A Bernefie is a Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog mix.
If you have questions about the Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog mix, then you have come to the right place.
In this article we will discuss many aspects of owning a Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix.
We will cover topics such as training, grooming, nutrition, and medical care.
We hope that this information will help you decide if the Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog personality will be a good match for your family.
Let’s dive in and get to know the Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog mix, aka the Bernefie!
What is a Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog Mix?
A Bernefie is a cross between two beloved purebred dog breeds—the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Newfoundland.
Sometimes this mix happens accidentally and sometimes it is done on purpose through intentional breeding.
History
Newfoundlands and Bernese Mountain Dogs have been around for centuries. However, the trend of combining purebred dogs into “designer dogs” is a very recent trend.
The Designer Dog Craze
One of the first designer breeds ever created was the Labradoodle in 1989.
Since then, people have been obsessed with combining different purebred dogs to create the newest, cutest, most expensive designer dog.
Some other examples include:
Be cautious if you decide to buy a designer dog from a breeder.
A lot of irresponsible breeders and puppy mills are taking advantage of the designer dog craze and making a lot of money off of this fad.
Sadly, many breeding dogs suffer in poor conditions as breeders use them to meet the demand for cute puppies.
We will talk more about how to adopt or buy your Bernefie from an ethical source later in this article.
Newfoundland Traits and History
You can understand more about the Bernefi personality by taking a look at the two breeds that make up this combination.
The Newfoundland is a large working dog.
The Newfoundland breed originated in Canada to work with fishermen on their boats and docks.
The Newfie was used to haul fishing nets and cart fish to market. Newfoundlands were also prized for their water rescue abilities.
They were bred to be large and strong enough to save a full-grown man from drowning.
They were designed to have webbed feet and thick coats to withstand the cold of the Northern Atlantic Ocean.
Today, Newfs are beloved companions. The Newfoundland temperament is known for being gentle, patient, calm and affectionate.
Bernese Mountain Dog Traits and History
The Bernese Mountain Dog is another big gentle giant.
The Bernese Mountain Dog breed was developed in the mountains of Switzerland to be an all-around working dog for dairy farmers.
They were bred to be strong enough to pull carts and sturdy enough to tolerate the harsh climate of the mountains.
These days, most Berners are kept as pets, although some are still used for working purposes.
The Bernese Mountain Dog temperament is loyal, loving and protective.
Learn more about the Bernese Mountain Dog temperament.
Size and Appearance
What does a Bernefi look like?
The Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog mix is a big, good-looking dog.
The average Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog height is between 25 and 29 inches at the withers.
The typical Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog weight is between 90 and 150 lbs. Males tend to be larger than females.
The classic Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog colors are some combination of black, brown and white.
They usually have brown eyes, long tails, floppy ears, and very long, thick coats.
We will talk more about Bernefi grooming and shedding in the next section.
Grooming
If you are thinking about owning one of these dogs you are probably wondering, how do you groom a Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix?
These dogs of a lot of furs and they require a lot of brushing, combing, and grooming.
You will want to purchase some basic grooming tools such as brushes, combs, and a pair of nail clippers.
You will need to brush or comb your Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix every day to remove dead hair and prevent matting.
Also, you will probably need to take your Bernefi to a professional groomer at least a few times per year for a haircut and sanitary trim.
These are definitely some things that you should take into consideration before adding one of these dogs to your household.
Taking care of the Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog coat requires a lot of time and monetary resources.
It also requires a certain tolerance for dog hair.
Does the Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog mix Shed?
The answer to that question is a definite yes!
These dogs have a lot of fur and they shed year-round. There are certain “shedding seasons” when their shedding becomes even more intense.
You can reduce shedding by frequent baths, brushing and trips to the groomer. However, you will never be able to eliminate shedding with this breed.
If you are not able to tolerate dog hair on your clothes or furniture, this is probably not the right breed for you.
Most Bernefi owners feel like the good qualities of this breed far outweigh the bad qualities. Just be sure to stock up on brooms, lint rollers, and a high-quality vacuum cleaner.
Side note- these dogs are also known to be droolers, so just keep that in mind if you are considering one!
Is the Bernefie Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, if you suffer from allergies to dog fur, this breed probably will not work for you.
The Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog mix is not a hypoallergenic breed.
However, you can check out this article for a list of hypoallergenic breeds.
Training
If you own any type of dog, but especially a large-breed dog, it is very important to train your dog.
So how do you train a Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog mix?
