Official Standard for the Ultra and Ultra Plus Bernedoodle

General Description

The Ultra Bernedoodle and Ultra Plus Bernedoodle are Bernese-dominant forms of the Bernedoodle developed to preserve and intensify the appearance, substance, expression and temperament associated with the Bernese Mountain Dog while retaining selected desirable characteristics introduced through Poodle ancestry.

The objective of the Ultra program is not simply to increase Bernese Mountain Dog ancestry numerically.

The goal is to create a recognizably Bernese-dominant Bernedoodle phenotype with improved consistency in head, structure, substance, coloring, coat and overall type.

Except where specifically modified within this standard, the Ultra and Ultra Plus should conform to the general structural, health, movement and temperament principles established in the primary Bernedoodle Standard.

Classification

Ultra Bernedoodle

An Ultra Bernedoodle generally possesses greater than 50 percent Bernese Mountain Dog ancestry.

The ideal Ultra should show clearly increased Bernese influence compared with the conventional Bernedoodle.

Bernese influence should be evident in:

• Head and expression
• Bone and substance
• Body type
• Chest and rib
• Marking distribution
• Tan-point intensity
• Coat texture
• Overall silhouette

An Ultra should not merely possess a higher Bernese percentage on paper.

The phenotype should visibly reflect the purpose of the classification.

Ultra Plus Bernedoodle

An Ultra Plus Bernedoodle possesses more than 75 percent Bernese Mountain Dog ancestry.

The Ultra Plus represents the most Bernese-dominant expression of the Bernedoodle while remaining part of the established Bernedoodle population.

The ideal Ultra Plus should resemble a highly refined Bernese-derived companion dog with the advantages introduced through carefully selected Bernedoodle and Poodle ancestry.

The Bernese influence should be unmistakable.

The Ultra Plus should display:

• Strong Bernese head type
• Broad and soft expression
• Substantial bone
• Deep body
• Strong chest
• Slightly rectangular proportions
• Rich Bernese-inspired coloring
• Intense rust or copper points
• Straight or loose-wavy coat
• Natural tail
• Stable, affectionate temperament

An Ultra Plus should not appear predominantly Poodle in head, coat, outline or refinement.

Guiding Difference Between Ultra and Ultra Plus

The distinction between Ultra and Ultra Plus is both genetic and phenotypic.

The Ultra should clearly favor Bernese type.

The Ultra Plus should favor Bernese type even more strongly.

As Bernese ancestry increases, the desired dog should progressively demonstrate greater Bernese influence in:

head, expression, bone, body, coat, coloring and overall silhouette.

Percentage alone should not excuse poor type.

A dog technically qualifying as Ultra or Ultra Plus by ancestry but displaying an excessively Poodle-like phenotype is less representative of the ideal.

General Appearance

The ideal Ultra Bernedoodle is substantial, powerful and athletic.

It should possess greater body, bone and Bernese character than the conventional Bernedoodle without becoming coarse, cumbersome or unsound.

The Ultra should appear sturdy and capable.

The silhouette should be nearly square to slightly rectangular, with a slight preference toward greater body length than height.

The dog should possess a deep chest, well-developed ribs, strong topline and balanced front and rear assemblies.

The Ultra should never appear narrow, fine, highly refined or excessively leggy.

Ultra Plus General Appearance

The Ultra Plus should demonstrate an even stronger Bernese-derived silhouette.

It should possess substantial bone and body appropriate to size while remaining athletic and capable of free movement.

The overall impression should be:

powerful without heaviness, substantial without coarseness, and unmistakably Bernese-influenced without simply reproducing a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog.

The Ultra Plus should retain the adaptability, trainability, coat variation and companion qualities that distinguish the Bernedoodle.

Head

The head is one of the most important characteristics of Ultra type.

The ideal head should demonstrate clear Bernese Mountain Dog influence.

It should be broad, substantial and softly expressive.

A long, narrow, finely chiseled or markedly Poodle-like head is undesirable.

This departure becomes increasingly significant in the Ultra Plus.

Skull

The skull should be moderately broad to broad and relatively flat between the ears.

A slight median furrow may be present.

The stop should be clearly defined without being abrupt or exaggerated.

The cheeks should possess sufficient development to create a soft and substantial expression without appearing coarse.

Ultra Plus dogs may appropriately possess somewhat greater skull width and head substance than conventional Bernedoodles.

Muzzle

The muzzle should be strong, broad and of moderate length.

It should have sufficient depth and width through the jaw.

A narrow, pointed or snipy muzzle is undesirable.

An excessively long Poodle-like muzzle is incorrect for ideal Ultra type.

