Have you seen videos on social media about dogs that have extremely matted coats? I’ve seen a couple of those on YouTube, and I can’t help but feel sorry for them. You see, grooming isn’t just about looking slick and expensive. It helps the dog stay clean, and free from health problems like itchy or dry skin, ear infections, and even allergies.
You’re probably wondering, does it apply to all dog breeds? How about Bernedoodles? Do Bernedoodles need grooming?
Let’s find out.
Bernedoodles are a cross between two different types of dogs: the Bernese Mountain Dog, and the Poodle. They are very popular as pets and have a lot of different coats, colors, and sizes which make them very unique. They are hypoallergenic and shed less than other dogs.
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Do Bernedoodles need grooming?
Oh, yes, they absolutely do. Bernedoodles need to be groomed regularly at home and professionally every six to eight weeks. Visits to the groomer will depend on the hair growth and on your preference as to your Bernedoodle’s appearance.
Why do Bernedoodles need grooming? This is because Bernedoodles have curly coats that can tangle easily. A professional groomer can help you keep your dog’s coat in good shape and prevent matting. Additionally, in between regular grooming visits, your routine brushing, combing, and bathing should still be done to keep their coat healthy and free of painful and damaging mats.
If you don’t give your Bernedoodle a haircut, he will suffer from matted, tangled, and pelted fur, which will end up irritating him. Needless to say, this can become uncomfortable and harmful to your Bernedoodle in the future.
Coat Types of Bernedoodles
Bernedoodles have different coat types. Each coat type has different attributes. The type of coat will affect how much the dog will shed and how much grooming he’ll need.
Learning about these attributes will help you better understand and take care of your Bernedoodle’s hair. Here are the coat types of Bernedoodles:
- Straight coat. This coat is similar to the Bernese Mountain Dog, with a slight wave to them, and most likely has an undercoat as well. If your Bernedoodle has a straight coat, it will shed more noticeably than the others.
- Wavy coat. Bernedoodles with wavy coats is suitable for persons allergic to dog hair. This coat is much softer which makes it easier to brush. The best part? It’s less prone to matting.
- Curly coat. This type of coat is the best for allergic individuals. The tightly wound curls resemble the coat of a Poodle and generally do not shed. The downside is that this coat needs more frequent brushing and is more susceptible to matting.
Best grooming styles for Bernedoodles
You can pull off almost any type of haircut style for Bernedoodles. They have beautiful hair because of both sides of their genetic family. Whether you take your Bernedoodle to a professional groomer or do the grooming yourself, it isn’t hard to be creative when it comes to its hair.
If your groomer has no experience or limited experience with cutting a Bernedoodle’s hair, you can bring along pictures of haircut styles that you can get online to guide them.
Here are the best grooming styles for Bernedoodles:
1. Summer cut
The Bernedoodle Summer Cut is a common and very typical haircut during, obviously, summers or in warm climates. The body and facial hair are cut short, less than one inch. For the legs, hair will be cut shorter, about half an inch. Though trimmed, the tail should be maintained long and fluffy. The hair between toe pads is trimmed but not on the sides of the toes.
This cut will keep your Bernedoodle from overheating when the temperature rises. They will feel comfortable while maintaining their cuteness. This will also make groomer visits less often.
2. Teddy bear cut
The Teddy Bear cut is also known as the Bernedoodle Puppy Cut. It generally means one length all over the body and legs. In this cut, the Bernedoodle’s feet are clipped beveled or round.
The cut for the head hair is what makes the difference for a Teddy Bear cut. It is styled into a rounded, fluffy shape on the top of the head or the whole face, whichever you prefer. You can also have the ears scissored into a fluffy, round shape to complete the Teddy Bear look.
The distinctive, adorable round face cut makes Bernedoodles look like actual teddy bears.
3. Winter cut
The Bernedoodle Winter Haircut means longer hair all over the dog’s body. Typically, this cut is for Bernedoodles that live in a cold climate. This is not recommended for Bernedoodles who live in warmer climates and who like to run outside.
For the Winter Cut, the face, legs, and chest are trimmed down to one inch, and the body is scissored between 1.5 – 2 inches in length. The sides of the toes are left long, while the hair of the feet is even with the pad of the toes.
