In this guide, we’ll cover the various ways on how to groom a Bernedoodle. Do you own a Bernedoodle and are unsure about how to groom it? Maybe you are interested in adopting a Bernedoodle but want to be prepared for all grooming needs beforehand. Bernedoodles are lovely dogs with beautiful coats. Unfortunately, these dogs require quite a bit of grooming to maintain their beauty. Therefore, if you are thinking about adopting a Bernedoodle, make sure you have the time and energy to maintain their grooming. Below you will find everything you need to know about grooming your Bernedoodle so it can be its happiest.
Types of Bernedoodle Coats
The first thing you will need to keep in mind when grooming your Bernedoodle is the coat type. Because of the parent dogs of Bernedoodles, there are quite a variety of coats that these dogs can have. Bernedoodles are a hybrid breed consisting of Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle. These two parent dogs have very different fur. Therefore, their puppies can have similar coats to the parents or unique combinations of both.
Typically Bernedoodle puppies will take after one parent or the other. Therefore, if a puppy takes after its Bernese Mountain Dog parent, it is more likely to have straight hair. If a puppy takes after the Poodle parent more, it is likely to have curly hair. Wavy hair is a great in-between of the two-parent dog coats. Below, you will find a description of each of these different coat types. This will help you identify the coat your dog has, so you can provide it with the grooming that works best.
- Straight Coat: Bernedoodles who take after their Bernese Mountain Dog parent tends to have straight coats. These coats are also sometimes known as simply hair coats. Because this coat is so similar to Bernese Mountain Dogs, it is the most likely to shed. Therefore, this is the least hypoallergenic coat for Bernedoodles, so keep that in mind if you suffer from allergies. The length of a straight coat Bernedoodle varies depending on the length of the parent dogs. This is the least common coat that you will find among Bernedoodles.
- Wavy Coat: Wavy-coated Bernedoodles are sometimes referred to as fleece Bernedoodles. These dogs have wavy hair that is the perfect combination of both parent breeds. This is the most common coat type among Bernedoodles; it also happens to be the easiest to maintain. Wavy coats shed less than straight coats and are less likely to develop knots. Therefore, wavy coats are the most popular Bernedoodle coat.
- Curly Coat: Curly coated Bernedoodles, also known as wool coated Bernedoodles, are the most hypoallergenic option. This coat is the most similar to a Poodle coat with tight curls that rarely ever shed. Unfortunately, this coat is high maintenance as it requires regular brushing to avoid knots. Brushing curly coats also ensures that your dog has the most minimal shedding possible. Therefore, curly-coated Bernedoodles are recommended for anyone who suffers from pet allergies.
Related: Best Types of Bernedoodle Haircuts.
Popular Bernedoodle Haircuts
Now that you know the different types of coats a Bernedoodle can have, it is time to look at the different haircuts among the breed. Of course, these are not the only haircuts your Bernedoodle has to choose from. However, they are the most common (and easiest) cuts for people looking for an accessible and sustainable style that leaves their dog feeling great.
- Winter Cut: This haircut keeps the hair across the entire body length, so your Bernedoodle is well insulated during the cold winter months. Although adorable, this haircut is not recommended for Bernedoodles who live in warmer climates as they can overheat. The hair of a winter cut is typically 1.5-2 inches long.
- Summer Cut: The summer cut looks very similar to the winter cut, just with shorter hair. The hair of a summer haircut is less than 1 inch in length across the entire body. This is easy to maintain as less hair means less knotting.
- Kennel Cut: The shortest option for Bernedoodle haircuts is the kennel cut. The goal of this haircut is to keep the hair from becoming dirty or matted. This requires shaving your dog’s entire body so that it is less than ½ an inch all over. Therefore, if your Bernedoodle has troubles keeping clean, a kennel cut might be the best option.
Steps to Groom a Bernedoodle
After deciding what type of haircut you would like your Bernedoodle to have, it is time to start the grooming process.
Step 1: Prepare
The first step to successfully grooming your Bernedoodle is making sure you are prepared. Ensure the workspace is clean and clear. This will help your dog feel comfortable. Additionally, you should prepare the proper tools at this time. These tools should include:
- Slicker Brush: We highly recommend that you check out our We Love Doodles Slicker Brush.
- Shampoo, Conditioner, and Detangler: We also released an affordable 4-in-1 dog shampoo made exclusively for doodles.
- Towel
- Hair Clippers
- Nail Clippers
- Dog Safe Toothbrush
- Dog Safe Toothpaste
Step 2: Inspect
Once you are fully prepared, you can bring your dog into the area. Before you begin any grooming, you must inspect your dog. This will give you a good idea of how much grooming your dog needs. For example, you will be able to identify any matted areas, so you know where to pay special attention when brushing. This inspection is also an excellent opportunity to look for any lumps or sores on your dog. If you do find any of these things, you should contact a veterinarian.
