Frequently Asked Questions about Bernedoodles and Australian Mountain Doodles (Aussie Bernedoodles)

What is a Bernedoodle?

A Bernedoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog. This cross creates a healthy, beautiful pup that will be low shedding, low allergen and adorable. For more info and personality traits, see the About Bernedoodles page.

What is an Australian Mountain Doodle (AMD)?

An Australian Mountain Doodle is a combination of three breeds: Australian Shepherd (Aussie), Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle. This cross creates a healthy, beautiful pup that will be low shedding, low allergen and easily trainable.  For more info and personality traits, see the About Australian Mtn. Doodle page.

What is an Aussie Bernedoodle or Aussie Mountain Doodle?

An Aussie Mountain Doodle and/or Aussie Bernedoodle are the other popular names for an Australian Mountain Doodle. When we first did this pairing (Australian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog & Poodle) starting in 2015, we called them Aussie Bernedoodles. After more breeders added this pairing to their programs in the following years, the name Australian Mountain Doodle (AMD) became more common. Check out the Which Doodle to Choose page on our website for a comparison of Australian Mountain Doodles vs. Bernedoodles.

Note: These are NOT the same as Australian Bernedoodles which are a cross between an Australian Labradoodle and a Bernedoodle. We do not include any Labrador Retriever or Australian Labradoodle in our pairings. I love Labrador Retrievers, but their natural coat type is not a good match for the low allergen, soft coats we desire in our Doodles.

What is the personality of an Australian Mountain Doodle?

In a nutshell, they are charmers. They are happy, affectionate, social and intutitive. Ready for any activity but just as happy laying at your feet or on the couch.  They are versatile and adaptable with a medium energy. Eager to please, very affectionate and loving, they are a great family dog.. They mature quickly and are very trainable. Their intellect and willingness to please are good Service Dog traits. They can be a little more vocal and a little more active than a Bernedoodle so good for active families or someone wanting a hiking or trail companion or just a family dog that will attend all the kids activities and events. 

What is the personality of a Bernedoodle?

Bernedoodles are affectionate and adore their families. They love to snuggle and have a bit of goofiness that will make you smile. They are typically good with other pets and children. Willing to work but content with long walks followed by relaxing at your feet. Their gentleness makes them excellent therapy dogs. They can be a little more stubborn (inherited from the Bernese side) but are very trainable especially when started young. They handle warmer weather better than a full Bernese Mtn. Dog (which thrives in very cold weather due to it’s size and double coat) and have a significantly longer lifespan than a full Bernese. They tend to be very physical, trying to be lapdogs or wrap their paws around your leg.

Do Bernedoodles and Australian Mountain Doodles shed and if so, how much?

Both are considered low shedding when bred correctly. Doodles can have three different coat types: curly, wavy, and straight. Genetics and specifically the coat type, furnishings and to a lesser degree shedding genes, play a role in how hypoallergenic and low shedding a Doodle will be. This is where it is important to have an educated breeder who utilizes genetic testing and has the appropriate dams and sires to consistently produce low shedding Doodles.

How big are you Australian Mountain Doodles & Bernedoodles?

Our Doodles are typically Mini size and occasionally Micro-Mini (Petite) size. Micro Mini’s are typically under 25lbs, Mini is usually 25-39 lbs, Medium is 40-55 lbs and Standard size is around 55+ lbs. 

We prefer to focus on the Mini and Micro-Mini sizes, so mostly 20-35 lbs. We prioritize this size as the most family friendly.

Why do we like under 40 lbs? We prefer a family dog that can be picked up to be placed in a car or on a grooming table, a size that in an emergency can be picked up and carried. It’s also a size that is large enough and sturdy enough to handle child’s play and/or roughhousing with other pets. It is also more affordable in the long run. Veterinarians will charge more for medications, spay/neuter etc. for larger dogs. Likewise your groomer will probably charge more for large animals which take more time and work to bathe , blow dry and clip. You may find some groomers and mobile groomers don’t have a large enough tub or table to accommodate larger pets which can reduce your options also.

What activity level will my puppy have?

Moderate; they are very playful but know when to slow down and hangout with their family.  They can keep up with an active family and will want to be with you wherever you go.  They will not want to be left behind or kept outside all day.

What is the life expectancy of an AMD or a Bernedoodle?

Approximately 12-15 years. The hybrid cross of healthy parents means a longer life span than typically seen in their purebred parents.  The average life span of a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog is 6-8 years.

What is the difference between a Doodle and a Mutt?

A Doodle is a crossbreed or hybrid dog. Purposely bred to achieve a certain outcome in the offspring.

A “mutt” is typically a derogatory term for a dog from unknown parents (accidental breeding) or that doesn’t have purebred parents.

Are your puppies registered with the AKC?

No, the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize any Doodle combinations as an official breed therefore puppies are not allowed AKC registration. This is probably a good thing.