The good news is that both Newfoundlands and Berners are smart dogs that are eager to please their owners.
Therefore, Bernefies tend to be very receptive to obedience training.
The best way to train your Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix is with positive reinforcement training methods.
This type of training is based on science, and it is the most effective and humane type of training.
If possible, sign up for a puppy class or a basic obedience class with a positive reinforcement trainer in your area. This is a great way for your puppy to learn important canine social skills. This is especially important with a puppy that is going to grow into a very large dog!
Even if you think you can train a dog yourself, it is really helpful for your dog to be exposed to other dogs in an obedience class.
Just be sure to avoid trainers that use punishment, dominance, or painful “corrections” with shock collars or pinch collars.
Your Bernefi might seem big and tough, but he is a sensitive dog, and painful training methods can be counterproductive.
After you finish basic training, you can move to more advanced activities such as agility, nosework, rally obedience, weight pull, dock diving, search and rescue or therapy work.
Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mixes love to spend time with their owners and learn new things.
Helpful Online Dog Training Resource:
The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan a world-class Dog Trainer from New Zealand is worth taking a look at. This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more.
Staying Healthy: Bernefie Health Issues
As with all dogs, your Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix may develop health problems as it grows older.
On the plus side, mixed-breed dogs tend to be healthier than their purebred counterparts.
This is because mixed breeds come from a wider gene pool, so they are less susceptible to genetic conditions.
However, it is still a good idea to talk with your vet about some of the conditions that affect the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Newfoundland.
Talk to your veterinarian about the medical conditions listed below so that you can be prepared for them if any of them arise in your Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog mix:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Bloat
- Arthritis/ Joint Issues
- Skin Issues/ Allergies
- Heart conditions
- Cancer
You can help keep your Bernefi as healthy as possible by bringing him to a veterinarian at least once per year for an annual exam and vaccinations. You may also want to do yearly bloodwork and dental work as your Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix gets older.
Also, be sure to keep your Bernefi on monthly prevention for fleas, ticks and heartworms. Your vet can advise you on the best products for your Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix.
You can also keep your Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix healthy by making sure he gets daily exercise and stays at a healthy weight.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Note: Our Health is #1 Priority. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. Help your friend make it to 14 yrs+ without pain and suffering.
Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland Mix Nutrition
Talk with your vet about what to feed your Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog mix.
Your vet will probably recommend a high-quality diet.
If possible, feed your Bernefi smaller meals throughout the day to avoid the life-threatening condition called Bloat.
Bloat usually occurs when a dog eats a large meal too quickly. Big, barrel-chested dogs are especially susceptible to this condition.
If your dog start to show signs of Bloat, you must bring it to a veterinarian immediately.
What is the Bernefie Lifespan?
How long will your Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix live?
Unfortunately, giant breeds do not live as long as smaller breeds.
The average life expectancy for a Bernefi is between 8 and 10 years.
Bernefie Rescue and Adoption
If you decide that this is the right breed for you, it is ideal to try to find a Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog mix for adoption.
If you adopt your Bernefi you get to save a life and you can rest assured that you did not accidentally support a puppy mill or an unethical backyard breeder.
You can visit your local animal shelter or humane society to let the staff know that you are looking for a Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix.
Even if they do not have one currently available, they can keep your application for the future and they can also refer you to rescue groups that specialize in certain breeds or mixes.
You can also use the internet to search for Bernefis for adoption. Websites such as Facebook, Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com and Getyourpet.com are good ways to connect to the rescue community.
Finding a Bernefie for Sale
If you end up purchasing a Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix puppy from a breeder, do careful research to make sure that you find an ethical breeder.
Never purchase Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix puppies over the internet or from a pet store.
Always make sure you visit the breeder in person so that you can see with your own eyes that you are not acquiring a puppy from a puppy mill or another inhumane source.
Bernefie Price and Cost
How much does a Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix cost?
The price will vary widely depending on where you get your Bernefie.
If you adopt your Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix through a rescue group or animal shelter, the adoption fee will probably be in the ballpark of $75 to $300 depending on the organization. Adoption fees usually cover spay/neuter, vaccines and sometimes a microchip.
On the other hand, if you purchase a designer dog from a breeder, you should expect to pay at least $1000.
Many designer puppies cost between $3000 and $5000 or even more for special colorations or traits.
When it comes to acquiring one of these dogs, adoption is definitely the more economical option.
We hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about the Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland mix.
We hope this article has given you a better sense of whether or not the Bernefie would be a good addition to your household.
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.