The Ultra Plus should particularly favor a strong, full Bernese-influenced muzzle.

The muzzle should never become excessively short.

Lips

The lips should be reasonably close fitting.

Slight flews are acceptable.

Heavy, excessively pendulous lips are undesirable.

Eyes

The eyes should be soft, intelligent and expressive.

They should be medium in size and slightly oval.

Brown, blue, green and hazel eyes are permissible.

Different-colored eyes may occur, particularly in merle dogs, and are permissible.

The desired expression should remain gentle, confident and distinctly soft.

Ears

The ears should be drop ears of moderate size.

They should frame the head naturally and contribute to the Bernese-influenced expression.

Very small, highly set or distinctly Poodle-like ears are less desirable.

Neck, Topline and Body

The neck should be strong and muscular with sufficient length for balanced movement.

The topline should remain strong and generally level while standing and moving.

The body should possess substantial depth and width.

The chest should reach approximately to the elbows.

The ribs should be well sprung.

The loin should be strong and relatively compact.

Ultra and Ultra Plus dogs should possess visibly greater body and substance than excessively refined Bernedoodle types.

The Ultra Plus may appropriately demonstrate greater breadth through the chest, rib cage and body provided that athletic movement is maintained.

Bone and Substance

Strong bone is highly desirable.

Bone should remain proportional to the overall dog.

Ultra dogs should possess greater substance than the average conventional Bernedoodle.

Ultra Plus dogs should demonstrate substantial Bernese-like bone while remaining structurally balanced.

Insufficient bone, narrow construction or a weak, refined appearance are faults.

The dog should not appear delicate.

Greater Bernese ancestry should not be used to excuse structural heaviness or poor movement.

Coat

Coat is an important distinguishing feature of Ultra and Ultra Plus type.

The desired coat should move increasingly toward the naturally straight or softly waved appearance associated with Bernese influence.

Preferred Coat

The preferred coat is:

• Straight
• Very loose-wavy
• Softly wavy

A straight coat is particularly desirable when accompanied by appropriate furnishings and overall Bernedoodle expression.

Loose waves are equally representative of correct type.

The coat should possess sufficient density and body without becoming excessively profuse.

Curl

A strongly curled, distinctly Poodle-like coat is contrary to the desired direction of Ultra type.

Ultra Bernedoodle

A curly coat is a fault.

The degree of penalty should correspond with the degree of curl.

A slightly stronger wave should not be confused with a truly curly coat.

The more the coat forms distinct Poodle-like curls, the greater the fault.

Ultra Plus Bernedoodle

A distinctly curly Poodle-type coat is highly undesirable and should be considered a serious fault.

The Ultra Plus is intended to represent the most Bernese-dominant expression of the Bernedoodle.

Therefore, strong Poodle-like curl is inconsistent with ideal Ultra Plus phenotype.

Coat Genetics

For breeding purposes, preference should be given to dogs carrying coat genetics consistent with the desired straight or loose-wavy phenotype.

The preferred direction is toward:

No Curl: -/-

and

Wavy: +/-

Strong curl associated with +/+ should be selected away from in Ultra programs.

Genotype should be used alongside actual mature phenotype and should never substitute for evaluation of the complete dog.

Furnishings

Furnishings are desirable when they contribute to recognizable Bernedoodle expression.

However, coat should not become so profuse that it obscures the natural shape of the skull, muzzle or body.

Ultra and Ultra Plus dogs should not be rewarded for exaggerated Poodle-type coat volume.

The desired presentation should remain natural and Bernese-influenced.

Color and Markings

The preferred Ultra and Ultra Plus colors follow the recognized Bernedoodle colors:

• Traditional Tricolor
• Chocolate Tricolor
• Merle Tricolor
• Chocolate Merle Tricolor
• Sable
• Red and White

Within Ultra and particularly Ultra Plus breeding, colors and markings that most strongly preserve recognizable Bernese-derived appearance are preferred.

Bernese-Inspired Markings

Where genetically possible, white distribution should approximate classic Bernese Mountain Dog Irish white spotting.

Ideal markings may include:

• A distinct facial blaze
• White on or around the muzzle
• Strong white chest
• White feet
• White extending partly upward on the legs
• White tail tip where present

Correct overall distribution is more important than perfect symmetry.

Markings should appear intentional, balanced and harmonious.

Tan and Rust Points

Tan or rust points are particularly important to classic Ultra type.

Where genetically present, points should be:

deep, rich, saturated and clearly defined.

Deep rust and copper are preferred over pale tan.

The desired distribution includes:

• Above the eyes
• Cheeks
• Sides of the muzzle
• Sides of the chest
• Legs
• Beneath the tail

Pale, weak or washed-out points are less desirable.

