Can You Shave a Bernedoodle? A Good or A Terrible Idea?

Since Bernedoodles are a hybrid breed, they have different types of coats that require different levels of attention and grooming.

The longer and thicker your Bernedoodle’s coat is, the more often you will need to shave in order to keep it in good shape.

So, can you shave a Bernedoodle? You can shave Bernedoodles to prevent their coats from getting severely tangled. Some owners also shave their dog’s coats around summer to help them cope with hot weather. It’s generally recommended to take your Bernedoodle to a professional groomer when it needs a shave. 

Continue reading to learn more about Bernedoodle coat types and when to shave them.

What Type of Coats Do Bernedoodles Have?

Bernedoodles are a cross between Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles, so their coats take after both of their parent breeds.

They can have three types of coats that have different properties, including the length, thickness, and shedding frequency.

Now, let’s take a look at the three different types of Bernedoodle coats and their properties.

Straight Coat

This coat is also known as the flat coat, and it’s the closest in appearance to the Bernese Mountain Dog coat.

It’s long and moderately thick compared to the other types, but it doesn’t require a lot of effort to manage or groom.

It sheds the most out of the other types, which might trigger some owners to have an allergic reaction.

Wavy Coat

This coat is the most common among Bernedoodles and the most manageable.

It has a soft, loose texture which makes it easier to groom through and prevent from tangling.

It’s also low shedding compared to straight coats, which means they’re less likely to trigger any allergic reactions.

Curly Coat

This coat is the closest in appearance to Poodles, and it’s usually the most desirable among owners.

It’s thicker with a coarser texture compared to the other coat types, so it requires more effort to groom and prevent tangling.

It sheds the least out of all coat types, which means it’s the least likely to trigger an allergic reaction.

How to Tell the Type of Coat a Bernedoodle Will Have?

While they’re still puppies, all Bernedoodles will have the same type of coat. As they get closer to adulthood, they will start growing their mature coats which will vary in characteristics.

The type of coat a Bernedoodle will grow in adulthood will depend mainly on the dog’s genetics and whether it carries more of the Bernese parent genes or the Poodle parent genes.

So, in order to tell what the type of coat a Bernedoodle will have, you need to take a look at its parent’s genes and determine which of them the dog takes after the most.

For example, the gene that’s responsible for the curly coat is known as the Cu locus gene, and it mostly comes from the Poodle parent. So, if the Bernedoodle is carrying more of the Cu locus gene, then it’s more likely to grow a curly coat.

Professional breeders should be able to easily tell the type of coat a Bernedoodle will have as they keep track of the different generations of Bernedoodles and have a good understanding of how genetics work. They might also be able to obtain a certain type of coat in the dog through selective breeding.

Do You Need to Shave Bernedoodles?

You do need to shave Bernedoodles. It’s an important part of their grooming routine as it will keep their coats in good shape and prevent severe tangling.

Even though Bernedoodle coats do not grow past a certain length, leaving them too long without giving them a trim or a shave will cause their coat to become tangled and matted.

However, keep in mind that most grooming experts wouldn’t recommend shaving off the dog’s coat completely unless it’s absolutely necessary.

That is because the dog’s coat provides a layer of protection over the dog’s skin and insulates it against harsh temperatures. 

So, shaving off the coat completely will remove that protection and put the dog at risk of razor burns and other skin conditions.

Please note that the case for every dog breed is different, so if you have other dogs from different breeds other than Bernedoodles, you should check out if you can shave them before you go ahead and take all your dogs to the groomers for shaving on the same day. You can start by learning why you can’t shave a Golden Retriever here.

How Often Do You Need to Shave Bernedoodles?

It’s recommended to shave Bernedoodles once every 3 to 6 months. However, the exact frequency will mainly depend on the type of coat the dog has since different coats have different characteristics.

Bernedoodles with curlier coats will need to be shaved more often than those with straighter coats since curly coats are the least shedding and the most prone to getting tangled.

When Is the Best Time to Shave Bernedoodles?

