Explanation of terms used to describe Bernedoodle generations:
F1:  Bernese Mountain Dog x Poodle (50:50)
F1b: F1 Bernedoodle  x Poodle (25:75)
F1bb: F1b Bernedoodle x Poodle (12.5:87.5) Most hypoallergenic option
F2: F1 Bernedoodle x F1 Bernedoodle (50:50)
F2b: F1 Bernedoodle x F1b Bernedoodle (37.50 bernedoodle: 62.50 poodle)
F3 or Multigen: F1b x F1b (75:25)

There is no way to distinguish between the generations considering looks only.  There isn’t a consistent significant difference in coats, either in curliness or shedding.

What is a Bernedoodle?
The Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a poodle. 

What is an Aussie Bernedoodle?
The Aussie Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese mountain Dog and an Australian Shepherd or Australian Labradoodle.  The Australian Labradoodle is a hybrid blend between a poodle (standard, miniature, or toy), Labrador retriever, English and American Cocker Spaniels and Irish Water Spaniels that originated in Australia. The Australian Shepherd originated in Pyrenees Mountains were the Bernese Mountain Dogs also have their origins. Thus many Australian Shepherds have similar coat coloration to the Bernese Mountain Dogs.

*What is the Bernedoodle’s Temperament?
The Bernedoodle tends to have the best attributes of the Bernese and the poodle. They are fun, friendly, playful, goofy, sociable dogs. In other words, the perfect family dog! They are very gentle around children and elderly people and seem to know what people can handle. In fact, they make excellent therapy dogs as they are easy to train, very intelligent and love to work. 
Bernedoodles do need to be taught right from wrong.  Because they are very intelligent and sociable, a lack of training or human interaction can lead to problems.  Purebred Bernese Mountain Dogs can be strong-willed, and that trait may also show in the Bernedoodle. Training and exercise will make both owner and Bernedoodle happy.   
Most Bernedoodles have a moderate activity level.  While they love to play, swim, run and fetch, when it’s time to relax, they’ll enjoy a nice movie with you. 

Are Bernedoodles hypoallergenic? 
Every Bernedoodle has a different coat. The curlier the coat the less it will shed. Most Bernedoodles have the wavy type coat that is low- to non-shedding. 

Straight Coat: Like the Bernese coat – it may have a slight wave to it.  This coat will shed—less than a Bernese, but noticeably.   

Wavy Coat: Most Bernedoodles have this coat type, which gives them the typical ’doodle look. Wavy coats are very low- to non-shedding. Most people with allergies to dog dander (i.e., experience sneezing, watery eyes) are fine with a wavy coated dog. 

Curly Coat: Similar to the poodle coat and will not shed.  While there are no guarantees, if you are fine with poodles, a curly-coated Bernedoodle should not bother your allergies.  

If you are allergic to dog saliva, however, you will most like be allergic to Bernedoodles. You will know if you are allergic to salvia because your skin will break out in hives when a dog licks you. If you still want a dog, it would be best to go with a smaller dog (’doodle or otherwise) as they produce less saliva than larger dogs.  
As for grooming, the curlier the dog’s coat, the harder it is to maintain. Since most Bernedoodles don’t shed, or shed very little, you will need to brush them regularly to prevent matting, and have them clipped every 3-4 months. 

What colors do Bernedoodles come in? 
Bernedoodles tend to be pure black, black-and-white, black-and-brown or tri-colour (black, white and brown).  They can also come in other colors but the colors above are the common colours.

What is the height and weight of a Bernedoodle? 
Bernedoodles come in different sizes, depending on the parents. 

Standards (Standard Poodle crossed with a Bernese): 50lbs and up, and 21 inches and up at the shoulder.  Females are usually smaller than males.  

Mini Bernedoodles (Miniature poodle crossed with a Bernese): 25-49lbs and 15-20 inches at the shoulder.  Females are usually smaller.

Tiny Bernedoodles (Toy Poodle crossed with a Mini Bernedoodle): 10-24lbs, and 10-14 inches at the shoulder. 

What are the generations of Bernedoodles? 
F1 Bernedoodles:  This is currently the most common cross, in which a Bernese Mountain Dog is bred to a purebred poodle. The F1 cross is usually the healthiest, as it is the strongest type of hybrid. A hybrid is in most cases healthier than a purebred dog because you are mixing lines/breeds that are prone to different genetic problems.  

