Bernedoodle Temperament Guide: Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle Mix

The Bernedoodle is a hybrid between the Poodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog. But those two parent breeds have very different temperaments. So what kind of personality and characteristics can you expect from a Bernedoodle?

multicolor bernedoodle lying on the floor
Bernedoodle lying on the floor

Overall, Bernedoodles are fun-loving and affectionate, making them great for families. Bernedoodles that have been adequately socialized are great with kids and other animals. But, they can be quite stubborn and difficult to train at first, making them a better choice for experienced dog owners. 

Let’s take a closer look at some characteristics you can expect to see in your Bernedoodle (sometimes called the Bernese Mountain Poo). Remember to take everything with a pinch of salt, though. The individual characteristics of the parents and how you raise your Bernedoodle can greatly affect its temperament. 

Related: Bernedoodle Color Guide | Bernedoodle Coat Types: Differences Explained

Bernedoodle Temperament: The Good and The Bad

bernedoodle sitting on the couch
Bernedoodle sitting on the couch

Affectionate

Bernedoodles love to be loved. And they love to dish out the love too. If you are looking for a dog that will cuddle with you on the couch after a long day of work, then the Bernedoodle is definitely for you. This is also part of what makes them great family pets.  

Fun Loving

Bernedoodles love to have fun. Some say that they can be described as goofy. They love to play games and accompany you on your adventures.

Although their readiness to play is largely positive, you should be prepared to provide plenty of mental stimulation and time to their needs. If you do not, their desire to have fun may appear at inconvenient times.

High Energy

bernedoodle jumping on a brick wall
Bernedoodle having fun outside

Bernedoodles are the offspring of two dogs initially meant for work; the Bernese Mountain Dog for farmwork in mountainous regions and the Poodle for hunting. This means that the Bernedoodle can be extremely high energy. 

This is neither a positive nor a negative characteristic. Instead, I’ll say that it means the Bernedoodle is not for everyone. 

If you are a very active person who loves to go for a daily run or walk in the park, you will likely be able to meet the Bernedoodle’s energy requirements. This means that the calmer characteristics of the dog, such as their affection and solid, steady disposition, will be emphasized. 

If you have to work eight hours a day in an office and like to spend your free time watching TV, the Bernedoodle is not a good option. 

If they are not exercised enough, they will find a way to get that energy out themselves. Hide and seek is only fun when you know it is happening. Having your items stolen and eaten can be very inconvenient for you and very bad for your dog.

Steady Disposition

A Bernedoodle who has had enough exercise and is in a loving environment where it gets plenty of attention will have a steady disposition. They will not be phased by much, and their calm, pleasant demeanor will make them an easy addition to your family. 

Their stable, tolerant behavior is more prevalent in particularly good lines, though. If you like this in a dog, make sure that you speak to your breeders. But that doesn’t mean that only the Bernedoodles with good breeding will be like this. 

Stubborn

Unfortunately, Bernedoodles can be extremely stubborn. This means if you’re not equipped with the knowledge to deal with them, they can quickly become an unpleasant handful. 

This trait can easily be overcome with training and enough perseverance. But if you don’t address the issue while they’re young, it can carry over into adulthood. Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend Bernedoodles to less experienced dog owners. 

Highly Intelligent

bernedoodle on a welcome mat
Bernedoodle sitting on a welcome mat

Bernedoodles are very intelligent dogs. If you know what you are doing, you can take their training far. They have not been used as guide dogs historically – partly because Poodle-hybrids are relatively new breeds – but that is not to say that they are not ideal for the position.

Just keep in mind that all highly intelligent animals need to be challenged constantly. If they don’t have sufficient mental stimulation, they’ll get bored and behave much like you can expect a small child to when they have too much time on their hands!

Skittish/ Wary of Strangers

Although the trait is not prevalent in all Bernedoodles, it is common enough to mention it. Some Bernedoodles can be very skittish and uncertain. This characteristic is often noticed when they need to interact with strangers. 

Some of the occurrences of this characteristic can be attributed to genetics. But, lack of socialization is, in my opinion, the bigger culprit. So make sure you socialize your Bernedoodle puppy as often as you can and as soon as you can to prevent issues like this. 

Separation Anxiety

Unfortunately, Bernedoodles are prone to experiencing separation anxiety. They should not be left at home alone for long periods as they may become lonely. This is bad for the dog as stress can affect their health. But it is also bad for your furniture and your neighbors.

Dogs with separation anxiety are prone to being more vocal, which can be expressed through barking or howling. They are also likely to become very destructive and chew your possessions. You may even experience a higher frequency of defecation inside, even if your Bernedoodle is potty trained. 

Are Bernedoodles Easy to Train?

bernedoodle sitting beside the street
Bernedoodle sitting beside the street

Bernedoodles are sometimes difficult to train because of their stubborn behavior. Suppose you have not socialized your Bernedoodle as a puppy. In that case, it can also display certain behavioral issues, such as extreme skittishness, which may make it difficult for the dog to participate in traditional obedience classes. 

However, both of these issues can be overcome if you have enough experience handling dogs. Once you push through the initial stubbornness, their happy-go-lucky nature can make them a pleasure to train. And, with enough work, most social issues can also be overcome.

Are Bernedoodles Good with Other Pets?

Bernedoodles vs. Dogs

grey bernedoodles sitting on the couch and the other is on the floor
Grey Bernedoodles at home

It is important to remember that every Bernedoodle is different and that the way they have been brought up can affect their interactions with other dogs. If your Bernedoodle had never seen other dogs before or had a bad experience with other dogs, they may be quite skittish. 

However, if your Bernedoodle has been brought up alongside other dogs, they should not have any issues interacting with them. In fact, you may notice that their gentle, emotionally stable nature can positively impact other, more anxious animals.

Bernedoodles vs. Cats

As with the interactions between Bernedoodles and other dogs, it is important to consider their previous experiences. There is no reason why Bernedoodles should not get along with cats if they are familiar with them. 

But the Bernese Mountain Dog was used for herding and driving. If your Bernedoodle is unfamiliar with cats, they may try to chase or herd them. Always make sure that you keep an eye on your Bernedoodle when it is interacting with a new pet.

Are Bernedoodles Good with Children?

bernedoodle in the backyard chasing floating bubbles
Bernedoodle chasing the bubbles

Bernedoodles can be amazing with children. They would love the constant attention and desire to play with them. Just make sure you keep an eye on their interactions, as the intelligence of the Bernedoodle can lead to issues such as stealing food from younger kids. 

If you have a more skittish Bernedoodle, make sure that unfamiliar children do not overwhelm it. 

Just remember, every dog is different and needs to be treated as such.

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