Bernedoodles have become an increasingly popular hybrid dog breed in recent years. With their teddy bear looks, friendly temperament, and low-to-moderate shedding, it’s easy to see why these Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog mixes make great family pets. But just how much do Bernedoodles actually shed?

The amount of shedding can vary quite a bit between individual dogs. While Bernedoodles tend to shed less than average, some may shed more depending on their coat type, generation, parent breeds, health, and other factors.

Read on to learn all about Bernedoodle shedding and tips on how to manage it.

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Key Takeaways

  • Bernedoodles typically have low to moderate shedding, but this can vary greatly between dogs.
  • First-generation Bernedoodles (F1) usually shed more than later generations like F1b, which have curlier coats that trap hair.
  • Regular grooming, including brushing and bathing, is essential for managing shedding.
  • Diet and health greatly affect shedding; issues like allergies and thyroid problems can increase hair loss if not managed.
  • When choosing a Bernedoodle, it’s helpful to ask breeders about the shedding tendencies of the puppy’s parents.
  • Despite their grooming needs, Bernedoodles are relatively low-maintenance for shedding and make excellent family pets.
Bernedoodles Shedding Facts and Tips

Factors Affecting Bernedoodle Shedding

Bernedoodle shedding can vary quite a bit between individual dogs. There are several key factors that affect how much a Bernedoodle will shed, and these include:

Coat Type

  • Bernedoodles with a wooly or curly coat shed less than those with a wavy or straight coat, as the curls tend to trap loose hairs.

Parent Breeds

  • Bernedoodles bred from a Bernese Mountain Dog with a heavy shedding coat will shed more than those from a low-shed Bernese parent.
  • Mini Bernedoodles, with a smaller Poodle parent, tend to shed less than Standard Bernedoodles.

Individual Dog Characteristics

  • Even within the same litter, individual Bernedoodle puppies will have unique coats and shedding tendencies based on their inherited genes.
  • Other factors like health, diet, and grooming impact shedding for each dog.

Generation

  • F1 Bernedoodles (first-generation crosses between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle) tend to shed the most. They typically have a wavy coat that is moderately shedding.
  • F1b Bernedoodles (crossed back to a Poodle parent) shed less than F1 generations. Their curly coats trap loose hair and prevent shedding.
  • Multi-generational Bernedoodles (bred from other Bernedoodles) have the lowest shedding levels. After several generations of breeding for low-shed coats, the Bernedoodle coat becomes more standardized.
Bernedoodle sitting on green grass wearing an orange bandana

Bernedoodle Traits

  • Affectionate, gentle, and goofy personality

  • Calm, docile energy

  • Excellent emotional support dogs

  • Good with children

  • Low-to-non shedding

  • For allergy-friendly needs, F1b puppies are optimal

  • Standard-sized need space to stretch

  • Mini or tiny sizes available for smaller spaces

How Much Do Bernedoodles Shed?

When it comes to shedding, Bernedoodles fall somewhere in the middle between heavy-shedding breeds like Siberian Huskies and low-shedding breeds like Poodles.

On average, Bernedoodles have a low to moderate amount of shedding, especially compared to breeds like German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, who are notorious shedders.

Again, the amount of shedding can vary quite a bit between individual dogs based on generation, coat type, and other factors.

Proper grooming and nutrition can help minimize shedding. But in general, Bernedoodles shed significantly less than heavy-shedding breeds and only moderately more than light-shedding Poodles.

Grooming and Care to Minimize Shedding

Regular grooming and proper care can help minimize shedding in Bernedoodles. Here are some tips:

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Brushing

  • Brush your Bernedoodle at least two to three times a week.
  • Use a slicker brush and undercoat rake to remove loose hair and prevent matting.
  • Be gentle and take your time to avoid irritating the skin.
  • Pay extra attention to areas prone to tangles, like ears, legs, and tail.

