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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Bernedoodle

The Bernedoodle is a Bernese Mountain Dog crossed with a Poodle — a smart, food-loving dog that comes in Toy, Mini and Standard sizes, with the big ones carrying a deep-chested, joint-bearing frame. That range means how you feed one depends heavily on which Bernedoodle you have.

Here is exactly how to feed a Bernedoodle on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that protects their joints, their curly coat, and a sometimes-sensitive gut and skin.

  • Adult weight20–100 lb
  • SizeLarge
  • EnergyModerate to High
  • Lifespan12–18 years
  • CoatWavy to curly, low-shedding — needs frequent brushing
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A healthy Bernedoodle
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Bernedoodle's body needs

Every Bernedoodle trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Bernese + deep-chested build (Standards)

    Needs: Smaller, slower meals

    Two measured freeze-dried raw meals a day — reconstituted with water and easy to portion — keep each serving small, which helps reduce the bloat risk deep-chested Bernedoodles face.

  • Hip & elbow dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s help calm joint inflammation, and staying lean takes load off growing and aging joints.

  • Curly, low-shedding coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting the soft, healthy coat that needs all that brushing — and reducing the dry, flaky skin curly coats can hide.

  • Allergy- and itch-prone skin

    Needs: Simple, low-filler ingredients

    Minimally processed single proteins skip the starchy fillers common in kibble, making it easier to feed around food sensitivities and support calmer skin and ears.

  • Smart, playful, high engagement

    Needs: Clean animal protein for steady energy

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and even, all-day energy for hikes, training and play — without the carb spikes and crashes of filler-heavy food.

How much to feed a Bernedoodle

Quick answer: a healthy adult Bernedoodle (20–100 lb) needs about 3.0–15.0 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
20 lb 3.0 oz 1.5 oz
40 lb 6.0 oz 3.0 oz
60 lb typical Bernedoodle 9.0 oz 4.5 oz
80 lb 12.0 oz 6.0 oz
100 lb 15.0 oz 7.5 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Bernedoodle

For a Bernedoodle we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition. Minimally processed, single-protein recipes also make it easier to spot what a sensitive Bernedoodle reacts to.

Lean proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit weight-watchers and itch-prone dogs; richer Beef suits active or harder-working Bernedoodles. Just add water and serve — and for Standards, divide the day's food across two meals to keep each one small.

Recipes for Bernedoodles

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Daily support for Bernedoodles

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Treats Bernedoodles love

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Feeding a Bernedoodle by life stage

  • Puppy: Standard Bernedoodle puppies are a large breed and should grow slowly to protect developing joints — feed a large-breed-appropriate amount across 3–4 meals a day and avoid overfeeding, since fast growth raises hip and elbow dysplasia risk. Mini and Toy pups also do best on 3–4 small, regular meals.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals (important for deep-chested Standards). Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: Smaller Bernedoodles can live well into their teens. Trim portions as activity drops, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and coat-supporting nutrition.

Common Bernedoodle concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip & elbow dysplasiaCommon in the Bernese side of the family. Keeping your Bernedoodle lean is the biggest lever; real bone and organ provide natural glucosamine and omega-3 to support day-to-day joint comfort.
  • Bloat / GDV (deep-chested Standards)Eating too fast or one big meal a day raises the risk. Two smaller, measured freeze-dried raw meals — slowed with a feeder if needed — help keep each serving small and the pace calm.
  • Skin & food allergiesBernedoodles can be itch-prone. A simple, whole-food, low-filler diet of single proteins makes sensitivities easier to identify and supports the skin barrier from the inside.
  • Coat & skin healthThat signature curly coat depends on healthy skin underneath. Omega-rich animal and fish fats support a soft coat and help with the dryness curly coats can mask.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Bernedoodle: what to know

Bernedoodles tend to be enthusiastic eaters, and the deep-chested Standards can bolt their food — a real concern because fast eating and one large daily meal raise bloat (GDV) risk. Split the day into two measured meals, and if your dog inhales it, serve from a slow feeder or lick mat to pace them.

Feed to body condition, not to the bowl-staring: you should feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above. Because a fluffy coat hides weight gain, weigh portions instead of eyeballing them and re-check the amount every few weeks.

Bernedoodle feeding questions

How much should I feed my Bernedoodle?
It depends heavily on size. A Standard (61–100 lb) needs roughly 9–15 oz of freeze-dried raw a day; a Mini (20–45 lb) about 3–7 oz; a Toy (under 20 lb) less still. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it's far less by volume than kibble — split it into two meals and feed to a lean waistline.
Why should a Standard Bernedoodle eat two meals instead of one?
Deep-chested dogs like Standard Bernedoodles are at higher risk for bloat (GDV), and one large meal or fast eating makes it worse. Two smaller measured meals — slowed with a feeder if your dog gulps — keep each serving small and easier on the stomach.
What's the best food for an itchy or allergy-prone Bernedoodle?
A minimally processed, single-protein freeze-dried raw diet (like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod) skips the starchy fillers in many kibbles and makes it easier to feed around food sensitivities while supporting calmer skin and ears.
How do I switch my Bernedoodle to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. It's rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline — especially with a food-motivated Bernedoodle.
Does a Bernedoodle need joint and coat support?
Many benefit from both. The Bernese side brings hip and elbow risk, and the curly coat needs healthy skin underneath. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ supplies natural glucosamine, and omega-rich fats support the joints, skin and coat — keeping your dog lean does the rest.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.