If you’re in the market for a mini Bernedoodle, you might be curious about their price. You may be surprised to learn that there is a fairly wide gap between the lowest cost for a mini Bernedoodle and the highest cost.
At the more affordable end, you can find mini Bernedoodle puppies priced from as low as $650. However, this might not be the bargain it appears to be. Puppies in this price bracket are often bred by inexperienced or neglectful breeders and can come with a host of health issues, including allergies.
Conversely, at the higher end of the spectrum, there are turnkey Bernedoodles priced at $20,000. We will discuss what this means later in the post.
How Much Does a mini Bernedoodle Cost?
Mini Bernedoodles range in price from $2,000 to $5,000. This variation reflects factors such as geographical location, breeder reputation, demand, and specific characteristics of the puppy. Explore the reasons behind the pricing, including how state of purchase, breeder type, and size influence the final cost.
9 Factors That Can Affect the Price of a Mini Bernedoodle
1. Location
Where you purchase your mini Bernedoodle will have a big impact on the cost of the puppy. In both the northeast and west coast states, prices for puppies can be up to 30% higher than puppies from the Midwest and south.
2. Size: How Does Size Affect the Price of a Mini Bernedoodle?
The size of the Bernadoodle plays a significant role in determining its cost.
Originally, the standard Bernedoodle, which was a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and standard poodle, weighed between 70 to 90 lbs. and stood at a height of 23-29 inches at the shoulder. Recognizing the demand for smaller dogs, breeders began producing smaller Bernedoodles. The two most common smaller sizes available are:
- Miniature Bernedoodle: Weighing between 25 to 49 lbs. with a height of 18-22 inches at the shoulder.
- Micro Mini Bernedoodle: Weighing between 10 to 24 lbs. and standing 12-17 inches tall at the shoulder.
But, breeding large dogs down to these smaller sizes requires skill, time, and experience to ensure the resultant pups are healthy and structurally sound.
Given the intricacies and multi-generational breeding required to achieve the desired size, smaller Bernedoodles tend to come with a higher price. A mini and micro mini Bernedoodle can cost $1,000 to $2,000 more than the price of a full-sized Bernadoodle
3. Training: How does training affect the mini Bernedoodle Price?
Many first-time dog owners are attracted to doodles due to their adorable appearance, low shedding traits and the promise of easy training. Unfortunately, easy training does not mean they will train themselves. They still need an experienced person to guide them, something most new dog parents do not have.
Recognizing this challenge, some breeders began offering pre-trained puppies at an additional cost. The level of training can vary: while some breeders offer various training stages, others provide only fully trained dogs. It’s important to note that these trained puppies are typically older than 8 weeks when acquired.
The training fee is separate from the puppy’s initial cost. Prices can start from $1,000 for a month’s training and can exceed $15,000 for a fully trained turnkey puppy.
What is a Turnkey Puppy?
The definition of turnkey puppy 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. The puppy should also have a head start on potty training, if not fully trained by the time you get them.
The training fees may also cover other things like the cost to care for the puppy while being trained and routine veterinarian visits. However, it’s essential to consult with the breeder to fully understand what their turnkey training package includes.
4. Color: What color mini Bernedoodle is the most expensive?
The price of a mini Bernedoodle is also heavily influenced by its color. Bernedoodles can come in either the traditional tri-color of the Bernese Mountain Dog or any of the colors and color combinations of the poodle.
Common colors include black, brown, and sable. Bernadoodles can also be bi-colored; black and white or sable and white. Plus any of the special color combinations of the poodle including the rare merle coat.
Mini Bernedoodle Coat Colors that Come with a Premium Price
- Tri color Bernedoodle
Mini Bernedoodles with the traditional Bernese tri-color coat of black, and white with tan marking are the hardest to breed and also the most often requested coat colors. This makes the tri-color Bernedoodle the second most expensive to purchase, with a price difference of between $1,000 to $2,000 more for a tri-colored Bernedoodle than an all-black Bernedoodle.
- Merle Bernedoodle premium
The most expensive Bernedoodle color is a tri-color, merle Bernadoodle. A merle coat is commonly associated with the blotchy coat of the Australian Shepard but is making its way into the designer dog breed world very quickly. Merle coats are rare. If not properly bred, Merle coats are associated with blindness.
Depending on the breeder a merle tri-color Berniedoodle can cost $500 to $1000 more than the standard tri-color coat.
5. Breeder: Who you get your mini Bernedoodle from affects the cost
The place you choose to get your Bernedoodle significantly impacts the puppy’s cost. Here are the four primary sources of puppies and their associated price points:
Backyard Breeder:
- Description: These individuals often breed their family pets to earn some extra money. Without the right knowledge about healthy breeding practices, the dogs they produce may face numerous health problems.
