Bernedoodle Growth Chart: How Big Will Your Bernedoodle Get?

As you get to know your new puppy, you may be wondering how big he or she might get. We consulted with our veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer Coates, who reviewed and approved data about puppy weights and sizes, which we then used to create a convenient puppy growth chart—You can use this as a reference to see how your puppy compares to the average.

Bernedoodle Growth Chart

Bernedoodles come in different sizes just like Poodles. Your puppy’s growth will depend on factors like whether its Poodle parent was a standard and its size.

The chart shows you a Berndedoodle’s monthly average weight range during the growing phase. You can also refer to the puppy weight calculator to get an idea of how big your puppy is likely to get.

Text Transcript of the Bernedoodle Growth Chart

Height Estimates when Fully Grown:

• Standard Bernedoodle: 23-29 inches
• Medium Bernedoodle: 22-23 inches
• Mini Bernedoodle: 18-22 inches

About Bernedoodles

Breed History

One of today’s popular hybrid breeds—a cross between two purebreds—the Bernedoodle is the product of a Poodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog. Sometimes called the “Bernese Mountain Poo,” the dog is deliberately bred from two purebred parents to create a new breed or “designer breed.”

The first breeder combined the two dogs in 2003. Since then, other breeders have followed suit, producing more dogs that families can enjoy.

Bernedoodle Characteristics

Why would breeders want to combine these two dogs? They wanted the positive characteristics of the Bernese Mountain Dog without the heavy shedding, short lifespan, and propensity for cancer. By crossing the Bernese with Poodles, they were able to create the perfect companion dog while eliminating some of these issues.

Bernedoodle Size

Breeders may mix the Bernese with a standard, medium, or mini Poodle to create different sizes of the hybrid breed. A Standard Poodle crossed with a Bernese is called a Standard Bernedoodle, whereas a mini Poodle crossed with a Bernese is a Mini Bernedoodle.

No matter the size, these dogs are typically very gentle around the elderly and children and make great therapy and service dogs. They are easy to train and love being part of the family.

Is Bernedoodle An Official Breed?

Because they are hybrid dogs, Bernedoodles are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). You can register your new puppy with the American Canine Hybrid Club and the United Bernedoodle Registry.¹

What Are the Growth Stages of a Bernedoodle?

Like all puppies, Bernedoodles experience their most rapid growth between birth and two weeks of age.

Birth to 2 Weeks

A newborn will weigh around one pound, and you can expect that to double within the first week or so. This is also when their eyes and ears will open and they’ll start to interact with their littermates.

3 Weeks to 3 Months

Between 3 weeks and 3 months of age, your puppy will experience a huge growth spurt. She’ll start to explore her world, interact with humans, and between 8 and 12 weeks, be weaned off her mom so she can go home with you.

At three months, your puppy is likely to have reached about 30 percent of her total growth. She’ll be ready for her first vaccinations and beginning training, which may include housetraining and simple obedience training.

4 to 6 Months

When your puppy is between four and six months of age, he may weigh between 45 and 55 pounds (if he’s a Standard size), and his growth rate will begin to slow down a little bit. He is likely to still have a voracious appetite and will be very playful and active.

This is when obedience training becomes very important, as you want to teach your puppy some standard commands (sit, down, stay) and help him to understand his boundaries before he gets too big to handle.

7 to 9 Months

Between seven and nine months of age, your puppy will start to look more like an adult Bernedoodle, though he will still have a lot of growing to do.

Keep in mind that the type of Bernedoodle you have will affect these growth stages. Smaller ones will grow more quickly and may attain their adult size by six to eight months. Larger ones will take longer.

10 to 12 Months

Finally, between 10-12 months, your puppy will be nearly fully grown, though larger ones can take up to two years to fill out.

She may start to act more mature at this age too, though larger Bernedoodles may retain their puppy attitudes until they reach two years of age.

Best Nutrition for a Standard Bernedoodle

At all stages of growth, it’s important to feed your Bernedoodle puppy the appropriate dog food for his age and size. Standard Bernedoodles will need large-breed puppy food, while mini ones will do better with small-breed varieties. These are specifically formulated to help optimize growth. Avoid “for all sizes” type foods as they will not contain the nutrients your puppy needs.

