Bernedoodle vs. Goldendoodle: Breed Comparison – Key Differences & Similarities

Are you comparing these two popular doodle dogs for your next furry friend? These two mixes are very similar dogs who both share one parent, the Poodle. Like all doodle hybrids, they are becoming increasingly popular as family pets for their friendly nature and fluffy teddy bear exterior.

But thanks to their other parent, the Golden Retriever for the Goldendoodle, and the Bernese Mountain Dog for the Bernedoodle, there are also many differences between them. This gives soon-to-be owners like you the choice between doodle doggies. People want to know which is better, the Bernedoodle or Goldendoodle. The answer is subjective, of course. Each breed is quite lovable and will work better for certain kinds of owners.

They are both surprisingly energetic dogs, which is something that many people underestimate, thinking that they are just cuddly lap dogs. The two main differences between these two mixes are that the Goldendoodle can be smaller than the Bernedoodle, regardless of the Parent doodle’s size. Bernedoodles also have a slightly more protective personality making them excellent watchdogs. So which one is better suited to you and your family? Well, let’s stop doodling about and get straight into it!

Breed History

The history of most hybrid dogs is not entirely clear, but thankfully we know a little bit about these pups. Remember, as they are both mixed breeds, it is just as important to look at the history of both of his purebred parent’s past. Like many Poodle mixes and several Golden Retriever hybrids, both of these mixed-breed pups are relatively new creations.  Let’s find out more!

Bernedoodle

The first deliberate and documented mating of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle took place in 2003 in Ontario. A breeder called Sherry Rupke fell in love with the Bernese Mountain Dog and their sweet but protective character. But her mother suffered terribly from allergies. So, she purposefully bred the Bernese with the hypoallergenic Poodle to create the Bernedoodle.

And as they say, the rest is history. This hybrid dog is one of the more common Bernese mixes you can adopt. They are also frequently mistaken for Sheepadoodles, which look very similar.

Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle is often thought to be one of the first doodle crossbreeds, but surprisingly he isn’t. He was created in the 1990s, and his name was officially coined in 1992. Like the Bernedoodle, he was also bred to combine the hypoallergenic traits of the Poodle with the family favorite personality of the Golden Retriever. He is also known as the Groodle, but Goldendoodle sounds much cuter! 

Appearance

Their appearances are one of the first things that people notice about these mixes and often can be the deciding factor between the two. The Goldendoodle is the smaller of the two mixes. They are actually much closer in size to their Poodle parent. If the size of your soon-to-be-pooch is a concern of yours, the Goldendoodle might make the better choice for you.

Both breeds, thanks to their Poodle parent, fit into three height and weight categories, toy, miniature, and standard. Typically they will both be a standard size because this makes the breeding process much simpler due to their size. They can also fall into the smaller dog sizes. Always be sure to ask your breeder what size his Poodle parent is because this can make a huge difference in his mature size.

A Goldendoodle’s coat tends to be a solid color, normally his favorite golden sheen. He can also take the colors black, copper, apricot, red, white, cream, or gray. The color of the Bernedoodle has a broader variety of colors and combinations. He could take a solid black, white, or brown coat, a mixture of all these colors. He usually inherits the coloring of the Swiss parent, but he can also inherit any color of his Poodle parent.

Both of their coats are long and wavy in length. This means that both of their grooming schedules are intense, which we will discuss later. But their adorable teddy bear jacket is a big appeal for both breeds.

Temperament

The Goldendoodle is a happy-go-lucky pooch who gets along with everyone. He usually inherits the sickly-sweet friendly genes from his Retriever parent, and this is why everyone loves him. He will happily welcome strangers into the home with a wide smile even if he has never met them before. For this reason, he makes a rubbish guard dog! He is also really affectionate with his family and loves nothing more than to spend all day cuddling.

The Bernedoodle is just as affectionate with his human pack. But he is aloof with strangers and suspicious of everyone who comes into his estate or approaches his family. He makes an excellent watchdog and will let you know when something is not quite right. Because Bernedoodles protect their family and want to know that you are safe, he becomes anxious when you are not around. They also crave human companionship, and without it, he will suffer from separation anxiety.

Goldendoodles happen to be much more comfortable being in their own company. This might affect your decision-making process. Because if you are not sure whether you can provide the Bernedoodle with the attention that he deserves, you may want to pick the more independent Goldendoodle.

Both mixes love children. The Golden Retriever’s family favorite genes shine through, and the Bernese Mountain dog nanny genes take over. So, if you’re wondering which one of these breeds gets on better with children, the answer is both of them equally. All you need to remember is never to leave them unattended with children, especially if they are a standard mix because of their sheer size.

They are both great fun and ready to play games when you want. Thankfully they are also calm inside the home when it’s time to Netflix and chill. They are both adaptable to their family’s needs and moods, which makes them great family pets.

Exercise

Both mixes will need around 1 hour of exercise every day to keep them happy and healthy. They are also intelligent breeds who need a variety of activities to keep their brain stimulated and interested.

The Goldendoodle will love water, so if you are looking for a swimming or boating partner, he might make the better choice. Bernedoodles are more likely to be interested in activities that use his power and stamina. But both love games and fun, so there isn’t much that they will turn their noses up at.

