FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) about Bernedoodles and Australian Mountain Doodles (AMD’s)

What is a Bernedoodle?

A Bernedoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog. This cross creates a healthy, beautiful pup that will be low shedding, low allergen and adorable. For more info and personality traits, see the About Bernedoodles page.

What is an Australian Mountain Doodle?

An Australian Mountain Doodle is a combination of three breeds: Australian Shepherd (Aussie), Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle. This cross creates a healthy, beautiful pup that will be low shedding, low allergen and easily trainable.  For more info and personality traits, see the About Australian Mtn. Doodle page.

What is an Aussie Mountain Doodle or Aussie Bernedoodle?

An Aussie Mountain Doodle and/or Aussie Bernedoodle are the other popular names for an Australian Mountain Doodle. When we first did this pairing (Australian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog & Poodle) starting in 2015, we called them Aussie Bernedoodles. After more breeders added this pairing to their programs in the following years, the name Australian Mountain Doodle (AMD) became more common. Check out the Which Doodle to Choose page on our website for a comparison of Australian Mountain Doodles vs. Bernedoodles.

Note: These are NOT the same as Australian Bernedoodles which are a cross between an Australian Labradoodle and a Bernedoodle. We do not include any Labrador Retriever or Australian Labradoodle in our pairings. I love Labrador Retrievers, but their natural coat type is not a good match for the low allergen, soft coats we desire in our Doodles.

What kind of a personality does an Australian Mountain Doodle have?

In a nutshell, they are charmers. Spirited, outgoing, a little goofy and friendly. They are sweetly intuitive, highly intelligent and eager to learn new things. They will be your loyal and loving companion in any situation.

Do Bernedoodles and Australian Mountain Doodles shed and if so, how much?

Both are considered low shedding when bred correctly. Doodles can have three different coat types: curly, wavy, and straight. Genetics and specifically the coat type, furnishings and to a lesser degree shedding genes, play a role in how hypoallergenic and low shedding a Doodle will be. This is where it is important to have an educated breeder who utilizes genetic testing and has the appropriate dams and sires to consistently produce low shedding Doodles.

What is the average adult weight?

Our Bernedoodle and Australian Mountain Doodles are typically Mini size and occasionally in Micro-Mini and Medium sizes. Micro Mini’s are typically under 25lbs, Mini is usually 25-39 lbs, Medium is 40-55 lbs and Standard size is around 55+ lbs. Standard Bernedoodles will typically be larger than a Standard Australian Mountain Doodle since the Bernese Mtn. dog is usually 70 to 125 lbs.

What activity level will my puppy have?

Moderate; they are very playful but know when to slow down and hangout with their family.  They can keep up with an active family and will want to be with you wherever you go.  They will not want to be left behind or kept outside all day.

What is the life expectancy of an Australian Mtn. Doodle or a Bernedoodle?

Approximately 12-15 years. The hybrid cross of healthy parents means a longer life span than typically seen in their purebred parents.  The average life span of a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog is 6-8 years.

Do you ever have an all merle litter to choose from?

Absolutely not. A lot of breeders are pairing two merles together to increase their merle options for families to choose from. Some breeders aren’t correctly advertising the parents so you may not even know. We absolutely won’t be doing that pairing. The only safe pairing is a merle parent to a tricolor (non-merle parent). Doubling up on the merle gene is when you can get unhealthy genetics in the offspring. Most of our studs are tricolor and most of our dams are merle tricolors. Genetically, we should get half merle pattern and half tri (non-merle) in every litter although Mother Nature may have other ideas.

What dog food are you feeding?

Your puppy will be eating Farmina N&D Pumpkin Lamb & Blueberry mini kibble at the time they go home with you. This is the grain-free formula. Farmina also makes an Ancestral Grain (grain inclusive) formula as well as many other varieties and proteins. Please make very sure you are purchasing/ordering the correct formula or your puppy will have diarrhea from changing foods too quickly at your home. We highly recommend feeding the freshest diet possible. You can see our recommendations on the Favorite Foods for Doodles page of our site. We are very conscientious about feeding our adults and puppies the absolute best food…not the most affordable.

Dry, extruded kibble is never going to be the best choice as the only food for any puppy or dog. We consider Farmina and Carna 4 to be the best of the dry kibble options available. We also feed premade, complete raw, home grown eggs from chickens and ducks fed an all organic and fermented feed, along with probiotics and Omega 3 oils. We vary proteins, add fresh organic fruits and occasional veggies to ensure their diet is varied and the healthiest possible. Obviously this is a huge expense that almost no other breeder is doing, but we believe that the best possible diets from even before conception through adulthood produces the healthiest possible, allergy free dogs later.

When can I bring my puppy home?

Puppies can go home with you at 8 weeks of age or after. The going home date is determined by us, after puppies are born and always with the puppies best interests in mind. 

What are the options for bringing my puppy home?