Choose the highest quality food you can that is free of fillers, chemicals, and unnecessary ingredients. Look for those with a quality protein source listed first—real meat is best, including chicken, beef, pork, fish, and lamb. Then feed your puppy three to four times a day until he reaches one year old. This helps avoid bloat, which can turn dangerous in some instances. Smaller, more frequent meals are better for your Bernedoodle.

As your dog grows, keep an eye on his weight. Overweight and obesity in puppies can lead to health problems later in life. Bernedoodles are known for being voracious eaters, so it’s best not to leave food down for them to graze on as they wish. Instead, establish a regular feeding schedule early on. Feed your pup at the same time each day, three times a day. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the amount for your dog’s size.

At around six to nine months of age, your puppy’s growth rate will slow and you may notice that he’s putting on weight. If so, transition him to twice-daily feedings, which you’ll then maintain for the rest of his life. When he reaches one year old, switch to quality adult food.

Then be sure to periodically check your dog’s weight to see how he’s doing. If you can see the hip or rib bones, your dog may be underweight. Gradually increase his food amount until his body shape matches that of a healthy dog.

If you notice a rounded stomach or if your dog’s waist starts to disappear when viewed from the side or top, he’s overweight. Increase his exercise and reduce the food amount only slightly until his shape returns. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) offers some helpful illustrations of proper body condition.

Be careful feeding your Bernedoodle treats. Begging behaviors don’t necessarily mean she’s hungry—usually, they’re more about getting attention. Stick to your feeding schedule, avoid feeding your dog human scraps, and when you do treat, use healthy products specifically made for dogs.

How Big Will My Bernedoodle Get?

How big your Bernedoodle will get depends heavily on his parents and the size of the Poodles in his background. If you purchased him from a breeder, gather all the information you can on his parents and grandparents, as that will help you estimate his final size.

Your puppy’s sex matters too. As with many other animals, males are typically larger than females, though the difference in Bernedoodles may be only about 10 percent.

There are a couple of formulas you can use to estimate the fully grown size of your puppy. Both are based on age. The first one goes like this:²

Current weight x [1 + (100 / % size in weeks)]

So if your puppy weighs 10 pounds at 3 months old—when he’s reached about 30 percent of his final weight—you would calculate the formula like this:

10 x [1 + (100 / 30%)] = 10 x 4.33 = 43.33 pounds when fully grown.

At about 15 weeks, your Bernedoodle will be about 50 percent of his total body weight. At that point, you can just double it to get an estimate of his final weight.

Another way to estimate your puppy’s final growth weight is to use this simple formula:³

(Current weight/Age in weeks) x 52.

For example, if your pup is 25 pounds at 16 weeks of age, the formula would look like this:

• (25/16) = 1.57 (rounded up)
• 1.57 x 52 = 82 (rounded up)

The best time to check your Standard Bernedoddle with this formula is when she reaches about 16 weeks of age. You can check smaller varieties sooner, between 12 and 15 weeks.

Try checking your puppy’s paws as well. If they look oversized compared to the pup’s legs and body, you can imagine the final growth based on the size of those paws.

Another option is to use a DNA test. This will tell you a close estimate of the expected size of your puppy when he’s fully grown. It will also tell you your dog’s complete dog-breed ratios—how much Poodle is in him, for instance, compared to how much Bernese Mountain Dog he has.

When Do Bernedoodles Stop Growing?

When you can expect your Bernedoodle to stop growing depends on its size. Standard Bernedoodles will be close to their adult size at one year but may continue to grow until they reach two years or later.

Smaller sizes will reach their adult height sooner—around 9 months of age.

Factors That Affect Growth

Like most dogs, Bernedoodles are vulnerable to certain health issues. They are considered healthier overall than their purebred ancestors, but it’s best to be on the lookout for some potential problems:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Skin diseases (hot spots)
• Eye diseases
• Allergies
• Bloat
• Heatstroke

Though these are concerns you’ll want to keep your eye on as your dog matures, most of them (outside of bloat) won’t affect his growth. Factors that will include the following:

