Buddyz is pet business management software that helps grooming salons, dog daycares, boarding businesses, and multi-location pet service operators manage scheduling, check-in, pet profiles, customer communication, payments, and daily operations in one platform.

Who is Buddyz built for?

Buddyz is built for pet business owners and teams running grooming salons, dog daycares, boarding facilities, and multi-location pet service businesses. It adapts to grooming-only shops, daycare-only operations, combined services, and multi-location businesses.

Is Buddyz free to start?

Yes. Buddyz starts with a free Core Platform that includes smart scheduling, pet intelligence, and smart check-in. Add-on capabilities for grooming, daycare, boarding, operations, customer communication, payments, and reporting are available as modular add-ons.

Does Buddyz replace scheduling software like Vagaro or MindBody for pet businesses?

Buddyz goes beyond scheduling. While it includes smart scheduling and booking, it also provides live operations workflow, pet intelligence (profiles, grooming notes, vaccine tracking), customer communication, deposit and payment processing, and business reporting — all in one platform built specifically for pet service businesses.

Can Buddyz track pet vaccine records?

Yes. Buddyz tracks vaccine records, expiration dates, and compliance requirements as part of each pet's profile. This is particularly useful for daycare and boarding businesses that require up-to-date vaccination documentation before accepting pets.

How does Buddyz reduce no-shows for pet appointments?

Buddyz reduces no-shows by enabling businesses to collect deposits at booking, save cards on file, and send automated appointment reminders to customers. This combination of financial commitment and timely communication significantly reduces last-minute cancellations and no-shows.

Does Buddyz work for multi-location pet businesses?

Yes. Buddyz supports multi-location operations with shared customer and pet profiles across locations, location-level access controls, role management, team visibility, and consolidated business reporting.

What makes Buddyz different from traditional pet salon software?

Traditional pet salon software focuses on calendar booking. Buddyz is a full operating system that adds live workflow visibility, operations intelligence, pet profile management, grooming history tracking, automated customer communication, and payment processing alongside scheduling — giving pet businesses a complete platform instead of disconnected tools.

How big do Bernedoodles get?

Bernedoodle size varies a lot depending on which size of Poodle is used in the cross. Standard Bernedoodles, bred from Standard Poodles, are medium-to-large dogs that can reach 20–40 kg or more. Miniature and 'tiny' Bernedoodles, from smaller Poodles, are considerably smaller. If a predictable adult size matters to you, ask the breeder about the parents and generation, and remember that crossbreeds can still surprise you. In general, though, this is not a small-dog breed.

Are Bernedoodles hypoallergenic?

Bernedoodles are frequently chosen for their low-shedding, allergy-friendlier coats, which come from the Poodle side of the cross. However, no dog is genuinely hypoallergenic — all produce dander and saliva proteins that can trigger allergies. Because Bernedoodles are crossbreeds, coats vary: a tighter, curlier coat usually sheds and spreads less dander than a looser, wavier one. If allergies are a concern, spend time with the specific dog and, where possible, choose a curlier-coated individual.

Are Bernedoodles good family dogs?

Bernedoodles are one of the more family-friendly crossbreeds, inheriting the Bernese Mountain Dog's calm, loving temperament alongside the Poodle's intelligence. They're patient, playful, and bond closely with their people. The main things families should plan for are their size, especially as bouncy puppies, so supervision around small children is wise, their need for company since they dislike being left alone, and their real grooming commitment. Meet those needs and they make devoted, gentle family dogs.

Are Bernedoodle puppies stubborn?

It's common for Bernedoodle puppies to be a bit headstrong and independent in their early months, which can surprise owners expecting instant obedience. This usually settles as the dog matures and the Poodle's trainability and the Bernese's people-focus come through. The key is to start training and socialisation early, keep it gentle and reward-based, and stay consistent and patient through the puppy stage. Owners who put the groundwork in are rewarded with a bright, biddable adult dog.

Canada • Mixed

Bernedoodle

A gentle giant in a teddy-bear coat — the Bernese Mountain Dog crossed with a Poodle for brains, warmth, and low-shed charm.

Weight60–90 lbs

Height21–29 in

Lifespan10–15 years

SizeLarge

Overview

A crossbreed between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Standard Poodle, resulting in a medium to large-sized intelligent companion with a wavy or curly low-shedding coat and friendly disposition. Size and appearance can vary significantly depending on the generation and the Poodle parent's size.

Best for

•Families and active households who want a friendly, intelligent, medium-to-large companion and can offer space, exercise, and regular grooming. The Bernedoodle suits homes that value an affectionate, people-loving dog and can meet its coat and company needs.

