All You Need to Know About Bernedoodle Temperament and Personality
Getting a dog is one of the best decisions you will ever make. If you want a goofy, intelligent, highly trainable, and above all, loving and charming dog, a Bernedoodle might be the one for you! In this article, we will discuss the temperament of a Bernedoodle as well as some of its characteristics.
Bernedoodles are unquestionably ideal for many families. Here’s everything you need to know about a Bernedoodle’s temperament and personality:
What is a Bernedoodle?
A hybrid breed created by crossing a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle is known as a Bernedoodle or Bernese Mountain Poo. These adorable fluff balls are considered a designer dog breed and were explicitly created for friendship. This explains why they adore being petted and cuddled by their owners and other people.
Although families have loved Bernedoodles for many years, they were only standardized in 2003. These dogs rose to prominence after a breeder named Sherry Rupke of SwissRidge Kennels decided to cross a Bernese Mountain Dog with a Poodle. It all worked out, and the result was an intelligent and loyal puppy, the best of both worlds! This breed has a lifespan of up to 18 years!
Poodles come in various sizes, including toy, mini, and standard, and Bernedoodles do as well. Another feature that distinguishes this breed is its ability to change color. It comes in various colors, most notably traditional tri, merle tri, sable, and many other variations, thanks to the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle!
Usually, their fur is straight (like a Bernese Mountain Dog), curly (like a poodle), or somewhere in the middle and wavy. Due to the Poodle parentage, most people think this breed is hypoallergenic and has a low to non-shed coat, making them a healthier pet for allergy sufferers.
What Personalities Do Bernedoodles Have?
Bernedoodles make excellent companions and family pets. Here are a few of their well-known characteristics:
Intelligent
Bernedoodles, like their Poodle parent, are highly intelligent and trainable. Bernedoodles are also inquisitive, which makes training a breeze. The Bernedoodle, like other intelligent breeds, requires regular mental and physical stimulation. Having puzzle toys and playing mind games regularly is therefore essential.
Bernedoodles are highly intelligent, leading to boredom and frustration without adequate mental stimulation, resulting in excessive chewing and destructive behavior. Therefore, having plenty of toys for your puppy is a good idea.
Stubborn
Although adolescents frequently exhibit the stubbornness inherited from their Bernese Mountain Dog parents, Bernedoodles can be very intelligent. Similar to humans, this breed occasionally refuses to obey any orders. As they grow older and more mature, this quality tends to diminish.
Patience and persistence are crucial when it comes to raising Bernedoodle puppies. Decide to instruct them one command at a time and maintain their attention. The most crucial thing is maintaining patience and keeping them focused because, as already mentioned, some puppies may be resistant to learning new things. Make sure not to yell at them because they can be sensitive, and remember to reward them with tasty treats or warm cuddles when they obey a command or learn something new.
Positive reinforcement training can make even the most stubborn fluff balls charming and charismatic.
Affectionate
Bernedoodles are extremely affectionate to their families due to their fondness for younger children. Many Bernedoodle owners brag about their dogs being extremely loving and affectionate to them and their families. Because of their longer average lifespan of 10-16 years, this adorable little dog can be an ideal childhood companion for your children!
Bernedoodles adore their families and are always eager to please their owners and family members.
Bernedoodles are extremely affectionate and enjoy being around their human families, particularly children. They crave attention and cuddle regularly.
Many of these adorable pups have been trained to be therapy dogs! For a good reason, this affectionate breed makes excellent therapy dogs. They are naturally social, enjoy cuddles, crave human interaction, and prefer a job or a sense of purpose.
Gentle
A Bernedoodle’s gentle nature makes them an obvious choice for many families. This breed is naturally curious and cautious when meeting new people, but once it gets to know you (usually within minutes), it won’t stop asking for cuddles and hugs. Bernedoodles enjoy spending time with their favorite family members and interacting with other dogs.
