Compare · Doodles
Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle: Which Is Right for You?
Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles are both big, fluffy, family-friendly Poodle crosses. The Bernedoodle is usually calmer and more striking to look at, while the Goldendoodle tends to be easier to train and comes from a longer-lived parent breed.
The short answer
Choose a Goldendoodle if you want a sociable, eager-to-please dog that's straightforward to train and you'd like a wide choice of sizes. Choose a Bernedoodle if you want a more laid-back, gentle-giant type and are ready for some stubbornness, a higher price and a careful look at the Bernese side's health history.
| Goldendoodle | Bernedoodle | |
|---|---|---|
| Cross | Golden Retriever × Poodle | Bernese Mountain Dog × Poodle |
| Adult weight | 15–90 lb | 10–90 lb |
| Height | 13–26 in | 12–29 in |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years | 9–14 years |
| Puppy price (US) | $1,500–$4,000 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Energy | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Copes when left alone | ||
| Apartment-friendly |
Temperament
Both are affectionate family dogs, but the Bernedoodle is generally more mellow and the Goldendoodle more outgoing.
The Goldendoodle gets the Golden Retriever's sunny, social nature. Most Goldendoodles love everyone they meet, including strangers, other dogs and the mail carrier.
The Bernedoodle inherits the Bernese Mountain Dog's calm, gentle and loyal temperament. Many Bernedoodles are goofy and playful at home but a little more reserved with strangers. They tend to attach strongly to their family. Adolescent Bernedoodles can be wilder than the "gentle giant" label suggests, and the calmer adult temperament often doesn't arrive until age two or later.
Size
Both come in multiple sizes, from minis to standards, and the facts table above lists typical ranges. At the standard size, Bernedoodles are generally bulkier and heavier-boned than Goldendoodles.
A standard Bernedoodle is a big dog to live with. It takes up space on the couch and in the car, and it needs a larger crate and more food. Mini and "tiny" Bernedoodles are popular partly for that reason. Goldendoodles are bred across an even wider size spread, which makes a smaller dog easy to find.
Early-generation litters of either cross vary a lot. Ask for adult weights from earlier litters, and track growth with the puppy weight calculator.
Coat & shedding
Both crosses can have low-shedding coats, but neither is hypoallergenic. Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs both shed heavily, so generation matters a great deal.
- F1 puppies may have a wavy, low-shedding coat or a flatter coat that sheds.
- F1b puppies (bred back to a Poodle) are more likely to be curly and low-shedding.
- Multigenerational lines aim for more consistent coats.
Bernedoodles are known for their tri-color black, white and rust markings, which many people choose them for. Goldendoodles are usually cream, apricot, red or gold. Both coats grow continuously and need brushing several times a week plus a professional groom every 6 to 8 weeks. Thick Bernedoodle coats can be especially prone to matting.
Energy & training
Goldendoodles usually have more energy and are easier to train, while Bernedoodles are calmer but can be stubborn.
A standard Goldendoodle needs about an hour of exercise a day and loves fetch, swimming and long walks. A standard Bernedoodle usually needs a little less as an adult and often prefers steady walks to high-intensity play. Bernese dogs can overheat, so keep heavy exercise to cooler parts of the day.
Goldendoodles are typically keen to please and quick to learn. Bernedoodles are smart too, but the Bernese side can be independent and slow to respond when it doesn't see the point. Patience and short, reward-based sessions work well. Early socialization and leash training are important with either cross, because a large adolescent dog that pulls is hard to manage.
Health & lifespan
Lifespan is the biggest difference between these two. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a short-lived breed with a high cancer rate, and that affects Bernedoodles, especially standard-sized ones. See the table above for typical lifespans.
- Shared: hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, ear infections and bloat in larger dogs.
- Bernese side: histiocytic sarcoma and other cancers, degenerative myelopathy (DNA test available) and von Willebrand disease.
- Golden side: a relatively high cancer rate and subvalvular aortic stenosis.
- Poodle side: Addison's disease, sebaceous adenitis and epilepsy.
Ask either breeder for OFA hip and elbow results, a recent eye exam and relevant DNA tests. For Bernedoodles, also ask how long dogs in the Bernese parent's line have lived. Crossing doesn't erase a parent breed's risks, so health-tested parents are worth paying for.
Cost
Bernedoodles usually cost more than Goldendoodles, particularly for well-marked tri-color puppies and smaller sizes. The facts table above shows typical price ranges.
Ongoing costs are similar for dogs of the same size. A standard Bernedoodle's extra bulk means more food and higher grooming bills. Insurance is worth considering for both, and the Bernese side's cancer risk makes it worth a closer look for Bernedoodle owners.
High prices attract puppy mills and scammers. Meet the parents, check health results yourself and avoid sellers who want wire transfers or won't let you visit.
Families & living situations
Both can be wonderful family dogs. A Goldendoodle suits busy, active households and first-time owners who want a highly trainable dog. A Bernedoodle suits families who want a calmer, cuddly companion and can put in patient training through adolescence.
Standard sizes of either need space, a yard helps, and both prefer cooler climates to hot ones (Bernedoodles especially). Both need company and don't suit long days alone. Read the full Goldendoodle and Bernedoodle profiles, or see how the Bernedoodle stacks up in Bernedoodle vs Sheepadoodle and Aussiedoodle vs Bernedoodle.