Bathing

  • Bathe your Bernedoodle every 4-6 weeks with a mild shampoo. Bathing helps loosen and remove excess hair.
  • A lot of bathing can dry out their skin and coat, so try not to do it too often.
  • Use a moisturizing conditioner after shampooing.

Exercise and Stress Reduction

  • Get your Bernedoodle 30-60 minutes of daily exercise. Activity stimulates circulation.
  • Prevent matting by keeping the coat free of dirt and debris.
  • Reduce anxiety and stress through training, socialization, and quality time together. Less stress means less shedding.

Diet and Nutrition

  • Feed your dog a high-quality diet with omega fatty acids.
  • Omega-3s and omega-6s support skin and coat health.
  • Avoid low-quality kibble with fillers that provide little nutritional value.

Regular grooming, bathing, proper diet, exercise, and low-stress levels help keep your Bernedoodle’s coat healthy and minimize excess shedding. Paying attention to these areas makes owning a Bernedoodle easy.

Health Considerations and Shedding

Certain health issues in Bernedoodles can contribute to increased shedding, and these include:

Thyroid Disease

Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, is another potential cause of increased shedding in Bernedoodles. This condition disrupts the dog’s hormone regulation, which can, in turn, affect the hair growth cycle.

Dogs with hypothyroidism often have thinning coats and increased shedding. Medication to treat the thyroid imbalance helps resolve hormonal issues and excessive shedding. Regular vet checkups to monitor thyroid levels are important.

Skin Allergies

Like Poodles, Bernedoodles can be prone to skin allergies and irritation. Allergies to food, pollen, or other environmental triggers can cause itchy skin, rashes, and hair loss. Managing allergies through diet, medications, or allergy shots can help minimize shedding from allergic reactions. Keeping the dog’s skin and coat healthy is key.

Choosing a Low-Shedding Bernedoodle

When selecting a Bernedoodle puppy, especially if you want one that sheds less, be sure to ask the breeder questions about the parents’ shedding levels.

Reputable breeders who health test and carefully select their breeding dogs will have insight into which bloodlines tend to have lower shedding.

Key questions for breeders:

  • How much do the parents shed? Get specifics – is it seasonal, daily, etc.
  • Were the parents selected for low-shedding traits? Some breeders specialize in allergy-friendly, low-shed lines.
  • Can I meet at least one of the parents? Seeing the coat in person helps gauge shedding.
  • Do you groom the parents regularly? Well-groomed coats shed less.
  • What is the coat type of the parents? Generally, curly coats shed less than straight coats.
  • What generation are the parents? Later generations (F1b, F2) tend to shed less.
  • Do you have any available puppies from low-shed lines? Ask to see photos/videos.
  • What is the coat type of the litter? Puppies with curlier coats will likely shed less.

Choosing a low-shed Bernedoodle takes some research. But asking the right questions will help you find the perfect pup for your low-shed needs. Partner with a reputable breeder focused on health and coat qualities.

Wrapping Up

Bernedoodles make excellent pets for people looking for a low-maintenance, low-shedding dog. Although they do require a certain level of attention to their grooming and care needs, their sweet, friendly temperament and cute teddy bear looks make them a popular hybrid breed.

With the right amount of time and effort, Bernedoodles can be ideal companions that won’t cover your clothes and furniture in dog hair.

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Sources

  1. Petpedia. (2022). Do Bernedoodles Shed?. Retrieved from https://petpedia.co/do-bernedoodles-shed/
  2. Hound Therapy. (n.d.). BERNEDOODLEGROOMING: THE COMPLETE GUIDE ON HOW TO GROOM A BERNEDOODLE. Retrieved from https://www.houndtherapy.com/blog/bernedoodle-grooming/
  3. Oodle Dog Love. (n.d.). 10 Bernedoodle Health Problems To Know Before Buying. Retrieved from https://www.oodledoglove.com/bernedoodle-health-problems/