Bernedoodle vs Cavapoo

Crosses between poodles and other dog breeds have become fairly popular in recent years. Generally referred to as doodles or poos, these animals have the frenetic energy of poodles and an adorable appearance created by the cross of the two breeds.

If you’re trying to decide between a Cavapoo and a Bernedoodle, you may find that it is fairly complex to choose between two equally adorable animals with many excellent traits. This article will look at the Bernedoodle vs. Cavapoo war and help you determine which of the two breeds is right for you.

Bernedoodle vs Cavapoo: At a Glance

We know you probably want the nitty-gritty details as quickly as possible, so we’ve assembled this quick chart to help you understand the difference between Cavapoo vs. Bernedoodle.

Understanding Doodle and Poo Sizes

Before making a final decision about whether or not you want a doodle or poo of either variety, it’s essential to understand how these animals get their sizes.

Irrespective of which kind of poo you acquire, the size is usually dependent on the type of poodle used in the cross.

Though there are exceptions where both breeds come in various sizes, the poodle is typically the determining factor in the size of the resulting breed.

Poodles come in three different size profiles. Toy poodles are the smallest, measuring up to 10 inches. Miniature poodles are slightly larger, measuring 15 inches or less. Standard Poodles are the largest, measuring a minimum of 15 inches.

When toy or miniature poodles are used, the resulting doodles or poos will be small, and standard Poodles will result in significantly larger crosses.

Bernedoodle vs Cavapoo: Bernedoodle Background

As the name suggests, a Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a poodle. It has the curly appearance of both, with an incredibly dense coat.

Bernedoodle Personality

Bernedoodles are lively, active companions, But early socialization is essential if you don’t want a dog that shies away from strangers and new animals. Even so, they are very loving animals and do require a lot of attention. At a bare minimum, they need to be around you as much as possible because they can be quite clingy. While they don’t necessarily need your attention to be focused on them, they need to be around their people as much as possible.

Energy and Exercises for Bernedoodles

These animals have moderate to high energy levels, Meaning they require plenty of exercise open (at least 60-90 minutes every day). While they are easily distracted, they are also highly trainable, which means they’re ideal for running obstacle courses and other similar activities. That said, they will likely get distracted if you enter them into any tournaments, thanks to their goofy and often overactive personalities.

Bernedoodles are Best For…

This dog breed is best suited to individuals, couples, and families who are fairly active and willing to spend much time around their dog. If you spend most of your time working out of the house and you (or another family member) won’t be around to spend time with your Bernedoodle, this probably isn’t a good fit for you.

Bear in mind that, though they are fairly low-shed animals, they do require regular grooming. Thanks to their fairly docile and patient personalities, they are well-suited to families with small children.

Health Challenges of a Bernedoodle

As with both parent breeds, Bernedoodles may be susceptible to a couple of major health problems and some minor ones that are pretty universal in terms of canines.

Some of the most significant health issues you want to be on the lookout for include elbow and hip dysplasia, epilepsy, certain types of cancer, as well as heart and eye diseases. Minor issues may include ear infections, allergies, and skin irritation.

Bernedoodle vs Cavapoo: Cavapoo Background

If you’re looking for a dog with a fairly royal heritage, you may want to consider the Cavapoo. While it may not have a particularly prestigious-sounding name, the Cavapoo is a cross between a poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The resulting cross has a wonderful silky coat and a face made for love.

Cavapoo Personality

Honestly, the Cavapoo is less of a pet and more of a family member. Its open, loving, adaptable nature makes it quick to bond with new people. Thanks to its patient demeanor and small size, it’s also excellent with small children.

However, it’s worth noting that these dogs are very social and require much attention from the family. Even if you’re not consistently focusing on them, they will need to be around you because this is simply a psychological need for this breed.

Energy and Exercise for Cavapoos

Like the Bernedoodle, the Cavapoo is a moderately high-energy dog. It requires frequent exercise (at least 60 to 90 minutes daily) and will benefit from interactive activities like basic obstacle courses.

Health Challenges of a Cavapoo

Even though the Cavapoo is a cross between two small breeds, they are still subject to many of the same health concerns you would find in poodles and cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Some of the most significant concerns you may need to deal with include elbow and hip dysplasia, heart and eye problems, and, depending on the parent breeds used, bleeding disorders.

As with the Bernedoodle, you may also experience minor health problems, such as skin irritations, allergies, and eye or ear infections.

Cavapoos Are Best For…

As with the Bernedoodle, Cavapoos are suited to any range of people who live a fairly active lifestyle and can spend much time with their dog.

However, this is a considerably cuddlier breed and much smaller, meaning they’re better suited to apartment living than a Bernedoodle. They’re also great with small children.

More About Health Conditions in Poodles and Doos

While it may not be as common in these breeds as in certain other types of dogs, there are some concerns that pop up fairly frequently. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most common and significant problems you may encounter.

Elbow and hip dysplasia: Dysplasia is a relatively common problem in poodles, with nearly 12% of all poodles presenting with this condition. It is a condition in which the hip or elbow joint doesn’t develop properly, which leads to the joint being loose. Ultimately, this condition leads to joint degeneration which is highly painful and limits movement.

Heart problems: Dogs are subject to a range of different heart diseases and conditions, including mitral valve disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary hypertension. Doodles may also suffer from any or all of these potentially fatal problems. Fortunately, while the two breeds discussed here can get heart disease, they are not prone to it, as in the case of Goldendoodles.

Eye problems: Doodles may suffer from a range of different eye problems, though this is true of all dogs.

Eye cataracts are a particularly common problem with dogs as a whole, and can eventually lead to blindness. However, this condition is surgically treatable. Other common eye problems include glaucoma (an increase in pressure within the eyeball, ultimately leading to blindness) and progressive retinal atrophy, which is a condition where the eye muscles gradually stop working.

Bleeding disorders: While bleeding disorders aren’t a universal problem like skin irritations or allergies, certain bloodlines are particularly prone to them. Unfortunately, Cavapoos can be susceptible to these disorders.

One of the most common bleeding disorders in dogs, which poodles (and their progeny) are susceptible to, is Von Willebrand disease type I (VWDI). It is a genetically-transmitted disorder and results in lower blood coagulation as well as easier bruising.

The condition is rarely severe enough to be considered lethal, but it does need to be managed closely.

Skin irritations and allergies: Almost all dogs are susceptible to some form of skin irritation or mild allergies, from allergies to pollen and grass to more severe skin conditions like eczema. Fortunately, these conditions are highly treatable.

Eye or ear infections: Just like humans, poos and doodles are susceptible to ear and eye infections. Both of these organs are relatively simple and may easily become infected due to irritants or fluid imbalances. Both conditions are easily treated by veterinarians.

Bernedoodle Vs Cavapoo: Which Breed is Right for You?

Ultimately, choosing Between Cavapoo vs. Bernedoodle is largely a matter of preference.

The one big question you must ask is how much space you have for the dog. Bernedoodles are considerably larger animals for the most part (though there are smaller breeds produced with small poodles), and if you opt for one of the larger types, it will require more space.

On the other hand, even the larger Cavapoos are fairly well suited to living in smaller spaces like apartments.

Both dogs benefit from socialization, though it’s more important for a Bernedoodle. Both types of dogs are also well suited to dealing with small children, though the size of the Cavapoo is probably a benefit for babies and toddlers.

They require similar attention, exercise, and grooming, and both need to spend much time around their person or family.

Ultimately, it’s more a matter of preference than suitability since these dogs are incredibly similar in all other forms of temperament and requirements. We wish you all the best on your puppy search, and know that whichever breed you choose, you will have a healthy, happy, and loving companion.