How Much Does a Bernese Mountain Dog Cost?

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How Much Does a Bernese Mountain Dog Cost? How Much Is This Special Pup?

Last Updated on March 20, 2024 by Denise Leo. Post first published on July 21, 2023.

Looking to get a Bernese Mountain Dog? CaninePals.Com has all the answers you need to make an informed decision, from cost and availability to practical tips for caring for a Berner.

Interested in knowing how much a Bernese Mountain dog costs? This article will highlight all FAQs you need to know to plan your finances. Keep reading so the pet doesn’t become a financial burden on your wallet!

Sturdy, powerful, yet sweet-natured, Bernese Mountain dogs are amongst the gentlest giants of the dog kingdom. The lovely Fido’s teddy bear-like appearance is taking the world by storm. “But what exactly is the price of a Bernese Mountain dog?”

Well, the answer to this question may vary depending on multiple factors. Yet you will have a better idea if we dig into the initial Bernese Mountain dog price along with food, treats, and medical expenses.

Initial Bernese Mountain Dog Cost

The Bernese Mountain dog price depends on your location and dog breed. A Bernese Mountain dog is likely to fall between $800 to 2000 dollars, with an average cost of $1200. If the fluffy doggo is in the US, the price can range from $1000 to $2000.

If it’s in the UK, the price range could be anywhere between £1300 to £2,000. Of course, the price increases for dogs with a superior bloodline. The cost of Bernese Mountain dogs with an exceptional bloodline typically starts from $2500 and can reach up to $10,000 or more.

This magnificent dog breed is a bit heavy on the pricey side. But you can always adopt one from rescue centers for much less. Adoption not only provides a dog with a forever home, it also saves some bucks in the process. It’s a win-win!

Bernese Mountain Dog Cost Explained
Bernese Mountain Dog Cost Explained

Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy Price

These adorable-looking, friendly-natured puppies are highly intelligent and trainable. They make excellent companions and watchdogs. Bernese Mountain dog puppy prices range between $675 to $1995. The average cost of a 6-month-old Bernese Mountain puppy is around 1200 dollars. For pure-breed puppies, the prices can significantly alter. You can expect to pay as high as $6500.

Bernese Mountain Dog Rescue

If you want to adopt an affordable family pet, rescue is your way to go. Breed-specific rescue organizations are an excellent way to find the best fit for your family. The individuals running such organizations are pretty committed. They are extremely knowledgeable about the particular breed and always consider an ideal family for their dogs.

Plus, most rescuers formulate a special bond with adoptable dogs. They are the ones who spend a lot of time with dogs. Rescuers can effectively guide you through valuable insights into a dog’s personality, needs, and behavior.

Rescue is always a great option. A reliable rescue center is your hint if you want to adopt an adult canine on a budget. Most rescue center dogs have already been obedience trained and housebroken. If that’s your Bernese Mountain dog’s case, you have definitely hit the jackpot.

Cost of Bernese Mountain Dog From a Rescue

The cost of Bernese Mountain dogs from rescue centers is way more affordable than you can imagine. The price of these gentle giants from rescue organizations is much lower than purchasing a pup through a dog breeder.

Adopting a dog from breed-specific rescue organizations usually comes with an adoption fee of $300-$400. The cost of adoption significantly reduces if you plan on adopting through animal shelters. It will cost you under $100.

Choosing an older dog is a good way to save some bucks. But depending on the age and health of your dog, it could result in some serious medical expenses down the road.

Taking care of a senior dog is often more expensive than a puppy. Of course, you can avoid these expenses by adopting a little one. But it feels great to know that you are providing a senior dog with a lovely home for his final years.

How Much Does a Bernese Mountain Dog Cost?
How Much Does a Bernese Mountain Dog Cost?

Buying a Bernese Mountain Pup From Dog Breeders

Bernese Mountain dogs from reputable breeders are the costliest on the list. Yes, prices greatly vary from breeder to breeder. But getting a puppy from a breeder means you have a heavy pocket to pay more for the purer bloodlines.

