Bernedoodles are quickly becoming known as one of the most loving and friendly dog breeds on the planet. However, because they are partially Bernese Mountain Dog, they can also be one of the bigger family dogs out there.
If you want the personality and look of a Bernedoodle but without the massive size, you can opt for a mini Bernedoodle.
Mini Bernedoodles have all the characteristics of a standard Bernie but in a tiny, adorable package.
Although it varies from dog to dog depending on their genetics, nutrition, and other factors, mini Bernedoodles typically stop growing by their first birthday. In some cases, they may even stop growing at the 9 or 10-month mark, but it varies from dog to dog.
If you’re curious and want to know more about the growth patterns of mini-Bernedoodles, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will also delve deeper into what mini-Bernedoodles are, factors that affect their growth, and more. Finally, we’ll discuss where to get the most adorable mini-Bernedoodles in the country!
What is a Mini Bernedoodle?
As with a standard Bernedoodle, a mini Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a poodle. To ensure that it’s a true mini Bernedoodle, however, you must breed two Bernedoodles together who are each less than 45 pounds.
How Does Fawn River Doodles Breed a Mini Bernedoodle?
While other breeders may try different approaches, such as breeding a miniature poodle to a small Bernese Mountain Dog to create a mini, we believe in the “mini doodle to mini doodle” approach.
This gives us the best chance of getting a full litter of true miniature Bernedoodles that won’t grow into medium or standard-sized dogs.
Additionally, because we’re using two mini Bernedoodles that are roughly the same size, we can often breed our dogs naturally rather than through artificial insemination.
However, in certain instances when there are medical difficulties or the dogs simply don’t cooperate, artificial insemination or transcervical insemination are alternative options.
Additionally, we do sometimes breed a small poodle to a Bernese and we say they’ll be mini to medium. Some could turn out 45 pounds or less but then some may end up like 55-60 pounds within the same litter depending on parent sizes.
Are Mini Bernedoodles More Popular Than Other Bernedoodles?
Because of their convenient size and playful personalities, mini Bernedoodles are quickly becoming one of the most popular types of doodles on the market. We’ve found that they’re more popular than standard Bernedoodles but not quite as popular as medium-sized ones.
Another popular type is a Mini/Medium Bernedoodle. They come from a mini poodle and a standard Bernese, they can range from 25-60 pounds. Also, their height can range from 16-22 inches.
It is a gamble when we do it because we are not sure which size we will get and how many of each.
Growth Patterns for Baby Mini Bernedoodles
Now that you know more about mini Bernedoodles and how they’re bred, let’s dive into their growth patterns.
As we said before, mini Bernedoodles stop growing around 9 to 12 months of age. The sex of the dog doesn’t affect growth stoppage, as males and females both stop growing around the same time.
Additionally, how big your mini Bernedoodle is at birth doesn’t always determine how big they’ll eventually get or when they’ll stop growing.
In some cases, the runt of the litter will always be smaller than average, but we’ve also seen them outgrow their brothers and sisters! It all depends on the individual dog, their nutrition, and their growth pattern.
I would Say that most times the smaller ones end up smaller but it’s not guaranteed.
Size and Age at the Time of Sale
If you’re interested in buying a mini Bernedoodle, you likely want to know at what point you can take them home with you. At Fawn River Doodles, our pups can go home with their owners as early as 8 weeks old.
They will typically be around 6-8 pounds heavy at this time, which is similar to medium and standard Bernedoodles. From there, mini Bernedoodles typically gain around one/half to one pound per week until they’re fully grown.
Here’s a quick rundown of a mini Bernedoodle’s growth pattern:
- 2 Months – 6-8 pounds
- 4 Months – 12-16 pounds
- 6 months – 18-22 pounds
- 8 Months – 23-30 pounds
- 9-12 Months – 25-45 pounds
Although this isn’t true for all Bernedoodles, this is generally how they grow and develop. Throughout this period, they will continually connect with their owners, often starting from the first day or two that you take them home.
Growth Patterns for Adult Mini Bernedoodles
In most cases, you can expect your adult mini Bernedoodle to stop growing as they approach one year of age. Don’t be surprised, though, if they stop growing even earlier at the 9, 10, or 11-month mark.