Purebred dogs carry similar genes and in turn pass these genes onto their pups, which makes purebred dogs more prone to genetic diseases. 
F1 hybrids such as the Bernedoodle are only likely to have a disease that both the poodle and Bernese are prone to—and they only share a few common diseases.  As a result, Bernedoodles have fewer problems, and will likely be healthier and live longer than their purebred parents.   

F2 Bernedoodles:  F2 Bernedoodles are the result of breed two F1 Bernedoodles. This mix has more consistency in the lines. Where there can be variation in appearance in F1 Bernedoodles (although most are a nice mix between the two parents), when you start breeding F2, F3 or F4 Bernedoodles, you will get more consistency in terms of the dogs’ appearance.  A breeder with “a look” in mind will start doing this. The disadvantage of about breeding generation after generation is that you are now doubling up on genetic traits and getting away from the hybrid vigor that makes a crossbreed special in the first place!  

F1B Bernedoodles:  This is a “back cross,” in which a Bernedoodle is bred back to a poodle. Most of these pups will have curlier coats and therefore suit people with allergies.  

How long do Bernedoodles live? 

Standard Bernedoodles: 12-15years 
Mini Bernedoodles: 13 -17 years 
Tiny Bernedoodles: 14-18 years 
Usually, the smaller the dog the longer they live.

What are the health concerns for Bernedoodles? 
As a hybrid, Bernedoodles tend to be healthier than their parent breeds, but they can still be prone to conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia and certain eye problems. 
Skin problems, such as hot spots and allergies, are also seen in this mix.  Just like almost every other breed of dog, they can get cancer. 
While Bernedoodles are less prone to genetic disease, testing is still required. A lot of people randomly breeding Bernedoodles aren’t doing the appropriate testing, or caring for the advancement of the breed as a whole. Far better to spend more money up front for a good pup from a reputable breeder than to support a careless breeder and end up with expensive vet bills down the road. You want this new member of your family to be healthy, and with you a long time.   
Please do your research and make sure breeders are performing the necessary testing.  

Are Bernedoodles registered? 
This is a mixed breed dog and therefore cannot be registered with the American or Canadian kennel clubs. 

How much exercise does my Bernedoodle need?
Bernedoodles just like the goldendoodles require a moderate amount of exercise. They should to be taken for at least three walks a day for 15-30 minutes. They love being with people and if you’re active they will participate.  If you’re just chilling on the couch, they’ll join you. They are happiest being with people. You can take these dogs almost anywhere and they acclimatize well to new situations. 

How do I groom my Bernedoodle?
The curlier the Bernedoodles’s coat, the harder it is to care for. If your Bernedoodle is very low to non-shedding, you will need to brush it every day to prevent matting, and it will need professional grooming every 6-8 weeks. Make sure to be very specific with the groomer as to how you want your dog groomed because some owners have been horrified when their Bernedoodle comes out looking like a poodle.  Be specific and show the groomer a picture of how you want your dog to look.

You should take your pup to the groomer only after its full set of three vaccines (at around 14-16 weeks). To get them used to the process, ask the groomer only to give them a bath, clean the ears and cut the nails. The full clip might scare your pup. The next time you visit the groomer, you can have the pup clipped. 

You should only bath your Bernedoodle every 3-4 months as bathing strips all the essential oils out of the fur.

What is the difference in temperament between males and females?
There isn’t a huge difference between males and females. Males tend to be bigger, more affectionate, goofy, but also a little more stubborn. Females tend to be smaller, more independent but easier to train and less stubborn. These differences are minor, and both males and females make amazing pets. 

*Above information from book Bernedoodles: A Head to Tail Guide written by Sherry Rupke. Used with permission.

Hair Removal From Ears

For us Bernedoodle lovers, one of the best qualities of our beautiful dogs is their glorious thick and curly coats! Like they say beauty comes with a price… and as you probably already know along with that wonderful curly coat comes lots of curly hair in their ears which can cause discomfort and infections and absolutely must be plucked on a regular basis!

The weight of the hair in combination with the size of the ear flap itself, may prevent proper air flow inside the ear canal that can cause a number of health problems, which can be avoided by checking your dogs ears often and regular consistent grooming starting when they’re puppies.