Every ‘purebred’ dog breed that exists today is a mix of various bloodlines crossed together until the AKC recognizes it as a breed. Eventually they “close the book” for that breed which means restricting the gene pool to only those dogs currently registered in its stud book. That means no new dogs can be registered from outside that specific breed population This is said to preserve the breed’s established genetic diversity and characteristics but it also means most purebred dogs share a coefficient of inbreeding of 25%, or the equivalent of sharing the same genetic material with a full sibling. Inbred dogs are known to be more predisposed to complex health issues.

When two purebreds of the same breed mate and have offspring, the puppies will look mostly like the parents - easily recognizable as the same breed.

The drawback of a crossbred pairing is that sometimes the pups may not look quite like their parents or they may resemble the sire, or the dam or a combination of both varying among littermates. Inexperienced breeders may choose parents based on a trait that sells (like blue eyes) rather than the dog’s overall structure, health and temperament.

An ethical breeder wants to create a “type” for their breed. They want to incorporate multi-generational parents that exhibit the best health, best temperament and the best traits to increase the likelihood of future puppies being recognized as this breed. The goal is to reliably produce puppies that look like the parents with positive characteristics and no undesirable traits. Keeping the very best ‘near ideal’ puppies from our own program to pair with the very best un-related dog from outside bloodlines creates the healthiest outcome and closest representation of our doodle breed.

Do you ever have an all merle litter to choose from?

Absolutely not. A lot of breeders are pairing two merles together to increase their merle options for families to choose from. Some breeders aren’t correctly advertising the parents so you may not even know. We absolutely won’t be doing that pairing. The only safe pairing is a merle parent to a tricolor (non-merle parent). Doubling up on the merle gene is when you can get unhealthy genetics in the offspring. Most of our studs are tricolor and most of our dams are merle tricolors. Genetically, we should get half merle pattern and half tri (non-merle) in every litter although Mother Nature may have other ideas.

What dog food are you feeding?

Your puppy will be eating Farmina N&D Pumpkin Lamb & Blueberry mini kibble at the time they go home with you. This is the grain-free formula. Farmina also makes an Ancestral Grain (grain inclusive) formula as well as many other varieties and proteins. Please make very sure you are purchasing/ordering the correct formula or your puppy will have diarrhea from changing foods too quickly at your home. We highly recommend feeding the freshest diet possible. You can see our recommendations on the Favorite Foods for Doodles page of our site. We are very conscientious about feeding our adults and puppies the absolute best food…not the most affordable.

Dry, extruded kibble is never going to be the best choice as the only food for any puppy or dog. We consider Farmina and Carna 4 to be the best of the dry kibble options available. We also feed premade, complete raw, home grown eggs from chickens and ducks fed an all organic and fermented feed, along with probiotics and Omega 3 oils. We vary proteins, add fresh organic fruits and occasional veggies to ensure their diet is varied and the healthiest possible. Obviously this is a huge expense that almost no other breeder is doing, but we believe that the best possible diets from even before conception through adulthood produces the healthiest possible, allergy free dogs later.

At what age can I pickup my puppy?

Puppies can go home with you at 8 weeks of age or after. The going home date is determined by us, after puppies are born and always with the puppies best interests in mind. 

What are the options for bringing my puppy home?

You can visit us on the Oregon Coast and pickup your puppy in person. We can recommend how to safely drive home with your puppy. You can also fly in to the Eugene International Airport (EUG) and then fly home with your puppy in a carrier under the seat in front of you. We can bring the puppy to meet you at the airport and set you both up for a successful flight. We also have a wonderful flight nanny as well as a flight nanny group we regularly use who will fly the puppy from us to an airport near you. This is highly recommended as the flight nanny’s are very experienced at this.

I’ve heard Bernese Mountain Dogs can be stubborn. Is this also true of a Bernedoodle?

Yes, Bernese can have some stubborn traits in them, such as lying on their backs when given a command. Both the Bernese Mountain dog and Poodle are highly intelligent making them very receptive to training and puppy obedience classes.

Do you match families with their puppy?

We will match families to the right litter. Based on what you are looking for in terms of size, energy level, personality, hypoallergenic properties etc. we can direct you to a pairing that fits your family. We work with all our puppies to ensure each one has the foundation to become the best family member possible. But we also understand that you may be looking for a puppy with a certain coat, color and markings and we respect that also. Beware of breeders who say they match families to puppies based on puppy temperament. This often means they want to make sure they have a home for the puppies that are less desirable in color/coat/markings by “matching” it to your family as “great for kids”.

Do Bernedoodles and Australian Mountain Doodles/Aussie Mountain Doodles shed and if so, how much?

Both are considered low shedding when bred correctly. Doodles can have three different coat types: curly, wavy, and straight. Genetics and specifically the coat type, furnishings and to a lesser degree shedding genes, play a role in how hypoallergenic and low shedding a Doodle will be. This is where it is important to have an educated breeder.

