Bernedoodle Lifespan – How Long Do Bernedoodles Live?

The Bernedoodle (AKA Bernepoo or Bernese Mountain Poo) is a cross breed between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. As it is a mixed breed dog there can be a bit of variation in lifespan depending on the generation, size, gender as well as genetics.

If you want to know more about the lifespans of Bernedoodles, keep reading this article to find exactly how long Bernedoodles live for.

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How Long Do Bernedoodles Live?

On average, Bernedoodles live for 12 to 15 years. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a Bernedoodle including their size, gender, whether they are desexed or intact as well as their generation. Give your Bernedoodle the best chance of living the longest life possible by exercising them daily, feeding them a healthy diet and keeping on top of vet appointments.

Factors That Affect Bernedoodle Lifespan

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a Bernedoodle. This includes but is not limited to:

Size (Micro, Tiny, Mini, Medium or Standard)
Gender (Male vs Female)
Desexed vs Intact
Generation (F1, F1b,F2 etc.)

How Size Affects Bernedoodle Lifespan

Size	Lifespan
Micro Bernedoodle	10 to 14 years
Tiny Bernedoodle	10 to 14 years
Mini Bernedoodle	12 to 16 years
Medium Bernedoodle	12 to 15 years
Standard Bernedoodle	12 to 15 years

Micro Bernedoodle Lifespan

Micro Bernedoodles live for 10 to 14 years. They are slightly smaller or the same size as Tiny Bernedoodles depending on the breeder. They have the shortest lifespan out of all the Bernedoodles sizes due their high risk of suffering from size related health issues.

Tiny Bernedoodle Lifespan

Tiny Bernedoodles live for 10 to 14 years. They are the same size or slightly larger than Micro Bernedoodles. They have the shortest lifespan out of all the Bernedoodles sizes due their high risk of suffering from size related health issues.

Mini Bernedoodle Lifespan

Mini Bernedoodles have a lifespan of 12 to 16 years. They have the longest lifespan as they are a small breed yet not so small that they suffer from size related health issues like Teacup Bernedoodles. Usually, small dogs live longer than large dog breeds.

Medium Bernedoodle Lifespan

Medium Bernedoodles live for 12 to 15 years. Their lifespan is the same as Standard Bernedoodles as they are a very similar size to them. Medium Bernedoodles are the second largest Bernedoodle size.

Standard Bernedoodle Lifespan

Standard Bernedoodles live for 12 to 15 years. Their lifespan is the same as a Medium Bernedoodle. They are the largest size of the breed so they do not suffer from the same size related health issues that Micro and Teacup Bernedoodles may suffer from which is why they live longer.

How Generation Affects Bernedoodle Lifespan

Generation	Lifespan
F1 Bernedoodle	12 to 15 years
F1b Bernedoodle	12 to 16 years
F2 Bernedoodle	12 to 14 years

F1 Bernedoodle Lifespan

F1 Bernedoodles have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years however their lifespan really depends upon their size. F1 Bernedoodles are one of the healthiest generations as they have the most hybrid vigour. F1 Bernedoodles are the result of directly crossing a Poodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog.

F1b Bernedoodle Lifespan

F1b Bernedoodles have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. F1b Bernedoodles may live longer than F1 Bernedoodles as they have a higher percentage of Poodle genes and Poodles generally live longer than Bernese Mountain Dogs. Poodles have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years while Bernese Mountains Dogs have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years.

F2 Bernedoodle Lifespan

On average, F2 Bernedoodles live for 12 to 14 years however it can be less if they are one of the smaller sizes of the breed (e.g. Micro or Tiny). F2 Bernedoodles have a slightly shorter lifespan than F1 Bernedoodles as with each successive generation the health benefits of cross-breeding decreases.

bernedoodle with christmas tree — Bernedoodle via @walden.the.bernedood

Female vs Male Bernedoodle Lifespan

Female Bernedoodles usually have a slightly longer lifespan than Male Bernedoodles. This is especially the case for desexed Female Bernedoodles. Gender does not usually have a major effect on lifespan and differences in longevity is mainly seen in desexed versus intact dogs.

Desexed vs Intact Bernedoodle Lifespan

Desexed (AKA neutered or spayed) Bernedoodles live slightly longer than intact Bernedoodles. Desexed Bernedoodles live longer as the procedure can reduce health risks such as cancer and obesity in both male and female dogs. It is also thought that desexed dogs live longer because they get into fewer fights and therefore get fewer injuries.

bernedoodle with city skyline — Bernedoodle via @cheese_the_bernedoodle

Bernedoodle Life Stages

Socialization Period (until 3 months old)

The socialization period is one of the most crucial times in a Bernedoodles’s life. The first eights weeks is spent with their mother and littermates. During this time they learn so much about their world. Breeders will begin introducing new experiences to the puppies in the litter and then at eights weeks the puppies will go to their new homes where their owners will continue the socialization process.