- Where to Find: Typically advertised on platforms like Facebook or Craigslist.
- Warning Signs: A lack of knowledge about the breed, absence of health testing, no contracts, or health guarantees.
- Cost: Usually ranges from $500 to $1,000.
- Advice: It’s best to avoid acquiring a puppy from a backyard breeder.
Puppy Mills:
- Description: Puppy mills churn out large numbers of puppies without regard for their well-being. These puppies are not socialized and are harder to train. They frequently have health issues and they might even be sold sick.
- Where to Find: Often sold via pet stores, online puppy brokers, or they may pose as reputable breeders online.
- Warning Signs: Cannot answer questions about the specific puppies. Does not have proof of genetic health testing, offers short-term health guarantees.
- Cost: Prices can vary between $750 and $3,000. The higher price tag can be misleading, making the mill appear reputable.
- Advice: Always ask detailed questions when dealing with breeders, especially about health testing. Ask for proof of testing. You should also be able to see where the dogs are kept. Check google maps if given an address.
Puppy Brokers:
- Description: Brokers aren’t breeders but may misrepresent themselves as such. They essentially act as middlemen between puppy mills or backyard breeders and customers.
- Where to Find: Predominantly online. While some are evident due to their multi-breed listings, others are craftier, using separate sites for individual breeds.
- Warning Signs: Cannot answer questions about the specific puppies. Different people answer the phone each time you call. Does not have proof of genetic health testing, short-term health guarantees.
- Cost: These puppies often come with a premium, sometimes exceeding $3,000, especially for popular colors. The broker pockets the price difference as their fee.
- Advice: Stay vigilant. If you find cross-links between different breed for-sale sites, it’s likely the work of a broker.
Reputable Breeders:
- Description: A conscientious breeder prioritizes the health and lineage of their dogs, aiming to improve the breed. They invest in health testing and often use guardian homes to ensure a nurturing environment for breeding dogs.
- Advantages: You might get to choose your puppy from the litter under the breeder’s guidance.
- Cost: Due to their meticulous breeding approach and associated health-testing expenses, their prices are higher, usually between $4,000 and $6,000.
- Advice: A higher price does not indicate a reputable breeder. Do your homework. Ask for references and proof of testing.
6. Health Testing: How does health testing affect the Bernedoodle price?
Breeders who undertake health tests usually have an in-depth knowledge of the breed and adhere to optimal breeding practices. Undertaking the 11 recommended health tests for breeding a Bernedoodle can be costly.
These associated costs, coupled with the uncertainty if a dog is breed-able post-tests, make health-tested mini Bernedoodles pricier.
A health-tested Bernedoodle might be twice as expensive as its non-tested counterpart.
7. Bernedoodle Generations: Understanding F1, F1B, and F2 Bernedoodles and how it affects the price
Some might say that breeding doodles is more of an art than a science. Unlike the predictable outcomes when breeding two purebreds, doodle breeding can yield unexpected results.
When a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog is mated with a mini Poodle, the resulting puppies can exhibit a wide range of characteristics. Some might not necessarily align with popular expectations. To offer clarity to potential puppy buyers, breeders introduced the Doodle Generation Classification.
F1 Bernedoodle:
- First-generation Bernedoodle. These puppies are 50% Bernese Mountain Dog and 50% Poodle.
- Typically considered the healthiest cross due to the reduced chance of inheriting breed-specific health issues. However, this applies mainly to health conditions that affect only one of the parent breeds.
- F1 doodles are more prone to shedding than their subsequent generations, although they should shed less than a pure Bernese Mountain Dog.
- First generation mini Bernedoodles sizes will vary.
- Cost: They are generally the least expensive of all the generations
F1B Bernedoodle:
- Second-generation Bernedoodle. This results from breeding an F1 Bernedoodle with a Poodle, making the offspring roughly 25% Bernese and 75% Poodle.
- As these puppies lean genetically more towards the Poodle, they’re less likely to shed compared to F1 Bernedoodles and have curlier coats.
- Cost: Due to their reduced shedding and later generation, the F1B Bernedoodle typically comes with a higher price tag than an F1 Bernedoodle.
F2 Bernedoodle:
- Multi-generation Bernedoodle, produced when two Bernedoodles are bred together.
- Characteristics: As generations progress, there tends to be less variation in size and fur type but this generation can also be the most unpredictable.
