodle, however, is that they’re part of a social family.

They enjoy having a large backyard as well as regular walks in fields, to rivers, or to mountains. Because they’re smaller than Standard Bernedoodles, they are a bit more adaptable. As long as they’re taken out for plenty of exercise and have lots of toys, they could live in an apartment.

The great thing about a Mini Bernedoodle is that they’re just as happy curling up on the couch with you for cuddles. Even though they like being outdoors, they love being relaxed indoors too!

Do Mini Bernedoodles Make Good Guard Dogs?

Bernese Mountain Dogs were first bred to guard livestock, so it’s possible your Miniature Bernedoodle will have some guarding traits too. They can be a little wary around strangers but they’re generally so friendly that they get over that quickly.

Their size, cute little button nose, and inquisitive eyes don’t do much to deter intruders either. They’re definitely not a hugely scary dog breed.

The Appearance of a Miniature Bernedoodle

Again, this will really depend on your pup’s genetics. Most tend to inherit some of the curls from their Poodle parent. This can give them an adorable, teddy bear-like look. Miniature Bernedoodles usually have round faces, very cute floppy ears, and almond-shaped eyes.

Mini Benedoodles are usually black and white dogs with some brown markings (like their Bernese Mountain Dog mother). It is possible, however, to see merle and brown Mini Bernedoodle puppies.

You can find out more about merle dog breeds here.

Mini Benerdoodles usually weigh between 20 and 35 pounds. They can grow to be between 12 and 20 inches tall.

Exercise Needs of a Mini Bernedoodle

These fun dogs need about 30 minutes of good exercise every day. They’ll enjoy swimming, hiking, and running. In addition to time outdoors running around, it’s also important they have enough toys to play with indoors.

Because both Bernese Mountain Dogs and Miniature Poodles are intelligent, you can bet your Mini Bernedoodle will be too. Puzzle toys are a great way to keep their brains engaged and get them to learn something new. Interactive toys stop dogs from getting bored which could lead to destructive behavior.

Training a Miniature Bernedoodle

You’ll find training your Mini Bernedoodle quite easy. These intelligent dogs are willing to please and love spending time with their owner – which is a winning combination for training sessions.

Make sure you train young puppies the basics. Like any other dog breed, positive reinforcement is the best method. Hand out healthy treats (such as chunks of watermelon, cucumber, or shrimp), and don’t scold them when they make a mistake.

Because they’re sociable, you might find puppy classes a good idea. They’ll love learning from others!

Do Miniature Bernedoodles Suffer from Separation Anxiety?

It’s possible that your doggo will suffer from separation anxiety. These dogs love to be around humans and they may think you’ve abandoned them forever if you quickly go to the store. Leaving your puppy alone for short periods from the beginning can help them get used to it. It will make your life a lot easier once they’re older!

The Health of a Miniature Bernedoodle

As a mixed breed, Mini Bernedoodles are usually healthy dogs. They can, however, be prone to eye and joint problems as well as allergies. Regular checkups as well as health screenings as a puppy can help to catch any potential issues early on.

The Lifespan of Miniature Bernedoodle

With a lot of love, exercise, and checkups, a Mini Bernedoodle can live between 12 and 18 years!

What Should You Feed a Mini Bernedoodle?

It’s best to feed your Mini Bernedoodle high-quality dog food. They should be getting 90% of the nutrients and vitamins they need from a canine-specific diet, with the other 10% being healthy treats (such as asparagus or broccoli).

The best fresh dog food could be an option for some owners. Many of these amazing meals are formulated by canine nutritionists and arrive frozen at your door. Most are also pre-portioned which can help with weight control (which can be important for this breed).

Grooming Needs of a Miniature Bernedoodle Puppy

Mini Bernedoodles shed minimally – which is great news for allergy sufferers and those that don’t like vacuuming! As a hypoallergenic breed, they’re quite easy to care for. A good brush once a week will remove any tangles, spread important oils, and keep their coats looking shiny. You can also bathe them every couple of months to keep them extra clean. Just be sure to dry their dense fur thoroughly to prevent irritation.

It’s a good idea to get your Mini Bernedoodle a dry shampoo for dogs to keep them smelling fresh in between washes.

You also need to wash and dry their ears once a week to prevent infection. Clean their teeth with a quality dog toothpaste and make sure their nails are trimmed correctly.

Adopting a Mini Bernedoodle

Mini Bernedoodles are popular dogs. That means you’re unlikely to find them in a shelter, but you can never be sure! So check anyway.

With all dog breeds, it’s essential you find an ethical breeder that cares about the welfare of the puppies. They should carry out regular health checks to make sure the dogs are as happy and healthy as can be and only breed from these ones. Avoid puppy mills at all costs. They may appear cheaper but you’ll be contributing to the mistreatment of dogs and you could pay a lot in vet bills later on.

How Much Does a Mini Bernedoodle Cost?

The price of a Mini Bernedoodle will depend on demand in your area, the reputation of the breeder, and the color (etc) of the dog.

As a popular and quite new mixed breed, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000.

So, Is a Mini Bernedoodle The Dog for You?

If you want to adopt a pup that’s active (but also relaxed), cute, loyal, loving, and very friendly then a Mini Bernedoodle could be a great choice. They’re easy to train and really have the best bits of both of their amazing parent breeds. They’re considered hypoallergenic and have minimal grooming needs.

Their smaller size makes them more adaptable than the Standard Bernedoodle. They’re adorable and make great family pets!