If, after looking at the cute Mini Bernedoodles, you have fallen in love with them and are longing to bring one home, you are not alone. These incredibly cute-looking breeds, with their teddy-bear looks, adorable personality, and manageable size, have become a global favorite for dog lovers. For sure, they are no less than a magic owing to their personalities. Before contracting the breeders, you might also want to know how long these Mini Bernedoodles live.
The good news is that Mini Bernedoodles are renowned for long lifespans, particularly when we compare them to the larger breeds. On average, you can expect them to live between 12 and 18 years. The factors that determine its longevity are genetics, lifestyle, and overall care. So, let us quickly delve into the aspects that affect their longevity and some useful tips on how to help these adorable pets live the happiest and healthiest life possible.
Know your Mini Bernedoodle
Before elaborating on the lifespan and the steps you can take to ensure its long life, let us quickly look at the factors that make a Mini Bernedoodle so unique. A Mini Bernedoodle is a crossbreed between the Bernese Mountain Dog and a Miniature Poodle. Depending on the generation and genetics, these hybrids usually weigh between 25 and 50 pounds and grow to around 18-22 inches tall.
One of the primary reasons that makes them popular is their inherited qualities from both parents. The Bernese mountain dog’s traits make it loyal, affectionate, and the jaw-dropping tri-color coat. The Miniature Poodle’s qualities include intelligence, hypoallergenic, and its manageable size. Precisely speaking, Mini Bernedoodles are the ideal combination that illustrates the best of both worlds, which eventually makes them the most highly desirable breed.
The average lifespan of Mini Bernedoodles
As mentioned previously, the average lifespan of a Mini Bernedoodle is around 12-18 years. As you can see, it is considerably more than that of the Bernese mountain dog, which at most lives for 6-8 years. The difference is due to the influence of the Poodle qualities. Most of us are aware that poodles are generally healthier and tend to live longer than the bigger breeds. Thus, the Mini Bernedoodle also inherits this quality from its Poodle parent while maintaining some of the positive qualities of the Bernese Mountain Dog. For your convenience, here is a breakdown of their lifespan by size:
- Standard Bernedoodle: These are larger crosses with Standard Poodles, and they live around 12-15 years.
- Mini Bernedoodle: They live the most, i.e., 12-18 years.
Tiny Bernedoodle: These are crossbred with Toy Poodle, and can live around 14-18 years.
So, as you can see, when it comes to living longer, the Mini size is the key to go for.
Factors that can affect the lifespan of a Mini Bernedoodle
Dog lovers should understand that they must not take for granted the number of years they are expected to live. Their overall health and longevity can depend on various factors, and these are:
- Genetics: Genetics can be referred to as the foundation of lifespan. Responsible breeders test for common issues in both parent breeds. Some of the health issues include hip dysplasia, heart issues, and certain cancers. When you choose a reputable breeder, the chances of getting a healthier Mini Bernedoodle increase, and they can be expected to live longer.
- Diet and nutrition: In this aspect, dogs have drastic similarities with humans. They thrive on balanced diets rich in nutrition, just like us. In trying to be an overly caring dog parent, if you feed it more, it can lead to obesity, which would automatically reduce its lifespan. A Mini Bernedoodle that is kept on high-quality dog food with proper doses will stay healthy and live longer.
- Exercising and activities: Mini Bernedoodles are known to be moderately active. To keep them fit, 30-60 minutes of exercise per day is mandatory. If they prefer cuddling up, the lack of activity will make them obese, cause unwanted stress, and lead to behavioral issues. All these factors can ultimately shorten its lifespan. It is equally necessary to keep them mentally stimulated.
- Healthcare: Dog owners should never overlook the need for regular vet visits. It is here where the Mini Bernedoodle will receive its vaccinations, parasite preventions, and dental care. Each of these aspects is vital and can increase its lifespan. Even when it suffers from a health issue, early diagnosis of the problem can make it easy to initiate the treatment.
- Living environment: When a Mini Bernedoodle is raised in a loving, safe, and stress-free environment, it will naturally remain happy and live for a longer period. Families that treat their four-legged companions as their extended family members tend to live longer than those who are left outside or are kept under stressful conditions.
Some health concerns in Mini Bernedoodles
Overall, Mini Bernedoodles are considered healthy dogs. Still, there is a chance of them inheriting conditions from either of their parent breed. When you are aware of these risks, you can quickly take preventive measures. Here are some of the health concerns for them:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia: It can be quite common in larger breeds, and even the Mini Bernedoodle can be vulnerable to such issues.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: It is a potential eye disease in dogs, which can lead them to lose their vision completely.
- Allergies: Owing to their Poodle heritage, they can also develop allergies and skin issues.
- Cardiac problems: Some Mini Bernedoodles are known to inherit cardiac problems.
Cancer: Although rare, in some unfortunate cases, the Bernese trait can increase the risk of developing cancer, too.
Signs of ageing in Mini Bernedoodles
Like all other dogs, even the Mini Bernedoodle will show signs of aging as it grows older. If you can recognize these changes appropriately, it will help you to take proper care when you become a senior. So, watch out for:
- Gray hairs around their muzzle, and you cannot prevent them even after grooming.
- Their movement will become slower, and they will hardly show any interest in performing exercises.
- They might suddenly gain or lose weight.
- Watch out for cloudy eyes or any other vision issues.
- Lastly, when you notice that it is having problems hearing and are more interested in sleeping more than ever, it is a definite sign of them ageing. Remember, senior Mini Bernedoodles (more than ten years old) can require joint supplements, softer food, and shorter but more frequent walks.
Last words
The longer lifespan, along with their mix of intelligence, affection, and loyalty, has captured many hearts thus far. They indeed make a fantastic companion for every family. By following the tips mentioned here, you can look forward to years of companionship, cuddles, and unforgettable memories.