Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Bernedoodle: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Bernedoodle
- Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Bernedoodle
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Bernedoodles?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Bernedoodle?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Bernedoodle?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Bernedoodles?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Bernedoodle?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Bernedoodle
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Bernedoodles?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bernedoodle?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Bernedoodles?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bernedoodles Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Bernedoodle
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bernedoodles Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Bernedoodle: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Shepherd and for the Bernedoodle. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Bernedoodle.

Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle: Overview
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle are similar in size. The Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, the Bernedoodle belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.
Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Bernedoodle based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Bernedoodle |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 18 years. Tiny Bernedoodles tend to live lon |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | From 10 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder, as size |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 70 to 90 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 15.0 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | $2710 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $2000 – $3500 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Bernedoodle. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Bernedoodle is 87 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Bernedoodle, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Bernedoodle.
This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!

The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle
The Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Bernedoodle weighs 70 to 90 pounds when fully grown. The Bernedoodle is From 10 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder, as size when fully grown.

Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle
Australian Shepherd Colors
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Merle (Red)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Bicolor
- Golden
- Brindle
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Sable
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Merle (Blue)
Bernedoodle Colors
The Bernedoodle comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Bicolor
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Brown / Chocolate
- Black
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Gray / Blue / Silver
The Bernedoodle comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- White / Cream
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Bernedoodle is between 12 to 18 years. Tiny Bernedoodles tend to live lon. The average lifespan of the Bernedoodle is 15.0 years.
The Bernedoodle live longer than the Australian Shepherd.

Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Bernedoodle
The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Bernedoodle puppy is $2710. The price of the Bernedoodle typically ranges from $2000 – $3500. However, the price of the Bernedoodle can be as low as $300 and as high as $7850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1321 Bernedoodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Bernedoodle is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Australian Shepherd | Bernedoodle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1180 | $2710 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1500 | $2000 to $3500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Bernedoodle. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Bernedoodle puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

A breakdown of the prices of Bernedoodles
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Bernedoodle puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Bernedoodle
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Australian Shepherds and many Bernedoodles are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Australian Shepherd named Alonzo that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Australian Shepherds like Alonzo on pefinder.com.
Also, like Australian Shepherds, Bernedoodles are also available for adoption. For example, Samson is a Male Bernedoodle that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Bernedoodles like Samson that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

Also, Rip-Tx is an adorable Male Bernedoodle on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Australian Shepherds and Bernedoodles that are available for adoption on petfinder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Bernedoodles do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Bernedoodles?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Bernedoodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Bernedoodle?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Bernedoodles are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Bernedoodle?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Bernedoodles get along very well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Bernedoodles?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Bernedoodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Bernedoodle?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Bernedoodles are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Bernedoodle
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Bernedoodles do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Bernedoodles?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Bernedoodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bernedoodle?
Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Bernedoodles have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Bernedoodles?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Bernedoodles bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bernedoodles Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Bernedoodles can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Bernedoodle
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Bernedoodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bernedoodles Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Bernedoodles can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Bernedoodle?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Bernedoodles adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Bernedoodle?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Bernedoodles are OK for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Bernedoodle. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Boston Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Chinese Shar-Pei Australian Shepherd versus Fila Brasileiro Australian Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd versus Clumber Spaniel Australian Shepherd versus Stabyhoun Australian Shepherd versus Karelian Bear Dog Australian Shepherd versus Labrador Retriever Australian Shepherd versus German Wirehaired Pointer Australian Shepherd versus Barbet Australian Shepherd versus Braque du Bourbonnais Australian Shepherd versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Mal Shi Australian Shepherd versus Black Mouth Cur Australian Shepherd versus Bracco Italiano Australian Shepherd versus Cairn Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Alaskan Klee Kai Australian Shepherd versus Saluki
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Bernedoodle. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Shepherd and the Bernedoodle better suits you and your family.