• Genetics: Your dog’s genes factor greatly into how big he will become. Find out all you can about your dog’s parents to estimate his final size.
• Diet: Nutrition has a significant effect on the growth of your puppy. A poor diet lacking the proper nutrients can cause joint problems later in life, and may also affect your dog’s brain development. It’s critical to provide your puppy with the highest quality food possible.
• Physical activity: Exercise and daily activity influences your dog’s overall health and growth. As your puppy gets older, she’ll require increased activity. Daily walks, games of fetch, and safe playtime with other dogs can all help fulfill this requirement.
• It is important not to overexercise your puppy too soon. Her bones are still developing and if they are strained with long runs on hard surfaces, they may not form correctly, increasing the risk for joint problems down the road.
• Worms and parasites: Puppies can become infected with heartworms and other parasites from their mothers, when sniffing or licking infected feces, when digging in the soil (if there are hookworm larvae there), or when catching or eating rodents and birds. If your dog is not gaining weight like she should, check with your veterinarian about a deworming solution.
• Spaying and neutering: Unless you plan to have puppies, it’s important to spay or neuter your dog. The operation can have positive health effects, reducing the risk of some types of cancer. If done too soon, however, it can also negatively affect bone and joint growth. Check with your vet on the best time for your dog.

Bernedoodle Weight Calculator

You can also use our puppy weight calculator to determine how big your  Bernedoodle will get:

Fast Facts:

How Big Do Bernedoodles Get?

Bernedoodles, a popular hybrid breed resulting from a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle, come in a variety of sizes. Their size can vary significantly depending on the type of Poodle used in breeding, or in the case of multi-generational Bernedoodles, the size of their Bernedoodle parents.

Here’s a breakdown of how big Bernedoodles get:

Bernedoodle Size Categories, Weights, and Heights

Bernedoodles are generally categorized into three to four main sizes: Standard, Miniature (Mini), Medium, and Toy (also called Petite or Micro Mini).

It’s important to remember that these are average ranges, and individual Bernedoodles may fall outside them due to unpredictable genetics.

Factors Influencing Bernedoodle Size

Several factors determine how big a Bernedoodle will get:

• Genetics and Parent Breeds: The size of the Poodle parent (Toy, Miniature, or Standard) is the primary determinant of a Bernedoodle’s size, as the Bernese Mountain Dog is consistently large. A breeder experienced in their lines should be able to provide an estimated range, though individual puppies can vary.
• Generation Types (F1, F1b, F2, Multigen):
  • F1 Bernedoodles are a first-generation cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle.
  • F1b Bernedoodles are a backcross of an F1 Bernedoodle with a Poodle (making them about 75% Poodle and 25% Bernese Mountain Dog), often resulting in smaller sizes and potentially more hypoallergenic coats. These puppies will likely be closer to Poodle sizes, typically 40-70 pounds when grown if a Standard Poodle is used for the backcross.
  • F2/F2b and Multigen Bernedoodles involve breeding two F1 Bernedoodles or other combinations, which can lead to more size variation depending on the genetics.
  • F1b Reverse Bernedoodles are a cross between an F1 Bernedoodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog, meaning they are 75% Bernese Mountain Dog and 25% Poodle.
• Gender: Male Bernedoodles are often, though not always, slightly larger than females, possibly by about 10%.
• Nutrition and Care: A balanced, high-quality diet tailored to the puppy’s size and age is crucial for healthy growth. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and joint problems, while underfeeding can stunt growth.
• Exercise and Muscle Development: Adequate daily exercise helps develop strong bones and muscles. However, over-exercising a puppy too soon can strain developing bones and lead to joint problems.
• Spaying and Neutering: Delaying these procedures until after full growth can allow bones to develop properly. Early spaying/neutering (before 12 months) might affect bone growth, potentially leading to longer legs but weaker bone structure.
• Worms and Parasites: Infections from worms and other parasites can hinder a puppy’s weight gain and overall growth.

Bernedoodle Growth Stages and When They Stop Growing

Bernedoodles experience rapid growth, especially in their first year. The exact timeline depends on their size category:

• Puppy Stage (0-6 months): This is a period of rapid growth, with Standard Bernedoodles reaching about half their adult size by six months.
• Adolescent Stage (6-18 months): Growth continues, and dogs may still appear clumsy. Training and socialization remain important.
• Adult Stage (18-24 months):
  • Toy Bernedoodles typically reach their full size fastest, usually by 8-10 months, with full maturity by 12 months. Petite Bernedoodles usually reach their full size by 10 to 12 months.
  • Mini Bernedoodles typically reach their adult height around 10-12 months and fill out completely by 12-16 months. Mini and Medium Bernedoodles continue growing until around 12 to 18 months.
  • Standard Bernedoodles grow rapidly in their first year and usually reach full height by 12-14 months. They continue filling out in muscle and weight until about 18-24 months, with some males continuing to fill out muscle-wise up to three years old.

