The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large working dog known for being very friendly with children.
This exceptional breed may have a high price tag, but many owners attest that it is worth it. In this article, you’ll know just how much a Bernese Mountain Dog costs.
Besides the Bernese Mountain Dog price, you also need to consider other expenses. Remember that buying a dog is just one financial aspect of owning one.
You have to set the budget for good-quality dog food, grooming services, and supplements, among others.
To find out if raising a Bernese Mountain Dog will be the right fit for you in terms of finances, continue reading this article.
The Average Cost of a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy
The price of a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy from a reputable breeder ranges between $1,200 and $3,000. However, top-of-the-line dogs can reach a price of $6,000 or even higher. Keep in mind that the average price of this breed largely depends on gender, age, and pedigree.
You should already be aware that owning a Bernese Mountain Dog or any dog breed for that matter is a huge financial responsibility. Before having one, make sure that you can afford its necessities.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a working dog originating from Switzerland. They are loyal companions bred to herd cattle. They prove to be very useful on the farm as watchdogs that also help in pulling heavy carts and wagons.
Since Bernese Mountain Dogs are reliable working dogs, this is one of the chief reasons they are priced higher than other breeds. However, every penny you spend will surely be worth it.
If you’re not convinced, this video of a Bernese Mountain Dog might just persuade you otherwise:
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Factors Affecting the Cost of a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy
Listed below are some of the considerations that breeders take into account when setting the price for Bernese Mountain Dogs:
- Age: As with any other dog breed, puppies usually cost more than older dogs. A senior dog would even be more affordable and is usually the best option if you are not into an active lifestyle.
- Pedigree: The genetics of a Bernese Mountain Dog surely affects its price. If it comes from a superior lineage, you can expect a higher price tag. However, your money will be worth it because you know that your dog inherited the best qualities from its parents.
- Breeder’s Track Record: Getting a Bernese Mountain Dog from a responsible breeder will certainly cost you more money than buying from backyard breeders or puppy mills. Trusted breeders are certified by major kennel clubs and have credible years of experience.
- Color and Appearance: A Bernese Mountain Dog is an adorable pup with a tri-colored coat that is brown, white, and black. Those with a distinct black coat with white markings and rust-colored highlights are usually priced higher than others.
- Health Guarantees: A dog’s health is one of the most pressing issues for an owner. This is where the importance of health screening or tests comes in. Puppies or dogs with a health guarantee are understandably more expensive than those without one.
- Training: Bernese Mountain Dog puppies trained by responsible breeders before being sold will cost you more money. This is done so that they can easily adjust to their new homes and adapt well to their new environment, including their new owners and other dogs. Usually, potty and crate training is already included in their program.
- Kennel Registration: If you want to register your new puppy to a kennel club, then be prepared to spend a few more hundred bucks. Like other purebreds, Bernese Mountain Dogs can be registered with kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC).
The breeder’s location and cost of deliveries can also impact the average cost of a Bernese Mountain Dog. It’s best to do your research and see if you can find a trusted breeder near you to cut back on some charges.
Similarly, the gender of a dog also affects the final price of a puppy from a reputable breeder. It’s important to know if a male or female Bernese Mountain Dog is the right pup for you.
Always take note of the things mentioned above so you know what goes into the Bernese Mountain Dog price.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Bernese Mountain Dog From a Rescue?
One way to get yourself this wonderful breed is through adopting from an animal shelter or rescue group. Doing this will cost you around $350 to $550.
This fee also covers vaccination, check-ups, and neutering/spaying done on your Bernese Mountain Dog.
When adopting a dog, you have to know that you need to undergo a series of screenings and interviews. To help you go through this process, you can check out our ultimate guide to dog adoption.
Adoption fees also vary because some dogs may already be too old or have underlying health conditions. It’s important to ask these kinds of questions when you plan on adopting a dog so you know what to expect.
READ NEXT: The Ultimate Guide to Dog Adoption: Process, What to Ask and Tips to Get Approved
Initial Cost of Bernese Mountain Dog Ownership
In this section, I’m going to talk about the initial cost of having a Bernese Mountain dog, including the items you have to provide so your new family pet can stay happy and healthy.
The following expenses are crucial for your Bernese Mountain Dog’s growth and adjustment to its new home.
You can look at the list below for the initial expenses of your pup:
- Dog Food and Treats: As a pet owner, this should be one of your top priorities. Your Bernese Mountain puppy should have high-quality dog food. At first, you can try different dog food brands, wet or dry, to see which one your new pup likes the best. This can cost you around $100 to $120.
- Food and Water Bowls: New dog owners usually overlook the importance of dogs’ feeding bowls. It’s recommended to buy stainless steel ones rather than plastic ones because they last longer, are more durable, and are rust-proof. Feeding and drinking bowls usually cost around $15 to $35.
- Toys: One way to keep your Bernese Mountain Dog entertained is to give them chew toys that can be bought for $30 to $50. These toys can help promote their oral health and teeth development. Chew toys will also save your furniture and provide a safer alternative to real bones.