Typically, they will be between 25 and 45 pounds at this point, which is the average size of a full-grown mini Bernedoodle.
While the overall size of a mini Bernedoodle can vary from dog to dog, when they stop growing often doesn’t. The only exception to this is if they have a genetic condition known as Chondrodysplasia (CDPA).
Dogs with this condition suffer from short-leg syndrome, which means their legs never fully develop. As a result, they typically stop growing much sooner than other mini Bernedoodles and are shorter and lighter because of it.
Additionally, we no longer breed short-legged Bernedoodles, as we now have tests to determine if the parents carry that gene.
How Does a Mini Bernedoodle’s Growth Pattern Compare to Other Bernedoodles?
While mini Bernedoodles stop growing around 9 to 11 months of age, this isn’t true of medium and standard dogs. Medium Bernedoodles typically stop growing around 12 to 13 months of age, while standard Bernedoodles stop growing around 16 months.
How Does Fawn River Doodles Measure Adulthood?
As with most breeders and dog experts, we measure adulthood according to the height and weight of a dog, with a larger emphasis on height.
This is because a dog’s weight doesn’t always correlate with their length or height. For instance, you can have two dogs that weigh 45 pounds each, but one dog is several inches taller than the other because they just carry their weight differently.
Factors That Affect a Mini Bernedoodle’s Growth Pattern
Next, let’s look at factors that can affect a mini Bernedoodle’s size and growth pattern after they reach adulthood and beyond.
Old Age
Although you probably don’t want to think about it right now, your mini Bernedoodle will eventually grow older and older. The good news is that, unlike people, mini Bernedoodles typically don’t struggle with muscle loss as they age.
As such, they will remain roughly the same size and weight throughout their adult life, barring medical conditions.
Alteration
Another factor to consider when it comes to size is if you spayed or neutered your mini Bernedoodle. While not always the case, dogs can gain weight after getting spayed or neutered due to how it affects their hormones.
However, the benefits of spaying and neutering often outweigh the negatives, and it’s something that we highly recommend.
Diet and Exercise
Lastly, your mini Bernedoodles diet and exercise will also affect how big they get, both before and into adulthood. It’s crucial to feed your doodle healthy, high-quality dog food packed with high-quality protein, whole grains, and little to no fillers.
This will allow your dog to reach their ideal weight rather than being grossly overweight because of low-quality dog food. You should also keep human food as an occasional treat, rather than a regular occurrence.
Additionally, as with all dogs, mini Bernedoodles need plenty of exercise. The more they can get out and run, the healthier they will be.
If you don’t have an area where your dog can run and play freely, such as a dog park or fenced yard, you should try to take them on two to three long walks per day.
What do People on Reddit Think About When Mini Bernedoodle’s Stop Growing?
If you don’t want to take our word for it, you can also see what Reddit has to say about when mini Bernedoodles typically stop growing.
According to a thread we found, most users agree with us in that they stop growing around 9 to 12 months of age. Additionally, most users report that their dogs max out at around 30 to 45 pounds.
However, as with all things, there are exceptions to the rule. One individual reported that their “mini” Bernedoodle weighs 60 pounds and didn’t stop growing until they were 14 months old!
As such, it’s important to get your mini Bernedoodle from a reputable breeder who knows what they’re doing, because it will reduce the chances of this happening.
Cost of a Mini Bernedoodle
The average cost to buy a mini Bernedoodle depends on where you’re purchasing it from. Some breeders charge as little as $1,500 for a mini Bernedoodle, while others charge up to $5,000!
At Fawn River Doodles, we recommend saving between $3,000 and $3,500 if you want a high-quality mini Bernedoodle. This is true for all Bernedoodles, whether they’re mini, medium, or standard.
Final Thoughts
Mini Bernedoodles are without a doubt one of the best types of family dogs you can have. However, if your heart is set on a mini and no other size will do, be sure to ask your breeder how big the parents are.
Unless the parents are both 45 pounds or less, you can’t be certain that your dog will end up as a true mini Bernedoodle.
Even so, there are no size guarantees when it comes to Bernedoodles. However, the approach we take at FRD of breeding two mini Bernedoodles to each other gives you the best chance at getting a true mini Bernedoodle.