Full Grown Mini Bernedoodle: Size, Appearance, Price & More

The mini bernedoodle is a darling hybrid dog breed that is a mix between a miniature poodle and a Bernese mountain dog. While tiny as puppies, mini bernedoodles do grow up eventually.

Today, we'll cover everything you need to know about what to expect from a full grown mini bernedoodle.

Size at Full Growth

At full maturity, a mini bernedoodle will reach a compact size that is still moderately small. On average, a fully grown male mini bernedoodle will stand around 15-17 inches tall at the shoulder. Females tend to max out at slightly smaller sizes of 14-16 inches tall.

While they have "mini" in the name, it's important to note that mini bernedoodles are not truly toy or teacup sized. Their size is closer to that of a medium dog breed. Make sure you have researched appropriate sizing for your living space before committing to a mini bernedoodle.

Weight at Full Growth

In terms of weight, most adult male mini bernedoodles settle in a range between 35-50 pounds. Females are a touch lighter at 30-45 pounds on average at full maturity.

A mini bernedoodle's weight can vary considerably depending on factors like genetics, metabolism, and level of daily exercise. In general, regularly exercising your dog and maintaining a healthy weight through proper nutrition will keep them at the lower end of these weight ranges.

Appearance at Full Growth

While puppies have fuzzy coats and puppy dog faces, a fully grown mini bernedoodle's look matures into something more defined. Their coat will lengthen and thicken with adulthood.

Many inherit the wavy or curly double coat of the Bernese mountain dog parent. Colors range from apricot and cream to black, chocolate, and mixes of all three. Mini bernedoodles often have thick ringlets of fur covering their whole body.

Their faces take on a more elongated shape as they lose puppy fat. Big, warm brown eyes peer out above a long, feathered coat. Overall, expect a beautiful teddy bear appearance that still fits happily in your lap!

Personality at Full Growth

At heart, mini bernedoodles remain a friendly, gentle-natured dog breed as adults. They bond very closely to their humans and desire nothing more than to be by your side. Potty training may be complete, but their love of cuddling knows no bounds.

Mini bernedoodles retain many toy breeds' joyful, playful personalities into adulthood too. Make sure to supply interactive toys and regular activity to meet their energy needs. With socialization and training, they behave well around children, other dogs, and strangers.

However, their territorial guarding instincts from mountain dog heritage do strengthen as they mature. Mini bernedoodles can be wary of unfamiliar people approaching their home or family without an introduction. Consistent training is important for them to be well-mannered visitors.

Price

The price of a mini bernedoodle varies based on the breeder, but in general you can expect to pay between $1,000 - $3,500 USD. Puppies from top show quality lines with health testing will be at the higher end of the price range.

Additional factors that influence cost include the level of demand in your area, the predicted size of the puppy, whether they are destined for service or therapy work, and if it is a rare coat color combination. Be sure to research responsible breeders thoroughly.

Food/Feeding

When fully grown, mini bernedoodles have moderate caloric needs and do best with a high-quality dog food that meets all their nutritional requirements through adulthood.

• Puppies under 6 months should be fed 3 times per day.
• Dogs 6-12 months can switch to twice daily meals.
• Adult dogs over 1 year can eat once or twice per day, depending on activity level.

Serving size will vary based on your dog's metabolism, but 1/2 to 1 1/2 cups twice a day is a general guideline for a fully grown mini bernedoodle. Adjust as needed to maintain a healthy weight.

Lifespan

With excellent care, mini bernedoodles tend to live long, happy lives of 12-15 years on average. Some have been known to reach ages of 16-18 years old too. Ensuring preventative health maintenance like annual exams and heartworm/tick prevention year-round can help maximize their longevity.

Health at Full Growth

When fully matured, mini bernedoodles are generally an energetic yet calm, low-shedding companion breed. However, they are not entirely hypoallergenic and some shedding will still occur.

