How Much Does a Bernedoodle Cost? - Spend On Pet (2024)

A Bernedoodle is a designer breed born from mating aBernese Mountain Doganda Poodle.

The breed is thought to have the loyalty and tenacity of the former and the intelligence and similar overall aesthetics of the latter, making the Bernedoodle a perfect companion dog for any home. However, different Bernedoodles will inherit different traits from each of the two parent breeds.

Regardless, If you want a dog that is relatively safe, intelligent, and fiercely loyal, then Bernedoodles are for you.

Because of their gentle and fun nature, Bernedoodles are suitable for families who have toddlers and small children.

Best of Both Worlds at Half the Price

Bernedoodles are relatively new to the dog breed market.Sherry Rupke, the breeder who claims to be the first one who deliberately created the breed, started crossbreeding the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle in 2003. Since then, she has devoted herself to developing the best companion dog that bears the bestpositive attributes of both breeds.

Unlike pure breeds, quoting a Bernedoodle price is a bit more complicated because there are a lot more things to consider.

A Bernedoodle price can go from $800 to $4,000 depending on these factors:

• Generation Type

Crossbreeds like Bernedoodles are divided by generation type.

F1 generation of Bernedoodles is made by crossbreeding a pure Bernese Mountain Dog and a pure Poodle of any size. That means about 50/50 division of the traits from both breeds. The F1s are the most expensive of the bunch.

The F1b generation of Bernedoodles is created by crossbreeding an F1 generation and a Poodle. This means that the F2b pooch is made of 25% Bernese and 75% Poodle. Pooches from this pool can be better for allergy sufferers, but no dog is truly hypoallergenic.

The F2 generation has two F1 generation Bernedoodles as parents. This one is generally the cheapest of the three types, but is also the most predictable in terms of traits, since F1 Bernedoodles typically aren’t bred if they inherit undesirable traits.

• Size

Poodles come in toy, miniature, and standard sizes, so Bernedoodles do too.

Toy Bernedoodles are 12 to 16 inches tall when measured from the shoulder to the floor and can weigh from 8 to 23 pounds. Because of their size, they are easy to carry around and they can readily adapt to apartment living.

Miniature Bernedoodles, on the other hand, can be 18 to 22 inches tall and can weigh from 24 to 49 pounds.
Finally, standard Bernedoodles can go as tall as 32 inches and weigh as heavy as 88 pounds.

• Color

The Bernedoodle price is also gauged by the color of the pooch. Bernedoodles can come in different colors.
Phantom, or solid black Bernedoodles, are the most common and therefore the cheapest.

Bi-color means your Bernedoodle can have a combination of any two of black, white, or brown, while a tricolor can have all three.

The latter is the rarest of the three colors and is often considered the most desirable, making the tricolor Bernedoodle substantially more expensive than the other colorations.

• Expertise of the Breeder

Just like any other jobs out there, breeders who are more experienced when it comes to breeding Bernedoodles price them much higher than those who have not been in the industry that long.

SwissRidge Kennels, the breeding facility owned by Sherry Rupke, offers its Bernedoodles at a much higher rate than others. Being the pioneer of the breed, she has more experience and expertise in handling, breeding, and caring for Bernedoodles than any other breeder.

• Care and Maintenance Expenses

Aside from the typical initial vaccination shots and deworming treatment, Bernedoodles, upon birth, must be given extra care not just in the medical aspect. Bernese Mountain Dogs are known to be very inattentive moms; they care very little for their babies on their own.

In a litter of six or seven, only four or fewer will survive without human intervention.

Bernese Mountain Dog moms also have a low pregnancy success rate. It is not uncommon for female Bernese Mountain Dogs to not become pregnant after mating. It may take a few tries and even years to have a successful pregnancy, since female dogs only go into heat about twice a year.

More Expenses to Come

The bills do not stop once you receive your Bernedoodle. To give your new pet a good quality of life, you have to provide its basic needs.

In this section, we will divide the types of expenses you may incur into two categories: one-time and recurring expenses.

One-Time

Shelter – Bernedoodles do not have any special needs when it comes to their home. Note, however, that the bigger the size, the more room they need. Thus, the standard Bernedoodles may need a yard to play in, or, if you live in an apartment, a large space inside or an open area outside.

Because of their intelligence, Bernedoodles can be relatively easily crate trained. This is important especially if you have other pets at home or you have visitors who do not appreciate your Bernedoodle’s friendliness.