May not suit

•People in small flats, those out for long hours, or anyone wanting a low-maintenance coat. This sizeable, sociable crossbreed can be stubborn as a pup, dislikes being left alone, and its wavy-to-curly coat needs frequent brushing and professional grooming.

History & Origins

Developed in Canada in 2003, the Bernedoodle is a recent designer crossbreed created by crossing Bernese Mountain Dogs with Standard Poodles to combine the calm, loyal nature of the Bernese Mountain Dog with the high intelligence and low-shedding coat of the Poodle

Characteristics & Traits

Apartment Living2 / 5

Families with Children5 / 5

First-Time Owners4 / 5

Other Dogs5 / 5

Alone Time Tolerance2 / 5

Shedding Level2 / 5

Grooming Needs4 / 5

Trainability4 / 5

Barking2 / 5

Prey Drive2 / 5

Energy Level3 / 5

Lifestyle

Apartment Living

2/5

Families with Children

5/5

First-Time Owners

4/5

Other Dogs

5/5

Alone Time Tolerance

2/5

Shedding Level

2/5

Grooming Needs

4/5

Behavior

Trainability

4/5

Barking

2/5

Prey Drive

2/5

Exercise

Energy Level

3/5

Exercise & Training

Aim for around 60–90 minutes of total activity per day. Bernedoodles enjoy a good hour or so of daily activity — walks, play, and training — but they're not hyperactive and settle well at home afterwards. Keep exercise gentle and age-appropriate while a large-breed puppy is still growing to protect developing joints.

Daily Walks by Living Situation

Apartment or Home Without a Backyard

2 walks / day

~40 min each

A smaller Bernedoodle can adapt to apartment life with two good walks and daily play, but its size and need for company mean a home with more space usually suits it better.

Home With a Backyard

2 walks / day

~40 min each

A garden is a real bonus for this larger crossbreed to stretch its legs and play, though it still needs proper walks and, above all, to be with its family rather than left outside alone.

Daycare or Park Time?

Sociable and gentle, Bernedoodles usually enjoy daycare, which helps with their dislike of being alone. They generally mix well in friendly groups of a similar play style.

Training

Intelligent from the Poodle side and keen to please, though puppies can go through a stubborn phase.

Start early and keep it positive and consistent; patience through the puppy stage pays off well.

For Pet Parents

The Bernedoodle's wavy-to-curly, low-shedding coat is soft and appealing but genuinely high-maintenance — it mats easily and needs brushing most days plus a professional groom every six to eight weeks. Its large size means grooming takes longer and costs more, and the floppy ears need consistent care.

Difficulty: Moderate to high

Grooming Commitment

The Bernedoodle's wavy-to-curly, low-shedding coat is a big part of its appeal but a real commitment. It mats easily, so it needs brushing most days at home plus a professional groom every six to eight weeks. Its size means each groom takes longer and costs more, so factor that in from the start.

At-Home Basics

Difficulty: Moderate to high

Caring for Your Bernedoodle at Home

Brush most days

Work the brush right down to the skin most days with a slicker and comb. The coat tangles quickly, and this is a big dog, so a thorough brush-out takes real time and effort.

Mind the ears

The floppy, hairy ears trap moisture and can become infected. Check and wipe them weekly, keep them dry after baths and swims, and watch for scratching, head-shaking, or a bad smell.

Keep the face and paws tidy

Wipe around the eyes and mouth to keep the facial hair clean, and check the paws and legs, where knots and debris gather, especially after muddy walks.

Nails, teeth, and joints

Trim nails about every four weeks and brush teeth several times a week. While grooming, get your growing pup used to being handled all over, which helps at the vet too.

Mistakes to Avoid

Brushing only the surface so mats form unseen against the skin.
Underestimating the time, effort, and cost of grooming a large curly-coated dog.
Letting the floppy ears go unchecked until an infection develops.
Delaying professional grooms until the coat is so matted it has to be clipped very short.

When to Call in a Professional

Book a professional groomer every six to eight weeks for bathing, clipping, and tidying, and mention any ear concerns. Because Bernedoodles are large, expect longer appointments and higher costs, and go sooner if matting builds up faster than you can manage at home.

Coat & Colors

Type: Wavy to curly
Family: Low-shed doodle coat
Undercoat: No
Shedding: Low
Seasonal Change: Minimal
Matting Risk: High

Common Problem Areas

Behind the earsArmpits and legsAround the collarPaws and facial furnishings

Frequently Asked Questions

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