The Bernedoodle is a hybrid dog breed or crossbreed dog resulting from mixing the Poodle with the Bernese Mountain Dog. This crossbreed’s popularity has increased tremendously in the past years. And we can see why!
The Bernedoodle is not only a fluffy, cute, and low-shedding breed. Its personality is what makes it a great family dog. The bernedoodle is loving, affectionate with family, intelligent, kid-friendly, and even dog friendly. It actually inherits some of its best traits from its parent breeds.
THE TRUTH ABOUT GROOMING A BERNEDOODLE
The bernedoodle also requires the right grooming to keep its coat healthy, shiny, and fluffy. But a bernedoodle’s grooming needs are often overlooked by the family that is so focused on the cuteness of a fluffy puppy. Many bernedoodle owners believe that because this breed is mostly low shedding, it is also low maintenance. However, this could not be further from the truth.
The truth is that bernedoodles do require daily grooming. This includes brushing and combing everyday or at least 3 times a week. Creating a grooming routine with your doodle is vital to keeping their fluffy coat mat-free! Matting is the number one grooming problem that bernedoodle owners encounter.
Matted fur does not only look bad, but it is very painful for bernedoodles. If not removed, it can also cause other health issues including discomfort, skin disorder, flea infestation, mites, worms, and other parasites. And severe matting usually leads to a shavedown, right to the skin. Shaving a fluffy bernedoodle is actually very frustrating for a doodle owner because they may not know what they are doing wrong. So as a bernedoodle owner you need to learn how to properly care for your dog’s coat.
TOP 3 BRUSHES EVERY BERNEDOODLE OWNER SHOULD HAVE
Before brushing and combing your bernedoodle, you need the right grooming tools. These are the top three tools that will make grooming so much easier.
1. A High Quality Slicker Brush
The slicker brush is the number one dog brush recommended by grooming professionals for bernedoodles or any type of doodle hybrid. It is actually the type of brush you want to start with when grooming your dog because it will help break up any knots and prevent matting.
We love recommending the Self Cleaning Slicker Brush because it is very easy to use, super effective, and easy to clean and maintain at the same time. It is always important to keep the bristles of a slicker brush from bending or getting damaged as this can cause skin irritation, pain, and discomfort.
What we love about this brush is that you can brush your doodle, and then just click and clean the brush. The bristles retract when you click so they are kept from being damaged. And your brush can be stored and ready for your next brushing session.
2. A Metal Comb
A metal comb should be used after you have brushed your bernedoodle thoroughly with the slicker brush. The end result should be the ability to get the comb from the root to the tip of the hair.
We like the Dual-length Dog Metal Comb. It is the perfect comb to add the finishing touch to your bernedoodle’s coat. It has long and short stainless steel teeth to quickly and painlessly remove any remaining tangles or knots. Its rounded head pins keep your doodle’s skin from getting scratched. And the anti-slip handle protects your dog from any slippery accidents.
3. A Dematting Tool
A dematting tool should be your last resource when grooming your bernedoodle as it is specifically designed to remove mats. That said, if you are keeping up with your grooming routine by brushing and combing your doodle at least 3 times per week, you should not need to use the dematting tool. But if for some reason, you do forget to brush your dog, the dematting tool can come in very handy before having to take your pup to the groomer for a shavedown.
The 3-in1 Dematting Tool can be a great option. It is effective at removing mats and getting deep into the dog’s coat.
HOW TO PROPERLY BRUSH A BERNEDOODLE AND PREVENT MATTING
1. HAIR + WATER = MATS: ALWAYS brush a completely dry coat. If you bathe your dog, make sure you brush your dog's hair before the actual bath and use a high quality shampoo and conditioner. We love the 5-in-1 Pet Shampoo, it is great for bernedoodle hair.
If you bathe your dog's matted hair without detangling it, it will just get worse! Wait for the fur to dry after the bath, and then brush it again. Do not brush a wet coat.
2. LINE BRUSH YOUR DOG: Grab your slicker brush to brush your dog’s hair. Do not just brush the top of the coat as this does not really do anything to prevent matting. Start at the bottom of the coat, grab a handful of hair, and brush a line of fur away. You should be able to see the skin. As you go, brush the hair down making sure that with each line you get right to the skin. Do not drag the brush across the dog’s skin, but do a pull-away type of stroke. Move up as you go along, and make sure you brush your dog’s entire coat. Don’t forget about the tail and armpits.
If you have the self-cleaning slicker brush, just click, clean, and store when finished. Otherwise, make sure the bristles are thoroughly cleaned.
3. FINISH WITH A METAL COMB: After brushing with the slicker brush, take your metal comb, and comb your dog’s coat thoroughly until the comb moves easily through the hair. If the comb gets stuck in any particular section, go back and brush out the tangle with the slicker brush.
4. EXTRA STEP: If there are more tangles and matting after brushing and combing, you may want to use the dematting tool. Use the 9-rounded-teeth side. Hold the matted fur closest to the skin with your fingers before brushing or pulling at the mat. Start at the end of the mat and work your way up. Always do short strokes when combing through a matted area.
5. CONSISTENCY: Create a positive grooming routine and make sure you brush and comb your bernedoodle at least 3 times per week.
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