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Your journey

So, you’ve done your research. You’ve read Bernedoodles: A Head to Tail Guide, joined the Facebook group, and connected with a few owners.

You’ve decided that a doodle is the right fit for your family.

Along the way, you’ve also discovered how important it is to work with an experienced, knowledgeable breeder—especially when it comes to hybrid dogs like Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles. Because this mix combines different breeds, there can be significant variation within and across litters. Size, coat type, temperament, and energy levels can differ even among siblings and litters. That’s why choosing a breeder with years of experience observing and raising these hybrids is so critical. A skilled breeder can give you valuable insight into what to expect from a puppy and help match you with the right fit, reducing the chances of unwelcome surprises.

And beyond finding the right dog, you also want to be part of a supportive community of like-minded owners who can share their experiences, advice, and encouragement along the way. That’s why we created the SwissRidge Facebook group—a vibrant community made up of our clients and their beloved SwissRidge dogs.

If this all sounds right for you, then you’re ready to join the SwissRidge family. (Fair warning—doodles can be delightfully addictive. Many of our families come back for a second… or even a third!)

So, what now?

  • Take our Puppy Quiz to find out if one of our doodles is suitable for you and your lifestyle. If you pass:
  • Fill out the adoption form. Tell us about your home and family, and describe your plans to care for and train your Bernedoodle. State your preferences about size, gender, type of coat, and coloring – but do try to keep an open mind. The pup with the perfect temperament for you may be the opposite of what you originally had in mind!
  • Once we’ve reviewed your application, we’ll be in touch to confirm your approval. Until then, sit tight—your future puppy may be closer than you think!
  • Once approved pay your deposit – CDN deposit and US deposit (pick your location).
  • Wait. If you are flexible on color, gender, and coat type, the wait may not be that long. If you’ve provided a long list of specifications, including a female, straight coat, tri-color color, 20lbs, calm personality, you had better find some distractions, because the more specifications you give the longer it may take. 
  • Join the Facebook group, if you haven’t already. This is the very best way to spend your time while you are waiting. By the time your pup arrives, you will have gained a huge amount of knowledge from people in the puppy trenches, and you may even find other SwissRidge owners who live near you, and can set up some playdates.
  • Check in with us once in a while to see where you are on the list, and what litters are planned, so you can get a rough idea for timing your pup’s arrival. Keep in mind that Bernese are notoriously difficult to breed, litter size varies, and it’s very difficult to predict how many puppies I’ll produce in a given year.
  • Revisit your decisions. You might be surprised at how many people change their minds about size and coloring during their wait. Some people grow so impatient for a puppy that they opt for a Goldendoodle first, and continue to wait for a Bernedoodle. 
  • One fine day, you’ll receive that awaited email: a litter has arrived that might contain your pup! Normally this happens when the pups are about two weeks old. If you are ready, willing, and able to receive a pup, we’ll email you a detailed puppy supply list along with access to an extensive video series we’ve created that covers everything you need to know about raising, training, and caring for your new puppy. We ask that all families watch this series before pick-up and have the recommended supplies purchased and set up in advance. This ensures that both you and your puppy are fully prepared for a smooth and happy transition home.
  • Eight long weeks will pass, in which you prepare, worry, and stare at the photos we post at birth, four weeks, and seven weeks. 
  • If you haven’t already made plans to enroll your puppy in our imprinting program, now is the time to make a final decision. Leave your pup with us for an extra month or two, and we’ll get things on track for you. By the time your pup arrives home, they will be used to their crate, have a strong base in puppy manners, and be well on the way to being housebroken. That means you’ll be well-rested and ready to welcome a more mature puppy. You can read more about the imprinting program in the Training section. 
  • When a litter is about five to six weeks old, we reconfirm with you that you’re ready for your pup, and then book flights and forward flight information, if required.
  • You may send me your preferences within the litter, and where there is some flexibility, I try to take your requests into account. But I will always – always – choose the puppy whose temperament I think best suits your circumstances, regardless of appearance.
  • When the litter is seven weeks old, I perform the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test, which you can read more about in the Q&A section. I consider the results, paired with my own observations of how the pups have been interacting with their moms, their littermates, and their caregivers. With that information in hand, I review completed applications and decide which puppy in the litter best suits your circumstances. Usually, I make these decisions on the Tuesday or Wednesday before the weekend scheduled for pick up. I delay this decision, not to torment you, but to be sure I have the most information available on the pups to make the best matches. Puppies change so rapidly at this stage that every day counts. It’s my process, and it works. Check out my testimonials.
  • We will send you an email and description of the pup or pups that I think will work best for you. You may accept the pup, or decide to pass on it and defer your deposit to a future litter.
  • You’ve accepted your puppy, and before long you’re posting about it on Facebook—doing your best not to brag that yours is the cutest and best of the litter (or maybe even of all the litters!). The truth is, it really is the perfect pup for you.
  • More than half of every litter is shipped across Canada and the United States. You can read more about shipping in the Q&A section, but I firmly believe that flying is safe for pups, and, in fact, is preferable to very long drives. 
  • Puppy pick-up day! These are the very best days for me. I encourage anyone who can make the journey to pick up their pup in person – if only so that I can see your face when the puppy arrives in your arms. We hold orientation sessions at the kennel, where you will get a chance to mingle with me. I will give you lots of tips and advice. I used to do the information session after giving people their puppies, but I realized new owners were too entranced to pay attention. So now I’ve reversed that. Before I bring out the pups, I spend about 20 minuets going through the puppy package, all the important information and answering any question you may have. Once that is complete I will bring out your puppy!
  • We keep in touch – on Facebook, by email, or by phone if necessary. SwissRidge offers lifetime support for you and your dog. I want to hear how your puppy develops, and about any issues you face. Your input may shape future breeding decisions,  so please keep me posted.