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Bernedoodle

Bernedoodles are the ideal companion dog. A cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle, they are low- to non-shedding. This bit of hypoallergenic magic combines the intelligence of the poodle with the loyalty of the Bernese.


Because of something called “hybrid vigor,” a Bernedoodle has an excellent chance of being healthier than either of its parents. The Poodle and the Bernese share few common diseases and a hybrid puppy is only likely to inherit a health problem that is common to both. Bernedoodles can potentially live healthier, longer lives than their purebred parents.


Like some other poodle hybrids, Bernedoodles may cause fewer or less severe allergic reactions.


Learn more about these wonderful dogs!


Check out our available puppies!

Training your Puppy: Sit, Wait, and Come.

Teaching your puppy the basics is essential for creating a well-behaved companion. Training your pup to “sit”, “wait” and “come” is the foundation for a positive and successful relationship. By starting early and using positive reinforcement methods, you can teach your pup these basic commands and develop a strong bond.

  • Preparing for Training

    You can start training your puppy as soon as he comes home. Just be patient and don’t expect him to be consistent right away. We do little sessions all through the day, and keep them short and fun. Make sure you have the right tools. This includes treats(we recommend using kibble), dog training clicker (if you want to pursue clicker training), and a space to train in (ideally, distraction free).

  • Teaching Your Dog to Come

    At the beginning, only give the command to “come” when you are confidant your puppy will obey. You can use a leash to enforce the command, or you can give it when his attention is already on you and he knows you have something yummy in your hand. Give the command one time! This is very important. You want your dog to know that he has to come the first time, not the third or fifteenth time you say “come”. If your dog does not obey after the first time, use the leash to bring him to you, or go get him and bring him to the spot where you originally called him. Then say, “good come” in an excited voice, or  click, if you are doing clicker training, and offer the treat.


    Continue doing this in a fun way, as often as possible, until your puppy knows the command well. Then you can add in “sit”.


    We don’t recommend using “come” at the beginning when your puppy is outside and distracted. Use a leash, go after your pup and bring him back, or use other words and an excited voice to get his attention. Make the command a non-negotiable, the first time you give it.

  • Teaching Your Dog to Sit

    Once our puppies understand “come”, we add in “sit”. Give the command “come” and when your puppies arrives at your feet, add “sit”. Hold the treat above his head where he can see it. At the beginning, you can use your hand to push his back end down to the ground. As soon as he is sitting, say “good sit” in an excited voice and offer the treat. If you use a hand motion every time you give the sit command, eventually, you can use that hand motion alone, and your dog will sit. We point one finger up as our “sit” hand signal. Make sure you are consistent with your hand motion so that your dog can see and understand the motion. Keep practicing until your dog has mastered this basic pose.

  • Teaching Your Dog to Wait

    Once your dog has mastered “sit”, you can move onto the next command: “wait”. This command can be a little trickier than the first, so make sure you have mastered the sit first before moving on. At the beginning you will do this for a very short period of time. Before you begin, decide on your “release word”. We use “ok”. You idea is to give the “wait” command and have your dog remain in his sit position until you release him. You can start by giving the “wait” command and placing a treat on the ground in front of your puppy, just out of reach. We use an open palm in a “stop” motion as our hand signal for “wait”. At first, keep your hand on your puppy’s back end to keep him in a “sit” position, and unable to reach the treat. Wait for a few seconds and give the release command, removing your hand, and allowing your puppy to stand up and get the treat. Continue doing this, waiting longer periods of time before giving the release command. Once your puppy understand the concept, try giving the command without using your hand to keep him in “sit”. You can gradually increase the length of time, and eventually, move further and further away before giving the release command.

  • Positive Reinforcement in Training

    As you progress through your puppy’s training, it is important to rely on positive reinforcement. You want him to be enthusiastic about learning and following your commands. However, your puppy also wants you to be dominant. Using a firm voice and making sure your puppy follows your commands, every single time, is also important.  Knowing you are in charge will make your puppy feel safe and happy.


