Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles are two of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. People love these breeds because of their personalities and temperament, and because they’re hypoallergenic and non-shedding.
While these dogs are very similar and are both part poodle, they are different in many ways. Bernedoodles are a mix of Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog (BMD), whereas Goldendoodles are a mix of Poodle and Golden Retriever.
Because Bernese Mountain Dogs and Golden Retrievers are very different in color, temperament, and physical features, their Doodle cousins will also be very different. It’s important to understand these differences so that you can choose the dog that’s right for you.
History of the Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog was first bred in Berne, Switzerland. They get their name from their town of origin, Berne, as well as the fact that it’s a mountainous region. Also known as Berners, these dogs were originally brought to Berne by invading Romans an estimated 2,000 years ago.
However, the very first Bernese Mountain Dogs were different than the Berners of today. They are described as being Mastiff-like dogs with black and brown fur, so they were likely slightly larger than modern Bernese Mountain Dogs. It took several hundred years of breeding and crossbreeding for the Bernese Mountain Dogs of today to emerge.
The original Bernese Mountain Dogs were bred to be working dogs and were used by the Romans for a wide range of purposes, including:
- Pull supply carts
- Herd and protect sheep and cattle
- Protect farm land and animals from invaders and predators
Although they’ve been around for nearly 20 centuries, it wasn’t until 1926 that the first Bernese Mountain Dog was brought to the United States by Isaac Schliess. Just over a decade later, the Bernese Mountain Dog was officially noticed by the American Kennel Association (AKC) as a breed. From there, they’ve gone on to become one of the most popular dog breeds in the country.
What are modern day Bernese Mountain Dogs like?
While they are no longer used primarily as work dogs, the modern Bernese Mountain Dog is highly active and loves cold weather. They love the outdoors, going on walks, and playing in the snow, but can also function in warmer climates as long as they have a place to cool off. Berners also love the water and are proficient swimmers.
History of the Golden Retriever
As with Bernese Mountain Dogs, Golden Retrievers have a long and storied history. They originated in the Scottish Highlands in the mid-1800’s, thanks to the efforts of dog breeder, Dudley Couts Marjoribanks. He did this by breeding a yellow wavy-coated Retriever to a Tweed Water Spaniel.
Marjoribanks, also known as Lord Tweedmouth, did this with the goal of creating the perfect hunting and bird dog. He was taking quite a gamble, because at that time it was thought that only black, short-haired dogs, such as the Labrador Retriever, were good hunting and bird dogs.
Luckily, his gamble paid off, and the Golden Retriever quickly became one of the most popular hunting and birding dogs in the UK. It didn’t take long for the AKC to recognize the breed, which they did in 1911. Nearly a decade later, in the 1920s, the Golden Retriever made its first appearance in the United States.
What are modern day Golden Retrievers like?
While it continues to be used as a hunting and bird dog, it’s also became a popular family pet, thanks to its loving, loyal, and playful temperament. As with Bernese Mountain Dogs, Golden Retrievers love water and cooler weather, but do okay in warmer climates as long as they can cool off. They’re also great swimmers and love spending time in the water, similar to the Bernese.
Why are these breeds often crossed with Poodles?
On their own, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Golden Retrievers are great dogs. They have very even-keeled temperaments and are playful, loyal, and lovable. And because Poodles are known as one of the smartest breeds, they’re ideal for cross-breeding, creating friendly, smart, and hypo-allergenic family dogs: Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles.
Although they only retain half of their original DNA, Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles remain highly active and energetic dogs. While both breeds need plenty of exercise and attention, Goldendoodles generally require more of both. Both types of Doodle are considered “designer breeds,” since they are deliberately crossbred.
Is one breed more allergy friendly?
In general, neither breed is more hypoallergenic than the other. Both Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles are considered to be hypoallergenic, but it all depends on how much poodle DNA they possess. As such, an F1 Bernedoodle (50% poodle and 50% Bernese Mountain Dog) is just as allergy friendly as an F1 Goldendoodle.
Is one breed easier to take care of than the other?
Another reason that Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles are so popular is because they’re relatively easy to take care of. This is especially true when you have multiple dogs, as they love to play with one another.
The only things to be aware of is that both breeds are energetic and require regular exercise, more so with Goldendoodles. They also require regular grooming and haircuts to maintain their poodle-like fur.
It’s also worth noting that both Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs have a history of having sensitive stomachs. While this is more common with Berners, it’s also common with Retrievers. As such, your Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle may require a special diet to accommodate their needs.
Cost comparison of buying and owning these dogs
Both Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles are considered designer breeds. As such, they cost more than the average dog. In general, Bernedoodles are more expensive to buy than Goldendoodles. The main reason for this is because Bernedoodles require more genetic testing to ensure you’re matching the right Bernese Mountain Dog to the right Poodle.
While Bernedoodles are more expensive up front, the ongoing cost of ownership is similar for both dogs. They generally require the same amount of grooming, vet care, and dog food.
How does a Bernedoodle coat compare to a Goldendoodle?
As with allergy friendliness, differences in coat colors and types are due more to how much poodle DNA your dog has.
While a Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle with more poodle DNA tends to have a curlier coat than one with less poodle DNA, the parents make a big difference. For example, a Bernedoodle with more Poodle DNA can still have a wavy coat.