- Dog Bed: To give your Bernese Mountain Dog the best comfort while sleeping, you can buy a dog bed which typically costs $50 to $200. Dog beds provide your dog a safe space and at the same time prevent conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, which are very common in their breed.
- Dog Crate: Dog crates help keep curious and playful dogs behaved when left unsupervised. A crate for a large breed like the Bernese Mountain Dog will cost around $60 to $500. This can also be used to housetrain your puppy and help develop good behavior.
- Leashes and Collars: A Bernese Mountain Dog needs to be walked every now and then. Since this dog breed can hugely benefit from an active lifestyle, having a good quality leash and collar is a great investment. You can expect to pay around $15 to $50 for these items.
- Grooming Essentials: Grooming essentials such as dog brush, nail trimmer, and dog shampoo are widely available for $40 to $180. Having these things in your home will lessen your grooming expenses.
- Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: Since Bernese Mountain Dogs have long and fluffy fur, they are prone to fleas and ticks. The cost of deworming and flea prevention medication is priced between $50 and $200. This will help lessen the external and internal parasites in your pet’s body.
- Initial Vet Visits: Visits to a licensed veterinarian, especially during the first stages of development, are needed to ensure that your Bernese Mountain puppy is in prime health condition. Be prepared to spend about $100 to $300 on initial veterinary expenses.
- Initial Vaccine Shots: Bernese Mountain Dog puppy vaccinations cost around $75 to $200. These include standard vaccine shots for distemper, rabies, and parvovirus.
- Neutering and Spaying: Neutering and spaying procedures require you to spend around $50 to $500. This is advisable if you don’t want any more puppies in the future. It can also reduce the risk of other health concerns.
- Dog License: A dog license along with an identification number typically costs $10 to $20. In the event that your Bernese Mountain dog gets lost, having this can easily bring back your dog because of the dog tag that comes along with it.
- Microchip: A veterinarian will implant a microchip in your Bernese Mountain Dog for $40 to $60. This is a painless, non-invasive procedure. It will let others know that you are your pet’s rightful owner.
- Miscellaneous Supplies: Aside from the main expenses, you must allocate an extra budget for other fees, including poop bags, potty pads, and more. These items cost between $15 and $30.
The table below summarizes the cost of the necessities you need to provide for your Bernese Mountain Dog:
Type of Expense | Cost |
Food and Treats | $100 – $120 |
Food and Water Bowls | $15 – $35 |
Bed | $50 – $200 |
Crate | $60 – $500 |
Leashes and Collars | $15 – $50 |
Toys | $30 – $50 |
Grooming Essentials | $40 – $180 |
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $50 – $200 |
Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $300 |
Initial Vaccine Shots | $75 – $200 |
Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
Dog License | $10 – $20 |
Microchip | $40 – $60 |
Miscellaneous Supplies | $15 – $30 |
Total Initial Cost | $650 – $2,445 |
The expenses above are just the initial costs of having a Bernese Mountain Dog. This does not include the recurring cost of items that your dog will continually need as it grows.
It’s important to invest in good-quality items that will last longer instead of constantly buying new ones.
Annual Cost of Owning a Bernese Mountain Dog
To help you manage your budget better, it’s better to have an annual breakdown of your expenses when you get this breed.
Here’s a rundown of the annual expenses of owning a Bernese Mountain Dog:
Type of Expense | Yearly Estimate |
Food and Treats | $900 – $1,200 |
Toys | $30 – $150 |
Bed and Crate | $240 – $500 |
Leashes and Collars | $30 – $50 |
Grooming | $200 – $500 |
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $150 – $250 |
Routine Veterinary Care | $200 – $400 |
Pet Insurance | $800 – $1,500 |
Vaccinations | $80 – $250 |
Miscellaneous Supplies | $30 – $50 |
Yearly Total | $2,660 – $4,850 |
Average Monthly Cost | $222 – $404 |
Food for your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is an essential expense that can’t be spared. Aside from this, grooming items can cost you $200 to $500. This includes an appropriate hairbrush, nail clipper, shampoo, towels, and the like.
Vet expenses for an adult Bernese Mountain Dog can amount to $200 to $400, and this is just for routine care.
This is why getting pet insurance is helpful if your adult dog suffers from a disease. Pet insurance usually costs around $800 to $1,500 per year.
Other miscellaneous supplies can reach $30 to $50 annually. With all the necessities required by your Bernese Mountain Dog, you can expect an average monthly cost of $222 to $404, which translates to $2,660 to $4,850 a year.
Other Potential Expenses
Depending on what you want for your dog, you will need to shell out a certain amount of money. Moreover, specific situations or services, such as grooming and daycare services, will require you to spend more for your gentle giant.
For an owner of a Bernese Mountain Dog, here are the potential expenses you should also prepare for:
- Grooming Services: This is one of the most essential services you should get for your pup. Grooming prices vary between $30 and $90. It allows your dog’s coat to be healthy and helps prevent skin-related problems through bathing, brushing, and regular nail trimming.