    Montana Berner's - Breeders of exceptional Bernese Mountain Dogs

    Montana Bernese Mountain Dog and Bernedoodle Breeders

see why Bernedoodles make great therapy dogs:

Bernedoodles are a hybrid designer breed that has been gaining popularity in recent years. They are a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle and have become known for their friendly and loving personalities. In fact, they are often considered to be excellent therapy dogs due to their temperament and other characteristics. This article will explore why Bernedoodles make great therapy dogs and how they can be used to help people in need.


One of the primary reasons that Bernedoodles make great therapy dogs is their temperament. They are generally very friendly and affectionate, which makes them ideal for providing emotional support to people who are struggling with mental health issues or physical disabilities. They are also intelligent and intuitive, which allows them to sense when their owners or others around them are in distress. This makes them particularly effective at providing comfort and support in difficult situations.


Another reason that Bernedoodles make great therapy dogs is their size. They are a medium-sized breed that typically weighs between 50 and 90 pounds, which makes them large enough to provide physical comfort to their owners or those they are helping, but not so large that they are difficult to manage. This is important when it comes to therapy work because it allows the dogs to be effective without being intimidating or overwhelming to the people they are working with.


Bernedoodles are also known for being hypoallergenic, which makes them a great option for people who have allergies or asthma. This is particularly important in therapy situations because it allows the dogs to work with a wider range of people without causing any adverse reactions.


One of the most important characteristics of Bernedoodles that makes them great therapy dogs is their ability to adapt to different situations. They are very versatile and can be trained to work in a variety of settings, from hospitals and nursing homes to schools and community centers. They are also able to adapt to different types of people, including children, adults, and seniors. This versatility is crucial in therapy work because it allows the dogs to be effective in a variety of situations and with a wide range of people.


Another characteristic that makes Bernedoodles great therapy dogs is their energy level. They are active and playful, which makes them ideal for working with children or people who need a bit of physical activity to help them cope with their emotions. They are also able to be calm and relaxed when necessary, which allows them to provide emotional support to people who are struggling with anxiety or depression.


Training is another important factor when it comes to therapy dogs, and Bernedoodles are known for being highly trainable. They are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy to train for a variety of tasks. This includes basic obedience training, as well as specialized training for therapy work. They are also very responsive to positive reinforcement.


Finally, Bernedoodles are great therapy dogs because they are highly social animals. They thrive on human interaction and love nothing more than spending time with their owners and other people. This makes them ideal for providing companionship and emotional support to people who are feeling lonely or isolated. They are also great at providing a sense of calm and stability to people who are struggling with stress or anxiety.


In conclusion, Bernedoodles make great therapy dogs for a variety of reasons. They are friendly, affectionate, and intelligent, which allows them to provide emotional support to people who are struggling with mental health issues or physical disabilities. They are also adaptable, versatile, and highly trainable, which makes them effective in a variety of therapy settings. Whether working with children, adults, or seniors!

USEFUL Puppy Training Tips

You’ve just gotten your new puppy and you couldn’t be more excited. They are goofy and sweet and playful and just a bundle of fun. You’ve got on your rose colored glasses and anything they do is adorable! It is an exciting time for everyone, but now is the time to lock in your training routine or their adorable antics will turn into potentially big problems if your little bundle of fun has grown into a large, adult dog with bad habits.



The day your puppy comes home is the day to start training and establishing good habits. Bernese and Bernedoodle puppies are eager to please, and learn fast if you are willing to work with them. Before they come home, do some research and make decisions about what commands you want them to learn, whether or not you want them to be crate trained, potty training plans, and leash training techniques. Begin your training right away. Consistency is key. 

  • Positive Reinforcement

    No matter which area of training you are working on, positive reinforcement will be your greatest asset. The desire to please comes from both parents. Your puppy wants nothing more than to make you happy and whenever they do something correctly, make sure they know. Attention, excitement, praise and treats will help your dog to associate good behavior with their favorite reward.

