There are more myths than facts when it comes to the difference between male and female dogs which can influence the decision of some owners about which gender they should get.
Both male and female Bernedoodle would make excellent companions to their families. They have many similar desirable traits; however, they still have some slight differences that might make one gender more desirable than the other to certain owners.
So, what’s the difference between male vs female Bernedoodles? Here’s a quick overview of some of the differences as well as similarities between male and female Bernedoodles:
Male Bernedoodles | Female Bernedoodles | |
---|---|---|
Size | Height: 25 to 27 inches Weight: 80 to 115 pounds | Height: 23 to 26 inches Weight: 70 to 95 pounds |
Personality and Behavior | Claimed to be more aggressive and more prone to undesirable behaviors | Claimed to be more prone to mood swings as well as more independent and stubborn |
Coat | Can have 3 different kinds of coats depending on their genetics | Can have 3 different kinds of coats depending on their genetics |
Shedding Frequency | Depends on the kind of coat they have | Depends on the kind of coat they have |
Grooming Requirements | Depends on the kind of coat they have | Depends on the kind of coat they have |
Diet Requirements | Need to consume more calories due to their relatively large size | Need to consume fewer calories due to their relatively small size |
Lifespan | 8 to 12 years | 8 to 12 years |
Health | Susceptible to the various health issues unrelated to gender | Susceptible to the various health issues unrelated to gender |
Training | Claimed to be harder to train due to being less mature and intelligent | Claimed to be easier to train due to being more mature and intelligent |
Costs | The same cost of purchase but a lower cost for certain medical procedures such as neutering | The same cost of purchase but a higher cost for certain medical procedures such as spaying |
Keep reading to learn more about Bernedoodles including the main differences between male and female Bernedoodles, and which gender you should get.
When Did the Bernedoodle Breed Originate?

The Bernedoodle breed is a designer hybrid designer breed that is a cross between Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles.
Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles have been bred for decades, however, the first intentional breeding between the two breeds occurred in 2003 in Canada.
Despite having been around less than two decades, Bernedoodles have gained a lot of popularity among dog owners as they combine many of the desirable traits of both Bernese Mountain dogs and Poodles which makes them the best pet companions to any family.
The Main Differences Between Male and Female Bernedoodles
Gender can be a determining factor for some owners when it comes to choosing a dog. There are a lot of myths and stereotypes associated with the dog’s gender which can influence the owner’s opinion to think that a certain gender is better than the other
If you’re about to get a Bernedoodle puppy and can’t decide about its gender, then it’s best to have a complete understanding of the difference between male and female Bernedoodles in order to make an informed and unbiased decision.
So, let’s break down the main differences between male and female Bernedoodles in more detail:
Size
Bernedoodles are generally known for being relatively large in size. However, there are some differences in size between male and female Bernedoodles as male Bernedoodles tend to grow to be about 10% larger than their female counterparts.
The average height of an adult male Bernedoodle ranges from 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder, while its weight ranges from 80 to 115 pounds.
On the other hand, the average height of an adult female Bernedoodle will range from 23 to 26 inches at the shoulders, while its weight will range from 70 to 95 pounds.
So, if you’re looking to get a large-sized fog, you might want to go for a male Bernedoodle. While, if you’d prefer to have a smaller size dog, a female Bernedoodle might be a more ideal choice.
Personality

There are some differences in personality between male and female Bernedoodles, however, most of these differences come from assumptions that were made based on human gender stereotypes, not actual canine behavior.
For example, female Bernedoodles are claimed to be more prone to mood swings than male Bernedoodles. They’re also claimed to be more independent and stubborn than male Bernedoodles.
However, there’s no scientific evidence to support these claims and certain personality traits will vary from one dog to another regardless of gender.
There’s also a common myth that male Bernedoodles are more aggressive and more likely to bite than female Bernedoodles.
However, experts on canine behavior have confirmed that aggressive behavior, or any kind of behavior, in dogs has nothing to do with gender and depends mainly on the dog’s training and living conditions.
Undesirable Behaviors
There are some undesirable behaviors that are exclusively associated with male Bernedoodles such as humping and marking their territories. However, both male and female Bernedoodles are equally guilty of exhibiting these behaviors.
Both Male and female Bernedoodles will start humping objects when they’re nearing their heat period. They might also do it for reasons unrelated to mating as it’s often considered a form of playing or showing dominance.
They will also mark their territories by urinating around the area. The only difference between male and female Bernedoodles when it comes to marking territory is how they do it as male Bernedoodles tend to lift their leg to pee while females tend to squat.
Always keep in mind that most of the assumptions made about the difference in behavior between male and female Benrnedoodles are based on human gender stereotypes, not actual canine behavior.
Coat Type

