In this series, I will compare and contrast Bernedoodle vs Labradoodle. When choosing between two Doodles, there is more to consider besides looks.
You also want to compare how these dogs will fit into your life. How these dogs mesh with family and work dynamics and what you want from your dog are essential factors.
Origins
The most important factor when comparing any two breeds is their origins. Doodles are hybrid dogs that al share a common ancestor with the Poodle.
But, another half of them can make up a completely different dog. For instance, the Bernedoodle is half Bernese Mountain Dog.
These giant creatures were farmhands and herding dogs in the Swiss Alps. While there is some debate about when the first intentionally produced Bernedoodle was, credit goes to SwissRidge Kennels.
They intentionally bred the Bernedoodle in 2003, and have since created a breed standard. Labradoodles, on the other hand, are half Labrador Retriever.
These Labs are excellent hunting dogs that have also passed down these qualities to their Doodle offspring.
The first Labradoodle was bred to be a perfect guide dog in 1989 that would be hypoallergenic.
The cross was successful and proven intelligent and loyal to its owners. It wasn’t long before these Doodles became a nationwide sensation.
Temperament
Next, we will compare the temperaments of the Bernedoodle and Labradoodle. Temperament is what you can generally expect from a breed based on genetics.
This is not to be confused with personality, which can have a lot of environmental factors that vary from dog to dog.
A Bernedoodle temperament is generally very relaxed and easy-going. These Doodles love to have tasks to do and people to please.
They typically don’t do well when left alone all day but can thrive with lots of human interaction and training. The Bernedoodle is highly intelligent and loyal to their families.
A Labradoodle temperament is energetic with a need for adventure. Your Labradoodle will love to pounce and play all day and cuddle all night.
Your Labradoodle will be the kindest, friendliest, people-oriented dog around. They will be your best friends.
Energy Level
While both Doodles need a fair amount of exercise and yard space, the Labradoodle has a higher energy level. Labradoodles will need at least an hour of continuous exercise a day.
Some younger Labradoodles will need more playtime to help burn off their excess energy. Without this playtime, your Labradoodle will develop bad habits like chewing, digging, or running away.
Bernedoodles are still higher-energy dogs, but most do well on only moderate activity. A 30-60 day workout is all they need to thrive and be happy.
Bernedoodles might not have the spastic energy that Labradoodles do, but they still love to play and explore with you.
Your Bernedoodle will want to be right there with you wherever you go. It’s common to see them doing outdoor activities that their owners love.
Training
All Doodles are known and bred for their high intelligence. These dogs have an intelligence level that makes it feel like they connect with you personally.
Bernedoodles have a great history of being task-oriented dogs. They are easy to train when you start at a young age.
Starting early is the key to success for these dogs, as they tend to be shy and stubborn as they age.
Labradoodle training is quite different. When you begin to train your Labradoodle, you must wear them out a little before training.
Wearing them out will help them keep their focus and learn tasks quicker. Labradoodles are highly intelligent and easy to train with the right tools and training techniques.
Both of these Doodles are people-pleasers by nature. They want to make their owners happy and proud of them. Most Doodles train well with praise and treatment rewards.
Coat Types
Bernedoodles are enormous teddy bears that have wavy to straight coat types. These are low-shedding dogs that generally have longer hair.
Bernedoodles typically come in a combination of black, brown, and white. And occasionally, you can come by a tri-colored Bernedoodle with all three colors.
Labradoodles can have either curly, wavy, or straight coat types. Curly coats are hypoallergenic because they are low to non-shedding.
Wavy coats are considered low-shedding compared to straight and curly coats. If you are looking for a hypoallergenic Doodle, the straight-haired Labradoodle is not for you.
These straight types shed just as much as any other short-haired dog. And because Labs and Poodles come in every color, there are a variety of colors available in Labradoodles.
Grooming
Although these Doodles have different coat textures, they require the same amount of grooming.
The longer your Doodle’s hair is, the more maintenance there is. Keeping shorter coats leaves less room for tangles and less grooming overall.
Both the Bernedoodle and Labradoodle grooming include brushing them every day. Brushing is especially important in areas like ears, tummy, and underarms with higher friction.
Doing this with a steel comb and then going back over with a slicker brush helps to get down to the roots.
These dogs must also be taken to a professional groomer every 6-12 weeks. This appointment will be for an all-over haircut, nail trim, bath, and other routine services.
You will want to start this as soon as possible once you get your puppy. Regular appointments while your puppy is young, will get them used to the process.
It will also prevent their coats from matting to the skin and needing a shave down. These services are required all of your dog’s life. So, getting “groomer trained” early is best for their comfort and safety.
Size And Lifespan
Bernedoodles come in three sizes for any family: standard, mini, and tiny. A standard is what everyone usually imagines when they think of a Bernedoodle.
These huge dogs can grow up to 90 pounds. These dogs are not great for small living spaces and apartments. But, a mini Bernedoodle might fair better in smaller houses.
A mini Bernedoodle grows up to be 25-40 pounds, which can be perfect for homes that don’t have enormous backyards. And, finally, the tiny Bernedoodle is only 10-25 pounds.
These Doodles are great for apartments as long as they still get a lot of exercises and time out for walks.
Labradoodles also come in three sizes standard, medium, and mini. A standard Labradoodle is just 50-65 pounds, much smaller than the Bernedoodle.
A medium Labradoodle will grow 30-45 pounds, which is excellent if you don’t have a large home or smaller children.
And a mini Labradoodle only gets 15-25 pounds which is great for apartment living. Both of these Doodles have an average lifespan of 10-15 years.
The smaller your Doodle is, the longer its average lifespan can get.
It isn’t uncommon for a toy Doodle to live well past 15 years with proper care and nutrition, which means more years to spend with your best friend.
Medical Concerns
While common medical conditions are relevant in the puppy stages, they can quickly become a problem as early as three years old in large breeds.
You know what common medical conditions can help you take preventative measures and know what to look for in your health screenings.
Bernedoodles are generally very healthy dogs. Common illnesses include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disease, and skin conditions.
These diseases can run awry quickly if you do not know what to look for. But, when caught early, you can save a lot of pain and discomfort later in life.
Common medical conditions for Labradoodles include eye disease, bleeding disorders, and hip dysplasia.
Proper breeding and health screens of the puppy’s parents are essential in preventing these diseases from being passed on.
A reputable breeder will have all of these on hand before they would have even considered a breeding pair.
Cost
You can’t put a price tag on a member of your family. But, having a ballpark estimate when deciding to bring a pet into your home is a good idea.
Bernedoodles can cost anywhere from $2,500-$5,000, depending on size and color. Bernedoodle breeders can charge more for rare color variations and usually have a waiting list for these types.
The Bernedoodle price can also increase if you do not have any breeders in your area. Depending on size and color, Labradoodles can cost $1,000-$3,000.
Labradoodles are very common, so there is no shortage there. And waiting lists are generally short for Labradoodles so you can have your dream dog within a few months.
It is important to remember that this is only the cost of the puppy and not the merchandise needed in addition to the puppy’s price, factor in another $1,000 for all the necessary supplies to get started.
In Conclusion
The Bernedoodle and the Labradoodle are both amazing Doodles to have. Each has unique qualities that anyone would love to bring into their home.
These Doodles are some of the most passionate and loving creatures ever to walk this planet. And while they do have a few things in common, they couldn’t be any more different.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
