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Bernedoodle vs Newfoundland: Which Suits Your Home?

Bernedoodle or Newfoundland? On paper they differ most on shedding, and on the scales Newfoundland is the heavier at 100–150 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to Bernedoodle and Newfoundland and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on shedding and energy level, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Bernedoodle rates 2/5 against 1/5. The focus throughout is on daily consequences rather than breed background.

Quick verdict

Between Bernedoodle and Newfoundland, shedding is what separates them; neither is the lower-effort dog overall.

Choose bernedoodle if...

Choose Bernedoodle if this is your first dog, shedding is a problem in your house and you already have another dog.

Choose newfoundland if...

Choose Newfoundland if your walking routine is modest and the dog will be alone during the working day.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	bernedoodle	newfoundland	Winner
Size class	medium	giant	Equal
Weight	20–90 lbs	100–150 lbs	Equal
Height	12–23 in	26–28 in	Equal
Lifespan	12–18 years	9–10 years	bernedoodle
Exercise need	High (4/5)	Moderate (3/5)	newfoundland
Grooming need	High (4/5)	High (4/5)	Equal
Shedding	Low (2/5)	Very high (5/5)	bernedoodle
Energy level	High (4/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Barking	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Apartment suitability	Low (2/5)	Very low (1/5)	bernedoodle
Good for first-time owners	High (4/5)	Moderate (3/5)	bernedoodle
Tolerates being alone	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	newfoundland
Trainability	Very high (5/5)	High (4/5)	bernedoodle
Good with kids	Very high (5/5)	Very high (5/5)	Equal
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)	Very high (5/5)	bernedoodle
Coat	Wavy to curly, hypoallergenic	Heavy water-resistant double coat	Equal
Origin	United States	Various	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$120–$220	$150–$310	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,800–$3,200	$2,200–$4,200	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

A Newfoundland is a genuine giant: 100-150 lbs and 26-28 inches at the shoulder, well past the Bernedoodle's 20-90 lb, 12-23 inch range. Even a large standard Bernedoodle is still a medium dog next to this breed. That size difference carries into everything else, from crate size to car space to a food bill that climbs with the Newfoundland's extra bulk.

Energy and exercise

Despite its size, the Newfoundland is the calmer of the two: exercise need is moderate (3/5) and energy level low (2/5), against high (4/5) on both counts for the Bernedoodle. A Newfoundland is happy with a couple of unhurried walks and access to water. A Bernedoodle needs more deliberate daily activity or it gets restless indoors.

Grooming and shedding

Grooming load is rated high (4/5) for both breeds, but the coats behave very differently. The Bernedoodle's wavy-to-curly coat is low-shedding (2/5) and closer to hypoallergenic; the Newfoundland's heavy, water-resistant double coat sheds at the top of the scale (5/5). Expect fur on the furniture year-round with a Newfoundland.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

Neither breed is a natural apartment dog: the Bernedoodle rates low (2/5) for apartment suitability and the Newfoundland scores even lower at very low (1/5), the bottom of the scale. Barking is low (2/5) for both, so noise isn't the issue; space and the Newfoundland's bulk are. Both also struggle with being left alone, the Newfoundland only marginally better at moderate (3/5) against the Bernedoodle's low (2/5).

Training and owner experience

Trainability favors the Bernedoodle at very high (5/5) versus the Newfoundland's still-solid high (4/5), and the Bernedoodle is rated better for first-time owners (4/5 vs 3/5). Neither is difficult to train, but the Bernedoodle's poodle-influenced quickness gives it an edge in obedience work.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

Both breeds score very high (5/5) for kids, so that's not a deciding factor. The Bernedoodle edges ahead with other dogs (5/5 vs 4/5), and both are rated high (4/5) for friendliness toward strangers. A Newfoundland's calm, patient nature and a Bernedoodle's playfulness both read as gentle around children.

