Bernedoodle vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Bernedoodle vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: full comparison

Key differences at a glance

• The Bernedoodle is a larger dog than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, which affects space, food and exercise needs.

Size and living space

The Bernedoodle is a large and powerful breed that is happiest with space indoors and regular access to a yard. By comparison, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a moderately built dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. If space, transport or budget are tight, the smaller of the two is the more practical choice.

Exercise and energy needs

The Bernedoodle wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Bernedoodle needs frequent grooming and benefits from professional trims and sheds only lightly. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and leaves virtually no hair around the house. Both are considered hypoallergenic, so either works well for allergy-conscious homes. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Bernedoodle is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally and is renowned for its patience and gentleness with children. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally and is renowned for its patience and gentleness with children. On guarding instinct, Bernedoodle announces visitors but stops short of guarding, whereas Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier announces visitors but stops short of guarding.

Which is better for…

• For apartment or flat living, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
• For families with young children, Bernedoodle and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
• For first-time dog owners, Bernedoodle has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
• For being left alone during the workday, Bernedoodle and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
• For allergy sufferers, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has the edge, as it is hypoallergenic and lower-shedding.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Bernedoodle if you want an easier dog to train, you prefer lower grooming upkeep, or you want a bigger, more substantial dog.

Choose the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier if you want a longer-lived breed, you want less shedding around the home, or you want a smaller, more apartment-friendly dog.

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