Testing Period (3 to 6 months old)

The testing period is when a Bernedoodle starts testing boundaries to figure out what is acceptable behavior and what is not. It is best to start training your Bernedoodle during this time.

When training your dog it is important to use positive reinforcement techniques as dogs repeat good behavior when it is followed by a reward such as a treat or their favorite toy. Clicker training is another type of positive reinforcement training that is a good method for learning new tricks. You use a clicker device so your dog can associate a new behavior with a click and then a reward.

bernedoodle puppy — Bernedoodle Puppy via @lkpuppytrainingjessica

Adolescent Stage (6 to 18 months old)

During the adolescent stage, Bernedoodles may start displaying some regressive behavior like not listening to your training commands, being a bit aggressive or chewing up stuff. This is especially the case if your Bernedoodle is not desexed as their hormones will start to kick in. Just remember that this won’t last long and be patient as your Bernedoodle is a teenager.

During this period, your Bernedoodle will reach their full adult size, they’ll get their adult coat and you’ll have to eventually swap over to adult food.

Adulthood (18 months to 10 years old)

Bernedoodles will start to calm down and settle into their adult personality during adulthood however they will still be very active as this is a feature of the breed. You’ll start to notice that all your earlier training has paid off but you should still keep it up as Bernedoodles love learning new tricks and it’s great mental stimulation.

Senior (10+ years old)

From 10 years of age, a Bernedoodle is considered to be a senior dog. During this time they will start to slow down due to age. For example, your Bernedoodle may prefer going for a walk instead of a run at the dog park. As they are rapidly ageing, your Bernedoodle will need to get extra nutrients to support their system. For that reason, you may decide to switch out their adult kibble for a senior formula. They may also start suffering from health issues like arthritis so you may consider getting your Bernedoodle a dog ramp to help them get in and out of the car and also onto furniture.

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Extending The Lifespan Of A Bernedoodle

1. Feed Them A Healthy Diet That Is Age Appropriate

Aim to feed your Bernedoodle a premium diet to ensure they get all their nutrients as health is essential to a longer lifespan. Cheaper dog food usually contains very low quality meat as well as fillers which is unhealthy.

You should also aim to feed your Bernedoodle food that is suitable for their life stage, depending on whether they are a puppy, adult or senior dog. Kibble formulas are customised for different dog ages as producers adjust the nutrients and supplements for each life stage. For example, senior formulas have nutrients that support bones and joints.

Try to keep snacking to a minimum. While your dog may love their treats, don’t go overboard with rewarding them with treats, especially if your Bernedoodle is starting to get overweight. Consider swapping out treats for their toys as a reward for training exercises. You can also cut your dog treats into smaller pieces than what is provided in the packet so they last longer.

2. Take Them Out For Daily Exercise

Bernedoodles need plenty of daily exercise – both physical and mental. Take your Bernedoodle out for daily walks and let them run around at the dog park or in your backyard so they use up all their energy.

As for mental exercise, you should keep training your Bernedoodle into adulthood and also play some brain training games like an interactive treat puzzle or give them a classic Kong Toy that is filled with treats.

3. Keep Up Grooming

Grooming your Bernedoodle is vital to keep them hygienic and healthy. The grooming routine for your Bernedoodle should include steps for their coat, ears and teeth.

Regularly brush your Bernedoodle as they have a thick coat which can easily get tangled and matted. If untreated, tangled and matted hair can lead to skin infections or irritations. Brushing your Bernedoodle is also a good chance to check their skin for any injuries, fleas or ticks. Slicker brushes are generally the best for Bernedoodles.

Bernedoodles have floppy ears so they are prone to getting ear infections. If your Bernedoodle gets wet, make sure to dry their ears well to prevent them from getting infected.

4. Keep On Top Of Vet Appointments

Take your Bernedoodle to regular vet check-ups to make sure everything is going well and so you can treat any health issues quickly as early identification can help increase a Bernedoodle’s lifespan.

Additionally, make sure you keep on top of yearly vaccinations as well as flea, tick and worm treatments.

5. Make Your Home Fit For An Older Bernedoodle

As your Bernedoodle gets older, there is an increased risk of arthritis and joint issues which can make mobility more difficult. For these reasons you may need to modify your home to accomodate for your senior dog.

If your Bernedoodle finds it difficult to lower their neck to eat food or drink water you may want to invest in raised dog bowls to make feeding easier. If it is becoming difficult for them to jump up onto your bed or couch you may want to get a dog ramp. You may also decide to invest in an orthopedic bed if your Bernedoodle has joint issues to ease the pain.