Mini Bernedoodles are a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Miniature Poodle.
The result is a friendly, low-shedding cross breed that can make excellent companion animals or family pets.
While you may be familiar with Bernedoodles, the Mini Bernedoodle is simply a smaller version of the hybrid.
This cross breed has become more popular over the past couple of decades – and the Mini Bernedoodle is no different.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at the Mini Bernedoodle cross breed, including their appearance, temperament, exercise requirements and training.
We’ll hear from Venice (@venice_dood), Lucky (@lj.thebernedoodle) and Bernie (@bernie__doodle) to learn more about the Mini Bernedoodle breed and share some of their photos (with their permission).
The Mini Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Miniature Poodle. They can be the result of breeding between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Miniature Poodle but also two Bernedoodles.
Sherry Rupke is widely credited for breeding the first Mini Bernedoodles in 2003 when the Ontario-based Swissridge Kennel breeder intentionally bred two of her Bernedoodles.
They can go by a variety of different names, including Mini Bernese Mountain Poo, Mini Bernesepoo, Mini Bernesedoodle or Mini Bernepoo.
Mini Bernedoodles can come in a wide variety of different colors. They’ll usually be pure black, black and white, black and brown or tri-color (black, white and brown).
Their appearance mirrors that of their Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle parents. They resemble a cuddly, hair small bear cub. These shaggy dogs can have the broad build of the Bernese Mountain Dog or the slender build of the Poodle.
Every Mini Bernedoodle has a different coat but there does tend to be some common themes. They’ll usually have a wavy coat to some degree, although there are some Mini Bernedoodles with a straight coat.
In terms of size, Mini Bernedoodles can range from 18 to 22 inches tall and weigh between 25 and 45 pounds. However, you can get some members of the cross breed who are a little taller, smaller, heavier or lighter than these ranges.
If you’re looking for an active dog that can keep pace with your family, Mini Bernedoodles could be a perfect fit. After all, they tend to be happy, goofy, loving and loyal dogs who relish the chance to interact with their fellow family members. Their energy levels can vary depending on whether they take after their Poodle parent or Bernese Mountain Dog parent.
Booker’s owner Mehnoosh provided an insight into the temperament of Mini Bernadoodles.
Mini Bernedoodles are extremely energetic, and this is something I’ve found to be consistent with a lot of Mini Bernedoodle’s I’ve met! They’re very friendly, particularly with other dogs and make a great family pet. One thing to note though is that they’re very stubborn. This is both a blessing and a curse, but does require persistence when training them because they can regress in training quickly if you do not maintain consistency.
Rasa highlighted that every Mini Bernedoodle is going to differ slightly, but they usually have some traits in common.
Every [Mini] Bernedoodle is a little bit different. In general, you’re going to get some Bernese traits (goofy and eager to please but also stubborn and a little bit lazy), and then you’re going to get some Poodle traits (intelligent and loyal but a little bit mischievous). In my experience, though, [Mini] Bernedoodles are total velcro dogs and often a product of their environment – so whatever training you do and routines you establish will help your [Mini] Bernedoodle in developing their personality.
The exercise requirements of a Mini Bernedoodle will depend on whether they take after their Bernese Mountain Dog or Poodle parent. For instance, a Mini Bernedoodle who is more alike the Miniature Poodle will have quite high energy levels but a Mini Bernedoodle who is more akin to a Bernese Mountain Dog could be more relaxed.
Kate revealed that Lucky gets two walks a day and 30 minutes of play time with a neighbor’s dog.
[We] walk about twice a day for 1mile/each. She plays with neighbors dog about 30min every day. High energy.
Rasa highlighted the importance of mental stimulation when taking care of a Mini Bernedoodle.
It’s very important to exercise your Mini [Bernedoodle] through walks and play, but also through mental stimulation! Treat puzzles and snuffle mats are truly life changing and will often exhaust your puppy more than any physical exercise you can give, but [Mini] Bernedoodles love being social and active so you should definitely incorporate both.
Booker gets at least two walks a day as well as some playtime with other dogs.
Mini Bernedoodles require consistent exercise and while i’m not particularly educated on the best forms of exercise for them, we typically take Booker on a walk twice a day in our neighborhood – one in the morning and one in the evening! His favorite form of exercise is play time with other dogs so we try to set up play dates once a week with other dogs in our neighborhood – either by going to our local dog park or playing in the backyard.
Do Mini Bernedoodle Shed A Lot?
If you’re looking for a low-shedding dog, the Mini Bernedoodle could be the mix for you. Having said that, each member of the cross breed could shed to varying degrees, from virtually no shedding to moderate shedding. If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog, Mini Bernedoodles could be a fit as they’re low shedding but they could still have other allergens that trigger a reaction, such as their salvia.
Mehnoosh provided a brilliant explanation of why Mini Bernedoodles tend to be low shedders.
F1 Mini Bernedoodles, first generation crosses where the puppy is 50% Bernese Mountain Dog and 50% Poodle, do have the possibility of shedding a bit, as Bernese Mountain Dogs are dogs that shed. However, the shedding is minimal and is reduced when you breed Bernedoodles with other Bernedoodles.
Raja explained that Bernie doesn’t shed at all!
In my experience, not at all but you do have to keep up with grooming religiously. While most [Mini] Bernedoodles have the non-shedding Poodle coat, without daily brushing and regular professional grooming it can get quite matted. There are some [Mini] Bernedoodles that have “unfurnished” coats, as well, and those types of coats tend to shed a bit more.
Where to find a Mini Berniedoodle?
4 month old Mini Bernedoodle & Labradoodle Mix @
When searching for one of these dogs you can either look for a Bernedoodle rescue or go to a quality breeder. If you chose to get your pup from a breeder make sure to ask a lot of questions.
The breeder should be knowledgeable in parent breeds and the breeding process. Plus they should be able to provide proof of the health testing for genetic traits on parent dogs.
It is common to have to wait 6 to 12 for a puppy from a quality breeder. If you want a Bernadoodle with tri-color markings the wait can be even longer.
Bernedoodle – Top 10 Pro’s and Cons of Owning a Bernedoodle
If you’re looking for a smaller doodle that is also a wonderful family dog, the Mini Bernedoodle is a great option.
Much smaller than a standard sized Bernedoodle but not as small as some of the other mini doodle breeds, the mini Berniedoodle is quickly becoming a popular choice as more people learn about them.
But no dog breed is perfect and the mini Berniedoodle has some traits that might make you think twice before getting one. Join us as we go over what’s good and bad about the Miniature Bernedoodle.
Note: We do not endorse any of the breeders linked to on this page. Links are strictly to used as a reference for information supplied in this post.
Most people will tell you that the Mini Berniedoodle is a poodle cross breed that combines the Bernese Mountain dog with a mini poodle.
While this may be correct in many cases not all Bernadoodles are created only using these two purebreds or variations of their offspring.
Some breeders are starting to use an Australian Labradoodles or other doodle mixes instead of purebred poodles.
Some will change the name (aka Australian Bernedoodles) but others will still use Bernadoodle. One of the reasons given for this change is to achieve consistent sizing in the mini Bernedoodle.