Bernedoodles, both male and female, can 3 kinds of coats which are straight hair coats, wavy fleece coats, and curly wool coats. These coats are different in length, texture, thickness, and shedding frequency.
However, the kind of coat any Bernedoodle has will depend mainly on its genetic makeup, not its gender.
Shedding Frequency
How much Bernedoodle shed their hair will depend mainly on the kind of coat they have which is determined by their genetics, not their gender.
Basically, Bernedoodles with curly coats tend to shed less than those with straight coats. This also makes them more hypoallergenic as they won’t spread any dander that would trigger an allergic reaction.
Grooming Requirements
The amount of time and effort it will take to groom Bernedoodles will depend mainly on the kind of coat they have which is determined by their genetics, not their gender.
Different types of coats have different grooming requirements as these coats are different in length, texture, thickness, and shedding frequency.
Basically, Bernedoodles with curly coats will require more time and effort to groom than those with straight coats as curly hair is more prone to tangling and matting.
Diet Requirements
The average calorie intake of adult Bernedoodles ranges from 1,500 to 2,200 calories in a day.
The number of calories any dog needs mainly depends on its size. So, since male Bernedoodles are larger in size than female Bernedoodle, they will typically need to consume more calories to remain healthy and maintain their energy levels.
Keep in mind that both male and female Bernedoodles need to eat balanced diets with all kinds of nutrients necessary for their bodies to develop and remain healthy.
Lifespan and Health
Bernese Mountain Dogs nearly went extinct in the late 1800s, and in an effort to increase their number, breeders had to resort to inbreeding. This made them more susceptible to developing various health issues which resulted in them having a relatively short lifespan of about 8 to 12 years.
Crossing Bernese Mountain Dogs with the Poodle may have helped eliminate many undesirable traits, however, the resulting Bernedoodles are still susceptible to the same health issues.
Some of the common health issues that Bernedoodle health issues include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, heart diseases, Von Willebrand’s disease, eye problems, allergies, and various skin conditions
However, the Bernedoodle’s lifespan and any health problems it might suffer have nothing to do with the dog’s gender.
Training
It’s a common belief that female Bernedoodles mature faster and have higher levels of intelligence than male Bernedoodles which might make them easier to train.
However, there’s no evidence to support that female Bernedoodles are more mature or more intelligent than male Bernedoodles.
How easy it is to train your Bernedoodle will depend mainly on the dog’s age when you start training it and how consistent you’re throughout the process.
Costs
The cost of purchasing a Bernedoodle will range from $500 to $5000, depending mainly on factors such as the dog’s bloodline, the place of purchase, and the reputation of the breeder.
While the cost of purchase is not affected by the dog’s gender, there are other coats that are higher for female Bernedoodles than male Bernedoodles.
For example, it’s more expensive for female Bernedoodles is higher than it is to neuter a male Bernedoodle because the procedure is a lot more complicated for female dogs than it is for male dogs.
Conclusion: Should Get a Male or Female Bernedoodle?

Choosing whether to get a male or female Bernedoodles will depend mainly on your preference. So, try not to limit your options based on myths and gender stereotypes.
After reviewing all the previous points, you might have come to the conclusion that the differences between male and female Bernedoodles aren’t that big and shouldn’t really affect your decision when choosing a fog.
Both male and female Bernedoodles would make excellent and loving companions as long as they were trained properly and provided with good living conditions.
Related Questions
Where to Get Bernedoodles?
You can get Bernedoodles from adoption shelters, pet stores, or directly from the breeder. The cost of purchase will vary depending on where you get your Bernedoodle as well as the reputation of the breeder. You need to consider your options carefully to ensure you get a healthy dog for a suitable price.
Do Female Bernedoodles Smell More Than Male Bernedoodles?
Female Bernedoodles do smell more than male Bernedoodles as they release pheromones when they’re in heat. The pheromones released will cause them to have a distinctive smell that will attract other male Bernedoodles. Although that smell is very strong, it can only be detected by dogs, not humans.
What Colors Do Bernedoodles Coats Come In?
Bernedoodles coats come in traditional coat colors such as black, black and brown, black and white, or a mix of 2 or 3 of these colors. They also come in less traditional colors such as sable, brindle, chocolate, phantom, and merle. The color that a Bernedoodle’s coat will have depends mainly on the dog’s genetics.
I have a full guide on the Sable Bernedoodle here that I recommend you check out. They are such amazing dogs that they deserve their own guide indeed.
Are Bernedoodles Hypoallergenic?
Bernedoodles are hypoallergenic if they have curly coats as they will be low shedding and won’t spread any dander into the air or trigger an allergic reaction. No dog is 100% hypoallergenic and the extent to which they can be hypoallergenic depends mainly on the texture of its coat and its shedding frequency.
Which Bernedoodle Generation Is the Most Desirable?
The Bernedoodle generation that’s the most desirable is the first generation as these dogs carry 50% of the Bernese Mountain Dog genes and 50% of the Poodle genes which makes them less susceptible to health problems. First-generation Bernedoodles that are backcrossed with poodles are also desirable as they shed the least.
Helpful Resources
The Bernedoodle Breed Information
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