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Australian Bernedoodle Vs Bernedoodle – Detailing the differences and which is the best breed?

Bernedoodles are adorable, friendly, loyal and beautiful dogs. They have a famous tricolor coat of jet black, white and splashes of rust.

Australian Bernedoodles are actually a different breed of dog. They too are adorable and friendly – but they do differ significantly from traditional Bernedoodles.

Australian Bernedoodle Vs Bernedoodle differences in breeds

So What is the Difference Between a Bernedoodle and an Australian Bernedoodle?

A Bernedoodle is a cross between a Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog.

An Australian Bernedoodle is a cross between the hybrid Australian Labradoodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog. Sometimes people call these dogs Bernese Labradoodles.

Parent Breed A + Parent Breed B = F1 Breed
Purebred PoodleBernese Mountain DogBernedoodle
Australian LabradoodleBernese Mountain DogAustralian Bernedoodle

Bear in mind that a Bernese mountain dog Labradoodle mix is actually different than an Australian Labradoodle. Confusing? Well it all comes down to the fact that Australian Labradoodles are a distinct breed from Labradoodles.

The Australian Labradoodle

Australian Labradoodle puppies are bred from approved breeders only. They are a hybrid F2 Labradoodle breed.
Australian Labradoodle puppies come in a variety of sizes and shapes. From miniature to the large standard, they are hypoallergenic and essentially… a giant teddy bear!

You need to know that the Australian Labradoodle is a registered Poodle and Labrador crossbreed with a difference.

It has then been cross bred with other dogs to produce certain traits. These include the Irish Water Spaniel and a Cocker Spaniel. (Check out the MEGA LIST of all the different types of Poodle Mix breeds)

All “Australian Labradoodles” come from the same breeding stock. The website “The American Australian Labradoodle Club” lists its strict criteria and standards. (The AALC)

This means that a Labradoodle is not the same as an “Australian Labradoodle”

the sad eyes of a cocker spaniel
Australian Labradoodles are Poodle and Labrador with Irish Water Spaniel and Cocker Spaniels bred with them. This photograph is of a brown Cocker Spaniel.

Traits of an Australian Bernedoodle

First you locate a breeder who breeds Australian Labradoodles with Bernese Mountain Dogs. This gives you a first generation  F1 Australian Bernedoodle.

F1 Australian Bernedoodles will be

  • Low to non shedding
  • Gentle
  • Energetic
  • Family friendly and child friendly
  • Trainable 
  • Respond well to commands

These dogs can be desirable due to the “Australian Labradoodles” soft fleece coats

This means an even softer and less shedding coat compared with a normal Bernedoodle.

The Australian Bernedoodles also can have the famous Bernese Mountain Dog tricolour markings. This happens from the first generation of puppies. These beautiful markings are strongly desired.

tricolour Bernese mountain dog markings
The desirable Bernese Mountain Dog Tricolour markings. Jet black, clear white and splashes of rust.

Australian Bernedoodle Energy Levels and Exercise Requirements

An Australian Bernedoodle has a similar energy level to a Bernedoodle. A standard size Australian Bernedoodle will exercise one hour per day.

This exercise can involve running and playing, or yard play with toys and other dogs.

The hour of exercise can be divided into smaller sessions. Some Australian Bernedoodle owners walk their dog in the morning and then have some energetic play later.

Australian Bernedoodles can be toilet trained well. If you live in an apartment, you could make your own DIY Apartment Porch Potty to make toilet training easier. A simple and fun DIY project!

a small bernedoodle puppy lies in the grass
Bernedoodle puppies are exceptionally cute. They can be stubborn but train well. They often form a bond with one “favourite” family member.

Are Australian Bernedoodles Stubborn?

Bernese Mountain Dogs have a reputation for being strong willed. This can sometimes be inherited when bred with a Poodle or Australian Labradoodle.

They train well, but can be headstrong or even downright stubborn.

Bernedoodle puppies of all kinds often form a particularly strong bond with one family member.

This is noticeable when you compare Bernedoodles Vs Goldendoodles. A Goldendoodle is a crossbreed that is typically very willing to please.

Health Issues and Lifespan of an Australian Bernedoodles

A standard sized Australian bernedoodle can live in the range of 12-15 years. 

Australian Bernedoodles are generally healthy. They do suffer the same possible health concerns as Bernedoodles.

Most common Bernedoodle health concerns to watch out for include

  • Immune system diseases
  • Sebaceous adenitis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • Heart Disease
  • Cancer

Bernese Mountain Dogs have a higher cancer rate than the average dog. There is a  risk this can carry down to the children of crossbreeding. The overall cancer occurrence is however very uncommon.

Is there Australian Shepherd in an Australian Bernedoodle?

No. There is no Australian Shepherd in an Australian Bernedoodle. 

Any Australian Shepherd genetics would make the Australian Labradoodle fall outside the standards of the American Australian Labradoodle Club. (AALC)

Can You Get Miniature Australian Bernedoodles?

