The Ultimate Mini Bernedoodle Guide

Happy dog rolling in grass.

Mini Bernedoodle Introduction

Many breeds that we know and love today, both pure-breed and mixed-breed, now come in a smaller, miniature form. This includes the beloved Bernedoodle, which is the cousin breed of Mini Bernedoodles. Bernedoodle sizes include standard, miniature, and even tiny, which are all the results of crossing the Bernese Mountain Dog with standard, miniature, and even Toy Poodles. The Mini Bernedoodle breed is a mixed breed that results from the Bernese Mountain Dog and Miniature Poodle.

Sherry Rupke is believed to have intentionally created the Bernedoodle mixed breed in Ontario, Canada in 2003. Though other Bernedoodles may have existed before this time, this is signified as the official creation of the beloved Bernedoodle mixed-breed. When exactly the Mini Bernedoodle breed came into existence isn’t known, specifically. Given their relatively new creation and the fact that they're a mixed breed, Mini Bernedoodles aren't yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Full-grown Mini Bernedoodles are known for their smaller size. On average, a full-grown Mini Bernedoodle is 12 to 17 inches tall and weighs between 10 to 24 pounds. They're the perfect small breed for a variety of homes and families to adopt.

Mini Bernedoodle Temperament

Since Mini Bernedoodles are a mixed-breed, we can assume that they have similar personality traits with both the Miniature Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog breeds. These breeds are known to be very intelligent and have even performed working duties in the past. This breed can be very energetic and loves to stay active with its human family members. Mini Bernedoodles are typically friendly with both other dogs and small children. The younger you socialize Mini Bernedoodle puppies, the more friendly they will be.

Because of the working history of both parent breeds, Mini Bernedoodles need to be kept busy. Boredom can lead to destructive behaviors such as digging and chewing, which no dog owner wants. To avoid this, you must provide both Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults with ample mental stimulation. Puzzle toys, for example, will keep your dog engaged and prevent these unwanted behaviors. In addition, Mini Bernedoodles need adequate exercise, which we’ll go into more detail on in a bit. Overall, a full-grown Mini Bernedoodle is a great fit for many families, including those with other pets, small children, or who live in an apartment. They're a great companion for both snuggling and exploring the outdoors.

Mini Bernedoodle Intelligence

One of the most loved things about both the Miniature Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog Breeds is their high intelligence level. Their ability to learn and perform is what made them so commonly used in various working tasks. This high intelligence level has also been passed down to the Mini Bernedoodle breed.

Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults are not only smart, but they are also eager to please others. These two traits are the perfect combination for a dog that is easy to train. Mini Bernedoodles want to make others happy, and because of that, they typically respond very well to the training process. When training a full-grown Mini Bernedoodle adult or even a puppy, you must focus on positive reinforcement. Petting, praising, and rewarding your Mini Bernedoodle for successfully following the command will show them that they have pleased you, and motivate them to do more of this behavior. Always be sure to avoid harsh actions or words during training. With some time and consistency, you may be amazed by the tricks and commands that your Mini Bernedoodle adult or Mini Bernedoodle puppies pick up on.

Mini Bernedoodle Shedding

Shedding is a major concern for any household, especially those that have a member with dog allergies. Dog allergies can prevent many people from enjoying a variety of breeds due to their shedding. Thankfully, Mini Bernedoodles are a great breed choice for those with dog allergies.

While Mini Bernedoodles do shed and are not considered hypoallergenic, they still have a great coat to combat allergy symptoms. The Mini Bernedoodle coat traps the dander that causes dog allergies, meaning most dog owners won't experience extra sneezing when owning this breed, despite their low level of shedding.

The Miniature Poodle parent breed is known for being hypoallergenic, which has made the Mini Bernedoodle breed known for low amounts of shedding. On the other hand, because their Bernese Mountain Dog breed is known for shedding, the Mini Bernedoodle breed is not considered hypoallergenic. They're known to shed year-round, though this increases during spring and fall when temperatures change. This is when coats must be shed to make way for a new coat, one that is more appropriate for the summer and winter seasons. Mini Bernedoodle shedding can be greatly reduced through proper coat maintenance and care, such as grooming. More on that in a bit.

Mini Bernedoodle Health

Mini Bernedoodles are known to be relatively healthy dogs, though they can still experience and be prone to various health conditions. Ensuring that your dog is getting proper nutrition and exercise can help prevent any unwanted health issues, and ensure that your dog is living its best life possible. We all want our dogs to live as long as possible. With Mini Bernedoodles, you can expect an average life expectancy of between 12 to 15 years, which is the same life expectancy of the believed healthiest breed, the Chihuahua. You can expect many fun-filled years alongside your full-grown Mini Bernedoodle adult.

Psychological Health

Psychological health is a very important component of any dog’s life. Without a healthy mind, your Mini Bernedoodle may not enjoy doing the things that they love as much as possible. To ensure your dog is living the healthiest and happiest life possible, it’s essential to keep an eye out for potential psychological health issues. For Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults, the most common ones to experience are anxiety and canine cognitive dysfunction.