4. The lamb cut
In general, the Lamb Haircut works best with Bernedoodles sporting a curly coat. It’s another shorter style, as the body hair is clipped short to around 1 inch long but with the legs left longer. This style is often teamed with a clean face clip.
A variation of the Teddy Bear cut, the Lamb cut is stylish and easy to maintain.
How to prepare Bernedoodles for their first grooming session
It is very important that your Bernedoodle gets a positive first-time grooming experience because this will always be associated with future grooming sessions.
Generally, your Bernedoodle should be groomed early on, but not before completing all its puppy vaccinations. The ideal age for it to be first introduced to grooming is around 14-16 weeks.
The first thing you need to do is to prepare your Bernedoodle by desensitizing it to a variety of stimuli. If your dog has separation anxiety or has not been exposed to people other than you, his first grooming session can be a bit of a challenge. Don’t worry, this is perfectly normal. Guess what? I’m here to give you quick and easy tips to get him comfortable. And, you can do these weeks before the visit to the groomer.
1. Bathing
The sound of running water can be traumatic for a Bernedoodle puppy, so it’s important to be gentle when bathing it. Your touch and motions should not be rough. Do not scold your puppy while bathing. Bathing should be a fun, positive experience for your doodle.
2. Brushing
Brushing is another experience that may be strange to your puppy at first. Because of this, be extra careful in choosing the right type of brush. The brush should not cause any pain or discomfort for it. Your puppy shouldn’t be scared at the sight of a brush. Daily brushing should be an enjoyable experience for your doodle, aside from the benefit of preventing mats.
3. Nail clipping
Nail clipping can be a painful experience that can leave a young Bernedoodle scarred for life. To avoid this, it is best to prepare it early by handling your doodle’s paws every day. Gradually increase the amount of time you’re holding its paws before venturing into clipping the nails.
4. Ear cleaning
Hate it or love it, ear cleaning can be satisfying or irritating to dogs. Allow him to get used to your touch. You can distract him with belly rubs or treats.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start grooming my Bernedoodle?
You can take your Bernedoodle to a professional groomer after it has received all its puppy vaccinations, around the age of 16 weeks.
How often should a Bernedoodle get groomed?
Bernedoodles should be groomed every 3-4 months.
Are Bernedoodles high maintenance?
Unfortunately, yes. Daily brushing is important for a Bernedoodle’s coat to keep it happy and healthy. Regular trimming will also keep it from tangling. Failing to do these will result in tangles and mats, which will irritate the Bernedoodle and may lead to other health issues.
Make sure that before getting a Bernedoodle, you have the time, ability, and financial means to keep up with its high level of grooming.
How often can you give a Bernedoodle a bath?
Bernedoodles should only be bathed every three to four months. But if your Bernedoodle spends a lot of time outdoors and has a love of water and mud puddles, bathing often is a must. If you live in warm climates, bathing should be done often, too.
Do Bernedoodles lose their puppy coat?
Yes. All dogs lose their puppy coat, and Bernedoodles are no exception. A Bernedoodle will start to lose its baby coat at the age of nine months to a year. Because of this, daily and frequent brushing is needed to get rid of its dead hair before it has a chance to tangle and matt.
How much does it cost to groom a Bernedoodle?
Grooming costs vary depending on where you live and what type of grooming you want done. In the US, the average cost is $45 just for a haircut, excluding other services like nail clipping.
Summary
Bernedoodles are lovable dogs especially when they are regularly groomed. Grooming is not all hard work. It’s also a chance to bond with your dog. Be sure to make bathing and grooming times both enjoyable and fun experiences for your Bernedoodle and it will surely love you more for it.
What do you think?
Do you find grooming your Bernedoodle a fun experience, or a painful chore?
Any tips that you’d like to add?
Let us know in the comments.
Dr. Elly has always loved animals, and she knew from a young age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. After studying hard in veterinary school, she practiced in several different countries before moving to North Carolina with her husband and young family. She currently works part time as a veterinarian while caring for her 4 busy children and writing this blog. Dr. Elly genuinely cares about the welfare of her patients. She currently has three dogs, two cats, 5 chickens and 2 rabbits (yes a bit of a zoo!)