  • Leash Training

    The biggest thing you are trying to avoid is an adult dog that pulls and yanks on the end of their leash. As you’re starting out, baby steps are important. You can choose to start with a harness rather than a collar so you won’t pull on your puppy’s neck when mistakes are made. Go for little walks around your yard or the sidewalk in front of your house, whatever you have available. Your main goal for leash walking is to be able to have your dog walking by your side with a loose leash. So as you are training, keep the leash short, around arms length to get them used to where they need to be. Positive reinforcement comes in to play here as well. Make sure your pup knows when they’re doing well!

  • Commands

    We all know the basic commands- come, sit, stay, heel, and down. For your dog’s safety and your own mental well being you’ll want to start with these early. Just like any young child, your puppy has a short attention span. Keep your training sessions short, fun, and always end them on a high note. Ten to fifteen minutes several times a day will be plenty in the beginning and sticking to one command at a time will keep them from getting overloaded with information. Once your puppy knows the basics you can start to move on to the more experienced and fun tricks!

  • Potty Training

    Unfortunately potty training won’t happen overnight. Starting early can help expedite the process, but it is important to be aware that accidents will happen. Start with figuring out a consistent feeding schedule. This will help your puppy establish a consistent and predictable potty schedule. On top of that there are key times when your puppy may need to go to the bathroom so try and accommodate your puppy as best you can- first thing in the morning, after play and exercise, before being put into his crate, after being released from his crate, and just before bedtime. Decide on a positive command that you want your puppy to associate with a successful potty trip. “Go potty” or “bathroom” are good options. Supervise your puppy as much as possible and keep any eye out for any signs that your puppy may need to go out such as whining, sniffing, circling or scratching at the door. By recognizing the signs, you can help avoid accidents and focus on positive reinforcement and, gradually, your puppy will start to figure out how to communicate when they need to go out.

Socializing your New Puppy

Socializing your puppy is very important. It sets the foundation for a happy and healthy relationship between your pup and the world around them.



Before they leave us, they will already be comfortable with young children, cats, other adult dogs, baths, hairdryers, and car rides. The rest is up to you!

  • The Benefits of Socializing Your Puppy

    There are a number of benefits that come with socializing your puppy well. First and foremost, it allows them to feel safe and comfortable around new people, and in any situation. This will help to lessen their stress levels, and yours, and make it much more fun to take them out and about. Proper socialization prepares your pup for unexpected situations and helps avoid unwanted behavior, such as biting or barking. Fear can produce all kinds of undesirable behavior. Good socialization makes your puppy welcome wherever they go, and makes it much more enjoyable to take them to dog parks, on walks or on trips.

  • Before You Start

    Before you start introducing your puppy to all the wonderful animals in their world, make sure they have completed their 12 and 16 week vaccinations. Their 8 week vaccinations will have been given before you pick them up to go home. Your vet will be able to provide you with a vaccination schedule after the 16 week rabies shot. While vaccinations do not protect your pup against everything, they can help to keep them safe from some common diseases that can be contracted during socialization.

  • Introducing Your Puppy to Strangers

    One of the first steps in socializing your puppy is to get them used to meeting new people. The more the better, as long as the experience is positive. This is particularly important when your puppy is meeting children. Positive experiences early on will set them up for healthy relationships with children for the rest of their life. As we all know, young children, especially, can be unpredictable, so keep a close eye on those first interactions to avoid tail and ear pulling. Bernese Mountain Dogs and Bernedoodles are naturally amazing with kids, and one day, they will probably sit contentedly with a toddler crawling all over them and yanking merrily. But it is still best to avoid any scary or painful experiences when they are young and impressionable.


