Teacup Bernedoodles: A Petite Companion with a Grand Heart

Imagine all the gentle loyalty of a Bernese Mountain Dog and the clever wit of a Poodle, perfectly sized for modern life. At Stokeshire, we believe the very best things truly do come in small packages. The Tiny Bernedoodle is designed for families who want the iconic "teddy bear" look and the loving Bernese temperament, but in a size that fits comfortably on a city sidewalk or curled up on an apartment sofa.

From playful giggles with your kiddos to cozy evenings by the fire, these little dogs bring joyful mischief and deep connection to every household.

What Is a Tiny Bernedoodle?

A Tiny Bernedoodle is a thoughtfully bred cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Through careful generational breeding, we achieve a smaller stature without sacrificing the sturdy build or the emotional depth that makes the Bernese so special.

Unlike "accidentally small" dogs, our Tinies are the result of intentional science and art. We focus on structural soundness and health, ensuring that your pint-sized companion is ready for years of adventure.

Size & Build: Finding Your Perfect Fit

Choosing the right dog is about finding the perfect fit for your heart and your home. While Standard Bernedoodles are majestic giants, the Tiny Bernedoodle offers a portable, manageable alternative that doesn't skimp on personality.

Typical Adult Size

• Height: 10–15 inches at the shoulder

• Weight: 10–24 pounds

• Build: Compact, sturdy, and well-proportioned—never fragile.

At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, every breeding decision is rooted in long-term health, structural soundness, and genetic responsibility. For this reason, we are intentional about how smaller Bernedoodle sizes are achieved—and equally intentional about what we choose not to pursue.

Producing Toy or “teacup” outcomes responsibly is not a matter of simply breeding smaller dogs together or chasing extreme size reduction. True, healthy size refinement requires multiple generations of thoughtful planning, careful selection, and a deep understanding of how structure, joints, heart health, and temperament are affected as size decreases.

Our program focuses on:

• Gradually refining size over generations

• Strategically incorporating appropriately sized Poodles across generations

• Selecting naturally smaller, structurally sound Bernese-type foundations

• Avoiding extreme miniaturization, dwarfism genes, or abrupt size jumps

This generational approach allows us to maintain what matters most: predictable temperament, balanced proportions, and bodies built to last—not just dogs bred to be small for the sake of marketing labels.

While we understand the consumer interest in Toy and teacup-sized dogs, we believe it is our responsibility to offer families honest guidance about what can and should be done carefully over time. Size should never come at the expense of orthopedic health, emotional stability, or lifespan.

At Stokeshire, our commitment is not to trends—but to sustainable breeding practices that respect the integrity of each foundational breed. We will always prioritize dogs that are well-built, emotionally grounded, and capable of living long, healthy lives. That means choosing restraint, transparency, and proven methods—every time.

A Thoughtful Alternative We Often Recommend

For families seeking a smaller, agile companion with a similar temperament profile but less reliance on additional Poodle genetics, we often recommend exploring an Australian Mountain Doodle (AMD) using a Miniature American Shepherd foundation.

By introducing the Mini American Shepherd, size can be reduced naturally while preserving strong structure, sound joints, and emotional resilience—without pushing Bernese lines into extremes or over-stacking Poodle influence. This approach also adds hybrid vigor, supports lighter frames, and frequently results in straighter or low-wave coats that are easier to maintain for many households.

It’s also important to understand that smaller dogs inherently carry more energy per pound than larger counterparts. AMDs in this size range tend to be bright, responsive, and engaged—making them excellent partners for active families who enjoy daily interaction, training, and movement.

As always, our role is not just to produce beautiful dogs, but to guide families toward the best possible fit for their home, lifestyle, and expectations. Sometimes that means recommending a different path entirely—one that delivers the temperament, size, and longevity families are truly seeking.

Furnished vs. Unfurnished: Coat Type, Purpose, and Intentional Design

When families explore smaller or alternative doodle types, one of the most important (and often misunderstood) distinctions is whether a dog is furnished or unfurnished.

Furnishings refer to the facial hair traits—beard, mustache, and eyebrow “fluff”—that come from Poodle genetics. Furnished dogs typically have the classic doodle appearance and are more likely to be low-shedding.
Unfurnished dogs lack these facial furnishings and often resemble smoother-coated herding or mountain breeds, with straighter coats, shorter hair around the face, and less grooming demand.

At Stokeshire, we intentionally produce both furnished and unfurnished puppies—not by chance, but by design.

In our Australian Mountain Doodle (AMD) program, we strategically use Miniature American Shepherd genetics to reduce size and increase athleticism while preserving emotional intelligence and confidence. From there, we carefully balance Poodle influence when furnishment or reduced shedding is desired—never adding more Poodle than is structurally or temperamentally appropriate.

This gives us the ability to:

• Achieve furnished AMDs with low-shedding, allergy-friendly coats

• Produce unfurnished AMDs with straighter, natural coats and lower grooming needs

• Maintain strong bone structure, sound movement, and balanced proportions

• Preserve hybrid vigor and long-term orthopedic health

Our ultimate goal is not a specific look—it is producing therapy-grade, emotionally grounded dogs that thrive in real families. Coat type is always secondary to temperament, stability, and wellbeing.

Whether furnished or unfurnished, every Stokeshire puppy is evaluated for calmness, adaptability, and people-focused connection. These qualities are what make a dog a true companion—not just aesthetically pleasing, but deeply attuned and resilient.

By offering intentional variety in coat and structure, we help families choose the right dog for their lifestyle, not just the most popular label. And when a straighter coat, smaller frame, or increased energy level is a better fit, we are honest enough to guide families there—with clarity, care, and purpose.