Exploring the Colorful World of Bernedoodles

Bernedoodles are a hybrid breed, created by crossing a Bernese Mountain Dog with a Poodle. This combination results in a diverse array of coat colors and patterns, thanks to the wide range of colors present in the Poodle breed.

Generally, breeders aim for specific coat colors and traits by meticulously selecting parent dogs with the desired genetic qualities. Achieving the preferred coat colors involves a complex process that requires a deep understanding of genetics. Nevertheless, dedicated breeders invest time and effort to breed dogs with not only the right colors but also optimal health and temperament.

Let’s dive into the colors of the bernedoodles!

Merle

The merle coat is one of the most sought after colors of a Bernedoodle.  It resides from gene that creates a marbled or speckled pattern on the coat. Merle Bernedoodles can have blue, red, or chocolate merle patterns, with a mix of dark and light color patches throughout the coat. This pattern is less common in Bernedoodles, and therefore, can have a higher price point and be difficult to find.  Starlight Bernedoodles specializes in producing Merle puppies and assures they are being bred in a safe and thriving manner – check out our link on breeding Merle puppies HERE.

Traditional Tri-Color

This is also a very sought-after color pattern, which resembles the Bernese Mountain Dog. It consists of black, white, and tan or rust-colored markings. The black is the dominant color, while the white appears on the chest, paws, and face. Tan or rust accents can be found around the eyes, on the legs, and under the tail.  The tan points on the eyes, cheeks and paws can be many different tones and is highly dependent on the red intensity of the parents genetics that are passed onto the puppy.

Phantom

A somewhat rare color pattern featuring a solid base color (usually black or brown) with lighter markings on the eyebrows, cheeks, chest, legs, and under the tail. The lighter markings can be tan, silver, or cream.  Breeders will call pups with a little amount of white on the chest phantom or Tri-Color.  Typically the phantom is a bit less expensive than the traditional Tri-Color, so keep an eye out for that!

Sable

A coat with a mix of dark-tipped hairs over a lighter-colored base, giving the coat a multi-colored, textured appearance. Sable Bernedoodles may have a variety of base colors, including cream, silver, or brown, with black or brown tips on individual hairs.  These are also a somewhat rare color to find and requires good planning by the breeder to pair the right Mom and Dad.

Parti

This is a mix of black and white fur, often resembling the coat pattern of a Border Collie or a black and white Poodle.  The black/white markings can come in a variety of patterns, which makes them very unique!  Breeders will often call a puppy with a very little tan above the eyes a parti.  Typically parti puppies are a higher price point than black/white and solid black but is less than the traditional Tri Color.

A Parti Bernedoodle has a white base coat that covers at least 50% of their body with a secondary color that is often marbled through it. They are often confused with Phantom Bernedoodles however Phantom Bernedoodles generally don’t have marbling, just a two-toned coat consisting of solid patches of color. Parti Bernedoodles have irregular or random patches of their secondary color.

Black and White (Not Parti)

A black and white bernedoodle will typically have a black body with traces of white fur.  The white can be found on their face, legs, chest, feet or tail.  This is different from the Parti that typically has 50% of its body white.  Black and white pups are usually a lower price point in comparison to a Parti or Phantom.

Solid Black

A solid black coat without any other colors mixed in.  A pure black bernedoodle is somewhat rare to find because it would require a recessive gene from each parent.  Typically, what breeders classify as solid black is when they are mostly all black with some white on their feet or a little bit of tan.  This is typically the lowest price point for a bernedoodle.

Remember this though...

Keep in mind that, due to the mix of genetics in Bernedoodles, each individual dog's coat may be unique and might not fit perfectly into one of these categories. It's also important to note that their coats can change as they grow, with some puppies experiencing significant color changes as they mature.  If you have any questions or are interested in a future puppy, please reach out to us and we would love to answer your questions!

And one last note...

Bernedoodles are known for their incredible blend of intelligence, loyalty, and affection, making them great companions for families. REGARDLESS OF THEIR COLOR, they tend to have an amazing calm disposition and temperament and would be a great addition to any family. They have friendly, easygoing personalities with a playful and goofy side. Due to their Bernese Mountain Dog lineage, they can be protective and form strong bonds with their family members, while the Poodle side contributes to their high intelligence and trainability.

They are generally sociable, loving, and eager to please, with some displaying a sensitive nature. Bernedoodles thrive on attention and interaction, making them well-suited for families, kids, and even other pets. They are adaptable to various environments, whether in an active household or a more relaxed setting.

It is highly important that you choose a breeder that performs the correct health and genetic testing. At Starlight Bernedoodles all of our parents go through a rigorous health testing protocol. This includes a genetic test of over 277 known genetic disorders, OFA's for hips and elbows, PenHip to verify the hip socket joint, cardiac and eye testing. Furthermore the parents are very important in what the temperament of the puppy will be. The parents should be calm, attentive, loving, and the puppy will be likely to follow. At Starlight Bernedoodles, we perform a structured socialization and neurological development schedule based on age. They are snuggled often by our 4 young kids and hear all the crazy sounds that comes along with a big family! This is essential to be sure that your Bernedoodle will live the fullest, happiest and healthiest life it can!