Here’s a question for you if you want to learn about the Phantom Bernedoodle. Are you looking to be a first-time dog owner, or are you planning on making a new addition to your pack?
With all the options available, spotting that perfect dog can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are so many great and not-so-great options, and one of the best ways to discover if a breed is right for you is by learning more about them.
No doubt, Phantom Bernedoodles are an attractive option for anyone looking for an affectionate, calm, and stress-free dog that you’ll fall in love with instantly. But, if you still have doubts, here are ten of the most fascinating facts (and a few extra) you need to know about the Phantom Bernedoodle.
Before you scroll down this Phantom Bernedoodle dog breed guide, you can check out these other similar guides from our team at We Love Doodles: What is a Phantom Poodle and Sheepadoodle vs. Bernedoodle.
What is a Phantom Bernedoodle Dog Breed?
The Phantom Bernedoodle differs from other dogs of the same variety because of its distinct “phantom” markings. They come in more than one color, with some fan favorites including the chocolate Phantom Bernedoodle and the Phantom Tricolor Bernedoodle.
Phantoms have a bold color throughout their body except for the nose, chest area, and legs. Their unique shades are a product of years of experimentation from dedicated breeders. You can expect Phantom Bernedoodles to come in three sizes: tiny, standard, and mini.
Related: Bernedoodle Colors Guide.
Interesting Facts About The Phantom Bernedoodle
Regardless of the shade, Phantom Bernedoodles steal many hearts. Their adorable nature makes them irresistible. Some little and well-known facts about these furry friends include:
1. A Phantom Bernedoodle’s Colors May Change
Pitch-black Phantom Bernedoodle puppies may gradually turn into a light gray when the dog is two years older. While some Phantoms come in various shades and color patterns (such as the chocolate Phantom Bernedoodle), a few carry or inherit the fade gene.
So, don’t fall in love with the color of your pet too soon. For most dog owners, the color change is a welcome contrast. However, others might be disheartened by the surprise transformation a few months or years into their ownership. Popular Phantom Bernedoodle colors include tri-color and sable.
In addition, there is the Phantom merle Bernedoodle, a charmingly rare variety. The best way to determine if your pet has the fading gene is to look at the parents. If the parents’ coat color has changed, there’s a good chance your phantom has the fading gene.
However, there’s no sure way to tell whether or not the color of your puppy will change over time, even when the puppy’s parents seem to maintain the same color. With that in mind, it’s better to wait and see and not get too stuck on the colors.
Related: Best Bernedoodle Generations.
2. Phantom Bernedoodles Are Quite Vocal
Who said dogs couldn’t talk? Phantom Bernedoodles have a reputation for being quite the chatterboxes. You will know if they are angry, sad, happy, or bored. How? They waste no time telling you. These dogs communicate using different sounds to convey several messages.
A whine, a bark, a moan, a howl, or a low tone squeal are just some of the diverse ways Phantom Bernedoodles communicate. This type of Bernedoodle can sometimes be enigmatic with its use of vocalization.
A bark could mean anything from “I want to play” to “there’s someone at the door.” Despite their expressiveness, Phantom Bernedoodles are not noisy. Most of the time, they are super quiet and laid back, and they’ll often have a trigger for being vocal.
Related: Bernedoodle Pros and Cons.
3. Bernedoodles Love to Splot
Most dogs will go under the shade or lie on their side to cool off. But some Bernedoodles will sploot instead. Splooting is when the dog stretches its front legs forward and back legs backward, with its stomachs lying flat on the floor.
Splooting is a habit that almost all Phantom Bernedoodles do all the time. Most puppies grow out of this habit, but some adult dogs don’t. Splooting is a great way for these dogs to stretch or cool off during the summer.
4. A Phantom Bernedoodle Could Also Possibly Be a Labradoodle
When you breed an Australian Labradoodle with a Phantom Bernedoodle, you get an Australian Bernedoodle. This crossbreed might look like any other Phantom, but it isn’t. Breeders sometimes use an Australian Labradoodle or a Bernese instead of another Bernedoodle because these dog breeds have the same structure and temperaments. The resulting hybrid may have long, bulky straight, or wavy hair that doesn’t shed much. Its color is also more uniform compared to the standard Phantom Bernedoodle.
Related: Australian Labradoodle vs. Labradoodle Dog Breed Comparison.
5. A Mini Phantom Bernedoodle Isn’t As Small as You May Think
A Phantom mini Bernedoodle may not be the same size as a standard Phantom Bernedoodle, but it still won’t be as small as a Chihuahua. The label “mini” is relative. A standard size Phantom Bernedoodle is about 23 to 29 inches and weighs 70 to 90 pounds. In contrast, a mini Berniepoo weighs between 25 to 50 pounds and is 18 to 22 inches tall.
To put that into context, mini Labradoodles can grow up to between 14 and 16 inches tall and weigh 15 to 25 pounds. Male mini Bernedoodles tend to be notably larger than females. If you’re intent on finding a mini Bernedoodle, ask the breeder about the parent’s sizes. This way, you’ll have a better idea of your mini-doodle type.
Related: Best Mini Bernedoodle Breeders in the United States.