    If you are able to find a puppy-friendly adult dog your puppy can safely interact with, this can be a wonderful way to help them become more comfortable with new dogs. If you don’t have access to another dog, you can also consider visiting a dog park. You can also visit a pet store, or go for a walk in a park. When introducing your puppy to a stranger, make sure that your puppy can be controlled. Let the person know that you are training your puppy, and let them know how you would like them to interact.

  • Introducing Your Puppy to Other Animals

    One of the best ways to socialize your puppy is to introduce them to other types of animals. Cats, chickens, goats, horses. Keep the safety of your pup, and the other animal in mind, especially if they are meeting for the first time. It is best to have your dog on a leash, particularly if they are meeting an animal that they could harm if they got too excited.

  • Taking Your Puppy to New Places

    Take your puppy on frequent car rides if you plan to travel with them. This will help them to get used to being in a car and will make it less likely that they will be anxious or stressed when you travel with them. If your puppy is still young and you plan to take them to a restaurant or a place where food is served, you can try to introduce them to the experience early on, and work on commands like “no begging” at home before you go. If you plan to take your puppy to a store, or visit friends or family, take them when they are young so that they can get used to these places. If you will be flying with your pup, have them spend time in the carrier or crate you will be using on the plane ahead of time. First, just have it in the room with your puppy so they can get used to it. Then coax them in with a treat or bully stick without closing the door. Then close the door for just a few minutes, and gradually increase the amount of time until you are close to the amount of time they will spend in the carrier/crate on the plane.

  • Socializing in Different Environments

    You can help to socialize your puppy by exposing them to different environments at a young age. Normalize all the sights, smells and sounds. You can visit busy streets, parks, or anywhere you frequent.

  • Fearful Behavior

    If your puppy is afraid of something like the vacuum, normalize it. Vacuum and talk to your dog in a happy voice. Keep going until they realize it isn’t going to hurt them, and stop paying attention to it. The idea is to desensitize them, until it is just background.

  • Final Tips for Socializing Your Puppy

    The bottom line is that you want your puppy to have lots of positive experiences with as many people, animals and environments as possible! This will make for a happy, confidant, pleasant companion who feels safe and secure in the world.

  • Setting the Stage for Success

    Before you begin leash training, create a positive environment for your puppy to learn. You want your puppy to feel safe and secure. If he becomes anxious or fearful of the leash it can make training a little more challenging. Keep your sessions short, and minimize distractions while they are learning. Use positive reinforcement techniques to help build your puppy’s confidence. Reward your puppy for good behavior, and avoid scary or unfavorable experiences.  You also want to set realistic expectations for your puppy. The goal is to walk your puppy on a leash without pulling, but it is important for you to understand that your puppy will make mistakes at first.

  • Desensitizing Your Puppy to a Leash

    Before clipping the leash on to your puppies collar or harness, you can use some desensitization techniques. Here are a few ways to desensitize your puppy to the leash. – Start by holding the leash close to your puppy’s face and body to allow them to sniff and explore the leash. This will help your puppy to become accustomed to the feel and smell of the leash without feeling restricted or pressured.  Eventually, you can let your puppy wear the leash in the house for short periods of time while you play.

  • Teach a Cue

    Whether you use your puppy’s name, a click, or the word “yes”, teach a cue that gets your puppy to look at you. Use your cue, and offer a treat when they look at you. The cue is going to be important if your pup tries to lunge for something or pulls on the leash.

  • Positive Reinforcement for good behavior

    Once your puppy is accustomed to the leash, you can begin to practice walking on the leash.  When your puppy walks calmly beside you, or with a loose leash, reward him with verbal praise, or with a treat. (Important note: Bernese Mountain Dogs often have sensitive tummies, and we recommend using their kibble as a reward. Doing training sessions before meals is ideal) You always want your puppy to associate the leash with positive feelings.

  • Pulling

    If your puppy starts pulling, stop walking and stand still until he comes back to you. You can use your cue work here, and offer a treat when he comes back to you.

