Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle (6 Key Breed Differences)

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Hybrid breeds, also known as “designer” breeds, give you the best of two different species of dogs.

For example, if you have fallen in love with Poodles but want something a little different, you may consider getting a Bernedoodle or a Goldendoodle, two breeds that have been carefully crossbred with the Poodle to create a whole new type of dog.

Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles are both fun-loving dogs who are great with families and other dogs. They are the perfect addition to any home, provided you can meet their needs and they fit into your lifestyle.

But, you may be thinking, which Doodle is the best choice for you? How are the two breeds similar to one another, and how are they different?

This article will focus on the large standard size of both hybrid species. However, medium and toy (miniature) versions of both the Bernedoodle and the Goldendoodle are becoming quite popular, too.

Keep reading to find out whether the Bernedoodle or the Goldendoodle is the perfect match for your home and heart!

6 Main Differences Between Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles

The main differences between Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles are:

1. Bernedoodles are large and heavy-bodied, whereas Goldendoodles are lighter and have a much smaller build.
2. Bernedoodles’ thick coats are tricolor, whereas Goldendoodles’ lighter coats come in a variety of cream to fox-red shades.
3. Bernedoodles only live for around 10 years on average, whereas Goldendoodles live a bit longer at 12 years on average.
4. Bernedoodles are much more expensive, typically costing $2,500 or more, whereas Goldendoodles are less pricey by comparison and start at around $500.
5. Bernedoodles suffer mainly from joint issues and cancer, whereas Goldendoodles suffer mainly from teeth and gum disease.
6. Bernedoodles are very protective companion dogs, whereas Goldendoodles are more proud and dependent companion dogs.

Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles share many of of the same characteristics, but these few differences make the dogs unique and very distinct from one another. Read on as I break down the two breeds’ similarities and differences in more detail below.

Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles: Introduction

Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles share a common parent: Poodles. This makes these hybrid breeds fairly similar in their looks (apart from coloring) and their behaviors.

The Bernedoodle has a Bernese Mountain Dog as its other parent, while the Goldendoodle’s other parent is a Golden Retriever.

Both the Bernedoodle and Goldendoodle are very needy and will suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long.

They are both highly intelligent and highly trainable dogs. However, if they do not have the proper training and simulation, they will be highly destructive and unmanageable.

Even though they are very large dogs, they can happily live an apartment-type lifestyle provided they are given plenty of exercise at least once a day for 30 minutes. 

But even though these breeds share a lot of similarities, their key differences are important to consider when deciding which one is right for you.

1. Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles: Size

As I mentioned above, the common parent between these breeds is the Poodle. Poodles are fairly large dogs. They pass on their large size to both of the hybrids made from them. However, the two dogs still differ greatly in this category.

Bernedoodles

The Bernedoodle’s Bernese Mountain Dog parentage makes them very large and bulky dogs. A Bernedoodle averages 20 to 25 inches in height at their shoulder, and they typically weigh between 55 and 90 pounds!

Generally, females tend to be smaller than males in both height and weight. Very large male Bernedoodles can weigh up to 120 pounds!

Goldendoodles

Golden Retrievers are a medium-sized breed. Standard Goldendoodles measure between 18 and 23 inches in height at the shoulders. They weigh on average between 40 and 60 pounds with the very large males weighing up to 90 pounds.

Although both breeds are large dogs, there is a huge difference in size between Goldendoodles vs. Bernedoodles.

This needs to be taken into account when you are deciding between the two designer breeds, especially if you have limited space to house a larger dog.

2. Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles: Coat

Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles have different coat lengths and textures. This directly influences how much time and effort you’ll be putting into grooming each dog breed, so it’s an important trait to consider.

The two breeds’ coats also differ in color. The Bernedoodle’s coat typically has the same variety of colors just in slightly different organization.

The Goldendoodle’s coat, on the other hand, can present in a variety of colors and may even change color as they get older.