Anxiety

One of the most common psychological health conditions that Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults experience is anxiety. Many breeds will be prone to anxiety, though what causes it may vary. For Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults, the most common cause is a lack of mental stimulation. When anxious, your Mini Bernedoodle may begin to feel restless, pace, whine, howl, drool, or even refuse to eat. Each of these anxiety symptoms can be stressful for both you and your dog.

To avoid anxiety, it’s important to keep your dog busy. Puzzle toys, exercise, games, and socialization are all great ways to prevent boredom and the anxiety that boredom might cause. In addition to mental stimulation, there are many calming dog products available on the market today. One great product for combatting canine anxiety is a calming bed. This bed can help your dog relax and unwind when they're feeling anxious and uneasy. In addition, various calming edible treats can help soothe your dog when they're experiencing anxiety. With your help, your Mini Bernedoodle can live a happy and healthy life without anxiety.

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

Just like humans, canine cognitive functioning can become impaired as dogs age. When this does occur, it’s known as canine cognitive dysfunction or canine dementia. This condition is most commonly seen in dogs with long lifespans, such as a full-grown Mini Bernedoodle adult. Canine dementia doesn’t affect dogs younger than nine, such as Mini Bernedoodle puppies.

Canine dementia can have various symptoms, such as memory loss, disorientation, irritability, disregard for household rules and expectations, and impaired motor skills.

While canine dementia can’t be reversed, it can be prevented. Foods that have been specially formulated for senior dogs include extra antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. All of these agents are known to help improve brain function in both Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults. Consider including these agents in your Mini Bernedoodle’s diet to maintain their healthy cognitive functioning as they age.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common physical health issues for both the Miniature Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog parent breeds to experience. Because of this, your full-grown Mini Bernedoodle may also be at risk for developing this condition. Hip dysplasia is caused by an abnormal growth of the ball and socket of the hip joint. This abnormal growth causes the hip joint to become loose and unstable, leading to swelling and scar tissue growth within the joint.

Hip dysplasia is a very painful condition for any dog to experience. While this condition can’t be reversed, it can be managed at home. One of the best ways to manage hip dysplasia in your full-grown Mini Bernedoodle adult is through diet and supplementation. Anti-inflammatory agents such as kelp, turmeric, and ashwagandha are all known for reducing swelling within dogs. Feeding these supplements to your full-grown Mini Bernedoodle can help relieve the swelling in their affected hip joint and reduce their pain. In addition, consider keeping your dog on weight-management dog food to prevent obesity. Obesity causes extra joint pressure, which can worsen hip dysplasia. With healthy weight management strategies, your Mini Bernedoodle can live a healthy life despite hip dysplasia.

Bloat

One of the most serious health conditions that dogs can be prone to is called Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, or dog bloat. Dog bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach spins around itself, causing a twist at both ends. This twist prevents any gas, liquids, or solids from escaping the stomach and creates a blockage, which is extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults are prone to experiencing dog bloat. While this condition must be treated by a vet, there are various ways to prevent it at home.

Mini Bernedoodle stomachs can experience bloat when going from too empty to full very quickly, such as during the first meal in a while. Feeding your full-grown Mini Bernedoodle adult or Mini Bernedoodle puppies twice or three times per day will decrease the likelihood of this bloat.

How quickly your Mini Bernedoodle eats may also put them at risk for bloat. Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults who eat very fast are more likely to experience bloat. The best way to slow down your dog’s rate of eating is with a feeder bowl, which has various crevasses that Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults will need to navigate to reach their food, causing them to eat slowly.

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Ear Infections

Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults are known for their adorable, floppy ears. Unfortunately, this adorable ear shape can come a price. Floppy ears limit the airflow that is needed for proper ventilation, creating a moist environment. This excess moisture is the perfect breeding ground for the bacteria that causes ear infections. Ear infections can be very uncomfortable and painful for your dog to experience. Some common symptoms include a foul odor, crust around the inside of the ear, ear rubbing, and showing signs of discomfort when the ear is touched.

Ear infections can affect one or both ears at a time. If you notice any ear infection symptoms in your dog, be sure to consult with your vet. While ear infections must be professionally treated, they can be prevented and combatted at home. One of the best ways to prevent ear infections in Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults is through regular ear cleaning. Ears are cleaned during professional grooming sessions, but they must be kept up on between visits to remove the excess debris and bacteria that can cause infections. In addition, ear drops that are bought at your local pet store can help clean deeper in the canal and reduce the likelihood of infection.

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Mini Bernedoodle Oral Health

Many dog owners may not realize that oral health is so important. When your dog’s mouth is not healthy, it can put them at risk for other health issues with their heart, liver, and kidneys. Because of this, it’s essential to keep your Mini Bernedoodle’s mouth as clean and healthy as possible. All dogs need their teeth professionally cleaned. Between these deep cleanings, you can help to keep up on oral health with a variety of Veterinary Oral Health Council-approved products.

