Training
Bernedoodle or Bloodhound, which is the more manageable dog day-to-day?
The Bernedoodle, for most owners, it trains far more easily (5/5 versus 2/5) and suits first-timers much better, even though it needs more grooming.
Bernedoodle vs Bloodhound: Which Suits Your Home?
Bernedoodle or Bloodhound? On paper they differ most on trainability, and on the scales Bloodhound is the heavier at 90–110 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Bernedoodle and Bloodhound and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on trainability and grooming need, so those are covered first and in most detail. Both rate 2/5 for flats, so housing does not settle this one. It is written for the decision rather than the breed history.
Quick verdict
Between Bernedoodle and Bloodhound, trainability is what separates them, and Bloodhound is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose bernedoodle if...
Choose Bernedoodle if this is your first dog, shedding is a problem in your house and there are young children at home.
Choose bloodhound if...
Choose Bloodhound if you do not want a standing grooming appointment and your walking routine is modest.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | bernedoodle | bloodhound | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | medium | large | Equal |
| Weight | 20–90 lbs | 90–110 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 12–23 in | 23–27 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–18 years | 7–10 years | bernedoodle |
| Exercise need | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | bloodhound |
| Grooming need | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | bloodhound |
| Shedding | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | bernedoodle |
| Energy level | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | bernedoodle |
| Apartment suitability | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Good for first-time owners | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | bernedoodle |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Trainability | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | bernedoodle |
| Good with kids | Very high (5/5) | High (4/5) | bernedoodle |
| Good with other dogs | Very high (5/5) | High (4/5) | bernedoodle |
| Friendly to strangers | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Cost level | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | bloodhound |
| Coat | Wavy to curly, hypoallergenic | Short, dense | Equal |
| Origin | United States | Belgium | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $120–$220 | $100–$200 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,800–$3,200 | $1,500–$2,800 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
The Bloodhound is a genuinely large dog, 90 to 110 pounds and 23 to 27 inches, built with a heavy frame and loose, scent-hound skin. The Bernedoodle's range (20 to 90 pounds, 12 to 23 inches) can approach that at the standard size but typically sits well below it, and a mini or toy Bernedoodle will be a fraction of a Bloodhound's mass. If you want serious size and don't mind the drool that comes with it, the Bloodhound wins outright.
Energy and exercise
The Bernedoodle needs a bit more daily activity, 4 out of 5 against the Bloodhound's 3 out of 5, though the Bloodhound's needs are deceptive, it's built for endurance tracking over long distances, not short bursts, so a real Bloodhound walk needs to be a genuinely long one to satisfy its nose-driven stamina. Neither dog does well with a quick trip around the block.
Grooming and shedding
The Bloodhound is the lower-maintenance coat, 2 out of 5 for grooming against the Bernedoodle's 4 out of 5, since its short coat needs little more than a weekly wipe-down. The Bernedoodle sheds less, though (2/5 versus 3/5), which matters more to allergy-sensitive households than raw grooming time does. Bloodhounds also need regular ear and wrinkle cleaning that a grooming-need score alone doesn't fully capture.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
Both breeds tie at 2 out of 5 for apartment suitability and tolerating time alone, and both bark relatively little, 2 out of 5 for the Bernedoodle, 3 out of 5 for the Bloodhound, which is more prone to baying, a distinctive scent-hound vocalization worth knowing about even at a moderate score. Neither is a natural fit for small-space living, but neither is disqualifying either.
Training and owner experience
This is a wide gap: the Bernedoodle scores 5 out of 5 for trainability against the Bloodhound's 2 out of 5. Bloodhounds are famously nose-first dogs, once they catch a scent, obedience takes a back seat, and their temperament list flags them as independent. The Bernedoodle's first-time-owner score reflects this too, 4 out of 5 against the Bloodhound's 2 out of 5; this is a much easier dog for someone new to training.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
The Bernedoodle scores higher with both kids and other dogs (5/5 versus the Bloodhound's 4/5), while both tie at 4 out of 5 for friendliness to strangers. The Bloodhound's temperament, friendly, curious, but independent and determined, makes it a good-natured dog that's nonetheless harder to redirect once its nose takes over, something worth planning around with small kids or other pets nearby.
