Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Expensive Pets?

Berners are popular dogs for households of all types but it is wise to consider if they are a breed of dogs your family can afford to care for comfortably.

Bernese Mountain dogs are relatively expensive pets to welcome and maintain. Puppies are pricey, and veterinarian care for a Berner could add to your regular expenses significantly. Your pet will need large amounts of high-quality dog food and other supplies that are typically costly for dogs of large breeds.

Of course, your geographical area determines your expenses to a great extent.

An Estimate Of The First-Year Cost

Our estimates take into account the prices in the U.S., and there is plenty of variation depending on your particular state and urban area.

Berner expenses, the first year	Average cost
The cost of a puppy	$1200-2600
Spaying/neutering, one-time fee	$200
Registration license (if spayed/neutered)	$35
Optional puppy classes	$200
Pet Health Insurance	$110
Core vaccines	$75-150
Routine vet appointments, fecal tests for parasites	$100
Food and treats	$500-1200
Toys	$100
Crate or carrier for large dogs	$50
Large doggy bed	$40
First-year estimated cost	$2410-4785

Cost Of A Bernese Mountain Puppy

$1200-2600 is a ridiculous range but in reality, it might be even greater.

Litters of Bernese Mountain dogs tend to be small, which is one reason the puppies cost a lot. Expect to be placed on a waitlist to get your Berner puppy. The demand for puppies in your area affects what you might be asked to pay. It is not uncommon for aspiring Berner owners-to-be to drive across state lines to purchase a puppy. Making the trip often saves money and allows you to get a puppy sooner.

Responsible breeding also involves multiple costs, including paperwork, health screenings, time, and supplies to provide excellent care for the dogs. The breeder might want to be in touch with you sometime in advance to screen you as a candidate. Some might invite you to see the parent dogs and how they live.

Consider visiting your local animal shelter. A shelter could have a purebred or a half-breed Berner. You would only pay a modest adoption fee and rescue a homeless animal. Shelter dogs often come with personality/behavioral profiles from staff and volunteers, and it is a luxury you might not get from a breeder.

Pet License

The price is not the same everywhere but, as an example, in Seattle, a spayed/neutered dog’s annual registration is $37. You would pay $105 a year for an animal that has not been altered. Most cities offer a discount if you pay for 2 or more years at once.

Medical Care

Bernese Mountain Dogs are reliably named among the most expensive dog breeds to insure. USA Today discussed a study on the prices of dog insurance and, according to the study, Berner needs about $1360 for veterinarian care a year, on average.

Not every Berner is going to be afflicted by the typical breed of health issues. It is, however, reasonable to expect that your dog will need a significant amount of veterinarian care, and the cost will increase as your four-legged friend ages.

Bernese Mountain Dogs were bred from a narrow gene pool, so genetically inherited problems are common. If you are set on getting a purebred puppy, do your research and find a good breeder. If you don’t mind a mixed breed Berner, your dog is far less likely to have the usual genetically inherited health concerns.

If you have a purebred dog, Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America recommends the following health screenings:

Hip Dysplasia
Elbow Dysplasia

Eye examination (for progressive retinal atrophy)
Cardiac Evaluation

Berners are also at risk for certain cancers and blood disorders and bloat, which is an acute and life-threatening gastrointestinal illness. Joint dysplasia and arthritis are by far the most common problems.

Pet Health Insurance

Bernese Mountain dogs are a breed you should consider pet health insurance for. However, even insurance itself will cost you a lot, and it usually covers 80-90% of any expenses your pup might incur.

Pet health insurance does not cover routine and preventative care, nor does it cover any preexisting conditions. Still, it might prevent you from falling into a financial abyss if your pup needs a lot of care.

I ran a few quotes for the Seattle area, as an example, and here are the best results I got. The insurance has a $300 annual deductible and it covers 80% of expenses, both of which are very typical:

Berner’s age	Monthly insurance price
Under 12 months	95-115
2 year old	10-115
8 year old	120-210

Food And Treats

Naturally, your expenses in this realm will vary greatly, as will your spending on toys for your dog. It is probably fair to notice, however, that most of us spend more on food and toys for our furry friends than we intend to.

Sentiments aside, a big pup like a Berner will consume a lot of food. A rough estimate for a dog whose weight is 100 pounds (45 kg) is about 4.5-5 cups of food daily. They need variety and quality to promote the health of all their systems, including the vulnerable joints.

Annual Basic Cost

The annual cost of the bare basics – food and veterinarian expenses – could amount to $1860 – 2560. Vet expenses will likely increase as your pup ages.

To give a generous estimate for annual medical expenses, we used the value provided by the study mentioned in the section on medical costs. The study is dedicated specifically to veterinarian expenses for different dog breeds. $1360 is the average amount an owner of a Berner in the U.S. spends on veterinarian care for their beloved pet.

The dog’s age, your geographic location, and if you have pet insurance will greatly impact what you should expect to pay.

Miscellaneous Expenses

Dog walkers, pet hotels, traveling with your dog, including the fees for pet-friendly rooms – those are just some services you will incur extra costs for if you have a large dog.