Hello, my name is Valerie and my dog Bentley is a Clumberdoodle.
We are thinking of getting a companion for Bentley and talks to the breeder where we bought him from.
She breeds both Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles so I decided to take a look at the two breeds and see if one of them would be suitable for Bentley.
I did some research and found out some very interesting things about both breeds.
A Goldendoodle is a hybrid cross of a Golden retriever and a purebred Poodle.
This will produce a Goldendoodle. The breed was started back in 1990 and primarily used for visually impaired people with allergies .
It seems that retrievers have always been a good choice as service dogs because of their temperament and intelligence, but their fur was really bad for people with allergies. Enter the Goldendoodle..
Bernedoodles are a hybrid cross of a Bernese Mountain dog and a Standard Poodle.
Originally they came from Switzerland, in Bern, hence the name. They used to be primarily farm dogs, also used for pulling carts and herding cattle.
Although they are large dogs, they are extremely gentle and have very patient personalities.
The problem with a Bernese Mountain dog was that they shed constantly and had a short life span.
This is where the Bernedoodle comes into the picture. This breed does not shed, the size is a little smaller and we ended up with a healthier, longer living dog.
When it comes to their personalities both breeds are similar. They are both fun-loving, patient and gentle.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Size: Which is Bigger?
A male Goldendoodle will reach a height of up to 66cm at his shoulders, with the female reaching up to 58cm at shoulders. The adult Goldendoodle can weigh between 14- 20 kg.
A Bernedoodle comes in three sizes, namely standard, mini and tiny. The standard can weigh between 50-90lbs, the mini between 25-50lbs, and the tiny between 15-20lbs.
Male Bernedoodles tend to be larger than females. They also tend to be more affectionate and a little more goofy, so if you are looking for a ‘goofy’ dog, them check them out.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Temperament: How do They Behave?
Goldendoodles are energetic and intelligent. They are very friendly and also relatively easy to train.
They have an easy-going temperament and in fact they score in the top 4 of the 150 smartest breeds. They are social animals and love nothing more than being with their human families.
Bernedoodles are social creatures, as well as being playful and intelligent. They are very responsive to their owners and are easy to train.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Life Span: What’s Their Life Expectancy?
The life expectancy of a Goldendoodle is between 10-15 years, depending on the overall health of the dog.
You can expect your Bernedoodle to live between 12-18 years. Tiny Bernedoodles tend to live longer than standard size ones.
With both breeds the smaller dogs will live a little longer than the larger dogs.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Health: Are They Prone to Health Conditions?
Goldendoodles are prone to ear infections and because of this you need to make sure that the ears are kept dry and clean. This is particularly important after swimming or having a bath.
These doodles are also prone to periodontal disease so you need to keep their teeth clean, with brushing often. The smaller dogs are more prone to gum disease.
Bernedoodles tend to be a healthy breed, far healthier than either of their genetic parents. They can still be prone to issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems, and some skin problems.
Bernedoodles do not do well in very hot climates so if you have hot summers you may re-think the times you take your dog for walks.
As with any breed it is important that you buy from a reputable breeder, and never from a puppy farm.
Remember to ask for the medical records of the parents of your pup and make sure that your pup has been properly screened before you take ownership of him.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Appearance: What do They Look Like?
Goldendoodles will have a combination of fur, ranging from poodle to Golden Retriever.
Where the different types of coat show up is different with every pup, but on the whole the pups will be wavy and have tight curls in places.
Bernedoodles tend to be pure black, or black and white. Sometimes they will be black and brown while occasionally they will be tri-coloured.
There are very occasionally other colours but these are not common.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Shedding: What Kind of Coats do They Have?
With a combination of tight curls and wavy places, the Goldendoodle can look a little shaggy if not kept brushed and groomed.
They are not low maintenance when it comes to brushing and must be kept groomed if they are to keep their fur from matting.
You should allow yourself time to brush the Goldendoodle at least every other day and to have him clipped every 12 weeks.
The Bernedoodle, being a combination of Poodle and Bernese are considered to be non-shedding and allergy friendly dogs.
Having said that, the breed still needs to be groomed often otherwise the fur will mat and tangle.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Grooming: How Much do They Require?
Goldendoodle fur varies from dog to dog and although they do not shed excessively, they still need to be groomed.
It is also advisable to give them a moisturizing bath every few months to keep the skin in good condition.
One area that you need to pay particular attention to is the eye area.
The fur tends to grow long and can lead to eye infections if left to grow. The fur between the toes must be kept short.
If you would like to groom your Goldendoodle yourself, check out this article!
Because Bernedoodles have hair instead of fur, they are considered non-shedding. That’s the good side.
The downside of this breed is that they do need to be groomed and brushed often to stop the fur from tangling and matting.
