Some of the most popular designer dogs are Doodle Dogs — those with a Poodle as a parent. Choosing among all those cute Doodles can be tough. Let us help you understand one of the toughest choices: Goldendoodle vs. Bernedoodle.
Our favorite, the Goldendoodle, can trace its beginnings back to 1969 when the great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens crossed a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. The Labradoodle—a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle mix—is known to have been around in the mid-1960s when one named Fang appeared on the Get Smart television program. And the Cockapoo—a Cocker Spaniel crossed with a Poodle—was popular in the 1950s.
A relatively new Poodle crossbreed is the Bernedoodle—a Bernese Mountain Dog crossed with a Poodle. The first one was bred by Canadian Sherry Rupke in 2003. What kind of animal does this mixing produce? Bernedoodles are intelligent and easily trained. They can be playful, but they can also be a bit stubborn.
Why the poodle?
With the four designer dog breeds mentioned here, the one thing they all have in common is that one parent is a Poodle. It can be a standard, miniature, or toy Poodle. But the underlying similarity is the Poodle.
One of the things that makes using a Poodle as the common dog among all these mixed breeds is the desire to have a dog that doesn’t shed, limiting any allergies a person may typically experience with dogs. Even though they don’t shed as much as other breeds, even Poodles possess the proteins to which allergy sufferers are allergic. Their coat traps the loose hair, preventing it from releasing the proteins into the air.
This is often what people are looking for when they mix another breed with a Poodle. Just remember that it is scientifically impossible to breed a truly hypoallergenic dog unless it can be made without skin and without producing saliva.
The Bernedoodle
Both Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles have what is termed hybrid vigor. Mixing the two pure breeds produces a result that typically does not possess the tendency to have common hereditary problems associated with either parent breed.
When you cross either the Golden Retriever or the Bernese Mountain Dog with a poodle, what you will tend to get is a combination of behavioral traits common to both breeds. Both the Goldendoodle and Bernedoodle can be extremely intelligent, training quickly.
Temperament can vary widely between the two breeds. The Goldendoodle often displays the playful affection and enthusiasm common with Golden Retrievers. On the other hand, the Bernedoodle can often display stubbornness. They inherit this trait from their Bernese Mountain Dog parent. And like this parent, they can also display extreme protectiveness over their family and develop a wariness of strangers.
The choice is yours
Ultimately, the decision between getting a Goldendoodle or a Bernedoodle is entirely based on what you are looking for. Both breeds are extremely intelligent and easily trained. However, a Goldendoodle is likely not going to be as leery of strangers (or guests in your home) than the typical Bernedoodle. Both are loyal, but the display of this trait can vary.