- Doggy Daycare: Leaving your dog in a doggy daycare will give you the peace of mind that it’s in a safe place. At the same time, it’s a place where your pet can socialize and interact with other dogs. Doggy daycare services can be used whenever you go on trips. They usually charge around $20 to $30 per day.
- Dog Walking Services: A highly energetic dog like the Bernese Mountain Dog needs a good amount of exercise. When you are busy and can’t walk your dog, you can avail yourself of dog walking services that can cost you around $20 to $60 per session.
- Medical Treatment: Big dogs like the Bernese Mountain Dog is susceptible to elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, portosystemic shunt, and gastric torsion as it grows older. Some of the diseases are covered by pet insurance, but other emergency services can cost $1,000 to $5,000.
- Training Classes: To manage behavior and learn socialization skills, some dog owners enroll their Bernese Mountain Dog in training classes at a young age. You can expect to pay $150 to $200 for group lessons.
You can cut back on some expenses if you have the time to groom, walk, or train your dog. Investing in good dog food is also important to keep your pup healthy and avoid frequent visits to your local vet clinics.
Places to Find Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Now that you have all the information you need on how to raise a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy and how much it will cost you, you need to find places where you can either buy or adopt them.
Here’s a list of some reputable breeders where you can find Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale:
- Relentless Ranch – Based in Basalt just outside Aspen, Colorado, Relentless Ranch is the perfect place for Bernese Mountain Dogs. The place has plenty of streams and pastures where the dogs can freely run. Puppies from this breeder come with insurance, registration papers, medical tests, and microchips.
- MajaRaja Bernese Mountain Dogs – This Bernese Mountain Dog breeder is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and reflects the standards of the AKC. The owner has over 30 years of experience in training dogs and is the owner of Blue Ribbon K9 Academy. All of their puppies come with insurance, registration papers, medical tests, and microchips.
- Bear Acres Kennel – Bear Acres, in Bedford, Kentucky, is an AKC Breeder of Merit which began breeding Bernese Mountain Dogs in 2000. This is undoubtedly a reputable breeder that offers a five-year health guarantee for their dogs.
For a list of other reputable breeders, you can refer to our article on the best places to find Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale.
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If you are looking to adopt a Bernese Mountain Dog instead of buying one, you can visit some animal shelters or get one from the following rescues:
- Heart of Michigan Bernese Rescue – This organization takes in Bernese Mountain Dogs that can’t be cared for by their owners due to their dog’s age, size, behavioral problems, and such. All adoption applications are carefully reviewed to find the best owner for the pup.
- NorCal Bernese Mountain Dog Rescue – This is a rescue and rehoming organization located in Bakersfield, North California. However, their services even reach the border of Oregon. They provide foster care and eventual rehoming for Bernese Mountain Dogs.
- BFW Rescue Inc. – This is a non-profit organization based in McCormick, South Carolina. Bernese Mountain Dogs in their care receive training and medical attention if needed. They aim to find their rescued dogs loving families that will care for them.
When you decide to rescue or adopt a dog, be prepared to go through a tedious application process to determine if you can provide for the dog’s needs and maintain its well-being.
READ NEXT: 13 Ways to Find Free Puppies in Your Area for Adoption (2023)
Money-Saving Tips for Bernese Mountain Dog Owners
Having a dog will allow your life to be filled with love, but this doesn’t mean it has to come with so much expense. When you’ve had your dog for a while, you will eventually learn how to save money.
Here are some of the cost-efficient tips to lessen your Bernese Mountain Dog expenses:
- Purchase high-quality products. Investing in high-quality products will save you more money along the way. Buying cheaper ones will lead you to buy repeatedly since the items are not durable. This will result in a higher expense in the long run.
- Prepare your dog food. Dog foods can be expensive since dogs have an endless appetite. You can follow online tutorials so you can make your pup its own food. Plus, you can make sure it is extra healthy and delicious.
- Groom your Bernese Mountain at home. Grooming services can take a toll on your bank account, especially when done multiple times. To minimize the need for one, you can brush your pooch’s fur every day and you can also bathe it yourself.
- Prioritize your dog’s health. Visiting the vet is a must when your pet is still a pup. Vaccination shots and deworming are mandatory. As your pet grows older, vet consultations will help you know if there are any underlying health issues.
There are many ways you can try to reduce the money you are spending on your pet. You just have to be resourceful, and everything will follow.
Final Thoughts
Remember that owning a dog is a full-time responsibility. You can’t just buy a dog and expect it to be able to take care of itself.
Owning a Bernese Mountain Dog is not a one-time expense. You have to be prepared to shell out money for the puppy and recurring expenses like food and vet check-ups.
More than financial preparedness, you have to be a responsible dog owner and assess yourself if you can provide a Bernese Mountain Dog with a good home and shower it with the love it deserves.