The Bernedoodle combines the intelligence of a poodle with the loyalty and easygoing temperament of a Bernese mountain dog, resulting in a cross that has all the best qualities of the two breeds. It’s important to understand that a Bernedoodle isn’t a mini Bernese mountain dog, nor is it a larger version of the poodle — it’s a distinctive breed with its own set of characteristics. One of the most important characteristics to consider is Bernedoodle size, which varies based on whether the parent dogs are small, medium or large.

Before you explore your Bernedoodle size options, it’s important to understand how big their parent dogs are.

Bernese Mountain Dog Size

According to the American Kennel Club, a female Bernese mountain dog usually stands 23 to 26 inches high and weighs an average of 70 to 95 pounds, while a male Bernese mountain dog averages 25 to 27.5 inches high and weighs between 80 and 115 pounds.

Poodle Size

The size of a poodle parent depends on whether it’s a standard poodle or a toy poodle. The standard poodle is typically over 15 inches tall and weighs between 40 and 50 pounds for a female or 60 to 70 pounds for a male. Toy poodles are much smaller, with a standard height of no more than 10 inches and an average weight of 4 to 6 pounds.

Bernedoodle dogs come in four different sizes: micro, mini, medium and standard. The size of a Bernedoodle puppy depends on the size of its parents.

Micro Bernedoodle Size

The micro bernedoodle is a cross between a mini bernedoodle and a mini poodle. Pairing a pure-bred poodle with a micro bernedoodle produces a bernedoodle puppy that’s 25% mini bernedoodle and 75% poodle, eliminating some of the Bernese mountain dog’s woolly undercoat. Also referred to as a toy bernedoodle, the micro version of this breed tends to be more excitable than larger bernedoodles due to the heavy influence of the toy poodle in its breeding line. Full-grown micro bernedoodles typically weigh 10 to 30 pounds.

Mini Bernedoodle Size

Mini bernedoodles are the result of breeding between Bernese mountain dogs and mini or toy poodles. Average mini bernedoodle size ranges from 25 to 55 pounds. When it’s fully grown, a mini bernedoodle typically ranges from 10 to 15 inches high, making it a good choice for families in search of a smaller hypoallergenic dog.

Medium Bernedoodle Size

The next largest bernedoodle size is the medium bernedoodle, which results from a cross between two smaller standard bernedoodle dogs or a smaller standard poodle with a smaller Bernese mountain dog. Average medium bernedoodle size ranges from 45 to 70 pounds. These dogs typically have a shoulder height of 20 to 26 inches.

Standard Bernedoodle Size

A standard-size bernedoodle is the largest of the bernedoodle size options, usually weighing 70 pounds or more and measuring 23 to 29 inches high at the shoulder. There are two ways to produce a bernedoodle puppy: cross two standard bernedoodles or breed one poodle with one Bernese mountain dog. Allowing a poodle to mate with a Bernese mountain dog usually produces a healthier bernedoodle puppy because it pulls from a larger gene pool, reducing the risk that undesirable characteristics will be passed from the parents to the puppy.

No matter what size it is, a Bernedoodle puppy has a wonderful temperament. The influence of the poodle makes bernedoodles intelligent and easy to train, while the influence of the Bernese mountain dog makes a Bernedoodle puppy loyal and a bit goofy. Trained properly, a Bernedoodle makes a wonderful companion for children and adults alike. Size is an important consideration, however, as it affects how well a Bernedoodle fits into your home.

A micro bernedoodle or mini bernedoodle might be a good option if you live in an apartment or small house, as smaller versions of the bernedoodle don’t need quite as much space as larger ones. You may also want to consider a micro or mini bernedoodle if you have arthritis or another medical condition that would make it challenging to control a large dog on a leash. Micro and mini bernedoodles also make excellent companions for young children.

Larger bernedoodles are an option if you have a larger home with plenty of room for exercise. If you don’t have a fenced-in yard, you may want to take your medium or standard bernedoodle to the local dog park to run around and burn off energy. Regular exercise stimulates the dog’s mind, resulting in better behavior at home.

Bernedoodle Size and Temperament

Remember that the size of a Bernedoodle also affects its temperament. Smaller versions have more poodle characteristics, meaning they may have more energy than medium or standard bernedoodles. If you’re not up for a high-energy dog, you may want to pick a larger bernedoodle puppy. Micro and mini bernedoodles also tend to bark more than their larger counterparts. If you live in an apartment building or condominium, you may want to get a medium or standard bernedoodle to keep your neighbors happy.

All four Bernedoodle sizes have positive qualities, but be sure to consider your living situation and personal needs when determining which one is right for you. Thinking carefully before you choose your Bernedoodle puppy can help you avoid some of the most common challenges of dog ownership.