Bernedoodles, like many other breeds, are inquisitive. So, going for hikes and discovering new places with your companion once in a while is a great idea.
Sensitive
While Bernedoodles enjoy pleasing their owners, they can be sensitive dogs, especially if they inherit more of the Bernese Mountain Dog’s personality. This breed is sensitive to harsh corrections and punishments. If you use a positive rewards-based approach in training sessions, your Bernedoodle will outperform your expectations.
Once again, many of these dogs have been trained to be therapy dogs! They are sensitive to changes in the moods or feelings of family members. They can be hurt when scolded harshly, but they are always ready to love and comfort children and adults.
Bernedoodles enjoy learning new things and are enthusiastic about everything they do, mainly if they inherit more of the Poodle parent’s characteristics. However, it is critical to keep training sessions brief and to allow them to practice one command at a time. A 15-20 minute session should suffice; otherwise, your puppy may become too tired and refuse to respond to any command.
How Energetic Are Bernedoodles?
Bernedoodles are not particularly energetic. However, they benefit from at least a 30-40 minute walk daily, especially during their younger years. Mental and physical stimulation are also required to deplete their energy reserves and prevent boredom and frustration.
A tired dog is a good dog, so ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Here are some excellent methods for lowering their energy levels:
- Regular walks and runs.
- Obstacle Course in the Backyard
- Physical Activities like fetch, swimming, running, etc.
- Food puzzles
- Daycare for dogs
- Dog parks
Is it Easy to Train Bernedoodles?
Bernedoodles are simple to train due to the intelligent nature of the Poodle/Bernese crossbreed. They are quick to learn, active, and eager to please. Female dogs can be easier to train than male dogs at times, partly because they are less easily distracted and mature faster.
A well-bred Bernedoodle from a reputable breeder should inherit positive characteristics from both the Poodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Poodles are extremely intelligent and can learn commands and tricks quickly due to their eagerness to please. They have varying degrees of energy depending on their size. Poodles are a widely misunderstood breed. Because of their high intelligence levels and loyalty, they are one of the easiest dog breeds to train beneath their pretty curls.
Because of their intelligence, Bernese Mountain Dogs make excellent working dogs. They are dedicated, loyal, and eager to please. Despite their high-energy personalities, they can also be obedient and calm when needed. Bernese Mountain Dogs excel at events such as obedience, herding, and agility, and these accomplishments benefit their lives.
Bernedoodles can thus offer the best of both of their parents’ breeds while also providing a lot as a pet dog.
Training Methods
Today, many training methods are used, and we will go over these in depth. It is critical to find the best method for your Bernedoodle.
It may be tempting to emulate the methods of celebrities such as Cesar Millan, Nick White, or Victoria Stilwell. Still, ultimately you must choose a training method that you are comfortable with and can see through to the end.
Numerous techniques are available, but many share similarities with others, albeit with different principles applied.
Traditional Training Methods
This traditional theory holds that all dogs should respect their owners and those around them. In all situations, your dog should regard you as a “top dog.” Unwanted behaviors should be punished while using this technique. In more traditional training methods, food is not used as a reward.
Owners who use this method believe it is critical for the owner to be higher in the rankings than the dog and for the dog to be aware of this. To avoid the possibility of resource guarding, you could forbid your dog from sleeping on the bed.
Modern Training Methods
The theories presented here depart from the traditional and instead focus on the dog’s behaviors, which are crucial in offering training methods. Many studies have been conducted in recent years to investigate the science behind these behaviors.
Positive reinforcement falls into this category, and punishment is generally avoided. Dogs in the armed forces have been successfully trained using modern techniques. Food and other rewards are frequently used in this technique.
This theory combines traditional and modern training techniques to create a more balanced approach to training. Trainers who follow this theory believe in both positive reinforcement and the use of forms of punishment. Some trainers begin as traditionalists, but as new studies emerge, they shift toward more modern ways of thinking and acting.