The most important step is plucking ear hair. Plucking the hair out of the ears is something that MUST be done regularly, and is usually done by your groomer (included in most groomers bath and groom services, but do ask!). This is somewhat painful for the dog if not done right, and goes easier and faster with ear powder. Ear powder permits gripping power for easier hair removal. Plucking hair out of the ears can be somewhat uncomfortable for your dog, but they will grow accustomed to it. I liken it to plucking eyebrows. Here is a link to where we purchase our ear powder.

Cleaning Ears

The cleaning of ears should be routinely done when your pup is bathed, but won’t hurt to check in between baths either. Simply take a cotton pad or ball, drizzle a bit of witch hazel, your clear facial cleaner or if you have none – a bit of rubbing alcohol onto the cotton pad. Wipe out the inside of the ear, dip into the ear canal and clean out the folds. Depending on if it is simply dirt from playing outside or natural occurring ear grease or more – that is it for basic ear cleaning. Not too hard, right?!

Really filthy ears need to be washed with water and shampoo while being bathed. There is that myth that water in the ear causes ear infections or deafness – not so unless we are already dealing with a dog that is heavily susceptible to ear infections in the first place. When you shampoo the pup or dog, simply put a dab of shampoo onto your finger tip and use it to clean the inside of the ear, not forcing the finger deeper than it will naturally go – which is not far for a pup, and depending on the size of the adult poodle to about the first digit. When you rinse, do the same with clean fingers and then use the towel during drying to wick up extra moisture. A good head shake will usually take care of the rest.

Here is a homeopathic recipe for the solution we use here at Cedar Creek to care for our dogs’ ears. Its economical and easy to make.

Blue Powder Ear Formula
16 Oz. bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol (standard 70%)
4 Tablespoons of Boric Acid Powder
16 Drops Gentian Violet Solution 1%
You will also need to shake solution every time you use it to disperse the Boric Acid Powder.

*** PLEASE NOTE I AM NOT A VET. CONFIRM ALL INFORMATION AND DIRECT QUESTIONS TO YOUR VET***

As a dog breeder myself, I personally use Pyrantel Pamoate (NEMEX-2) starting at 6 wks old and then I switch them to the Safe-guard dewormer (Fenbendazole) administered every 2 weeks until they’re 8 weeks old or every 2 weeks until they go home. Fenbendazole can not be started until puppies are 6wks old. I use fenbendazole as a Giardia preventative/treatment and also because it covers a wider range of parasites. I also treat my Dams at the same time. This worming protocol covers all our bases and helps us to send home parasite free puppies.

But again, I am not a Vet so please discuss your worming protocol as a dog owner with your vet.

Safeguard can easily be purchased from your local feed store or purchased on Amazon or Revival Animal.

Safeguard: 1 ml per every 5 lbs each day for 3 days
APPLICATION PUPPIES: For best results, treat puppies at 6, 8 & 10 weeks of age. Dose for three (3) consecutive days
GIARDIA TREATMENT: 3 days Safeguard® removes and controls a broad spectrum of stomach and intestinal worms. Safeguard Goat Dewormer Suspension 10% (100 mg/mL) has Fenbendazole as its active ingredient and can also be used to worm dogs. It is useful against the most common canine intestinal worms including whipworms, hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms.

THE SAFEGUARD FOR GOAT IS THE SAME MEDICINE USED FOR DOGS… just at a much lower price and a different dosage then the one made for dogs.

Fenbendazole and Giardia
Safeguard (Fenbendazole) is even effective at fighting giardia.
I use it regularly when worming my own dogs and I know many multiple dog households, rescues and shelters that use it as well because it is much more economical than Fenbendazole wormers marketed for dogs such as Panacur.

Treatment of Giardia infections in dogs and cats: Fenbendazole Safe-Guard or Panacur*** 22.5 to 25 mg/lb once daily 3 days
Fenbendazole (e.g., Panacur® or Drontal-Plus®) now appears to be the drug of choice. Used in dogs and cats at 50 mg/kg for 3 days, SOME BREEDERS SAY 5 DAYS BUT VET MEDICAL JOURNALS SAY 3 DAYS. Fenbendazole has been shown to be completely effective in eliminating experimental Giardia infections, and with only mild vomiting/diarrhea as potential side effects.

DOSAGE AND DIRECTIONS FOR DOGS:
Shake bottle well and then measuring with an oral medication syringe give 1 mL (equal to 1 cc or ¼ teaspoon) per each 5 lbs. of your dog’s weight mixed with a small amount of moist dog food (to make sure the dog consumes it all). Repeat this dose for three days in a row. For giardia, repeat dose for 5-10 days in a row.
Dogs over six months of age should be dewormed, if not monthly, at least twice each year.