If the parent Australian Labradoodle is mini or small – the puppies can be Miniature Australian Bernedoodles.

Which parent is a Bernese Mountain Dog and which is the Australian Labradoodle does not tend to make a difference to size.

It is easier to get mini regular Bernedoodles, as you can breed with a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Even small Bernedoodles are going to be much larger than tiny dogs like the incredibly cute Toy and Teacup Goldendoodles.

A way to guess the size of an Australian Bernedoodle is to average the height of both parents. This gives  a rough guide only as genetics are unpredictable.

Can You Get Australian Bernedoodles outside of Australia?

You absolutely can get Australian Bernedoodles outside of Australia. In fact – it is more difficult to get them in Australia! 

Most Australian Labradoodle breeders that stick to their club standards are located in the United States.

cost of Bernedoodle puppies
The cost of Bernedoodle puppies varies from breeder to breeder. They are an in demand breed.

How much do Australian Bernedoodles Cost?

Bernese Mountain Dogs are relatively uncommon. Poodles and Australian Labradoodles are more common.

The price for each breed is high, and demand for Bernedoodles is skyrocketing. Expect to pay thousands for well bred Bernedoodles!

Costs vary between breeders and countries. Expect to pay $2000-3500 USD for a top quality Bernedoodle puppy.

What is an Australian Mountain Doodle?

If you are choosing between a Bernedoodle and an Australian Bernedoodle – consider a third option. The Australian Mountain Doodle is a cross between an Aussiedoodle and a Bernedoodle.

So essentially you end up with a combination of the three breeds

Australian shepherd puppy
Australian Shepherds can come in coats that also feature black, rust and clear white. Very similar to a Bernedoodle! This allows for a high chance of having a Australian Mountain Doodle that mimics a Bernedoodle coat.
  • Poodle
  • Australian Shepherd
  • Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner)

There are mini Australian Mountain Doodles, as well as the standard medium sized dogs.

Expect a very intelligent dog that is eager to please. Some of the high energy level of the Australian Shepherd may carry through.

You might consider a Australian Mountain Doodle over a Bernedoodle if you would like a slightly smaller, and perhaps more active dog. They will tolerate children of all ages well just like Bernedoodle and Aussie Bernedoodles.

Conclusions about Bernedoodles and Australian Bernedoodles

Both breeds of these dogs are adorable, loyal and intelligent

Both the Bernedoodle and Australian Bernedoodle inherit great traits from their parents.

Both F1 Bernedoodles and F1 Australian Bernedoodles can come in the desirable tricolour markings.

The Australian Bernedoodle is often non shedding due to the fleece coat inherited from the Australian Labradoodle. This includes F1 and future generation litters.

F1B bernedoodles are also known to be low shedding and tend towards hypoallergenic.

It is difficult to distinguish between the Bernedoodle and Australian Bernedoodle when it comes to health. They are two healthy breeds of dogs.

Lifespans of the two hybrid breeds are similar.

Both Australian Bernedoodles and vanilla Bernedoodles are growing in popularity. They are highly desirable Oodle crossbreeds. 

Picking Between Australian Bernedoodle and Bernedoodle?

You can’t go wrong with either a Bernedoodle or Australian Bernedoodle. I wouldn’t agonise over the decision. Both breeds make great pets.

The amazing traits that you have read about above are common between the two breeds. They are totally different breeds and researching the differences is important before buying.

If possible, meet other Bernedoodle puppies from the breeder before making your decision.

If hypoallergenic and non shedding coats are very important to you, contact the breeder. Discuss with the breeder which generation of Bernedoodle will best suit your needs.

Seeking an approved Australian Bernedoodle breeder (approved by the American Australian Labradoodle Club) may increase the chance of non shedding and no reactions for allergy sufferers.

What about a Bernedoodle Vs Aussiedoodle?

Although Australian Shepherds (one half of an Aussiedoodle) can have the tricolour markings including rust, jet black and white – Aussiedoodles are a very different breed of dog to the Bernedoodle.

Both are intelligent, loyal and family friendly – and both the Bernedoodle and Aussiedoodle can be non-shedding.

But the lifespan AND temperament of a Bernedoodle and Aussiedoodle will differ.

Expect a longer lifespan for an Aussiedoodle – as the Berner genes reduce the lifespan of a Bernedoodle. This is particularly relevant for larger Bernedoodles that live much shorter lives than mini Bernedoodles or most Aussiedoodles.

Expect also a higher energy requirement (physical) for the Aussiedoodle. This is more than both the Bernedoodle and the Australian Bernedoodle. Prepare for at least an hour of daily exercise or very active play.

They may love a snooze on the couch sometimes – but you will need to burn an Aussiedoodles energy to avoid problematic behavior from starting.

comparing Bernedoodles and Australian Bernedoodles
It can be easy to get confused when comparing the very similar Australian Bernedoodle and regular Bernedoodle.