How often will I need to groom my doodle?

It is a good idea to brush and comb your doodle once a week or preferably twice a week. We keep a hinged box by our couch for grooming sessions while we are watching tv and they are naturally across our laps. If mats develop, the best and easiest way to get rid of them is by a professional groomer shaving the coat. You will want to budget for regularly scheduled visits with a good groomer to avoid this. Check out this link to read more about what you need to know about Grooming Your Doodle.

How soon should the puppy see a vet?

Our puppies receive a full vet exam before going home with you. We ask that your puppy see your own vet within 3 business days of your adoption to confirm the puppy’s health. This is a requirement of our health guarantee and should be scheduled prior to your puppy leaving our home.

Do you recommend crate training?

Yes. Even if you don’t plan to have your adult dog utilize a crate, it is a good idea to have them comfortable in one as a puppy. it is helpful for potty training, car travel and for safely separating a puppy from adult dogs and/or toddlers. And if ever your puppy needs to stay overnight at the vet or in case of emergency, it will be a much less stressful time for them if they are already conditioned to using one. Check out this link to read more about Crate Training A Puppy.

What are the differences between males and females and which one do you recommend?

Some breeds have greater disparity between genders but I think you will find our Doodles to be similarly goofy, sweet and loving. There are subtle differences in how they learn and of course the gender and personality of any current canine family members may matter. Here is a link to a longer answer about Male vs. Female Doodles.

Do your dogs live in kennels?

No, our dogs live in our home. Some of our dogs live with family members and/or guardian homes. The adults and puppies here enjoy a regular, normal life, albeit with a few more pack mates than the average family. We do utilize crates for nighttime sleeping and we feed and have them nap in a crate for a couple hours twice a day. They love their crates and happily put themselves in on their own. Feeding separately allows us to ensure the right portions, pre-natal or post-natal vitamins etc. and most importantly it allows us to make sure they are eating their own food and not their flat mates. The majority of the day, they are free to romp around in the house and have access to our enclosed yard for play. It speaks to the phenomenal temperament of all our Doodles that females, puppies, young adults all interact and cavort together happily. Boys of breeding age are obviously separated but we make sure they have playmates and regularly interact with the group.

Moms have a private suite (the 2nd bedroom in our home) with a whelping box, a French door with a doggie door to their own private yard.

How do we know you are reputable and not a puppy mill?

Puppy mills, backyard breeders and unethical sellers all fall into the same category. Willing to do anything to make a sale, putting money above the welfare of dogs and puppies. They will raise the parent dogs and puppies outside, in concrete runs with chain link fencing or crates. They have too many dogs, too many litters, too many puppies and often too many breeds. Feeding the cheapest food possible (usually Pro Plan) and don’t spend money on testing or anything that would improve the health of the puppies. They have you buy NuVet vitamins or Life’s Abundance food so they get a kick back. They post only puppy pics and don’t share photos of the dams and sires or anything else about their program. They only converse with you by email and don’t answer all your questions. They may have a nice Facebook page or website with nicely edited photos but it lacks substance and tends not to be updated.

I’ll be honest, it can sometimes be hard to tell. One of the very large breeders with a nice website had me fooled for a while.

So we try to be different. We strive to be ethical and responsible. A few of our adults live with family and/or guardian homes and the rest live in our home. And yes, they all get along which is a testament to the temperaments we have in our program. Puppies are raised in a dedicated bedroom as the nursery with soft music and a recliner for us to sleep there the first few nights. We don’t just limit the number of litters a mom has but we listen to their needs. Great moms make great puppies but they have to love everything about it. We are available for long phone calls or by email to answer your questions and make you feel comfortable. We health test, color and coat test and evaluate hips and elbows. We post those results alongside their photos with additional details. We spend a ridiculous amount on quality food and healthy, fresh add ins because we feel that translates to better longevity. We avoid toxins in the environment and in our home. We have a health guarantee and we have you review it before you ever commit to a puppy. Our vet checks out each puppy and provides a written summary that goes home in their puppy packet. We work to expose puppies to many different stimuli and experiences to shape their world in a healthy way. Early neurological stimulation, interaction with littermates, other older puppies and trusted adults so they learn crucial social skills. We strive do better, be better and ultimately are always trying to improve. We are absolutely dedicated to raising the best puppies possible with the happiest, healthiest adults and this page just doesn’t have room for all the things we do. Give me a call, I’m always happy to talk about our doodles.

puppy from a puppy mill will not have had any necessary exposure to different stimuli to help them form a proper view of their world. Early neurological stimulation and free interaction with littermates and moms allow puppies to explore the world around them and learn crucial survival and social skills. Unfortunately, when dealing with unethical sellers, there’s no difference between a backyard breeder vs. a puppy mill. Both of them will do anything to convince buyers to make a purchase, even if the conditions for the puppies are terrible.