You can visit us on the Oregon Coast and pickup your puppy in person. We can recommend how to safely drive home with your puppy. You can also fly in to the Eugene International Airport (EUG) and then fly home with your puppy in a carrier under the seat in front of you. We can bring the puppy to meet you at the airport and set you both up for a successful flight. We also have a wonderful flight nanny as well as a flight nanny group we regularly use who will fly the puppy from us to an airport near you. This is highly recommended as the flight nanny’s are very experienced at this.

I’ve heard Bernese Mountain Dogs can be stubborn. Is this also true of a Bernedoodle?

Yes, Bernese can have some stubborn traits in them, such as lying on their backs when given a command. Both the Bernese Mountain dog and Poodle are highly intelligent making them very receptive to training and puppy obedience classes.

What kind of a personality does a Bernedoodle have?

Bernedoodles have loads of character and are described as outgoing, happy, loving and a endearingly goofy. They are intelligent and social creatures that love their families.

What kind of a personality does an Australian Mountain Doodle/Aussie Mountain Doodle (AMD) have?

AMD’s are spirited, outgoing, charming and friendly. They are sweetly intuitive, highly intelligent and eager to learn new things. They will be your loyal and loving companion in any situation.

Do Bernedoodles and Australian Mountain Doodles/Aussie Mountain Doodles shed and if so, how much?

Both are considered low shedding when bred correctly. Doodles can have three different coat types: curly, wavy, and straight. Genetics and specifically the coat type, furnishings and to a lesser degree shedding genes, play a role in how hypoallergenic and low shedding a Doodle will be. This is where it is important to have an educated breeder.

How often will I need to groom my doodle?

It is a good idea to brush and comb your doodle once a week or preferably twice a week. We keep a hinged box by our couch for grooming sessions while we are watching tv and they are naturally across our laps. If mats develop, the best and easiest way to get rid of them is by a professional groomer shaving the coat. You will want to budget for regularly scheduled visits with a good groomer to avoid this. Check out this link to read more about what you need to know about Grooming Your Doodle.

How soon should the puppy see a vet?

Our puppies receive a full vet exam before going home with you. We ask that your puppy see your own vet within 3 business days of your adoption to confirm the puppy’s health. This is a requirement of our health guarantee and should be scheduled prior to your puppy leaving our home.

Do you recommend crate training?

Yes. Even if you don’t plan to have your adult dog utilize a crate, it is a good idea to have them comfortable in one as a puppy. it is helpful for potty training, car travel and for safely separating a puppy from adult dogs and/or toddlers. And if ever your puppy needs to stay overnight at the vet or in case of emergency, it will be a much less stressful time for them if they are already conditioned to using one. Check out this link to read more about Crate Training A Puppy.

What are the differences between males and females and which one do you recommend?

Some breeds have greater disparity between genders but I think you will find our Doodles to be similarly goofy, sweet and loving. There are subtle differences in how they learn and of course the gender and personality of any current canine family members may matter. Here is a link to a longer answer about Male vs. Female Doodles.

Do you breed medium, large or standard size Doodles?

We prefer to focus on an adult size of 40 lbs or under (considered to be “Mini” size) and 15 to 25 lbs (considered to be “Micro” size). We prioritize this size as the most family friendly. There are plenty of breeders doing the large or standard size (60 lbs and up).

Why do we like under 40 lbs? We prefer a family dog that can be picked up to be placed in a car or on a grooming table, a size that in an emergency can be picked up and carried. It’s also a size that is large enough and sturdy enough to handle child’s play and/or roughhousing with other pets. It is also more affordable in the long run. Veterinarians will charge more for medications, spay/neuter etc. for larger dogs. Likewise your groomer will probably charge more for large animals which take more time and work to bathe , blow dry and clip. You may find some groomers and mobile groomers don’t have a large enough tub or table to accommodate larger pets which can reduce your options also.

Do your dogs live in kennels?

No, our dogs live in our home. Some of our dogs live with family members and/or guardian homes. The adults and puppies here enjoy a regular, normal life, albeit with a few more pack mates than the average family. We do utilize crates for nighttime sleeping and we feed and have them nap in a crate for a couple hours twice a day. They love their crates and happily put themselves in on their own. Feeding separately allows us to ensure the right portions, pre-natal or post-natal vitamins etc. and most importantly it allows us to make sure they are eating their own food and not their flat mates. The majority of the day, they are free to romp around in the house and have access to our enclosed yard for play. It speaks to the phenomenal temperament of all our Doodles that females, puppies, young adults all interact and cavort together happily. Boys of breeding age are obviously separated but we make sure they have playmates and regularly interact with the group.

Moms have a private suite (the 2nd bedroom in our home) with a whelping box, a French door with a doggie door to their own private yard.

Why is your logo on every photo?

Ok, so this isn’t actually a frequently asked question but I know you’re out there thinking wow she sure does love her logo if she puts it on everything! Actually, I find it pretty annoying to have to take the time to edit each photo to include it. I have unfortunately realized the hard way that I have cute dogs and good pictures of them that certain unscrupulous people like to “borrow” without permission. These people will use doodle photos as their own to try to get a deposit or to sell a puppy that they don’t own. For your safety and ours, we try to include a logo or watermark to prevent (or at least minimize) this.