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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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 3–15 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 weight	Freeze-dried per day	Per meal (×2)
20 lb	3 oz	1.5 oz
40 lb	6 oz	3 oz
60 lbtypical Bernedoodle	9 oz	4.5 oz
80 lb	12 oz	6 oz
100 lb	15 oz	7.5 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active pets 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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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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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.