Shepadoodle vs Bernedoodle are among some of the great Doodle breeds, are the Shepadoodle and the Bernedoodle. Each of these breeds has taken off like a popularity whirlwind.
You see so many great things about each breed, and you may consider one yourself. Let’s explore today what makes each of these breeds so unique.
And, we can also take a peek at their similarities. By the end of this Shepadoodle vs Bernedoodle debate, you might find your next family dog.
Origins
The first thing that makes these two Doodles different is their origins. The Shepadoodle is a cross between a German Shepard and a Poodle.
The Shepadoodle also goes by German Doodle, Shep-a-poo, and Sheparddoodle.
These Doodles first emerged in the 1960s as a more hypoallergenic police dog. They then went on to become Shepadoodle service dogs for people with allergies.
It wasn’t long before America caught on to these intelligent dogs and made them the next designer breed.
The Bernedoodle is a hybrid of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. The Bernedoodle is a reasonably new Doodle breed that first came about in 2003.
These large Doodles are bred for their attention to detail and strong family bonds. Since their origins lay in working dogs, the Bernedoodle makes a great pet that loves a challenging task.
Temperament
When comparing the Shepadoodle vs Bernedoodle, you will want to closely examine the dog’s temperament. A temperament is how the breeds generally act as a whole.
A Shepadoodle temperament is usually calm and collected. These dogs are well-behaved and intelligent. They know how to act in different situations and make excellent guard dogs.
Their loyalty to their families is very strong. Early socialization is recommended from an early age to be around all pets and people alike without being people possessive.
Bernedoodle temperaments are easy-going and mild-natured. These gentle giants are loyal to their families and make excellent guard dogs. Your
Bernedoodle can sometimes suffer from separation anxiety, so it is best to never leave your dog alone for a long time. Your Bernedoodle thrives on social interaction and works well with people and pets.
But, since they guard their families close, it is also recommended to have early socialization with them.
Early socialization can be done at parks, doggie daycares walks around the neighborhood, and outings at dog-friendly establishments.
Just be sure always to have your dog on a short leash, and collars fitted appropriately during these outings.
Energy Levels
Next on our list is energy levels. The Shepadoodle has a moderate to high energy level. While they can be perfectly content spending the day inside with you, they are very active at younger ages.
They will need to have at least a one-hour-long walk a day. Paired with some one-on-one playtime, your Shepadoodle will stay fit and happy. Staying healthy is extremely important for these dogs.
If you allow them to be couch potatoes, it won’t be long before they have gained weight and become unhealthy.
Bernedoodles, by comparison, are only moderately active. Bernedoodles do well with only 30-60 minutes of playtime a day.
They love taking walks and playing a good game of fetch. But they are the happiest when they are with their owners.
If that happens to be time out hiking, swimming, or running, they are ok with that. If you prefer to stay inside and read a good book, they are ok with that too.
Training
When comparing the Shepadoodle vs Bernedoodle, there is no debate that they are both intelligent. But, the Shepadoodle takes the cake regarding the quickness of training.
Shepadoodles are extremely easy to train. They respond well to positive reinforcement and a strong leader. If you are firm with your commands, your Shepadoodle will catch on quickly.
Bernedoodles, on the other hand, have been known to have a stubborn streak. They are also highly intelligent and learn quickly if they want to.
If you have a headstrong dog, you can take longer for training. They say that this stubbornness only lasts until the “teen years” of a Bernedoodle.
Once your Bernedoodle is fully mature, this urge to rebel will fade. You must be firm, patient, and understanding to train these Doodles.
Size & Lifespan
A Shepadoodle comes in two sizes. Most Shepadoodles come in mini and standard sizes. The mini Shepadoodle grows to 30-50 pounds; a full-grown standard is 50-90.
Some breeders will say they carry a toy-sized Shepadoodle, but these sizes are hard to predict. They can weigh anywhere from 25-45 pounds.
These Shepadoodles are hard to predict temperament and features, so most breeders do not offer this size.
The average Shepadoodle also lives 12-15 years to give you plenty of time to love on your babies.
A Bernedoodle comes in toy, mini, and standard sizes. A toy Bernedoodle only grows to be 10-24 pounds, which is excellent for apartment living or people who prefer smaller dogs.
A mini Bernedoodle’s max size is 49 pounds, and a standard grows to be 70-90 pounds. The Bernedoodle also has a long lifespan of 12-15 years, with smaller varieties living even longer.
So both of these Doodles have similar sizes and lifespans. But, the Bernedoodle has a leg up on the Shepadoodle because it is a toy size.
Coat Type
When it comes to Doodle coat types, most of them are the same. That is because one of the key traits of Doodles is their hair. Doodles are considered hypoallergenic for their low to non-shedding coats.
A Shepadoodle is typically bred to have curly or wavy coats, but straight hair is typical in second generations. Most Shepadoodles come in black or brown and sometimes even a combination.
Bernedoodles also have wavy to curly coats, but straight coats are uncommon. The most common colors are black, white, brown, or a combination of any of these colors.
With both breeds, the curlier the coat means, the less it will shed. That is because the curly coats are more closely related to the Poodle coats, which are non-shedding.
Grooming
These Doodles require the same amount of grooming since they have similar coats. Brushing should be done daily for more curly coat types and at least once a week for wavy types.
When you brush, you will want to get down to the skin to prevent matting. Matting is very painful to your dog and can cause damage to the skin if not correctly taken care of.
Your Doodle will also need to see a groomer regularly. Since their hair does not shed, it will grow until cut.
Depending on coat length, grooming appointments are recommended every 6-12 weeks. And, since both dogs can have trouble socializing, you will want to start them young.
Beginning the grooming process at a young age prepares your puppy for success. It will create a bond with your puppy and its groomer, making grooming appointments faster and stress-free.
Even if your puppy doesn’t need a haircut, a simple nail trim and puppy bath can help get them prepped. These appointments are for their whole lives, so starting them off on the right foot is a great idea.
Medical Conditions
When comparing the Shepadoodle vs Bernedoodle, you will find that these breeds are generally very healthy.
There are some common diseases that these Doodles can be prone to, but nothing that good breeding can’t prevent.
Always check that you genetically test your puppies and their parents before depositing. These tests can prevent many diseases from being passed down through the generations.
Shepadoodles are prone to getting things like hip dysplasia, skin diseases, pancreatic disease, bloat, and Von Willebrand’s disease.
Bernedoodles, likewise are prone to developing hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disease, and allergies.
Knowing what to look for in genetic testing can help a potential owner make better decisions. And, it can help you prepare for the future with proper diet, exercise, and even pet insurance.
Price
When you are comparing anything, you usually want to compare costs too. But, with pricing Doodles, it can be a little tricky.
For instance, the average Shepadoodle price ranges from $250 to $1,800. The average Shepadoodle tends to land in the $700 range, but this can change depending on many factors.
Shepadoodles of specific colors or even sizes can cost more or less. It can also cost more for a Shepadoodle if there are not many breeders in your area.
And, since these Doodles are still hard to find, you may also have to tack on a hefty transportation fee.
Bernedoodles are relatively common to find around the USA anymore, but there are still long waiting lists for most breeders. The average Bernedoodle price is $2,500-$5,000.
This may seem expensive, but litter size, puppy color, health checks, and full size affect their cost.
In Conclusion
The Shepadoodle and Bernedoodle both have some excellent qualities. They both have great temperaments that fit any home and lifestyle.
No matter which one you choose, they are sure to brighten up your life. These Doodles are fantastic for any dog owner at any point in life. All you need to do is find the perfect one to fall in love with.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
