Bernedoodle Price: What Does a Bernedoodle Cost?

Updated 03/25/2024 – Bernedoodles, including the Mini Bernedoodle variety, have a wide price range, starting as low as $750 for a puppy. However, lower-priced puppies often come from less experienced or negligent breeders, potentially leading to health issues like allergies. At the high end are “turnkey” Bernadoodles priced up to $20,000, which we’ll explain further on.

So, what is the average cost of a Bernedoodle?

The average cost for a Bernedoodle puppy falls between $2,000 and $5,000, with significant variations in what you receive based on the price. The price of a Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle Mix depends on several factors, such as demand, size, color, health testing, and the environment they were raised in.

This guide takes a look at these factors and why Bernadoodles command a high average price. Plus, what you can expect to pay annually to care for your Bernedoodle.

Quick Facts About Bernedoodles:

• Weight: Standard (60-100 lbs), Mini (25-50 lbs), Micro (10-24 lbs)
• Height: Standard (23-29 inches), Mini (18-22 inches), Micro (12-17 inches)
• Colors: Include tri-color, two-tone, cream, red, black, chocolate, silver, and gray.

Factors Influencing Bernedoodle Prices

1. Size Matters

The size of the Bernadoodle you want significantly impacts the price, with smaller “Mini” or “Micro Mini” Bernedoodles costing $1,000 to $2,000 more than standard sizes due to the complexity of breeding smaller, healthy dogs.

2. Training

First-time doodle owners may prefer a trained puppy, which comes at an additional cost. Training can range from basic commands to comprehensive “turnkey” packages, adding $1,000 to $15,000+ to the puppy’s price.

What is a Turnkey Bernadoodle Puppy?

The definition of turnkey is ultimately up to the breeder. But in general you will get an older puppy that has been crate trained, leash trained, and knows basic commands such as, Sit, Stay, Come, Down and No. They should also be potty trained. The downside of getting an older puppy is that you will miss the puppy bonding time.

Other items that may be included in training are vetting and boarding. Always check with the breeder to see what they include in turnkey training.

3. Color Preferences

Traditional tri-color Bernedoodles and rare merle coats are highly sought after, making them more expensive by $1,000 to $2,000 and $500 to $1,000, respectively, compared to standard colors.

It is important to point out that Merle coats are rare and they need to be carefully bred not to cause blindness in a dog. A merle tri-color coat is the most expensive colored Bernedoodle to buy.

4. Breeder’s Influence

The breeder’s reputation and practices significantly affect prices. Avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills which are generally less expensive, due to potential health issues. Quality breeders, who perform extensive health testing, typically charge $4,000 to $6,000+ for a puppy.

Watch out for Puppy Brokers

A puppy broker is someone who sells puppies but doesn’t actually breed them. They often get puppies from places that don’t treat animals well, like puppy mills and backyard breeders, and then sell these puppies to pet stores or directly to people online.

You can sometimes tell if someone is a puppy broker if they offer many different breeds from various breeders on their website.

However, some puppy brokers are tricky to identify because they set up separate websites for each breed to make it seem like they are different sellers. A clue to recognizing them is to look for links that connect one site to another, as they try to promote all their websites together.

Brokers charge a lot of money for the puppies, especially for those with sought-after colors, sometimes more than $3,000, but you will not get the same level of care in breeding that you would get with a quality breeder.

Another advantage of dealing directly with the breeder is that you may be able to pick your puppy from the litter with the guidance from the breeder.

5. Health Testing

Health testing in breeding dogs, including genetic screenings for common diseases, significantly raises the cost of puppies but leads to healthier litters. Tests check for issues like hip dysplasia and eye diseases, common in Bernedoodles’ parent breeds. This process is expensive and not all dogs pass, limiting the pool of healthy breeders.

As a result, Bernedoodles from health-tested parents may cost twice as much as those without testing, reflecting the higher breeding standards and investment in the puppies’ long-term health.

6. Generations Differences

The breeding generation (F1, F1b, F2) affects the price, with later generations (more poodle genetics) often costing more due to their non-shedding coats.

• “F1” Bernedoodles are the first generation, directly crossed between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle, offering a mix of traits but with a chance of shedding.
• “F1b” Bernedoodles are the next step, bred from an F1 Bernedoodle and a Poodle, leaning more towards the Poodle’s non-shedding coat and often commanding a higher price.
• “F2” Bernedoodles, or second-generation crosses between two Bernedoodles, provide more consistency in appearance and shedding traits.

Each step up in generation often sees an increase in price due to the desired traits becoming more pronounced and predictable.

7. Demand

Their popularity often exceeds the number of available puppies, driving up prices. The unique appeal of Bernedoodles, including their friendly nature and hypoallergenic coats, makes them highly sought after. There is also high demand for certain sizes or colors that can drive up prices even further, especially for Mini or Micro minis and tri-colored or merle Bernedoodles.

8. Breeding Rights

Puppies sold with breeding rights are more expensive than those sold as companions with spay/neuter contracts.

Ongoing Costs of a Bernedoodle

Owning a Bernedoodle involves a commitment to both time and money beyond the initial purchase. To help you understand the financial aspect of Bernedoodle ownership, here’s a breakdown of the ongoing expenses you can expect, along with average yearly costs:

Ongoing Expenses:

• Veterinary Care: Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and occasional unexpected visits can average around $300 – $700 annually.
• Quality Food: Providing a balanced diet tailored to their size and energy level typically costs $300 – $700 per year.
• Grooming: Bernedoodles require regular grooming to keep their coat in good condition. Expect to spend $600 – $1000 yearly.
• Pet Insurance: Optional but recommended, especially for unforeseen health issues, averaging $600 – $1,200 annually.
• Toys and Accessories: Toys, leashes, beds, and other essentials can add up to $100 – $300 each year.
• Training: Basic obedience classes or advanced training might cost $100 – $300, depending on the level of training desired.

Why are Bernedoodles so expensive?

Bernedoodles tend to be more expensive for a few reasons. Firstly, there aren’t as many breeders who specialize in creating high-quality Bernedoodles, making them less common.

Also, breeding Bernedoodles is a complex process. Achieving the sought-after traditional tri-colored coat of the Bernese Mountain Dog in a Bernedoodle is particularly challenging, requiring several generations of careful breeding and a lot of genetic testing to get it just right.

Similarly, when it comes to creating smaller versions like the Mini or Micro Mini Bernedoodles, the process is equally intricate. Breeders need to work over multiple generations to ensure these smaller dogs are not only the right size but also healthy and well-structured.

All these factors contribute to the higher cost of Bernedoodles compared to some other breeds.

Bringing home your Bernedoodle puppy

After choosing a breeder, it’s time to prepare for your puppy’s arrival. You’ll need essentials such as a leash, collar, food bowls, and toys.

Also, consider where your puppy will go to the bathroom. Setting up a specific spot for this helps simplify potty training. For more tips, check out our posts on Potty Training a Puppy: Made Easy and Outdoor Dog Potty Area Ideas.

For naming ideas check out our post on 775+ Bernedoodle Dog Names: The Ultimate

Bernedoodle Price Resources

• Bernedoodles: A Head to Tail Guide by Sherry Rupke from Swiss Ridge Kennels