Ultra Plus dogs should ideally demonstrate especially rich and clearly defined Bernese-like point placement and intensity.

Movement

Movement should be powerful, balanced and efficient.

The dog should demonstrate strong rear drive combined with good forward reach.

Power should transfer through a stable topline with minimal wasted movement.

The Ultra should move as an athletic dog despite increased substance.

The Ultra Plus should never become so heavy or overdone that movement becomes restricted.

Short, choppy gait, high-stepping action, crossing, paddling, persistent pacing or other inefficient movement is undesirable.

Temperament

Temperament remains one of the most important characteristics of the Ultra Bernedoodle.

The ideal Ultra and Ultra Plus should be:

• Affectionate
• Gentle
• Confident
• Intelligent
• Trainable
• Stable
• Devoted to family
• Social
• Adaptable

Some natural Bernese reserve with unfamiliar people is permissible.

Reserve should never become fearfulness.

The dog should recover readily from unfamiliar situations.

Persistent anxiety, extreme shyness or inappropriate aggression are serious faults.

As Bernese influence increases, a calmer and more deliberate temperament may be expected, but the dog should remain social, trainable and adaptable.

Natural Presentation

Ultra and Ultra Plus dogs should be presented naturally.

The coat should not be excessively sculpted into a Poodle-type silhouette.

Moderate grooming for cleanliness and neatness is acceptable.

The dog's true head, body, coat texture and structure should remain readily visible.

Excessive grooming intended to create artificial volume or disguise structural faults is undesirable.

Faults

Faults should be evaluated according to the degree to which they interfere with health, soundness or correct Ultra type.

Faults include:

• Curly coat in an Ultra Bernedoodle
• Excessively refined or narrow construction
• Long, narrow or strongly Poodle-like head
• Snipy muzzle
• Insufficient bone
• Excessive legginess
• Weak chest or body
• Pale or poorly defined tan points
• Weak Bernese influence
• Strongly Poodle-like overall phenotype
• Poor topline
• Structural imbalance
• Inefficient movement
• Persistent shyness

Serious Faults

The following are serious faults:

• Strongly curly Poodle-like coat in an Ultra Plus
• Severe lack of Bernese type in an Ultra Plus
• Extreme structural refinement
• Severe lack of bone or body
• Structural abnormalities materially interfering with movement
• Extreme cow hocks or instability
• Severe bite abnormalities affecting normal function
• Chronic joint instability
• Extreme temperament instability
• Persistent extreme shyness
• Any physical exaggeration compromising normal function

Relationship Between Percentage and Type

Bernese percentage is important to Ultra classification but should never be considered in isolation.

A higher percentage of Bernese ancestry does not automatically create a superior Ultra.

Selection should continue to prioritize:

health, temperament, structure, sound movement, correct coat and recognizable phenotype.

An exceptional 65 percent Bernese Ultra exhibiting strong Bernese type may better represent the purpose of the Ultra program than a dog above 75 percent whose phenotype is excessively narrow, curly or Poodle-like.

Similarly, an Ultra Plus should not be rewarded solely because of its percentage.

The phenotype must support the classification.

Ultra Versus Ultra Plus

Ideal Ultra

The ideal Ultra should appear unmistakably more Bernese-influenced than the conventional Bernedoodle while retaining enough Bernedoodle character to remain distinct from a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog.

It should possess:

greater Bernese substance, stronger head type, straighter coat, richer markings and a substantial athletic body.

Ideal Ultra Plus

The ideal Ultra Plus should represent the closest expression of Bernese phenotype within the Bernedoodle population while intentionally preserving selected Bernedoodle characteristics.

It should possess:

strong Bernese head and expression, substantial bone, deep body, rich coloring, intense points, classic marking distribution, straight or loose-wavy coat and stable companion temperament.

Guiding Principle

The purpose of the Ultra program is to move the Bernedoodle deliberately toward a more Bernese-dominant phenotype without sacrificing the characteristics that make the Bernedoodle distinctive.

The Ultra should be recognizably Bernese-influenced.

The Ultra Plus should be unmistakably Bernese-dominant.

Neither should simply be defined by a DNA percentage.

The ideal Ultra and Ultra Plus combine:

Bernese-derived head, expression, body, bone and coloring; straight-to-loose-wavy furnished coat; athletic and structurally sound movement; intelligence and trainability; and a stable, affectionate companion temperament.

The higher the Bernese percentage, the stronger the expectation that the phenotype should reflect Bernese influence.

In both types, strong Poodle-like curl should be selected away from, with curly coat considered a fault in the Ultra and a serious fault in the Ultra Plus.