Bernedoodles

When getting a Bernedoodle puppy, you know what to expect. They will be predominantly black with patches of pure white and auburn often over their chests and faces.

This is very similar to the Bernese Mountain Dog’s tricolor coat. Only a couple of generations on will the Bernedoodle have different coloring.

The big difference in coat texture and thickness between Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles is due to the Bernedoodle’s Bernese Mountain Dog heritage.

Bernese Mountain Dogs were bred to have very thick coats that could withstand trekking through snow everyday.

Bernedoodles have much thicker coats than Goldendoodles and do not do well in warm weather. They will suffer and have a shortened lifespan by several years if they are regularly exposed to hot temperatures.

If you live in a warmer climate, then a Bernedoodle is definitely not the dog for you!

Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles’ coats can come in a variety of colors that hearken back to both their Poodle and Golden Retriever parents. Goldendoodles can come in the ghostly white of the Poodle as well as all of the cream, golden, and fox-red tones of the Golden Retriever.

However, Goldendoodles generally do not have chocolate or black coats unless they are bred back with a chocolate or black Poodle in future generations to strengthen the Poodle genes.

3. Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles: Lifespan

We all want our canine best friends to be with us forever. Unfortunately, they have much shorter lifespans than we would like.

As medium-to-large dogs, both the Bernedoodle and the Goldendoodle have shorter lifespans on average than those of smaller breeds.

Bernedoodles

Bernedoodles suffer from having Bernese Mountain Dog genes. In part due to their large size, Bernese Mountain Dogs only live for 5 to 7 years on average. Bernedoodles fare a little better with an average lifespan of 10 years.

Sadly, it is very rare to find a Bernedoodle that is older than 11 or 12 years of age.

Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles do a little better than Bernedoodles in terms of lifespan. Goldendoodles will live for 13 years on average. They have their Golden Retriever parents to thank for this, as Goldens live for 12 to 15 years on average.

It is important to remember that these dogs do not have very long lifespans to begin with, and every health concern, unfortunate environmental experience, and stressful situation will impact how long they ultimately live.

4. Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles: Cost

The average cost of each of these hybrid breeds depends heavily on their parent breeds. Bernese Mountain Dogs, for example, are a very expensive breed.

Poodles are also a very expensive breed. Golden Retrievers are easily bred and are not particularly pricey compared to other purebred dogs. This all affects the cost of the hybrid offspring.

Bernedoodles

A healthy, typical Bernedoodle puppy can set you back $2,500 or more! If you live in an area where this breed is more in demand or you are looking for the miniature versions, this cost can go up even more by several thousand dollars.

Bernedoodles will also cost more during their lifetime. They will eat more food than a Goldendoodle, and they will typically require more specialized veterinary care in the long run.

Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles are much more popular and are therefore being bred more often. This lowers their price, as the demand vs. supply is more equal. A healthy, typical Goldendoodle puppy will cost you around $500.

Keep in mind miniature or giant versions will cost more, as more specialized breeding has gone into producing these dogs.

It is important to think about the initial cost as well as the cost these dogs will incur as they grow up and age. Bernedoodles will cost you more money than Goldendoodles from the outset and in the long run.

If you cannot commit confidently to the cost of their care, then perhaps the Goldendoodle is a better option financially.

5. Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles: Common Health Issues

All breeds have their own breed-specific health issues that can impact their lifespan and quality of life overall. When breeding dogs intensely, these genetic problems can become concentrated in the offspring.

In general, it is always best to get a first generation Bernedoodle or Goldendoodle, as they have the most genetic variety and health.

Bernedoodles

Bernedoodles commonly suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia as they are very large dogs. Both Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs suffer from this issue, and it seems to be compounded when the two breeds are mixed into a single package.

Most unfortunately, Bernedoodles also often suffer from cancer. This comes from their Bernese Mountain Dog heritage.

