Designer dogs like Bernedoodles inherit appealing genes, which makes them highly sought after. The Bernedoodle is a crossbreed between the Poodle and the Bernese Mountain dog. They have the Bernese Mountain dog’s tri-color coat or the curled fur of the Poodles, depending on the dominant parent. Their appearance, coupled with a friendly and calm temperament, makes the hypoallergenic breed a wonderful family pet.

But how much do these dogs cost, considering their demand is relatively high? The average monthly cost ranges from $255–$865. Here’s a thorough breakdown of how much you can expect to spend on this dog, along with initial costs for veterinary procedures and continuing maintenance.

Bringing Home a New Bernedoodle: One-Time Costs

Bringing a Bernedoodle puppy home will cost you $500 to $5,000 and beyond, depending on whether you’ve purchased one from a breeder or adopted one. If you’re buying a puppy, the factors determining how much you’ll pay include the Bernedoodle’s heritage, how reputable a breeder is, and where you live.

Bernedoodle puppies also differ in price depending on characteristics like their looks, such as whether their coats are tri-colored, merle, parti, or phantom. Each variation has a price range attached to it, but the most cost-driving factor that makes this breed expensive is its high demand among the breed’s enthusiasts.

Free

Although it’s not common, you may receive a Bernedoodle through unusual means, such as a gift or a request to rehome a pup that someone is having challenges looking after. But even though you may not pay anything to acquire the dog, there are costs for vaccinations, health check-ups, and essential supplies.

Free dogs may have been neglected or abused, and it’s vital to prioritize vet exams, deworming, flea treatment, and spaying or neutering. A Bernedoodle that’s not well trained or looked after will require behavioral therapy and house training.

Adoption

While adopting a Bernedoodle will prove cheaper than buying a pup from a registered breeder, you will pay an adoption fee of an average of $150 to $500. However, some organizations add charges relating to their upkeep while at the shelter, depending on how long they’ve had the dog.

Similar to receiving a Bernedoodle for free, dogs for adoption require vet care for services like medication, worm and flea treatment, and neutering or spaying. In addition, an adopted pup may have to be shipped to your location for rehoming, which, on average, costs more than $100.

Breeder

Reputable and registered breeders sell high-quality Bernedoodle puppies with an established heritage. You can expect to pay anything from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on several factors that include:

Initial Setup and Supplies

Besides the upfront costs of buying and giving a Bernedoodle a new home, you’ll spend time and money preparing your house for your pup. It’s necessary to give them a smooth and quicker transition while ensuring other issues don’t crop up during the first few days of their arrival.

Expect to spend between $200 and $600 for the initial setup and supplies for your new Bernedoodle. Before bringing them home, you’ll need food, dishes, grooming products, a leash and collar, a bed, toys, and treats.

 

List of Bernedoodle Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Bernedoodle Cost Per Month?

While the monthly costs of owning a Bernedoodle are substantial, they’re not much different from the expenses associated with any other breed. Consistent monthly purchases include items like food and the replacement of regular supplies, including grooming supplies, toys, and medication.

Recurring costs like food will set you back anywhere from $45 to $115 for a 25-pound bag of nutritious, high-quality kibble, depending on your dog’s age, size, and feeding habits. Vet expenses aren’t that significant, especially if the Bernedoodle’s heritage is carefully selected, and you can offset these costs with affordable pet insurance.

The curly coat of a Bernedoodle (while it’s non-shedding) is prone to matting and thus needs constant brushing as part of your daily routine. A bottle of high-quality shampoo and conditioner is inexpensive, but additional items like toys can bring that expense to over $100 each month.

Health Care

Preventative medications are essential and should be included in your monthly expenses. One of the Bernedoodle’s parents, the Bernese Mountain dog, has one of the shortest lifespans in the domestic canine world as a result of several health-related concerns. Some problems, like hip dysplasia, require more frequent vet visits, which will increase your costs.

However, young, healthy Bernedoodles are unlikely to have many veterinary costs. As your dog ages, you’re likely to spend more on veterinary care, but you can enroll your dog in a pet insurance plan when they’re young to reduce your expenses for accidents and illnesses.

Food

The amount of food you’ll budget each month for your Bernedoodle depends on the dog’s size, weight, activity level, and the quality of products you purchase. Your pup will typically eat between 1,500 and 2,500 calories daily, which are split into two meals. You also need to consider the cost of treats.

Bernedoodles aren’t heavy eaters, but it’s important to measure their food carefully and monitor their with to prevent obesity. Expect to spend between $75 and $150 monthly on high-quality kibble or wet food.

While better food products are recommended to maintain your Bernedoodle’s health, you can ask your veterinarian for brand recommendations and feeding tips.

Grooming

Bernedoodles are relatively affordable to groom, especially if they inherit more of the Poodle coat. However, curly-haired dogs require monthly trimming, and it’s best to visit a professional groomer if you’re inexperienced with cutting a dog’s hair.