One of the best ways to keep your Mini Bernedoodle’s mouth healthy is through regular brushing. Dog toothbrushes and toothpaste are a great way to remove the plaque and bacteria that can lead to dental disease, which affects up to 80% of Mini Bernedoodles. In between brushing sessions, dental chews are a yummy treat for your dog to enjoy, which can also enhance their oral health. Rawhide chews are a great way to keep your dog’s mouth healthy, as gnawing on these will scrape off any plaque. Finally, delicious oral powders can be added to your dog’s food inconspicuously. This will keep their mouth healthy in a way that they won’t even notice while they're eating.

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Mini Bernedoodle Exercise

As stated before, both the Miniature Poodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog breeds are working dogs, which means the Mini Bernedoodle breed has inherited a high energy level. They need a lot of exercise to keep them healthy and happy. How much exercise your dog needs can depend on a variety of things, such as their size, age, health conditions, and more. On average, a full-grown Mini Bernedoodle adult will typically need about sixty minutes of exercise per day.

Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults can get all of their exercise at once, or gradually throughout the day. Some Mini Bernedoodle adults may choose to do one long walk or run at the end of the day, while others may split this time into two walks. Besides walking and running, there are many fun ways to exercise your dogs. Given the Mini Bernedoodle’s desire to please, agility is a fun way to keep your dog active. Agility requires them to be engaged mentally and physically, which can reduce anxiety and meet daily exercise needs. Aside from agility, roughhousing, playing fetch, and tug-of-war are all practical and very effective ways to keep your Mini Bernedoodle active and healthy.

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Mini Bernedoodle Nutrition

Nutrition is an essential part of any dog’s life. It keeps them healthy and provides the fuel to do the things that they love. For a full-grown Mini Bernedoodle adult, they should consume between 750-1,400 calories per day. These calories should consist of 18% protein and 5% fat. For Mini Bernedoodle puppies, their diet should consist of 22% protein and 8% fat. This ratio will allow Mini Bernedoodle puppies to grow to be healthy, strong dogs.

The type of protein you feed your dog can be difficult to decide upon. Many recommend that Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults consume a fish-based, high-quality dog food to prevent hip dysplasia, which they're prone to developing. One study has shown that dogs who consumed fish-based food had less severe cases of hip dysplasia than those who consumed chicken-based food. Because of this, it’s a good idea to consider adding fish into your dog’s diet as the main protein source.

When choosing treats for your Mini Bernedoodle, be sure to only give healthy treats in healthy quantities. Too many treats can throw off your dog’s nutrition and put them at risk for obesity and other possible health issues.

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Mini Bernedoodle Grooming

Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults are known for their adorable, fluffy coats that come in beautiful patterns and colors. These coats are waterproof and keep them warm during colder winter months. With this coat can come some maintenance, and grooming is essential. While this breed isn’t known for excessive shedding, they do shed a bit, and grooming can help reduce the hair that you need to sweep up.

Mini Bernedoodles should usually be brushed between two to three times per week with a wide-tooth comb or dog brush. Doing so will help remove debris and any matting that may have formed. When your Mini Bernedoodle needs a haircut, be sure to take them to a professional groomer. Mini Bernedoodle puppies should not have their hair cut until they reach 7 to 9 months of age to prevent bad growth.

In addition to brushing and trimming, Mini Bernedoodle grooming also consists of bathing. Be sure not to bathe your Mini Bernedoodle too often as this can result in a loss of natural oils. These natural oils keep the coat healthy. When bathing, always use a soothing dog shampoo and conditioner that will remove tangles from the fur and keep the coat soft and healthy.

Mini Bernedoodle Products

There's an abundance of canine products on the market today, and knowing which ones are best for your dog can be difficult. For Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults, consider investing in ear wipes. While ear drops are great for preventing infections, ear wipes will help you to keep your dog’s ears clean and healthy. In addition, nail clippers are essential for keeping your dog’s nails at a healthy length and preventing them from accidentally scratching themselves or someone else.

If you're caring for Mini Bernedoodle puppies, be sure that you're giving them puppy formula food. This type of food has all of the special ingredients that they need to support their growth. Around one year of age, you can transition Mini Bernedoodle puppies to adult food.

Many Mini Bernedoodle puppies and adults may be crate trained. Crate training is a great way to reduce anxiety and prevent destructive behaviors by providing your dog with their own safe, relaxing space to be in. When choosing a crate for your Mini Bernedoodle, be sure to choose one that is appropriate for their size. If you're crate training Mini Bernedoodle puppies, be sure to invest in a crate divider, which allows their crate to grow as they do.

Aside from crates, dog beds are an important and necessary part of your Mini Bernedoodle’s life. A high-quality dog bed can prevent anxiety and hip dysplasia by comforting your dog and supporting their joints. Be sure that your dog’s bed is thick enough so they can’t feel the floor through it.

While there are many products on the market, you can surely find the ones that are best for your Mini Bernedoodle. Be sure to give various ones a try to see what you and your dog like best.

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