50% of all Bernese Mountain Dogs die of some form of cancer. While this percentage is not as high in Bernedoodles, it is still higher than most other dog breeds.

Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles chiefly suffer from their Golden Retriever-derived dental issues. In particular, they suffer from teeth and gum diseases, and a lot of attention needs to be paid to their mouths to keep them clean and healthy.

Their teeth need to be brushed once a week, and regular vet visits are necessary.

Goldendoodles can also suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia thanks to their Poodle genetics. However, this is not always a given, and providing them with supplements and the correct diet can go a long way to preventing this all together.

6. Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles: Temperament

Knowing how your dog will behave based on their breed as an adult is essential before setting your heart on one breed or another.

Temperaments are not set in stone for dog breeds and vary somewhat from individual dog to dog based on their specific genetics, upbringing, environment, etc. However, certain breeds are still slightly predisposed to behave a certain way.

Bernedoodles

Bernedoodles are incredibly protective dogs and love being around small children. These dogs will happily curl up next to a small human and spend hours being cuddled and loved on.

They are also fun-loving dogs and enjoy a good run around outside, provided that it is cold enough. Remember, if the weather is too warm, they will suffer from heatstroke and die, so ensuring they stay cool and comfortable when outdoors is a must.

Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles are very proud dogs and enjoy being in a family setting. However, their Poodle nature often peeks through, and they can be somewhat aloof at times and not willing to be climbed all over by small humans as much as a Bernedoodle tolerates.

They are generally considered to be a bit more reserved and less outgoing than Bernedoodles, though again, this can vary from dog to dog.

It’s also important to note that Goldendoodles have a double-whammy of hunting and retrieving genetics in their bodies. This means they will pick up, destroy, and move your things around the home unless they are trained not to from an early age.

FAQs About Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles

Are Bernedoodles or Goldendoodles easier to groom?

Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles both have the beneficial coat of their Poodle parent. This means they are mostly hypoallergenic and barely shed at all!

The shedding that does happen is very light and seasonal, and Bernedoodles will shed more than Goldendoodles.

However, just because they do not shed that much does not mean you can slack on their grooming routine.

Both breeds still need to be brushed at least twice a week to prevent their coats from developing compacted mats, which can pull on and irritate the dog’s skin.

Overall, they are pretty much equal in their grooming needs and the effort it will take you to groom them.

Where do Poodles come from?

Poodles originally come from Germany. They were initially bred as duck hunting dogs. Hunters would often bring them along when hunting waterfowl. The Poodles would flush out game for their owners and chase them down.

Their tall and narrow builds helped them run quickly and see over underbrush to expertly spot prey from a distance.

Where do Bernese Mountain Dogs come from?

Bernese Mountain Dogs originally come from Switzerland. They were initially bred as working dogs able to live in the freezing snowy mountains.

However, they were not only kept as working dogs. They were also the loyal, loving companions of families once their 9 to 5 job was done!

Where do Golden Retrievers come from?

Golden Retrievers originally come from the Scottish Highlands. They were bred as gun dogs. They would tag along with their owners on hunts for birds and small game and carefully collect (or retrieve) the animal once it was shot.

Their mouths were bred to be very large and soft so they did not damage the prey item when they retrieved it.

Rolling Over On Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles…

Reviewing the differences between Bernedoodles vs. Goldendoodles reveals that both hybrid species are loveable teddy bears that will devote their lives to you.

Neither breed is necessarily better than the other–they merely suit slightly different lifestyles and preferences. The dogs’ differences can mostly be attributed to selective breeding and their respective parent breeds.

Let’s recap the 6 main differences between Goldendoodle vs. Bernedoodles you should consider when choosing the right breed for you:

• Size
• Coat color and type/texture
• Average lifespan
• Initial and upkeep costs
• Common health concerns
• Temperament and trainability

Once you have matched your lifestyle and preferences to the dog that suits it best, you are on your way to having a loyal, loving companion that fits perfectly into your heart and home!

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