Personality and temperament comparison
Once again, the main reason that Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles are so popular is because of their gentle temperaments and playful personalities. Both breeds are known to be great with kids, although Bernedoodles tend to be even more so.
Additionally, because of how smart both breeds are, you should have little trouble training them, as long as you stick with it.
At the same time, Bernedoodles can also be more standoffish when they meet new people, whereas a Goldendoodle doesn’t know what a stranger is.
Both breeds are also very energetic until they reach adulthood, when they exit the puppy stage and calm down a bit. This is also when they are less apt to bark when startled, although neither breed is considered a “barker.”
Differences and similarities in their sizes
On average, Bernedoodles tend to be slightly larger than Goldendoodles, because Bernese Mountain Dogs are bigger than Golden Retrievers. As with other designer breeds, both types of Doodle are available in miniature, medium, and standard versions. However, it’s more difficult to get a truly miniature Bernedoodle, because of how big traditional Berners are.
Having said that, even though Bernedoodles tend to be bigger than Goldendoodles, Bernedoodles do better in small apartments and homes. This is because Goldendoodles are more high-energy and require more room to run and move around.
Do Bernedoodles live longer and healthier lives than Goldendoodles?
While Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles have roughly the same lifespan (12–18 years for Bernedoodles and 10–15 years for Goldendoodles), they have their own set of unique health problems. Here’s a quick rundown of diseases and health problems for these breeds.
Goldendoodle health risks
- Hip dysplasia (more common in old age)
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Skin allergies
- Digestive issues
- Ear infections
- Hypothyroidism
- Von Willebrand Disease (a blood clotting disorder)
- Cancer
- Gastric dilation-volvulus
Bernedoodle health risks
- Hip dysplasia (more common in old age)
- Ear infections
- Digestive issues
- Cataracts
- Von Willebrand Disease
- Heart issues
- Skin issues
- Cancer
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Luckily, you can avoid most of these health problems by choosing a puppy whose parents have gone through extensive genetic testing. This is because most of these conditions are genetic disorders, aside from hip and skin problems. While genetic testing doesn’t mean it’s impossible for your Doodle to have one of these conditions, it greatly reduces the risk.
Raising healthy puppies is serious and we take every precaution to give our puppies the best shot at a long and healthy life.
For more details about extending the lifespan and of your Doodle, read our article about how long Goldendoodles live. While it’s specifically about Goldendoodles there’s a lot of overlap with Bernedoodles.
Does one breed make better therapy or emotional support dogs?
If you’re looking for a great therapy dog, Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles are a great option. Both breeds are highly trainable and even-tempered, and are equally good candidates for therapy or emotional support dogs.
Online quiz to see which breed is right for you
Still not sure which dog breed is right for you? Consider taking an online quiz at Pro Profs or Spirt Dog! These quizzes will have you answer a series of questions to better help you understand which type of Doodle you prefer.
Additionally, here are a few expert questions we ask people if they are still on the fence about whether to choose a Bernedoodle or a Goldendoodle.
- What type of climate do you live in? If you live in a hot climate, Goldendoodles are a better option. For cold climates, however, Bernedoodles will feel more at home.
- How much space do you have in your home? If you live in a small apartment or home, Bernedoodles are a better fit, as long as you have air conditioning. Goldendoodles need more exercise than Bernedoodles, which means they need more room to run.
- Do you prefer a dog with a laid back personality? If you want a dog as laid back as you are, a Bernedoodle is the safer bet. While every dog is different and will have unique personalities, Bernedoodles are generally more laid back than Goldendoodles.
What do people on Reddit say about Bernedoodle vs. Goldendoodle
It can also be helpful to hear firsthand from people who currently own Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles if you’re on the fence about which dog to choose. Consider this quote from one happy Bernedoodle owner:
“I found a questionier on the internet which suggested which Doodle would fit my lifestyle best … It suggested the Bernedoodle … My dog is now 6 months old and through the puppy stage … Having a wonderful calm stage … if this time is any indication of adulthood. He is definitely the dog for me. He is trainable, friendly and fun.”
Here’s another quote about how great Bernedoodles are with kids:
“Bernedoodle- friendly, loves kids, and when not playing with pups or people are pretty calm dogs. They are considered large “lap” companion dogs so they are a good choice if you will be able to spend a lot of time with them, as they don’t like being alone. I am of course bias. My girl loves kids and is really good at being general with them.”
For even better perspective, here’s a quote from someone who owns both a Goldendoodle and a Bernedoodle!
“We have both. 5 year old Goldendoodle and 1 year old Bernedoodle. Highly recommend both. So sweet. So snuggly. So smart! But whichever pupp you get, the dog you ultimately have will be the sum total of the time you spend with them, especially training them.”
Final thoughts about comparing Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles
As you can see, while Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles are similar, they’re completely different breeds. As such, they may have different personalities, character traits, and temperaments. They may also require different amounts of training and attention, and be at risk for different health issues.
However, regardless of which breed you choose, you’re sure to have an excellent dog. Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles are both smart, friendly, and loyal, and make ideal family dogs. If you have more questions about either breed or want to know which one is right for you, call me at (574) 596-0350 and I’ll be more than happy to assist you!