The Bernedoodle is likely to be more partial to a snooze, and you’ll find he might need a little less mental stimulation than the Goldendoodle. And because of the Bernedoodle’s bigger size, he might need less vigorous exercise. But this is not something that you will know until they come into their own personality and maturity, so do not depend on it.

Being intelligent dogs, they would both benefit from having a chest full of doggy toys so that they can entertain themselves during the day. Interactive games and treat-filled puzzle toys stimulate their brains and keep them out of trouble.

Training

The Goldendoodle is a very trainable dog who is always eager to please his master. Bernedoodles, on the other hand, are a lot more stubborn thanks to his Bernese genes. So, if you are a first-time dog owner, the Goldendoodle might make the better option for you. Or if you have experience in training independent dogs, or you like a challenging canine, the Bernedoodle is your pup.

Both breeds need equal amounts of socialization to transform them from curious pups into well-behaved and polite pooches. Because Bernedoodles are naturally aloof with strangers, this will be a life-long commitment. Otherwise, he can become over-protective.

Both dogs should be trained using the positive reward method, and they will both be partial to a handful of snacks. Because they both need daily grooming, it is always a good idea to introduce them to this early so that they can become accustomed to it.

We would recommend that both breeds are leash trained, but this is particularly important for Bernedoodle and his extraordinary pulling power. If he becomes unruly on the lead, he’ll be taking you for walkies, not the other way around.

Bernedoodles are the more anxious pups of the two breeds and benefit from crate training. Not only does this give him a safe place to be when you cannot be with him, but it also means that you have peace of mind that he cannot chew your furniture. The Goldendoodle would also love a place to call his own too, but it is not necessarily needed as much.

Health

Both dogs are relatively healthy and will enjoy a long lifespan. Goldendoodles will typically live a little bit longer simply because he is a smaller pup. The smaller your Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle is, the longer he is likely to live (but remember that every dog is different).

They are both at risk of inheriting elbow and hip dysplasia, eye conditions, and cardiac concerns. This is all the more reason to purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder, and be sure to see their health certificates!

The Golden Retriever genes make the Goldendoodle more susceptible to cancer and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. The Bernedoodle can inherit Von Willebrand’s disease.  If you have a smaller dog of either mix, there is also the chance that they could inherit patella luxation. But this doesn’t tend to be a problem in standard-sized Poodle mixes.

Nutrition

The Goldendoodle does best on dry kibble and will eat around 3-4 cups per day. The Bernedoodle eats just a bit more at 4 to 4.5 cups. They both need high-quality kibble that will provide them with a high protein content that will provide them with lots of energy for their active lifestyles.

Look for kibbles that have prebiotic fibers and probiotic ingredients to assist with their digestive systems. Both the Goldendoodle and Bernedoodle are known to have sensitive tummies, so an easy-to-digest formula is advised for these two.

They are also both known to be greedy doggies, so be sure to keep an eye on their weight and monitor their treat intake. Healthy snacks, such as carrots, are known to keep hunger pangs at bay for insatiable pups.

Grooming

Being doodle mixes, they are known for their intensive grooming needs. Their long and shaggy coats need daily grooming to prevent any matting. The Goldendoodle has longer fur around his ears, neck, belly, and tail, which require extra attention because the hair is prone to tangling. The Bernedoodle doesn’t have feathering fur. Instead, his coat is a lot thicker. Whichever pooch you decide to pick, you would benefit from investing in a de-shedding tool as well as a slicker brush for those doodle curls.

Poodles are known to be hypoallergenic, but neither of these pups is guaranteed to be. Thankfully, they will probably shed much less than your standard Golden Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog.

Puppy Prices

On average, the Bernedoodle is the more expensive of the two dogs. Prices start at $2,500, and the Goldendoodle generally starts at $2,000. This is quite expensive for a mixed breed pup, but considering the popularity of all doodle breeds, this is common.

Expect the price to rise for the desirable golden color of the Goldendoodle and the tri-color of the Bernedoodle. If the breeders are considered to be the best in your state, then this also increases the price. Prices have been known to reach beyond $5,000 for both mixes.

Remember that with the rise in popularity comes the increase of puppy mills and backstreet breeders. They do not care about the health of their puppies and will not breed healthy adults. So, please do not be tempted to risk your pup’s health by saving a few hundred dollars.

Final Thoughts

When comparing the Bernedoodle vs. Goldendoodle, it’s always important to research the parents of mixed-breed pups. Your dog will be a mix of both breeds. If you select a first-generation pup, then you will not know which breed he will take after until he becomes a little older. If you do not want to play the genetics lottery, then make sure you work with a breeder who produces second and third-generation pups. Because this way, you can expect a beautiful blend of both parents.

Overall, there are more similarities between these two mixes than there are differences. But some differences set them apart from one another and will help some families to choose. If you are after a bigger and more protective pooch, then the Bernedoodle is the better choice for you. If you are seeking a more sociable or smaller pooch, then the Goldendoodle is the dog for you.

Either way, they are both fantastic family pets, and everyone will fall head over heels in love with them. Just be sure to give them everything that they need, and they will return the favor with lots of doodle kisses and cuddles.