Choosing the Right Bernedoodle Size for Your Lifestyle

The ideal Bernedoodle size for you depends on your living space, activity level, and family composition.

• Standard Bernedoodles are best suited for:
  • Families with large homes and fenced yards or access to open spaces.
  • Owners who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, running, and swimming, as they have higher energy levels and require more vigorous exercise (at least 60 minutes daily).
  • Households comfortable with a 70-90+ pound dog that is strong and energetic. Despite their size, they are known for their gentle and calm nature, making them good with children, though supervision is advised with very young kids due to their large size.
• Mini and Medium Bernedoodles are a great option for:
  • Families who want a medium-sized, active dog.
  • Homes with moderate space, such as a house or larger apartment.
  • Owners looking for a mix of playful energy and manageable size, requiring moderate daily exercise (30-45 minutes of activity daily). They are highly social and adapt well to various living conditions.
• Toy/Petite/Micro Mini Bernedoodles are ideal for:
  • Apartment dwellers or owners with limited space.
  • Families looking for a small companion that still possesses the Bernedoodle’s intelligence and charm.
  • Those who prefer a more laid-back lifestyle or have limited time for vigorous exercise, as they have lower exercise requirements (short walks and indoor playtime usually suffice). They are easy to handle, appealing to elderly owners or those with young children.

Regardless of size, all Bernedoodles need daily exercise, mental stimulation (e.g., puzzle toys, training), and companionship to stay happy and healthy. They are loyal, affectionate, and intelligent companions who love being part of the family.

Care Considerations Based on Size

The size of your Bernedoodle will impact their specific care needs:

• Dietary Needs: Larger Bernedoodles (Standard) require more calories and protein-rich, well-balanced food, often needing 3-5 cups daily divided into two meals. Mini and Medium Bernedoodles need 2-3 cups, while Toy/Petite Bernedoodles need 1-2 cups. Portion control is essential for all sizes to prevent obesity. Standard Bernedoodle puppies benefit from food formulated for large breeds, which controls calcium and phosphorus to support bone health.
• Exercise Requirements: As mentioned above, larger Bernedoodles need more vigorous and longer periods of exercise compared to their smaller counterparts.
• Grooming: While all Bernedoodles are low-shedding and often suitable for people with allergies, they require regular grooming. Their coats can range from straight to wavy to curly and need frequent brushing (at least weekly, or 2-3 times per week) to prevent matting and tangling. Professional grooming every few months (e.g., every 6-8 weeks) is often recommended. Regular ear cleaning is crucial, especially if they swim, to prevent infections.
• Health Concerns: Bernedoodles can inherit conditions from both parent breeds, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions (like progressive retinal atrophy), and allergies. Large dogs with deep chests, like Standard Bernedoodles, are at risk for Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening form of bloat. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce the risk of GDV. Joint supplements might benefit Bernedoodles to help stave off hip and elbow dysplasia. Regular vet check-ups are important for tracking growth, identifying health concerns early, and monitoring joint health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Resources

If you’re looking for more information about dog growth in general, we’ve created a puppy weight calculator, an in-depth guide to how heavy your dog should be, and a series of growth charts for different breeds (and dogs and mixed breeds in general):

• Great Dane Growth Chart
• Goldendoodle Growth Chart
• Chihuahua Growth Chart
• Golden Retriever Growth Chart
• Labrador Growth Chart
• Dog Growth Chart
• Mixed Breed Growth Chart
• Rottweiler Growth Chart
• Pit Bull Growth Chart
• Australian Shepherd Growth Chart
• French Bulldog Growth Chart
• Great Pyrenees Growth Chart
• Standard Poodle Growth Chart
• Bernedoodle Growth Chart
• Husky Growth Chart

Article Sources

Puppy Growth Calculator uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. The Bernedoodle. (n.d.). United Bernedoodle Registry. https://ubregistry.org/
2. Yamasaki, G. (2021, December 20). When is a Bernedoodle full grown? (2022). We Love Doodles. https://welovedoodles.com/when-is-a-bernedoodle-full-grown/
3. Puppy growth: What you need to know. (n.d.). Bond Vet. https://bondvet.com/b/puppy-growth

Puppy Growth Calculator Staff
Puppy Growth Calculator writers are experts in pet care, health and behavior. We are members of Society for Professional Journalists and practice ethical journalism.