You can reduce your monthly grooming costs by brushing, shampooing, and conditioning at home, along with bathing and nail clipping. Professional services can cost up to $100 a session, depending on the procedures performed.

Medications and Vet Visits

While your Bernedoodle may not require monthly visits to the vet, it’s sensible to set aside money for medical expenses and emergencies. You’ll also need to budget for the times that your pup needs preventative medication, which includes parasite treatment and vaccinations.

If your pet suffers chronic health issues or congenital problems, the vet and medication costs will increase. However, with optimal nutrition, exercise, and regular checkups, you can stay on top of your dog’s health.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance is beneficial if your dog is prone to health issues or if you don’t want to set money aside for medical procedures or emergencies. Bernedoodles are typically healthy dogs depending on the parents, but an insurance policy will also provide you with peace of mind.

Compared to the thousands of dollars some procedures, such as hip dysplasia surgery, can cost, getting a pet insurance policy that charges less than $50 a month is affordable. You can also consolidate pet insurance on some homeowner’s coverage or reap benefits and discounts on various employment schemes.

Environment Maintenance

Environmental maintenance expenses involve replacing cleaning supplies for your Bernedoodle, which assist in keeping their kennels, food, and water dishes or toilet items clean. You’ll also replace grooming products occasionally.

Entertainment

Bernedoodles are incredibly playful canines and can be somewhat destructive through chewing and scratching. Depending on how much time you can spend with your dog, they’ll require a few toys, activities, and mental exercises to keep them entertained.

An excellent way to ensure your Bernedoodle is constantly supplied with new toys is through a subscription service, which typically costs between $15 and $50 a month. You’ll receive appropriately sized toys for your dog, and you can also order packages with treats and training materials.

While subscription memberships can cost more than $50, you may need additional items such as puzzles, harnesses, collars, and leashes.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Bernedoodle

Depending on the age of your pup and the area where you live, the monthly cost of owning a Bernedoodle varies significantly. With a wide selection of commercially available products, it’ll also depend on the quality of items you purchase and how soon you’ll have to replace them.

It’s not uncommon to spend at least $255 a month on your Bernedoodle’s maintenance, especially if they have health conditions or you’re not around to groom or walk them. Buying food, treats, and other items in bulk helps save costs, while supplementing with homemade supplies also works to bring down the monthly budget.

Additional Costs to Factor In

You should prepare to factor in other costs in maintaining a Bernedoodle, especially if you’re constantly away from home or out of town. For instance, you’ll engage the services of a pet sitter to look after your dog while you’re traveling, and they may charge by the hour or day.

Additionally, dogs like Bernedoodles, especially when adopted or rehomed by another owner, will need behavioral and house training. These sessions typically cost around $50, but you can find trainers that offer discounts.

Your pup Bernedoodle is playful and bound to cause some destruction in your home, necessitating you to replace household items. Also, unless you have pet insurance, dogs are prone to eating objects and substances that make them sick, and you must set aside some money for emergencies.

Owning a Bernedoodle on a Budget

Owning a Bernedoodle isn’t out of your reach, even though acquiring one upfront from a breeder will undoubtedly strain your finances. However, with proper planning and budgeting, you’ll find it easy to raise and maintain this pup due to the low demands and requirements common to this breed.

You don’t have to make recurring purchases of things you can rotate or make at home, such as toys, puzzles, or games that keep your Bernedoodle entertained. You can also buy items that last longer, along with creative budget ideas such as buying food and grooming supplies at discount stores or during clearance sales.

Make plans for those expenses that can’t be skipped, which you’ll purchase every month, and do procedures like grooming yourself instead of relying on professionals. With medical and healthcare, pet insurance beats setting money aside for emergencies since you’ll know how much you’ll spend monthly on the policy’s premium.

Saving Money on Bernedoodle Care

You can look for brick-and-mortar and online discounts and sales or collect coupons for Bernedoodle supplies. Buying in bulk also ensures significant savings on food, toys, treats, grooming, and cleaning supplies, while subscription services won’t drain your wallet each month.

If you provide the best nutrition and care for your Bernedoodle, you’ll save on expensive medical procedures and vet visits. If you prioritize healthy food, exercise, and activities for your pup, they’ll have a long lifespan and happy life.

Conclusion

Regardless of how expensive it is to acquire a Bernedoodle, you can care for one despite being on a budget. After buying your dog and getting essential supplies, your monthly costs will be $255–$865.

There are also money-saving options for the care and maintenance of a Bernedoodle, where you forgo professional groomers, trainers, or pet sitters for DIY options. A low-priced pet insurance policy also ensures you’re not breaking the bank with healthcare and medication for which emergencies can form the bulk of your expenses.

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Featured Image Credit: jcburke, Shutterstock