Breed guide
Bernedoodle Breeding Guide: Litter Size, Whelping, Puppy Weights and Health Testing
Updated September 6, 2026 · 6 min read · By the BreedBloom team
Bernedoodles cross a giant breed with a short lifespan and cancer burden (Bernese) with the Standard or smaller Poodle. The best programs test both parents to their own breed clubs' standards and are honest that a doodle inherits Bernese cancer risk.
Bernedoodle at a glance
Typical litter size
5–9 puppies (average around 6–7)
Birth weight
10–16 oz (280–450 g)
Adult weight
Standard 70–90 lb; mini 25–50 lb; tiny 10–25 lb, depending on the poodle parent
Gestation
About 63 days from ovulation (57–72 from breeding)
Whelping
Usually free-whelping. Standard litters are large and heavy; keep the dam's weight off the pups.
Breeding and whelping notes
Test the Bernese parent for hips, elbows, eyes, heart and vWD1, and consider the histiocytic sarcoma risk test; test the Poodle parent for hips, eyes, prcd-PRA, vWD1 and NEwS.
Furnishings testing predicts coat type; improper-coat (flat-faced) doodles surprise families.
Size spread within a litter can be large; record each puppy's curve.
Tri-colour marketing is fine; health testing is what distinguishes a program.
Health testing before breeding
•
Both parents: hips (OFA/PennHIP), elbows, eyes, cardiac
•
DNA: DM, vWD1 (Bernese and Poodle), NEwS and prcd-PRA (Poodle), histiocytic sarcoma risk assessment (Bernese)
•
Coat testing: furnishings (F locus) and curl (Cu)
Keep the paperwork attached
Test results are only useful when they travel with the dog. Keep certificate numbers and dates on each dog's record and include copies in every go-home packet.
Tracking a Bernedoodle litter
Enter the ovulation or tie date and BreedBloom builds the Bernedoodle litter timeline: ultrasound window, X-ray count reminder, temperature checks, the day 3–16 ENS/ESI schedule, deworming and vaccination tasks, and per-puppy weight curves you can compare against the whole litter. Families follow along in the BloomPetz portal, and the go-home packet is assembled from the same records.
About these figures
Figures on this page are typical ranges drawn from breed club and veterinary references; individual lines vary. Confirm health-testing requirements with your breed's parent club, and whelping plans with your reproductive veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How many puppies do Bernedoodles have?
Typically 5–9 for standards, average 6–7; minis and tinies have smaller litters.
What health testing should Bernedoodle breeders do?
Everything the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle clubs recommend for each parent: hips, elbows, eyes, heart, DM, vWD1, NEwS, prcd-PRA, plus coat testing.
Run your program on BreedBloom
Dogs, litters, puppy weights, ENS/ESI tasks, waitlists, contracts and go-home packets in one connected record, with a family portal built in. Free for up to 3 dogs.
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