You will need to have your Bernedoodle clipped every 8-12 weeks. For a very active, outdoor dog, you may want to clip him more often and keep his fur shorter.
Avoid bathing the Bernedoodle too often as this will strip the coat of essential oils.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Training: Can They be Trained Easily?
Goldendoodles need daily exercise, in fact this breed loves to run, hike and swim.
It is in the nature of the Retriever to play ‘fetch’ games and they will gladly join in to family play times. You should plan on at least a half hour for a walk each day.
While it is possible to keep your Goldendoodle in a fenced garden, they would really prefer to be out socialising with other dogs or inside the house with you.
Goldendoodles take well to training, they are obedient and smart as well as agile so will enjoy agility courses.
They respond well to reward-based training sessions and will gladly show off what they have learned in return for a treat.
Bernedoodles are similar to Goldendoodles in that they are intelligent and smart.
The Bernedoodle is a good watchdog and is better than a Goldendoodle when it comes to guarding the house against intruders.
Bernedoodles are easy to train although the males tend to be quite stubborn. The females are less stubborn although they are more independent.
As with the Goldendoodle daily walks are recommended and they are also happy to romp in the garden with the kids.
They love walking or hiking, although you should always remember that they do not do well in heat.
If you would like help training your dog check out this article!
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Availability: Are They a Rare Dog Breed?
Due to Goldendoodles being one of the new designer breeds, they are now fairly well available, although you may need to go on a waiting list to get one from a reputable breeder.
Puppy farms will start up as they are becoming a desirable breed so it is important that you never buy your dog from these.
Bernedoodles are less well known than Goldendoodles and therefore not as common and easy to buy. They are also less popular in hot countries because they prefer cooler temperatures.
To buy your Bernedoodle you need to find a reputable breeder. You will more than likely have to put your name on the waiting list for a pup.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Diet: What do They Eat?
Neither of these breeds are known as fussy eaters, although they do need good quality meals to stay in good health.
Goldendoodles tend to be susceptible to food allergies so it is best to void such foods as wheat, soy and dairy products. They do well with grain free diets and whole vegetables.
Bernedoodles are known to be voracious eaters so care should be taken to keep them from becoming obese. They will literally eat whatever you put in front of them.
Bernedoodle pups need to develop healthy lungs, heart and nerves and a robust nervous system so they need a diet which is rich in vitamins and minerals.
Both breeds need fresh water at all times to drink when they want to.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Family Dog: Are They Good With Children?
Both breeds are excellent with children and both are great for first time dog owners. Both breeds love nothing more than being a part of a family.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Environment: Where Are They Best Suited?
Goldendoodles need to live in a house and not outside in the yard. They are great companion dogs and need to be with their human family.
One of the reasons why Goldendoodles are so popular is that the pups are simply adorable.
They are the perfect ‘cuddly teddy bear’ and perfectly happy being held by children and cuddling up on the sofa.
Goldendoodles are very adaptable and have no issues with relocation.
Bernedoodles similarly do not like to be alone or kept in the backyard. They love being with other dogs and humans.
Whether you prefer to walk or hike, or simply sitting inside, they will be happy to be right there with you.
Bernedoodles are very adaptable in that they will gladly go anywhere with you. They are not creatures of habit and will settle quicker if you need to move house.
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle Running Costs: Are They Expensive to Look After?
A Goldendoodle from a reputable breeder should set you back about £1000 while a Bernedoodle should cost in the region of £2000 as they are less common than Goldendoodles.
Daily costs are very similar, as are grooming costs for both dogs. Food costs are also similar, with good quality food being a priority for both breed.
Final Thoughts: Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle
The Goldendoodles need more exercise than the Bernedoodles so this should be a consideration when buying either of these dogs.
I find that both breeds are playful and intelligent. They re both fun-loving dogs and friendly.
One thing that I have found out is that the Bernedoodle can be a little more headstrong than the Goldendoodle so you need to be a little more focused on the training side if you get one of these.
That being said, as the Bernedoodle gets older, it becomes less stubborn.
Goldendoodles love water and will gladly head to the lake or into a swimming pool if you leave them unattended. The Bernedoodle will be less likely to go for water.
You need to pay attention to outdoor temperatures if you have a Bernedoodle otherwise they will overheat.
For both breeds the coat needs to be regularly groomed to prevent tangles and knots.
For anyone with allergies, the curlier the coat, the less chance of shedding, and both breeds have what is considered non-shedding coats.
So, to sum up the different breeds. Neither enjoys being in an apartment, both prefer to be with their humans. Both are delightful characters, and both are easy to train.
The Bernedoodle is larger than the Goldendoodle so if space is an issue then you may want to think about the Goldendoodle.
