The Phantom Bernedoodle Guide – As Cool As Their Name

Phantom Bernedoodles are designer dogs; they’re a cross between Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles. They have gained popularity among dog owners over the years since they first originated.
Their coat color and low shedding frequency make them extremely desirable.
In addition to their appearance, they also have charming personalities that will ensure they become excellent companions for any family.
Continue reading to learn all the information you need to know about Phantom Bernedoodles.

Brief Overview About Phantom Bernedoodles

Here is a brief overview of the characteristics of Phantom Bernedoodles:

Other Names	Phantom Tri-Color Bernedoodle
Weight (Standard)	70 to 115 Pounds
Height (Standard)	23 to 27 inches
Lifespan	12 to 18 years
Colors	Silver, Black, Brown, White, Tan, Cream
Coat Types	Straight, Wavy, Curly
Health	7/10
Grooming Needs	8/10
Exercise Needs	8/10
Shedding Frequency	7/10
Kid Friendliness	9/10
Pet Friendliness	9/10
Suitability as Family Dogs	9/10
Suitability as Guard Dogs	5/10
Suitability for Living in Apartments	8/10
Average Puppy Cost	$2500 to $5000

The Physical Characteristics of Phantom Bernedoodles

• Height: 23 to 27 inches (Standard)
• Weight: 70 to 115 Pounds (Standard)
• Coat Colors:  Silver, Black, Brown, Tan, Cream
• Coat Types: Straight, Wavy, Curly

Size

Phantom Bernedoodles are classified into three main sizes when they reach full growth, which are: standard, medium, and miniature. 

• A standard-sized Bernedoodle’s weight ranges from 70 to 115 pounds, on average, while its height ranges from 23 to 27 inches.
• A medium-sized Bernedoodle’s weight ranges from 25 to 49 pounds, on average, while its height ranges from 18 to 22 inches
• A miniature-sized Bernedoodle’s weight ranges from 10 to 24 pounds, on average, while its height ranges from 12 to 17 inches.

Medium and miniature size Bernedoodles are not as common as standard Bernedoodles because breeding them can only be done through artificial insemination, which is a complicated and costly procedure.

The exact size that any Bernedoodle will be when it reaches full growth depends on various factors, including the dog’s gender, genetic makeup, diet, exercise, and general health.

The size of both male and female bernedoodles is the same, but there are other differences between them, and you can learn about them in this guide to male vs female bernedoodles.

Coat Colors and Types

For a Bernedoodle to have a Phantom coat, it means that its base coat comes in one color while areas like the snout, limbs, and tail, also known as the tips, come in a different color which gives them a rusted kind of appearance.

There are also Tri-Colored Phantom Bernedoodles which have one color on their base coat and multiple colors on their tips.

The main colors that Phantom Bernedoodles come in are silver, black, or brown, with the tips being white, tan, or cream.

Some Phantom Bernedoodles might have only one color on their base coat and tips when they’re born, but as they grow older, the rest of the coloring on the snout, limbs, and tail areas will start to become more pronounced.

When it comes to their coat type, Phantom Bernedoodles have three main types of coats which are straight, wavy, and curly. These coats will vary in texture, thickness, and shedding frequency.

Basically, the curlier the coat is, the thicker it will be and the less it will shed. On the other hand, the straighter the dog’s coat, the thinner it will be and the more it would shed.

The kind of coat a Phantom Bernedoodle will have will mainly depend on its genetics. If the dog’s carrying more of its Bernese parent’s genes, it will be more likely to have a straight coat. 

However, if it’s carrying more of its Poodle parent’s genes, it will be more likely to have a curly coat.

Parent Breeds and Origin

Phantom Bernedoodles are a designer breed. They are a hybrid between two purebred Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles.

While pure breeds like Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles have been around for decades, Phantom Bernedoodles are relatively new as they first originated in 2003.

The first person to intentionally breed Mountain Dogs and Poodles in 2003 to create the Bernedoodle breed was Sherry Rupke from Swiss Ridge Kennel.

There are likely to be instances of an accidental breeding between Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles, which raises the possibility that the Bernedoodle breed might have existed even before 2003, but there’s no evidence to support this.

Even though they have been bred for a relatively short time, less than two decades, Phantom Bernedoodles gained a lot of popularity in that time. This is because they combine the desirable traits of both of their parent breeds while eliminating most of the undesirable traits.

Unfortunately, Phantom Bernedoodles are not recognized by major kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club because they are a hybrid breed as well as a new breed. This also means you can’t register them, and you can learn why can’t Bernedoodles be registered here. 

However, they’re recognized by other kennel clubs for hybrid breeds, such as the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the International Designer Canine Registry, and the Designer Breed Registry.

Now let’s quickly talk about both parent breeds: 

Bernese Mountain Dog

One of the four Swiss Mountain dog breeds that developed in the Swiss Alps is the Bernese Mountain dog. 

Even though all four breeds possess similar black, brown, and white patterns, the dogs come in different sizes, with the Bernese being the second biggest and the only one with long fur.