Health and lifespan

Lifespan is the starkest gap here: 12-18 years for the Bernedoodle against just 9-10 for the Newfoundland, tied directly to giant-breed biology. Both share bloat risk and hip dysplasia potential. The Newfoundland's list adds cardiac conditions like subaortic stenosis and dilated cardiomyopathy; the Bernedoodle's longer list includes epilepsy, Addison's disease, and several skin and joint issues.

Cost to keep

Cost level is rated high (4/5) for the Bernedoodle and very high (5/5) for the Newfoundland, and the dollar ranges back that up: $150-$310 a month and $2,200-$4,200 in year one for the Newfoundland versus $120-$220 and $1,800-$3,200 for the Bernedoodle. A bigger dog eats more and needs larger everything.

Bernedoodle vs Newfoundland at a glance

Bernedoodle weighs 20–90 lbs and lives 12–18 years; Newfoundland weighs 100–150 lbs and lives 9–10 years. The two diverge most on shedding and energy level. They are level on barking, grooming need and good with kids, so those cannot decide it. The table below marks a winner only where one breed is genuinely easier for a typical owner; size and origin are facts rather than merits and stay level. Ratings come from one source applied to both breeds, so they are meaningful against each other rather than as absolute scores.

Frequently asked questions

How much bigger is a Newfoundland than a Bernedoodle?

A Newfoundland typically weighs 100-150 lbs, well above even a large Bernedoodle's 90 lb ceiling, and stands 26-28 inches versus 12-23 inches. It's a giant breed sitting next to a medium one.

Which one sheds more?

The Newfoundland, by a wide margin -- its shedding is rated very high (5/5) against the Bernedoodle's low (2/5). If shedding is a dealbreaker, the Bernedoodle's curlier coat is the easier one to live with.

Is either breed good for a first-time owner?

Both can work, but the Bernedoodle is rated higher for first-time owners (4/5 vs 3/5) and is more trainable (5/5 vs 4/5). The Newfoundland's size just adds more to manage while you're learning.

Can either one live in an apartment?

Not comfortably. The Bernedoodle rates low (2/5) for apartment suitability and the Newfoundland rates very low (1/5), the lowest score on the scale. Both do better with yard space.

Which is cheaper to keep month to month?

The Bernedoodle, at $120-$220 a month against $150-$310 for the Newfoundland. First-year costs follow the same pattern: $1,800-$3,200 versus $2,200-$4,200.

Do they share any health risks?

Yes -- both are prone to hip dysplasia and bloat (GDV). Beyond that their risk profiles diverge: the Newfoundland carries cardiac conditions like subaortic stenosis, while the Bernedoodle's list runs longer with epilepsy, allergies, and joint issues.

Which breed lives longer?

The Bernedoodle, and not by a little -- 12-18 years compared to the Newfoundland's 9-10. That's one of the largest lifespan gaps in a breed comparison, mostly a function of the Newfoundland's giant size.

Quick answers

View more answers

Living

Bernedoodle or Newfoundland -- which should you get?

If you have space and want a calmer giant content with moderate exercise, the Newfoundland fits. If you want more years with your dog and less shedding, the Bernedoodle wins on both counts.

Costs

What will you spend monthly?

Budget $120-$220 for a Bernedoodle and $150-$310 for a Newfoundland -- the giant breed's food and grooming needs push the range higher.

Training

Which needs more exercise?

The Bernedoodle, rated high (4/5) for exercise need against the Newfoundland's moderate (3/5). The Newfoundland is the more laid-back of the two despite its size.

Health

Which breed will you have longer?

The Bernedoodle, likely by several years -- its 12-18 year lifespan dwarfs the Newfoundland's 9-10, a gap driven by giant-breed aging.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

Bernedoodle breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Bernedoodle before deciding.
Newfoundland breed guide – The same for Newfoundland, 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.
Newfoundland vs Saint Bernard – Saint Bernard sits closest to Newfoundland, 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.
Newfoundland health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

Cost

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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