Step 3: Bathe
After inspecting your dog, you should then bathe it. However, washing your Bernedoodle too frequently can cause dry and irritated skin. So, if your dog has recently had a bath, skip this step.
Step 4: Clean Sensitive Areas
Even if your dog doesn’t need a full-body wash, you should always ensure clean eyes and ears. These are sensitive areas that need to be treated with care. You can use a warm, moist towel around the eyes and a dog-specific ear solution for the ears.
Step 5: Clip Nails
First, you will have to inspect your Bernedoodle’s nails carefully. You should be extremely careful when clipping and always ensure you know exactly where you will cut. Clipping nails too short can lead to painful sores on your dog’s feet.
Step 6: Brush Teeth
Many dogs are prone to dental problems. Therefore, you should brush your Bernedoodle’s teeth as often as possible. Use a pet-specific toothbrush and toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth.
Step 7: Trim Hair
You will have to adjust your clippers to the proper length based on the haircut you have chosen for your dog. At first, your dog may be nervous about the clippers; always remember to be patient and give your dog a break if needed. However, after a while, your dog will learn that a haircut isn’t as scary as it seems.
How Often Should You Groom a Bernedoodle?
Generally, Bernedoodles should have a full groom every 6 to 12 weeks. This is to ensure your dog’s hair remains clean and does not become too long. However, there is essential grooming that needs to be done between these more substantial groomings, such as brushing. Below we will explain the frequency of different grooming procedures your dog will need based on its coat type.
Brushing
The amount of brushing your dog requires on the length of their coat, as well as the texture. Straight-haired Bernedoodles require the least daily maintenance as they only need brushing 2 to 3 times a week. Wavy-haired Bernedoodles need to be brushed a little more frequently than straight-haired Bernedoodles. You should brush these dogs every couple of days to avoid matting. Curly-haired Bernedoodles require the most maintenance. You will have to brush this type of Bernedoodle every day, or it will become highly matted.
Recommendations: Best Brush For Long Hair Dogs and Best Slicker Brushes For Dogs.
Bathing
It is essential to avoid bathing your Bernedoodle too frequently. If Bernedoodles are washed too often, their skin becomes stripped of natural oils resulting in dryness and irritation. Ideally, Bernedoodles should only be bathed every 6 to 12 weeks when receiving full grooming. However, many Bernedoodles love being outdoors, and sometimes that can lead to them becoming dirty. If this is the case, there are a couple of things you can do.
First, brushing your Bernedoodle will help clean your Bernedoodle. If you find your dog covered in wet mud, allow it to dry and then brush it out. Obviously, this is not an ideal solution for all cases, so if you find you cannot just brush your dog clean, you can bathe it. The key to washing your Bernedoodle is using dog-specific, skin-sensitive shampoo and conditioner. These products are specially formulated to reduce dryness and will leave your dog feeling and looking great.
Recommendations: Best Dog Grooming Tub and Best Flea Shampoo For Dogs.
Trimming
The frequency of Bernedoodle haircuts depends on a couple of factors. First, you need to decide how short you want your dog’s hair to be. The shorter you prefer, the more frequently it will need to be cut. The coat type also makes a difference. Straight-haired Bernedoodles naturally shed some hair, so they require haircuts less often. The typical time between trimmings for a straight-haired Bernedoodle is approximately 8 to 12 weeks. If you have a wavy-haired Bernedoodle, you will have to get it trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks, depending on how much your dog sheds. Wavy-haired Bernedoodles differ slightly between each dog, so this is the most variable of the options. Lastly, curly-haired Bernedoodles will need grooming every 6 weeks to keep their hair looking beautiful and healthy.
Tooth Brushing
You should brush your Bernedoodle’s teeth whenever possible. Some people do this every day while others only do this once a month. The more frequently you do this, the less likely your dog is to develop dental problems.
Related: Black Spot on Dog Tooth (Dog Cavity).
Nail Clipping
Regardless of the length of your Bernedoodle’s coat, you need to clip its nails every 4 to 6 weeks. This procedure requires precision. If you feel uncomfortable doing this yourself contact your veterinarian or groomer as they are professionals who are happy to help you.
Conclusion For “How To Groom a Bernedoodle”
As you can see, there are many things to consider when grooming your Bernedoodle. From coat type to haircut preferences, there is much to be learned about grooming these dogs. However, the most important thing to keep in mind when grooming any dog is patience. Dogs may be uncomfortable when being groomed for the first time. But, after a couple of good experiences, they will be less nervous.
For more Bernedoodle guides, you can check out our other content:
To learn more about grooming your Bernedoodle, watch “How to Cut a Dog’s Hair” from AnimalWised down below:
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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