As a hybrid, health issues both parent breeds are prone to like hip or elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, or progressive retinal atrophy may appear. Work with a reputable breeder doing all recommended genetic health clearances.

Beyond that, mini bernedoodles thrive on a balanced diet rich in nutrients to support joints, a regular brushing schedule, and daily exercise appropriate for their age. They are not typically subject to chronic ailments as adults with preventative care.

Care and Nutritional Needs at Full Growth

The care needs of a fully grown mini bernedoodle are fairly low maintenance. Here are some key points to know:

• Brush their double coat 1-2 times per week to distribute skin oils and prevent matting or tangling.
• Regular nail trims are needed to avoid overgrowth.
• Clean their ears and check for infections weekly.
• Brush teeth 2-3 times per week to avoid dental disease.
• Provide safe chew toys and enrichment to keep their minds occupied.
• Exercise them daily for 30-60 minutes with walks, playtime, or backyard activity.

Keeping up with basic grooming, veterinary care essentials, quality nutrition, and mental/physical stimulation will keep your adult mini bernedoodle feeling their best.

Costing

Here's a basic monthly estimate of costs to keep a fully grown mini bernedoodle happy and healthy:

• $60-80 on high-quality dog food
• $30 on treats, bones, toys for enrichment
• $15 on flea/tick prevention medications
• $30 on routine preventative healthcare like annual exams
• $15 for misc. expenses like license fees
• $30-50 for professional grooming every 4-6 weeks

Overall, expect a total monthly budget in the range of $180-220 to properly care for your adult mini bernedoodle.

Possible Behavioural Changes of a Fully Grown

As a mini bernedoodle reaches maturity, a few minor shifts may occur in their behavior:

• Independent thinking increases, so sticking with reinforcement training is key.
• Stronger guarding instincts emerge for their home and loved ones.
• Mild resource guarding of food/toys is possible if not addressed early.
• Minor same-sex dog aggression could develop if not properly socialized.
• Intact males may exhibit marking behaviors around 1-2 years old.

With consistency, socialization continues to pay dividends for maintaining an even-keeled temperament as an adult.

Notable Characteristics of a Fully Grown

Some other distinguishing traits to expect from a mature mini bernedoodle include:

• Remains petite and portable despite their grown-up size.
• Very charmingly fluffy and teddy bear-like appearance.
• Extremely devoted and affectionate companionship.
• Moderate activity needs balanced with periods of rest and play.
• Calm yet entertaining indoor demeanor perfect for family homes.
• Gentle intelligence makes them superb service/therapy dogs.
• Warm, welcoming presence to social guests with careful introduction.
• Melodious barks signal their territory if perceiving potential threats.
• Versatile adaptability yet prefer human company above all.

Overall, while matured in size, the personality you fell in love with as a puppy remains steadfastly loyal and loving into adulthood. Regular training and attention keeps full grown mini bernedoodles contented companions for many happy years to come.

Breeder Considerations

When seeking a mini bernedoodle puppy, do extensive research to find an ethical breeder prioritizing health and temperament above all:

• Ask about genetic testing for common hybrid dog disorders.
• Inspect breeding parents - they should be friendly with no signs of aggression.
• Puppies should be raised in the home, well-socialized from an early age.
• Breeder should interview adopters to find the best home match.
• A puppy contract protects the dog and limits resale/rehoming.
• Look for someone actively involved in the breed community.

Responsible mini bernedoodle breeders want their pups to stay with their families for life. Avoid backstreet breeders or impulse online purchases.

Making the Commitment

While mini bernedoodles grow from tiny bundles of fur into admirable companions, the care commitments do not change. Their lifespan remains a 10-15 year responsibility.

Ensure your household can provide: training; safe confined exercise; quality vet care; mental stimulus; attentive supervision with small children/other pets. Their needs are similar for puppies and adults alike.

With the right commitment to care, a mini bernedoodle's gentle joy and affection makes them a treasured family member for many wonderful years to come. Their loving nature is sure to enrich your life in return.