Poodle

The Poodle has been bred as a waterfowl retriever for German hunters; however, France also alleges ownership. In any case, the Poodle has long been a favorite because of its high intellect, agility, and quirky demeanor.

Poodles are available in four different sizes: toy, mini, Moyen (medium), and standard. 

The standard is quite enormous, standing 18 to 24in tall and weighing 40 to 70lbs. The variety of poodle sizes contributes to the Berniedoodle’s multiple size categories.

Temperament 

Phantom Bernedoodles are known to have a good temperament and an overall charming personality. They have inherited many desirable traits from both of their parent breeds that make them ideal as lifelong family companions.

These dogs are very loving, and they will always try to show their love in various ways. They’re also very loyal, which causes them to show some protective tendencies.

They’re highly energetic, and they are always in the mood to play around and have fun. They’re also intelligent, which makes it easier to train them and teach them to follow any commands.

They’re social, and they like getting lots of attention from those around them. They won’t tolerate being alone for a long time, and if they are left without any attention or company, they might develop separation anxiety and display some destructive behavior traits.

Are They Good with Children?

Phantom Bernedoodles are good with children. 

They will be good as lifelong companions and playmates because they are friendly, excitable, and energetic.

However, it’s always recommended to supervise interactions between the dog and the children to prevent any accidents from happening.

Are They Good with Other Pets?

Phantom Bernedoodles are good with other pets. 

As long as they’re properly socialized and trained, they will get along well with others without becoming overly territorial or displaying any aggressive behavior traits.

Health and Lifespan 

Phantom Bernedoodles are a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan that ranges from 12 to 18 years. 

They are generally healthier than Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles and suffer from fewer health problems, but they are still prone to some. 

Phantom Bernedoodles are still susceptible to some common health problems, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, Von Willebrand’s disease, heart diseases, eye problems, allergies, and skin conditions like hot spots.

Their overall health and lifespan will be affected by their genetic makeup and which parent breed they take after the most. For example, if they carry more of the Bernese parent’s genes, they’re more likely to have health problems and a relatively shorter lifespan.

That’s because Bernese Mountain dogs almost became extinct in the late 1800s, which caused breeders to resort to inbreeding to bring their numbers back up.

Nutritional Needs 

Phantom Bernedoodles need to eat an average of 1,500 to 2,200 calories in a day to maintain their energy levels. They also need to eat natural foods that contain a wide variety of nutrients to develop their bodies properly and help them remain generally healthy.

The appropriate amount to feed a Phantom Bernedoodle in a day will mainly depend on its size and energy levels. The bigger and more energetic the dog is, the more it will need to eat.

Shedding Frequency and Grooming Needs

The shedding frequency of Phantom Bernedoodles shed and how much they need to be groomed will depend on the kind of coat they have.

Curly coats tend to shed less than wavy or straight coats; however, they are more likely to become tangled, which means they will need to be groomed more often.

The grooming needs for Phantom Bernedoodles involve brushing their coats at least once a week and bathing them at least once a month. 

Grooming them also involves regularly cleaning their ears, brushing their teeth, and clipping their nails.

Exercise Needs 

Phantom Bernedoodles are energetic, and they tend to like being active.

They need to exercise regularly to be able to release their energy in a healthy manner. They also need to exercise to burn off the calories they consume and remain in good shape.

The intensity and duration of the dog’s exercise routine will depend mainly on its age and energy levels. 

It’s recommended that younger dogs exercise less than older dogs as their bodies won’t be fully developed yet.

When Phantom Bernedoodles are puppies from the age of 6 to 12 months, they should do low-intensity exercises for about 30 minutes a day. When they’re older, they should do higher-intensity exercise for about 60 minutes a day.

Low-intensity exercises for dogs include daily walks or playing any games that involve a lot of moving around. Meanwhile, higher intensity exercises include running for longer distances, climbing the stairs, or dragging weights.

Training 

It’s easy to train Phantom Bernedoodles because of their intelligence and obedience. They will respond well to proper discipline methods, and they will quickly master the commands you teach them.

The progress of the dog’s training process will depend on the age of the dog when it starts training, the methods you’re using to train them, and how consistent you are throughout the training process.

It’s generally more effective to start the dog’s training as early as possible and to stick to consistent training methods throughout the process to avoid confusing the dog.

Training as Family Dogs 

Phantom Bernedoodles were bred for companionship, so it’s ideal to train them as family dogs.

Training Phantom Bernedoodle as family dogs involves socializing them, teaching them basic obedience commands, and disciplining their behavior.

Socialization is very important for family dogs as it helps them adapt to different environments and prevents them from developing aggressive behaviors.

Command training and discipline are also very important as they will help make the dog’s behavior more manageable.

Training as Guard Dogs 

Although Phantom Bernedoodles are loyal and protective of their family, they don’t make the best guard dogs even if you train them.

They can watch out for their territory and bark at the sight of strangers. However, they will not aggressively attack strangers when commanded, and they are very unlikely to attack intruders. 