A Bernese Mountain dog puppy may cost you $800 to $1800 from trustworthy breeders. Puppies having physical features in line with the breed standards may cost even more!

Crazy it sounds; you can cut a lot of cost by picking a dog having loops-sided markings instead of symmetrical markings! Just have a look at the Bernese Mountain dog breed standard on the American Kennel Club’s site.

If you are looking for a show dog, we recommend getting a puppy with prize lineage. However, adopting a Bernese Mountain is way more economical if you are in for a family pet. Always research the breeder.

Make sure the puppy is in great health. You can also ask for medical records to see if there is any history of medical conditions.

Remember, a healthy pup is a happy pup. Investing in a fit pooch saves a fortune in the long run.

Cost of Bernese Mountain Dog on Craigslist

It’s not bizarre to find some of the most expensive dog breeds available for sale on Craigslist. Bernese Mountain Dogs have no exception as well.

You may feel attracted to these pups because of their lower-than-market prices. However, not every advertisement is a dream come true!

Most of these low-priced puppies are a product of backyard breeders. Some of them are from puppy mills. Of course, not all advertisements are red alerts. Some legit breeders also list pure-breed dogs on Craigslist to reach a broader audience.

It’s always necessary to complete your research before committing to any of these online pets. If anything about the breeder or advertised dog seems Off, pass it on.

Lastly, don’t forget to peek at your local animal shelter. You may get your perfect pup there, who will gladly spend his days with you!

This is the initial cost of owning a Bernese Mountain dog. Needless to say, it is just the beginning. There are a lot more aspects to consider before bringing a pup home.

You also need to account for the ongoing care expenses of Bernese Mountain dogs. The ongoing care cost includes vet fees, food, treats, training, grooming, and other general expenses (toys, etc.).

Bernese Mountain Dog Cost
Bernese Mountain Dog Cost

Cost of Owning a Bernese Mountain Dog

No doubt, the initial cost of bringing a Bernese Mountain dog home is quite expensive. But that’s not the end of it. You have to analyze other ongoing maintenance and care expenses as well.
However, Bernese Mountain Dogs are loyal and affectionate dogs. This lovely pal’s delightful presence and companionship make up for his cost.

We bet you won’t regret this decision! Remember that this particular pooch belongs to a large breed of dogs. So naturally, it requires a lot of food to stay healthy, which can become pricey.
Let’s look at other expenses of keeping a Bernese Mountain dog:

Food

Creating a monthly budget before bringing this gentle giant home is a good idea. This pup belongs to a large breed of dogs and has a big appetite. The average weight of Bernese Mountain dogs is around 80 to 115 pounds. They require hearty meals to maintain their energy levels.

You can expect your Bernese Mountain pal to eat 4-6 cups of food every day. But food intake depends on your fido’s size and activity level. If you are unsure how much food you should offer a Bernese Mountain dog, consult your vet and let him suggest what’s best for your furball.

Food is something that is directly associated with your dog’s health status and activity level. Quality food usually costs around $2-3 a pound but offers better nutrition and digestibility.
You can easily get a 30-pound dog food bag for $55. This bag carries 120 cups of dog food.

Suppose the appropriate diet of your Bernese fur ball is 5 cups a day. That means a 30-pound dog food bag is enough to feed your Bernese Mountain pooch for 24 days. You will need 15 bags of dog food, costing around $825 per year. And don’t forget about some delicious treats. How else is the good boy going to know he did well?

A large dog like Bernese Mountain needs a few tasty treats daily. It supplements their diet. Plus, it’s an excellent way to appreciate your snuggle buddy’s good behavior.
The price of a good quality bag of dog treats varies from $5 to $10. This bag is enough to keep your lovely pet happy for a month.

Veterinary Expenses

An important factor you shouldn’t ignore in the cost of a Bernese Mountain dog is how much vet expenses will cost. No dog breed is free from certain health conditions. Sadly, the major health concern for a Bernese Mountain dog is cancer.

