Bernedoodle generations are often reduced to a simple letter and number, leading many families to assume the label alone tells the whole story. While generation names are a helpful starting point, we believe what truly matters is the genetics behind each puppy — coat type, shedding, and temperament all come down to the specific parents in the pairing, not just the generation code. Our F1 Bernedoodles are a first-generation cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. F1B Bernedoodles are bred back to a Poodle, increasing coat consistency and reducing shedding. Ultra Bernedoodles carry a higher percentage of Bernese Mountain Dog genetics, giving them a fuller, more traditional Bernese look. Multi-Gen Bernedoodles are the result of generations of Bernedoodle-to-Bernedoodle breeding, refined over time for predictable coat and temperament traits.
F1 Bernedoodles are the truest first generation of the cross — a straight Bernese Mountain Dog bred directly to a Poodle. This pairing means each puppy inherits one curl gene and one furnishing gene, which typically results in a wavier coat rather than the tighter curl seen in later generations. It’s a beautiful, low-maintenance texture that still carries the soft, furnished face Bernedoodles are known for, while staying true to that first-generation genetic makeup. This balance of genes is part of what gives F1s their signature look and feel.
Size in an F1 litter follows a similar pattern rooted in genetics. Rather than relying on a generation label alone, we look to the size of the parents as the best indicator of how big a puppy is likely to grow. Pairing a smaller Bernese with a smaller Poodle, for example, tends to produce puppies on the smaller end of the range, and vice versa. It’s this parent-first approach, rather than the generation name itself, that gives us the clearest picture of what a puppy will grow into.
F1B Bernedoodles are the result of pairing an F1 Bernedoodle — carrying one copy of the furnishing gene and one copy of the curl gene — back to a Poodle with two copies of each. This extra dose of Poodle genetics shifts the coat noticeably curlier and more consistent than an F1, making F1Bs one of the most hypoallergenic options in the Bernedoodle world and a favorite for families managing allergies or sensitivities. It’s a coat that tends to shed far less and holds up beautifully with regular grooming, giving families the low-shed experience they’re often searching for.
Even with that heavier Poodle influence, the Bernese Mountain Dog side is far from lost. F1Bs still carry that signature gentle giant temperament — warm, loyal, and easygoing — proving that coat genetics and personality don’t move together. They tend to be just as devoted to their people, just as eager to lean into a lap, and just as soulful in that classic Bernese way. No matter how curly the coat gets, that steady, affectionate heart still shines through, reminding us that what makes a Bernedoodle so special goes far deeper than fur.
Ultra Bernedoodles are our most Bernese-heavy dogs, carrying 60% or more Bernese Mountain Dog genetics. That extra dose of Bernese shows up in both looks and personality — Ultras tend to be wonderfully friendly, joyful, and affectionate, with a big, fluffy teddy bear presence that’s hard to resist. They carry that classic Bernese warmth in a big way, making them a favorite for families drawn to that gentle, people-loving temperament.
Ultras are typically produced by pairing a Bernese Mountain Dog with a Bernedoodle, and the Bernedoodle’s own genetics play a big role in shaping the puppy’s coat. We think of coat type as a spectrum, with tight curls on one end, straight hair on the other, and wavy coats sitting right in the middle. Ultras always land somewhere in that wavy middle ground, leaning slightly curlier or slightly straighter depending on the Bernedoodle parent’s genetic makeup. Even with that variation, most of our Ultras turn out to be minimal to non-shedding, giving families that fluffy, low-shed coat without losing any of that unmistakable Bernese charm.
Multi-Gen Bernedoodles are the result of breeding a Bernedoodle to another Bernedoodle, rather than crossing back to a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog or Poodle. The “multi” simply refers to multiple generations of Bernedoodle-to-Bernedoodle breeding, and while the term can sound complex, it really comes down to two established Bernedoodle parents being paired together.
Because both parents are already a known, stable mix, Multi-Gens tend to offer far more consistency than earlier generations — coat type, size, and temperament are more predictable, since we’re working with proven genetics rather than a fresh cross of two very different breeds.
That said, coat still comes down to genetics rather than the generation label itself. Just like our other Bernedoodles, we look at each parent’s specific furnishing and curl genes to determine what a litter is likely to produce, rather than assuming a “multi-gen” tag guarantees a certain look.
Multi-Gens often give families the best of both worlds: a low-shed, hypoallergenic coat similar to an F1B, while still holding onto more of that gentle, joyful Bernese temperament that can sometimes get diluted through heavy backcrossing. This makes them a wonderful option for families with allergies or specific coat preferences who still want that classic Bernedoodle warmth.
We’re always happy to break down the exact Poodle-to-Bernese percentage and genetic split behind any of our Multi-Gen litters, so families can fully understand what’s behind their puppy — not just the label on the page.
One of the most common misconceptions we see with Bernedoodles is the belief that a puppy’s generation (F1, F1B, Ultra, Multi-Gen) is the single most important factor in choosing a puppy. While generation is a helpful starting point, it only tells you how the puppy was bred — not the specific genetics that actually shape coat, shedding, and temperament.
Every Bernedoodle carries a combination of furnishing genes and curl genes, and it’s this exact genetic makeup, not the generation label, that determines whether a puppy leans wavy, curly, or somewhere in between. Two puppies from the same generation can carry different gene combinations and turn out with noticeably different coats. That’s why we always look past the label and into the actual genetics behind each pairing.
That’s why we encourage families to focus on what truly matters:
✅ The specific furnishing and curl genes each parent carries
✅ The percentage of Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Poodle in the pairing
✅ Coat outcomes seen in past litters from that same pairing
✅ Temperament traits passed down through proven parent lines
Beyond genetics, we also believe there’s no substitute for seeing a puppy in person. Photos and descriptions can only tell you so much, and visiting gives you the chance to see coat texture, size, and personality firsthand, while also meeting the parents behind the pairing. It’s one of the best ways to feel confident that a puppy is truly the right fit for your home.
If you’re choosing a Bernedoodle, don’t just ask “What generation is this puppy?” Instead, ask: “What genetics are behind this pairing, and what have past litters looked like?” That’s the information that gives you the clearest, most realistic picture of your puppy’s coat and personality — not a label that only tells part of the story. And whenever possible, we always recommend a visit to help seal the deal.