- Cost: Due to the later generation, F2 Bernedoodles often cost more than either F1 or F1B Bernedoodles.
In essence, as you move further along the Bernedoodle generations, there’s a higher likelihood of consistency in traits, which can influence the pricing.
8. Coat type
Mini Bernedoodles can have straight, wavy or curly fur. The most sought-after look is a soft, non-shedding, wavy coat. Some less experienced breeders will price their puppies according to fur type.
Experienced breeders that do genetic testing will produce the most consistent look. Therefore they will not have price differences for fur type.
9. Demand: Why are mini Bernedoodles so expensive?
Supply and demand have a lot to do with the cost of everything, and dogs are no exception. Since the mini Bernedoodles are harder to breed, they demand a higher price.
Mini Bernedoodle Price FAQ
1. Is a mini Bernedoodle a good family dog?
If you are looking for a laid back, family-oriented dog that is low-shed in a smaller package, then a mini Bernadoodle is a great choice. Just keep in mind that no dog is perfect. While a mini Bernedoodle is claimer and requires less daily exercise than some of the other popular mini doodle breeds, the Bernadoodle is more stubborn.
2. Why are Bernedoodles so expensive?
The high cost of Bernedoodles stems from the challenges and intricacies associated with breeding them. Here are some key reasons:
- Limited Quality Breeders: There are few breeders who have the expertise to breed high-quality Bernedoodles, creating a demand-supply imbalance.
- Complex Breeding Process: Achieving the traditional Bernese tri-colored coat in a Bernedoodle is more challenging than breeding a single-colored Goldendoodle or Labradoodle. This desired tri-color pattern often necessitates multiple breeding generations and comprehensive genetic testing.
- Breeding Miniature Varieties: Crafting the Mini or Micro-mini Bernedoodles is an art of its own. To ensure these smaller versions are healthy and structurally sound, breeders need to invest in multiple breeding cycles.
In essence, the meticulous breeding practices required to produce healthy and desired Bernedoodles drive up their cost.
3. Where to find a mini Bernedoodle puppy for less?
If the price tag of a well-bred Bernedoodle is too high, there are alternatives.
One is adopting a mini Bernedoodle that is in-need of a home. The cost to adopt an adult mini Bernedoodle can range between $250 and $600 depending on the age of the dog and the adoption agency. The adoption fees for a young puppy may be higher.
The other option is to look for a breeder with the Guardian Home program. You can learn more about Guardian programs in our post “Bernedoodle Puppies: Best Places to Get One”.
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Beyond the initial Cost of a Mini Bernedoodle
When considering adding a Mini Bernedoodle to your family, you also need to consider the cost beyond the initial purchase price. Ongoing costs can include; health care, grooming, training, to everyday needs. Understanding the full spectrum of expenses associated with this charming breed can help prepare you as future Bernedoodle parents
First Year Costs* – $1,400 to $2,800
- Veterinarian Care – $400 to $600 this includes the cost of vaccines. To manage medical costs you may want to purchase pet insurance.
- Food – the cost of food will depend on the size of your dog and the type of food you feed them. $400 to $800
- Toys and treats $200 to $600
- Pet Supplies – $200 to $450 – this includes items like a crate, bedding, snuggle puppy, food bowl and water bowl, leash and harness.
- Training Classes – $150 – $300
- Grooming – professional grooming $300 – $500.
- Grooming DIY $400 -$800 to buy supplies the first year.
Ongoing Annual Costs* – $1,100 to $2,400
- Veterinarian Care – $250 to $400 this includes the cost of annual vaccines. Maybe more if illness or accidents happen. To manage medical costs you may want to purchase pet insurance.
- Food – the cost of food will depend on the size of your dog and the type of food you feed them. $600 to $1200
- Toys and treats – $200 to $600
- Grooming – professional grooming $600 – $1,200
- Travel expenses – Boarding or dog walking
* Note: the actual cost will depend on your location and buying choices.
Preparing for Your Bernedoodle Puppy
After selecting your breeder, it’s time to prepare for your Bernedoodle puppy’s arrival. Puppies need various essentials, such as a leash, collar, food bowls, and toys. One often overlooked aspect is designating a consistent spot for your puppy to relieve itself. Setting this up from the start can simplify potty training and keep your yard clean. For more insights, consider reading our articles: “ Potty Training a Puppy: Made Easy” and “Outdoor Dog Potty Area Guide.”
For naming ideas check out our post on 775+ Bernedoodle Dog Names: The Ultimate Guide
Bernedoodle Price Resources
- Bernedoodles: A Head to Tail Guide by Sherry Rupke from SwissRidge Kennels