  • Lunging

    If your puppy sees something he finds interesting, like a person or a bird, he may try to lunge after it. Ideally, you notice their interest and redirect their attention with your cue word before they lunge. But if they go for it, keep a firm hold on the leash, say “no” firmly, and then redirect with your cue word.

  • Professional Training Options

    If you don’t feel that you are making any headway using the basic techniques, a few sessions with a professional trainer can be very helpful.


    Private trainers: If you are looking for full-service, one-on-one training, a private trainer may be the best option for you. You will likely meet with your trainer on a consistent basis, either once or twice a week, to practice the skills you have been taught. We recommend doing a quick google search for private trainers in your area, or reaching out to your local animal shelter. They often have contact information for local trainers.


    Group classes: Group classes are another great option. In these classes, you can learn from other puppy owners while also receiving expert training. Pet stores like Petsmart offer group training classes, and depending on your area, animal shelters often have training classes.

OUR Guide to SUCCESSFULLY Leash Training Your Puppy 

Leash training your puppy does not need to be a daunting task! With a little patience and consistency you can have your puppy walking calmly and obediently on a leash in no time. This guide will help provide you with some strategies that will help you successfully train your puppy to walk on a leash.

Furnished vs. Unfurnished Puppies

Teaching your puppy the basics is essential for creating a well-behaved companion. Training your pup to “sit”, “wait” and “come” is the foundation for a positive and successful relationship. By starting early and using positive reinforcement methods, you can teach your pup these basic commands and develop a strong bond.

Two dogs joyfully running in the snow; one in mid-air, both with happy expressions. Trees and a snowy landscape.

The term “furnished” refers to the long hair on the extremities of dogs including head and tail (i.e. mustache, long eyebrows, etc.). A mutation on the RSPO2 gene has recently been identified as being responsible for the “furnishings” found on certain breeds. Furnishings are a dominant trait, meaning that a dog only needs to have one copy of the furnishing gene from either parent to show the physical trait. Bernese Mountain Dogs are an unfurnished breed while the Poodle is a furnished breed. When a Bernese Mountain Dog is crossed with a Poodle, the resulting puppies are F1 Bernedoodles, 50% Bernese Mountain Dog and 50% Poodle. All F1 Bernedoodles are furnished as you can see from the chart below – Bernese Mountain dog (-/-) X Poodle (+/+) results in 100% of offspring with furnishings.

Punnett square showing genotype combinations of Parent 1 and Parent 2 with percentages of furnishing copies.

Reverse F1B Bernedoodles (75% Bernese and 25% Poodle) are a cross between an F1 Bernedoodle and a Bernese Mountain dog. While F1 Bernedoodles will always be furnished, a cross with a Bernese Mountain dog can result in either furnished or unfurnished offspring. This is due to the fact that the F1 Bernedoodle can be heterozygous for the furnishings gene from their Poodle parent, meaning that they carry only one copy of the dominant furnishings gene (+/-). When crossed with a non-furnished Bernese Mountain Dog (-/-) this results in both furnished and unfurnished puppies.


The reverse F1B Bernedoodle puppies in our breeding program are genetically tested for the dominant furnishings gene so that we can inform you which puppies will be furnished and which will be unfurnished prior to the selection of your puppy.

Furnished F1 and reverse F1b Bernedoodles

Unfurnished reverse F1b Bernedoodles

Dew Claw Removal information

Many years ago, we made the decision not to remove dew claws. It is a procedure that is done when the pups are a few days old. After careful consideration, and conversations with our vets, we came to the conclusion that the potential risk of a problem with a dew claw later in life is so negligible that it doesn’t warrant the painful procedure. Some of our Bernedoodles don’t have any dew claws, and it is possible for Mountain Dogs to have a double rear dew claw. Your Montana Berners pup will come home with all the toes they were born with. If you choose to have them removed, it can be done easily enough while your dog is under general anesthesia during their spay/neuter procedure.

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