How Much Do Phantom Bernedoodles Cost?

The cost of Phantom Bernedoodle ranges from $2500 to $5000. It depends on several factors, including the dog’s size and coat color, the place where you get the dog, and the reputation of the breeder.

Phantom Bernedoodles are considered to be expensive, especially for a designer breed. However, their high cost is a result of them being in high demand with not enough breeders to keep up with that demand.

Some breeders might even require potential buyers to pay a deposit to reserve one of the puppies in the litter. The deposit will range from $300 to $600 depending on the number of puppies in the litter and the reputation of the breeder.

Where to Find Phantom Bernedoodles? 

Even though Phantom Bernedoodles are a designer breed, you might still find them in rescue organizations and shelters that focus on their Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles, as there might be some cases of accidental breeding between the two breeds.

The cost of getting Phantom Bernedoodle puppies from rescues and shelters will be cheaper. However, the standard practices for ethical breeding might not be followed, and the puppies will not always be in the best condition.

So, the best option is usually to get Phantom Bernedoodle puppies directly from the breeder. This option is more expensive, but as long as you choose a reputable breeder, you can guarantee that your puppy will be healthy.

Check the following list for some reputable breeders that focus on breeding Bernedoodles or might have Bernedoodle puppies available for sale:

Rocky Mountain Bernedoodles

Rocky Mountain Bernedoodles is a family-owned business that has been breeding quality Bernedoodle for over two decades. They follow ethical breeding practices, and all of their dogs are tested.

They’re located in Montrose, CO, but they can deliver puppies all over the US while taking proper safety measures. They also allow organized visits on their property to come to meet the dogs in person before purchasing them.

Utah Bernedoodles

The breeders from Utah Bernedoodles have been breeding Bernedoodles for about a decade.

Their main goal is to breed puppies of all colors that would also be healthy and have a long lifespan. They’re also the first breeders of mini Bernedoodles in America.

They’re located in Utah, but they can deliver puppies to over 30 states in America, the UK, Canada, and Hungary.

406 Bernedoodles

406 Bernedoodles are another family-owned business that has been breeding family dogs for about a decade. They socialize their dogs and provide them with hands-on training early on in their lives.

They’re located in Bozeman, MT, but they can deliver puppies all over the US while taking all the necessary safety measures.

Infinity Pups

Infinity Pups is not a breeder mill; it’s an advertising source for various reputable breeders all over the US. This will help you find a trusted breeder in a location near you.

You can check the section for Bernedoodles on their website to see the puppies they have available for sale.

Each puppy will have its own profile with details about the dog, including its generation, gender, age, size, and coat color. There also be information about the breeders and their contact information.

PS: We are not affiliated with any of these places, but according to our readers and research, they are the best places to go if you are looking for a Bernedoodle.

I also wanna assert that we encourage you to adopt and don’t shop whenever possible and that even though we truly believe that the Bernedoodle is an amazing dog and we understand how finding one in your local shelter is not probably, we still encourage you to adopt a dog from another breed that is going to love you just like any other dog.

What You Need to Know About the Phantom Bernedoodle In A Nutshell 

Phantom Bernedoodles are very popular, and they are ideal as family pets. They have a unique appearance and charming personality with many desirable traits. They’re also low maintenance as it’s easy to keep up with their needs, including training, grooming, diet, and exercise.

Their cost might be somewhat expensive for a designer breed, but the high cost will be worth all the benefits and joy raising these dogs will bring you.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Colors Do Bernedoodles Come In?

Bernedoodles come in standard colors such as black, brown, white, or a combination of 2 or 3 of these colors. They might also come in more unique and rare patterns such as brindle, phantom, or merle. The color or pattern of a Bernedoodle’s coat is mainly determined by its genetic makeup.

Can You Register a Phantom Bernedoodle?

You cannot register a Phantom Bernedoodle with major American kennel clubs or registries because they’re a hybrid breed. Most kennel clubs and registries do not recognize hybrid breeds and require dogs to be purebred to be eligible for registration as they want to maintain the quality of the dog’s bloodline.

Is There A Difference Between Male and Female Bernedoodles?

There’s a slight difference between male and female Bernedoodles when it comes to their size, as male Bernedoodles tend to be bigger than female Bernedoodles by about 10%. However, there are no differences between them when it comes to temperament or behavior, as these tend to depend on the dog’s training, not gender.

Do Bernedoodle Change Color?

Bernedoodles do change color. It’s more noticeable in dogs with darker coats, as they will get lighter with age. This happens because most Bernedoodles carry the fading gene, which they tend to inherit from their Poodle parents, and the more of this gene they carry, the more likely they are to change color.

Are All Bernedoodles Hypoallergenic?

Not all Bernedoodles are hypoallergenic. It mainly depends on the kind of coat they have and how much they shed. Bernedoodles with curly coats are the most hypoallergenic as they’re the least shedding. They won’t spread too much dander in the air, so they won’t trigger their owners to have an allergic reaction.

Helpful Resources 

The Bernedoodle – Breed information and standards

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