A Bernese Mountain dog can suffer from different types of cancer, such as malignant histiocytosis. Lymphosarcoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumor, and fibrosarcoma.
Other major health concerns to look out for include:

• Arthritis (inflammation of the joints)
• Hip dysplasia (Hip socket’s unnatural development)
• Cruciate ligament rupture. (Unstable knee joints)
• Elbow dysplasia (Front leg lameness)
• Osteochondrosis (A condition affecting growing cartilage)
• Aseptic meningitis (A disease-causing intense neck pain, sudden fever, and painful muscle spasms)
The average cost to treat these health issues is as follows
• Elbow dysplasia- $1500-$4000
• Osteochondrosis- $2000-$4000
• Aseptic meningitis- $1500-$4000
• Hip dysplasia- $1500-$6000

This might sound scary, but don’t let these medical expenses put you off getting a great companion. These are just words of caution.

There are chances that your sweet fur baby will be perfectly healthy. The fido might not require costly vet care if kept in the best health. Yet, it is wise to prepare for the worst.

Grooming

Bernese Mountain Dog puppies have luxurious and fluffy coats. Their unique coat requires frequent grooming to keep it smooth and silky.

You may need to bathe this bundle of fuzz regularly. A dog-friendly shampoo can do the trick.

Grooming also comes with clipping the nails. We won’t suggest doing it yourself if you are a newbie pet lover. It’s better to leave it for the professionals.

Consulting a professional dog groomer for nail trimming will cost $10 a session.

Training

These good-looking teddy bears have a wonderful nature. They are widely known for their loyal, faithful, affectionate, and intelligent personalities.

Bernese dogs always look for ways to please their humans. Training this doggo isn’t that challenging.

You can enroll your pooch in group training lessons. Usually, these sessions are for 4 to 8 weeks, costing $50 to $125.

Bernese Mountain Dog Cost
Bernese Mountain Dog Cost

Why should I get a Bernese Mountain Dog?

Now that we have walked you through all the expenses, you might think, why should I get such a costly dog? Well, we have what you are looking for.

These expenses may look like a fortune but are spread throughout a canine’s life. Coverage from pet expenses also keeps medical bills down.

  • Male Bernese Mountain dogs stand 25 to 27.5 inches tall.
  • Female Bernese Mountain Dogs have a magnificent height of 23 to 26 inches.
  • Males weigh 80 to 115 pounds, while females weigh 70 to 95 pounds.
  • Both genders have a sturdy build.

Despite their muscular physic, the Bernese Mountain dog is one of the sweetest and friendliest dog breeds ever. They shower their families with unlimited affection.

Bernese is dear with kids and super friendly with other pets. This relieves many pet lovers living with small kids and delicate pets.

These dogs may seem bigger in size, but they don’t require much exercise. A daily walk and access to any nearby open area for leg stretch are sufficient to keep them happy.

Final Words on Bernese Mountain Dog Cost

Undoubtedly, Bernese Mountain Dog puppies will be a great fit for many families. But it is better to create a financial plan before falling for them. It will help you provide your dog with the comfortable life he deserves. Pets are our responsibility; such lovely responsibilities shouldn’t be dealt with like a financial burden.
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References and Further Reading:

[1] American Kennel Club, Bernese Mountain Dog Information.

Author

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  • Denise Leo

    My name is Denise Leo, and I hail from Australia. My journey with dogs, especially with the delightful Pomeranian breed, has been a lifelong passion extending over 50 years. I have had the honor of breeding and exhibiting close to 100 Pomeranian Champions, dedicating many years to the intricate art of dog training across various disciplines. Beyond the show ring, my experience stretches to the pastoral fields as both a Dairy Farmer and Beef Cattle Breeder, where working with dogs of all breeds has been an integral part of my daily life. This diverse exposure has deepened my understanding and appreciation for these incredible animals. I firmly believe that dogs are the most extraordinary beings in our universe, capable of offering us unconditional love that surpasses even their own self-interest. The countless wonderful dogs that have shared my life over the years have not only brought immense joy and companionship but have also profoundly enriched my existence in ways I could never have imagined. About us page