6. Not All Bernedoodles Have Tri-Colored Coats
Some dog owners are more invested in a dog’s looks than its personality or temperament, which explains why the Tri-colored Bernedoodle is much sought after than the standard Phantom Bernedoodle with one or two different colors. Bernedoodles can be plain black, black and white or have a tri-color coat that’s black, brown, and white, or black and white with random red markings.
The most requested color is a dog that resembles a Bernese. The only problem is that a dog with this color combination is rare. Genes will determine the color your Phantom Bernedoodle has. Selective breeding is what yields dogs with rare color combinations.
7. A Bernedoodle Can Sometimes Have a Stubborn Streak
The Phantom Bernedoodle is known to be quite stubborn. They are likely to behave badly and often get caught in bad situations while discovering the concept of boundaries. However, that stubborn temperament is often observed in other poodle mixes and Bernese Mountain Dog breeds.
If you own a Bernedoodle puppy, you need to persist with the training, no matter how frustrating it gets. Phantoms thrive on consistency, so patience is key. A Phantom Bernedoodle full-grown will stop as an adult.
8. A Phantom Bernedoodle Tends to Be Sensitive
Part of training a dog sometimes requires punishment. However, from time-outs in the distant corner to scolding your Phantom Bernedoodle, they may not take it lightly when they realize they made you sad or angry.
These dogs get super sensitive and might act out or remain distant. Some Phantoms could even become sick. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to use positive reinforcement when training this type.
9. Grooming a Full-Grown Bernedoodle Can Be Quite Expensive
Because of their larger than usual size, having your full-grown Phantom Bernedoodle groomed will likely cost more than you anticipated. The breed has long hair and a bulky body, which involves grooming.
That leads to costs being much more than a standard-sized short-haired dog. Expect to spend upwards of $100 every time you need to have your puppy or adult Phantom Bernedoodle groomed by a professional.
Related: Best Bernedoodle Grooming Tips and Best Types of Bernedoodle Haircuts.
10. A Bernedoodle May Suffer From Separation Anxiety
The Phantom Bernedoodle thrives when working and living with humans. Whether you live in a townhouse or on a farm in the countryside, you can bank on a Phantom sticking by you and proving useful. This breed is an excellent guard dog or babysitter, especially if they spend more time indoors.
However, these delightful qualities and their joy for being around humans come on the condition that you don’t leave. Phantom Bernedoodles are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. They are liable to experience it more than other breeds.
Other Important Facts About The Phantom Bernedoodle
We’ve discussed ten fun facts about Phantom Bernedoodles, but there are many more fascinating things to learn about these remarkable dogs. The first Phantom Bernedoodle was bred in 2003 in Canada. It’s designed to provide companionship to humans. They have distinct temperaments, exercise requirements, and health needs.
Bernedoodle Temperament
A Phantom Bernedoodle has the smarts of a Poodle and is as sweet and playful as a Bernese Mountain Dog. It’s the perfect combination when you want a dog that isn’t going to give you too much trouble. This is a loyal and relatively calm dog with a friendly personality.
Other Phantom Bernedoodle owners have described their pets as:
- Craving attention
- Easy to train
- Needy, sweet, and loves children
- Smart and stubborn
- Affectionate and goofy
- Very vocal
Exercise Requirements
The larger a dog is, the more exercise it needs daily to stay active and healthy. You don’t want an oversized or sickly puppy because you’re too busy to attend to their physical needs. A Phantom Bernedoodle puppy needs about an hour and a half of exercise daily.
As an adult, the dog can have about an hour of exercise daily. To keep them active, consider taking daily walks or playtime in the backyard or park. Hiking, running on the treadmill, and swimming are excellent exercise ideas for Phantoms.
Encourage playtime for your Phantom since this helps blow some steam off, especially for puppies. The older your dog gets, the calmer they become. That change explains why a younger Bernedoodle needs more exercise than an older Phantom.
Bernedoodle Health
Most doodles are healthier than their parent breeds. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t prone to conditions affecting most canines.
Phantom Bernedoodles experience health problems like:
- Skin issues
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Eye problems
Poorly bred Phantoms also have a higher risk of getting cancer. Consider taking your pet for random health and genetic tests to avoid such health issues. The results will tell you which diseases your puppy is susceptible to, and your vet will advise on how to care for and keep him healthy. Be keen on who you get your dog from. Only choose quality, licensed breeders committed to the wellbeing and welfare of dogs.
Conclusion For “What is a Phantom Bernedoodle”
Owning a Phantom Bernedoodle is your first step to a life full of bliss. While this variant can be pricier compared to other breeds, they are fascinating dogs to own. As this list of ten facts shows, there is much to learn and discover about Phantom Bernedoodles. They are curious, diverse in appearance, highly intelligent, expressive, and, above all, deeply loving.
If all you want is a healthy Phantom Bernedoodle, rest assured that the color of your dog does not affect its physical and mental capabilities. Beyond their color, all doodles are the same. If you want to cover all your bases before getting a Phantom Bernedoodle, this comprehensive read dots all the I’s and crosses all the T’s.
If you enjoyed reading this list of Phantom Bernedoodle facts, you could check out these other Bernedoodle guides from our team at We Love Doodles:
- Bernedoodle vs. Pyredoodle Dog Breed Comparison
- What is a Teddy Bear Bernedoodle?
- What Should I Spay My Bernedoodle?
You can learn more about the Phantom Bernedoodle by watching “Is a Bernedoodle Right For You” from a YouTube video we found 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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