On your quest to find the perfect Bernedoodle breeder, you may have come across the Teddy Bear Bernedoodle. You may find yourself wondering, What is a Teddy Bear Bernedoodle? Today we are going to explain what they are and how they differ from normal Bernedoodles. That way, you can create an informed decision on what Bernedoodle is best for you and your household.
Origins
A Bernedoodle is half Bernese Mountain Dog and half Poodle. With their half Bernese side, you get an energetic dog that is loyal and protects. With their Poodle side, you get intelligence and low shedding coats. The first Bernedoodle was created in Canada in 2003. They are the perfect companion and have low shedding coats. Combining the best of both worlds, these designer Doodles took off in popularity.
But, what about the Teddy Bear Bernedoodle? The Teddy Bear Bernedoodle is a hybrid of two Bernedoodles. They are a second-generation breed or F2 generation. Depending on your breeder, a Teddy Bear can be the mix of two F1 Bernedoodles (F2 Teddy Bears). Or one F1 Bernedoodle and one F1B Bernedoodle (F2B Teddy Bears). The combination of the F1 and F1B is the most common of the Teddy Bear Bernedoodles to have a higher probability of producing that thick teddy bear-like coat.
Does this change how they are as pets? Let us take a closer look to find out.
Temperament
Bernedoodles of all types are known to be a calm dog that has its silly ways. They are incredibly loyal and love to be around their owners most of the time. When interacting with children, Teddy Bear Bernedoodles are known to be loving and protective. Bernedoodles of all kinds have a sharp wit and thrive on consistency.
But with Teddy Bear Bernedoodles, these temperaments can be harder to guarantee. With any multigenerational hybrid, the more generations there are mixed, the harder to determine what they will act like. Some puppies might act just as a Bernedoodle would. But, some might lean more toward one purebred tendency than others. Since genetics are never split equally down the middle, this is the risk you take.
This isn’t a bad thing if you do not mind the personality of either the Poodle or the Bernese. Just be aware that your Teddy Bear Bernedoodle may act more like one or the other.
Energy Levels
Teddy Bear Bernedoodles are considered moderate to high energy. They will need plenty of walks and playtime throughout the day. If your Teddy bear takes on more traits from the Bernese side, you may find that they need a little encouragement to get up and around. Bernese Mountain Dogs are known to become lazy quickly in life, so they need the motivation to get around. If they become too lazy, you might end up with an obese dog on your hands.
If your Teddy Bear Bernedoodle takes more of the Poodle side, they will be higher energy. Some will need to have multiple walks a day to burn all their energy off. And that’s not including all of the playtimes they will want in between.
In either case, your Teddy Bear Bernedoodle will need to have at least one 30-minute walk a day. They will also need stimulating games to keep them active and a decent sized yard to keep them busy.
Training
Teddy Bear Bernedoodles are highly intelligent dogs. Since both the Poodle and Bernese love tasks, they too love a good challenge.
- You will find that your Teddy Bear is eager to please.
- This can be used to your advantage and use positive reinforcement training.
- You would be surprised how much your Doodle is willing to do for a little praise.
If you find that your Doodle gets bored of training quickly, try doing smaller sessions. If you break up training into 15-20 minute intervals with playtime in between, you will find that they are more receptive. Your Teddy Bear will love to have training throughout their lifetime. It gives them time to shine and show off their skills.
Coat Types
The Teddy Bear Bernedoodle gets its name from their lush curly coat. All Teddy Bear Bernedoodles will have a curly coat no matter what their cross is. Now there are F2 Bernedoodles (two F1 crossed) that do not have the signature curly coat. Breeders typically will not sell these wavy-haired Doodles as a Teddy Bear since they are not curly. These F2 Bernedoodles shed more than the Teddy Bear and exist because of how unpredictable multiple generations can be. So be sure to talk with your breeder about what you are wanting before making deposits on a puppy.
It is very rare to get an F2B with wavy hair since they are more Poodle than an F2 cross. Since they are more Poodle, they are low shedding and considered hypoallergenic. If you notice that your Teddy Bear is shedding, it is crucial to look at all environmental factors. They will shed due to allergies, not being brushed, or needing a bath.
Grooming
Grooming a Teddy Bear Bernedoodle is a lifetime commitment. You will need to invest in a variety of brushes and combs for when the inevitable tangle happens. Your Teddy Bear Bernedoodle will need combing every day to get rid of knots. You will also need to brush them with a slicker brush that reaches down to the skin. Doing all of this daily will prevent painful mats that pull at their delicate skin.
Your Teddy Bear will also need to be seen by a groomer every 6-12 weeks. This grooming is when your pooch gets pampered with a bath, nail trim, and hair cut. These appointments keep them feeling fresh and well looked after. It can also be vital to their health. So you will want to get started on this as young as possible.
These are no different than a first-generation Bernedoodle. The only difference is that you will not see as much shedding when grooming a Teddy Bear.
Size And Lifespan
Teddy Bear Bernedoodles come in miniature and standard sizes. Miniature Teddy Bears are 18-22 inches tall and 25-49 pounds. These mini Teddys can live anywhere from 12-15 years. A standard grows to 23-39 inches tall and 70-90 pounds. The average lifespan on a standard is only 10-12 years since most larger breeds do not live as long. These sizes and life expectancies are about the same as a first-generation Bernedoodle.
Currently, the mini and standard are the only two recognized sizes by most breeders. There are a few breeders that sell smaller sizes like a micro or toy Teddy Bear, but these are unpredictable. Since they use multigenerational mini and toy Bernedoodles, it isn’t an exact science of how large their pups will be. But if you ever have questions about the size of your puppy, talk to your breeder directly. They can show you pictures of past litters and the parents to give you a better idea of size.
Medical Concerns
As with all breeds, there is no guarantee that you will get a 100% healthy puppy. All breeds are subject to certain medical conditions, and knowing them could help raise awareness. If you know what to expect from a breed, you can carefully analyze DNA testing and health certificates. You can also keep an eye on warning signs with your vet to prevent any severe damage from occurring.
Multigenerational Doodles are known to be more prone to disease. So before getting one, make sure that you are using a reputable breeder. Preferably one that has bred the first generation of Doodles to make the Teddy Bear Bernedoodle. This is to make sure that all health testing is done and medical backgrounds are known back to the purebred lines.
Teddy Bear Bernedoodles are prone to:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Bloat
- Skin allergies
- Heart issues
All of these can be tested for in the parents to make sure that they don’t get passed on. With a great diet, exercise, and regular vet visits, you may never have to worry about any of these situations.
Cost
Since Teddy Bear Bernedoodles are not as common, they can cost a lot more. The average cost of a Teddy Bear Bernedoodle is $2,000-$4,000. This price is a lot more than Bernedoodles because they are typically well-bred. Most of them will come with shots, health screening, and DNA testing to be sure of the quality of the puppy. These are all very important to have a healthy pet.
If you are looking to rescue, you may have to wait a little while longer. These Teddy Bears aren’t seen in the shelter very often. If you are keen on adopting over shopping, you may want to check your local Doodle rescues or the Doodle Rescue Collective. These are great starters to rescue a dog in need of a forever home.
So, Do You Want A Teddy Bear Bernedoodle?
We hope you do! They are exciting pups that grow into the best friends anyone could hope for. And, if this doesn’t sound like your ideal dog, no worries! We cover so many Doodles that you are sure to find one quickly.