Each deworming requires 3 days; once a day OR 5 days for Giardia, once a day.
Note: The dosage for goats is only 2.3 mg per pound as opposed to 20 mg per pound for dogs. This is because goats and dogs are different species, have different physiologies, digestive tracts and metabolisms and also because different worms are being targeted in each (you can call Safeguard customer service and they will confirm this as will any veterinarian).

COST-EFFECTIVENESS:
You can give a 40 lb. dog 5 monthly three day treatments with one $20 bottle of Safeguard Goat Dewormer Suspension 10% (100mg/mL) -125 mL (4.2 fl oz). Each monthly 3 day treatment would cost you about $4 as opposed to $12 per monthly 3 day treatment with Panacur C. If you have a multiple dog home or you’re a breeder like me then this is a huge savings without risking quality. Same medication.

Selecting the right veterinarian for you and your puppy is an important decision.

Cedar Creek uses a wonderful veterinarian practice, Erickson Veterinary Hospital in Chico, California.

Here are some things to evaluate when making your decision.
-Ask for recommendations from your family, friends, and trusted neighbors who have a keen interest in their dog’s health and well-being and have a similar philosophy to dog ownership as you.
-Call a couple practices to obtain information on hours, number of vets on staff, after hour emergencies, and friendliness of staff answering phone.
-Ask average cost of routine care, such as wellness exams, titers, and teeth cleaning. Also ask how many dogs of the same breed as yours are seen by the practice.
-What diagnostic equipment is available? Are they set up to do x-rays, ultrasounds, EKGs, blood work? Or do they refer these services to specialists in other locations?
-Schedule an appointment prior to receiving your puppy with one or two of the vets you are most interested in. Some vets will do a preliminary visit at no charge.
-Write down a list of questions to take with you to the preliminary visit.
-Evaluate communication skills, your personal comfort talking with the vet and staff, cleanliness of facility, and other pet owners interactions with staff.
-Discuss your philosophy of dog ownership, i.e. allopathic, integrative or holistic. Discuss your position on vaccinations as well as the vets position on vaccinations.
-What is your overall impression? Do you feel confident in the vet’s knowledge, professionalism and care in general for animals? What about the staff? Any qualms about leaving your puppy overnight should it ever be necessary?
-Don’t be shy about asking questions. Your puppy can’t speak up, so you need to be brave to be the advocate your puppy needs.
-Don’t feel locked in to your vet once you have made your choice. Hear of another vet that is $100 cheaper for teeth cleaning from a trusted friend? Take your dog there for that service while maintaining your wellness exams at your regular vet. I promise your dog won’t tell his regular vet on you.

The worst time to choose a vet is when you are
in dire need of one.

The term “Furnishings” refers to the long hair on the extremities of dogs including head and tail (ie, mustache, long eye brows, etc). A mutation responsible for “furnishings” or “satin” coat in dogs has recently been identified in the RSPO2 gene. Bernese Mountain Dogs are an unfurnished breed (IC) while the poodle is a furnished (F) breed. Incomplete Coat, or IC is another term for unfurnished. IC in no way negatively impacts the health of the dog. Furnishings (F) are a dominant trait, meaning that a dog only needs to have one copy of the Furnishings gene to show that physical trait. When a Bernese Mountain Dog (IC) is crossed with a poodle(F) the resulting dog is a F1 bernedoodle, 50% Bernese Mountain Dog and 50% poodle. All F1 bernedoodles are furnished as we can see from the chart below Bernese Mountain Dog (-/-) X Poodle (+/+) results in 100% of offspring with furnishings.

However, when crossing multi generational bernedoodles, or back crossing with a poodle the genetics becomes more complicated. Dogs that are heterozygous (+/-) for the Furnishings gene can pass on either the Furnishings gene, or the Non-Furnishings gene to any offspring. If two dogs that are both heterozygous for Furnishings breed, there is a 25% chance that each offspring could get the non-Furnishings allele from each parent, and not display that trait.

The Bernedoodles included in our breeding program are genetically tested for the IC gene. We will inform you if there is a chance of a litter having some unfurnished pups prior to your puppy selection.

Wish for more detailed information? Enjoy this read from the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19713490