Crate prices vary according to size and the material in which it was made. A basic one may go from about $25 (for toy and mini Bernedoodles) to $60 or more (for standard Bernedoodles).

Transportation Costs – Some kennels already offer a transport system for their Bernedoodles, which can go from $300 to $450 depending on the type of system you need. They may either go door-to-door, air travel, or have one of their staff travel with your pooch.

The good thing about this choice is that the kennel would save you the trouble of transporting your furry friend. All you need to do is to wait.

If, however, you prefer to go and pick up your Bernedoodle yourself, you may need to consider the cost of fuel (if you have a car) or public transport fees (if you’re into commuting).

You also have a choice to get a separate pet travel service if your breeder doesn’t offer transportation and you prefer not to pick your new Bernedoodle up yourself. Some charge from$300 to $900for deliveries within continental US and other United States territories and $500 to $3,500 for overseas travel.

Documentation – Getting papers for mixed breeds is a lot trickier than for pure breeds. For one, famous clubs like the American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club do not accept them.

However, this does not mean that you can’t have your Bernedoodle registered.

Mixed breeds like Bernedoodles can be registered in the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the International Designer Canine Registry, Designer Breed Registry, or American Canine Hybrid Club. Starting price may be around $25 depending on the registry.

However, if you don’t plan on breeding your Bernedoodle or entering them into competitions, you don’t necessarily need to have them registered.

On top of registration, you may also need a dog license for your new pet depending on where you live. If necessary, dog licenses typically cost around $15.

Recurring

Food – Just like the shelter, the daily nutritional requirements vary depending on the Bernedoodle’s size. Toy Bernedoodles need fewer calories than the mini Bernedoodle, and subsequently, mini ‘doodles need less than the standard ones.

For about $30 to $90, you can buy a 25 pound bag of high quality, nutritious dog food.

Veterinary Care – The beauty of mixed breeds, especially when the parents are chosen meticulously, is that there are fewer chances of passing genetic health problems to the offspring.

Unfortunately, because Bernedoodles are relatively new, information about health concerns are limited. While Poodles are known to be a relatively healthy breed, Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to several conditions and have one of the shortest lifespans among dog breeds.

This means that owners must be extra vigilant in providing veterinary care from the time that they receive their pet. Routine checkups must be done without fail, so be prepared to shell out at least $50 for each one.

Once you receive your Bernedoodle, it is essential that you also follow up on their vaccination schedule. Bernedoodles are just as prone to rabies, distemper, and parvo as any other breed out there. Shots may start at $19 to $35 depending on the clinic.

Grooming Needs – Because of the poodle parent’s exquisite coat, shedding is minimal to non-existent for Bernedoodles. However, since the coat is made up of hair and not fur, matting can be a problem. The curlier the hair, the more prone it is to stick together.

To prevent this, brush and comb their hair every day. You can buy a dog brush for around $8 to $10.
And like human hair, a Bernedoodle’s hair coat must be shampooed and conditioned using products specifically made for dogs. You can buy a bottle of each for $10 to $25 depending on the brand.

Regular clipping of the coat must also be part of your Bernedoodle’s grooming regimen to facilitate faster and easier coat brushing and to prevent matting. A standard clipping can cost you around $55 to $90, depending on the size of your dog and the style.

Others – Whenever your Bernedoodle is in an unsecured area, it should be on a leash, so it also needs a harness or collar to fasten the leash to.

A good harness is one that can be secured and adjusted around the shoulders and chest. It must not constrict your pet’s throat nor hinder its limbs while walking. Prices start at$18 or moredepending on the brand.

Collars are typically cheaper, ranging in price from about $10 to $30.

Toys are another crucial part of the Bernedoodle’s life. Bernedoodles have the intelligence of a poodle, which is considered one of the most intelligent dog breed in the world.

The downside of this is that they can get easily bored especially if you are not always around to play with them. Thankfully, toys are relatively cheap. You can already buy them starting as low as a $1, but you can also pay much more for fancier toys if you’re so inclined.

Conclusion

While Bernedoodles may take a little more time, money, and effort to buy and care for than other breeds, their loving companionship and unconditional obedience far outweigh the investments.

In choosing a Bernedoodle puppy to take home, always communicate and ask the breeder for help. An excellent breeder will not let your choices be governed by your heart, but by sound, rational judgment.