Health and lifespan
The Bernedoodle's lifespan advantage is stark: 12 to 18 years against the Bloodhound's 7 to 10, another large-breed longevity gap. Shared risks include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and bloat, which matter for both as deep-chested breeds. Beyond that the Bloodhound's list is distinct and heavy on eye and skin issues, ectropion, entropion, atopy, that don't appear on the Bernedoodle's list at all.
Cost to keep
The Bloodhound is the cheaper dog to keep by this site's rating, 3 out of 5 against the Bernedoodle's 4 out of 5, with a monthly range of $100 to $200 versus $120 to $220 and a first-year range of $1,500 to $2,800 versus $1,800 to $3,200. Given the Bloodhound's larger size, that's a bit counterintuitive, the gap likely reflects the Bernedoodle's grooming costs and typically higher purchase price.
Bernedoodle vs Bloodhound at a glance
Bernedoodle weighs 20–90 lbs and lives 12–18 years; Bloodhound weighs 90–110 lbs and lives 7–10 years. The two diverge most on trainability, grooming need and good for first-time owners. They are level on tolerates being alone, apartment suitability and friendly to strangers, so those cannot decide it. In the table, a "winner" means easier for an ordinary household — not better. Size, coat and origin are recorded without a verdict. Because both breeds are scored the same way, the gaps are reliable even where the absolute numbers are rough.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Bloodhound bigger than a Bernedoodle?
Usually, yes. The Bloodhound is consistently large at 90 to 110 pounds, while the Bernedoodle's wide range (20-90 lbs) means only a standard-size Bernedoodle comes close, and most fall well short.
Which is easier to train?
The Bernedoodle, by a wide margin, 5 out of 5 against the Bloodhound's 2 out of 5. Bloodhounds are scent-driven and tend to prioritize a trail over a command.
Which needs less grooming?
The Bloodhound, 2 out of 5 against the Bernedoodle's 4 out of 5, though it needs regular ear and wrinkle care that a grooming score doesn't fully capture.
Which is better for a first-time owner?
The Bernedoodle, clearly, 4 out of 5 against the Bloodhound's 2 out of 5. The Bloodhound's independence and scent drive make it a harder dog to start with.
What's the cost difference?
The Bloodhound is cheaper despite being the bigger dog, $100 to $200 monthly against the Bernedoodle's $120 to $220, likely reflecting the Bernedoodle's grooming needs.
Do they share health risks?
Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and bloat appear on both lists, a real concern for two deep-chested breeds. The Bloodhound's list otherwise leans toward eye and skin conditions specific to its loose-skinned build.
Which lives longer?
The Bernedoodle, by a wide margin, 12 to 18 years against the Bloodhound's 7 to 10.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
What's the monthly cost for each?
$100 to $200 for the Bloodhound, $120 to $220 for the Bernedoodle.
Living
How much exercise does each need?
The Bernedoodle is rated 4 out of 5, the Bloodhound 3 out of 5, both need real daily activity, with the Bloodhound's built around long-distance scent work rather than speed.
Health
Which lives longer?
The Bernedoodle, substantially, 12 to 18 years versus the Bloodhound's 7 to 10.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Bernedoodle breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Bernedoodle before deciding.
- Bloodhound breed guide – The same for Bloodhound, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
- Bernedoodle vs Goldendoodle – Goldendoodle is the closest breed to Bernedoodle on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
- Bloodhound vs Old English Sheepdog – Old English Sheepdog sits closest to Bloodhound, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
- What Bernedoodle costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
- Bloodhound health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.
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Important reminder
Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
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