Looking for an ideal family dog? The Bernedoodle, which is the mix between a Bernese mountain dog and poodle, is about as lovely a family companion as you could find. Gentle and clever, this pup truly thrives in a family environment that’s packed with activity, affection and—yes—even small children!
Their coats are black and white, black and brown, black, white and brown, or all black—and the fur itself can be a variety of textures, though the majority are wavy. And the curlier or wavier the coat, the less shedding you’ll have to deal with.
Not sure what kind of trendy look your Bernedoodle should sport? We’ve gathered together some hairstyle options to make your decision more informed (and more fun!).
But first, here are some Bernedoodle grooming tips that are unique to this breed—we hope you find them useful in your hair-taming journey.
Basic Grooming Advice
Keeping your Bernedoodle looking cute is all about tending to their coat. They don’t need a ton of attention, but you should focus on preventing mats to keep them looking more like a teddy bear and less like a furball. Here are some tips:
- Brush your Bernedoodle two to three times a week to help prevent tangles and mats (oh my!), and to keep the fur looking shiny and healthy. This is especially important if your dog has curlier fur, which tangles more easily.
- Only give your doodle a bath every few months—you want to avoid stripping the natural oils away that keep the coat and skin moisturized.
- Have your pup professional groomed every three to four months (unless you’ve got some serious grooming skills) to keep them looking their Bernedoodle best. The groomer can also check to make sure their ears are healthy and free of infection and keep their nails trimmed and tidy.
- Grooming your pup can be a chance for the two of you to bond—and the sooner you introduce your buddy to brushing, the more accepting they’ll become of it…and the fewer mats you’ll have to deal with.
Top Bernedoodle Hairstyles
1. The Winter Cut
Via Pixabay/FREE IMAGE
This style keeps that coif a little on the longer side—though the fur on the face and chest does get clipped down to about an inch all over. However, you’re going to want to use scissors (or instruct your groomer to use scissors) to cut the body length to around 3 inches everywhere else. We love our pups fluffy after all!
The front legs should be shaped with scissors to be straight, and the tail should be left longer than the hair on the body (though you’ll want to make sure it blends in nicely with the rest of the coat). As for the face—just make sure you trim their tresses enough for them to see, and keep their muzzle neat and tidy.
2. The Summer Cut
Via Unsplash/FREE IMAGE
This cut is essentially a shorter version of the Winter Cut (not too surprising), and helps keep your pet cooler during those toasty summer months.
You’ll want to use a 7/8” clipper comb on the body for this style (we told you it’d be shorter!), and a 1″ clipper on the legs. The tail fur will still be longer than the hair on the rest of the body, and the face hair is only slightly more closely shorn.
3. Poodle-inspired Cut
Via Pixabay/FREE IMAGE
Just like it sounds, this cut is inspired by the poodle part of this pup’s equation. Generally, this means that the fur is clipped to a shorter length on the back and belly, and then left to its own devices on the top of the head, the tail, and close to the feet.
Of course, it’s not quite the same cut as you’d seen on a toy or standard Poodle—but it looks sweet nonetheless (and is a popular choice for doodles of all kinds), so feel free to get creative with it.
However you decide to groom your Bernedoodle, they’re going to look cuddly, sweet and super squeezable—and you’ll be happy once you find the right style that fits in with your family (and budget and free time).
Just remember to always pay attention to the cues that your dog is giving you, and if something is causing them stress, then it may be time to find a different approach/hairstyle/groomer/etc. We hope these hairstyle ideas have been useful for jazzing up your pup’s coif. Happy clipping!