According to various grooming experts, the best time to shave your Bernedoodles is around summer as the temperature will be higher, and having a shorter, thinner coat will help prevent the dog from becoming too overheated.

On the other hand, it’s best not to shave Bernedoodle during winter as having a longer, thicker coat will help provide the dog with insulation against the cold temperature to keep it warm enough.

How Short Should You Trim a Bernedoodle’s Coat?

Whether you’re grooming the dog yourself or taking it to a professional groomer, you might find it somewhat challenging at first to find a haircut of suitable length for your Bernedoodle.

If you’re trimming your dog before summer, it’s recommended to give it a shorter haircut that leaves about 1 to 3 inches of hair on the dog’s body. This will help prevent your dog from overheating, and it will still have enough coat to protect against sunburns.

If you’re trimming your dog before winter, on the other hand, it’s recommended to give it a longer haircut that leaves about 4 to 8 inches of hair on the dog’s body. This will help provide the dog with enough insulation to keep it warm.

Regardless of when you’re trimming your dog’s hair, it’s highly recommended not to shave its coat off completely and to always leave at least 1 inch of hair on the dog’s body.

How Fast Do Bernedoodle Coats Grow Back?

Bernedoodles coats take about 2 to 3 weeks to start growing back. Then they will take about 2 to 4 months to reach full growth.

The speed at which a Bernedoodle’s coat grows will depend mainly on the dog’s genetics and how healthy it is. The dog’s coat will generally grow back faster if it’s healthy and its hair follicles are undamaged.

If you trim or shave your Bernedoodle’s coat and notice that it’s not growing back as fast as it should, then your dog might be suffering from an underlying health problem, and you need to take it to the vet for a checkup.

How to Keep Your Bernedoodle’s Coat Healthy?

In order to keep your Bernedoodle’s coat healthy, it’s crucial that you establish and maintain a proper grooming routine that involves regular brushing, bathing, and trimming.

You need to brush your dog 2 or 3 times a week to remove the loose hair from its coat and prevent it from becoming tangled. You also need to bathe it at least once a month to prevent any accumulation of dirt or grease on its coat.

In addition to maintaining a grooming routine, you need to make sure that the grooming products you’re using are not harmful to your dog.

You need to check the ingredients in the dog’s shampoo to make sure it won’t trigger the dog to have an allergic reaction or develop any skin conditions. You also need to use the right kind of brushes and clippers to avoid injuring the dog while grooming it.

Finally, it’s important to improve your dog’s diet by adding more proteins to strengthen its hair follicles. You can also apply some natural ingredients to your dog’s coat, such as coconut oil or cornstarch, to moisturize the dog’s skin and minimize hair loss.

Related Questions

How to Shave a Bernedoodle’s Face?

To shave a Bernedoodle’s face, you need to use an electric clipper with a 1-inch attachment to trim the hair on its cheeks. 

Then you can use grooming scissors to trim the hair above its eyes and around its mouth. Make sure to go slowly when shaving the dog’s face to avoid accidentally injuring it.

Can You Shave Bernedoodles Without Electric Clippers?

You can shave Bernedoodles without clippers by using scissors or shears. There are special scissors that are made for grooming dogs that have blunt ends to avoid injuring the dog by accident during the grooming session. If you’re using scissors to shave your dog, make sure to brush its coat first to prepare it.

Do Bernedoodles Have Hair or Fur Coats?

Bernedoodles have hair rather than fur since they are a cross between Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles. 

Their hair can either be straight, wavy, or curly, depending on their genetics. It’s important to brush Bernedoodles regularly to prevent their hair from getting too tangled.

You can learn about the differences between hair and fur in this article on do golden retrievers have hair or fur.

Which Bernedoodle Generations Sheds the Least?

The Bernedoodle generations that shed the least are the ones that have been backcrossed to Poodles. That’s because dogs from these generations will be carrying more of the Poodle parent’s genes which means they’re more likely to have curly, low shedding coats. This makes them most ideal for owners with allergies.

Helpful Resources 

The Bernedoodle – Breed information and standards

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