Great Bernerdoodles

Welcome! We raise a small number of Bernedoodle x Great Pyrenees puppies here on our family homestead in Southwest Virginia. These puppies are being raised in our home, handled daily, and exposed to everyday family and farm life. Our goal is calm confidence, stable temperaments, and lifelong companions.

This cross blends the steady nature of the Great Pyrenees, the affectionate heart of the Bernese influence, and the intelligence and shaggy coat traits from 25% Poodle genes.

Meet the Parents

Panda- black bernedoodle dog from Southwest Virginia

Panda - F2 Bernedoodle

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Freckles- white great pyrenees dog from Southwest Virginia

Freckles - Great Pyrenees

The story begins with Panda our F2 Bernedoodle, who has been an integral part of our family since she was a puppy. We had dreams of one day breeding her but never found the right partner for her.

Freckles the Great Pyrenees joined our homestead to watch our goats and chickens and he quickly became part of the family too. Yes, we know that Freckles isn't a very intimidating livestock guardian dog name but it suits him. Slowly Panda and Freckles developed a bond and with how great their temperments both are, we knew their puppies would be the best family dogs.

Their love story culminated in 6 Great Bernerdoodle puppies born in the early morning on December 31, 2025. These pups have all of the chill and gaurdian skills of their dad, the intelligence of their mom, and beautiful curly coats from their poodle grandparents.

Meet the Puppies

Beau

(white & black male, bow marking) This big guy takes after his dad. Very friendly and will crawl right into your lap for a cuddle. He might not fit there when he's older, but he'll try!

Dinah

(diamond mark & white on back of her neck, panda-colored female) Dinah is playful and friendly. The largest of the girls, she has taken the longest for her mom to wean.

Dottie

(tricolor spotted female, smallest) Dottie is a ray of sunshine. She is always wagging her tail and excited to see humans.

Checkers

RESERVED

Maybelle

RESERVED

Minnie

(mom’s twin, panda-colored female) Minnie is sweet and quiet and will sleep through anything. She loves to sleep cuddled up to her siblings or next to humans.

Why Bearclaw Forest?

Bearclaw Forest is a family-run homestead in Southwest Virginia. We breed goats, rabbits, and Great Bernerdoodles. Our dogs are raised in a hands-on environment on our mini farm with daily socialization from our children and animals, early training exposure, and a focus on holistic health.

Our Process

Prospective families begin with a short application so we can understand your lifestyle, experience, & expectations.
Meet the puppies and select your new family member.
After approval, a non-refundable deposit secures your spot on our placement list.
Local pickup available; delivery options can be discussed before deposit.

What Comes with Your Puppy

✔ Health records & first vet visit completed
✔ Written placement agreement
✔ Blanket or toy with the scent from their mom & littermates
✔ Some Purina ONE large breed puppy food to help transition to your feed of choice
✔ Puppy starter pack (feeding & training guidance)

Why choose this breed?

Less shed than a typical Bernese Mountain Dog or Great Pyrenees
Gentle, intelligent & affectionate
Protective instincts, make great family and farm dogs
Fun-loving energy balanced with a laid-back vibe

Pricing

$700 total per puppy
$200 deposit to reserve (applied to balance of puppy)

Get in touch

Apply below and we will contact you for an initial interview and to answer any questions you may have. Submitting an application does not guarantee availability. We place puppies selectively so they go to homes that are right for them.

Puppy Application

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Great Bernerdoodle?

A Great Bernerdoodle is our special cross between an F2 Bernedoodle mom (Panda) and a Great Pyrenees dad (Freckles). This mix combines the intelligence, curly lower-shedding coat from the Poodle/Bernedoodle side with the calm, protective guardian instincts of the Great Pyrenees. The result: fluffy, affectionate, family-friendly dogs with balanced energy and potential hybrid vigor for better health. Note, they are only 25% poodle, so coats may vary.

How big do Great Bernerdoodles get?

Our puppies are from a standard-sized Bernedoodle and a large Great Pyrenees, so expect medium-large adults: typically 60-90+ lbs and 24-30 inches at the shoulder when fully grown. Exact size varies by puppy—males tend to be larger.

Are these puppies hypoallergenic or low-shedding?

Most have curly or wavy coats from the Poodle influence, making them lower shedding but they are likely to shed. We recommend spending time with the puppies to confirm whether someone with allergies is senstive to their coats.

What health testing do you do?

Parents are temperament-tested and vet-checked. Puppies come with first vet visit, vaccinations/deworming started, health records, and a written agreement.

What training do the puppies receive before going home?

Puppies are:

Introduced to bell training for potty awareness
Started on potty routines appropriate for their age
Exposed to basic boundaries, handling, and gentle structure
Introduced to goats and other livestock (calm exposure, not working expectations)

Do you offer ongoing support?

Yes. We are always happy to answer questions and support families as your puppy grows.

Blog & Puppy Tips

Why Choose a Great Bernerdoodle for Your Family?

Great Bernerdoodles blend the best traits: the loyal, gentle nature of the Great Pyrenees, the smarts and curls of the Bernedoodle/Poodle lineage. Raised on our homestead with kids and farm animals, these pups grow into calm, protective companions perfect for active families or those wanting a farm dog with doodle charm. Low-shedding coats, hybrid health benefits, and loving personalities make them stand out. Interested in our newest litter ready to go home in March? Apply today!

Simple puppy raising guide

Potty & Bell Training

Your puppy will come home litter trained (a pan with potty pads & alfalfa pellets). Additionally, puppies are introduced to a bell system to build early awareness of going outside. At this stage, consistency matters more than perfection. We simply touch the puppy's nose to a bell hanging on the outside door before taking them to the bathroom. Eventually, the puppy will learn to ring the bell when they need to go. Families are encouraged to continue the same routine at home for a smooth transition.

Farm Training

Puppies are gently introduced to goats and farm animals in a controlled, calm environment. This is exposure only, not working training, and helps build respect and familiarity.

Homemade Dog Food

If your puppy is a picky eater like their mom (pictured pregant with the pups above), try making this homemade dog food. As always, consult your vetinarian with any dietary concerns and official recommendations.

Ingredients: 2 lbs ground turkey or chicken, 1 slice frozen liver, 1 cup broccoli, 1/2 tsp rosemary, sprinkle tumeric, can of pumpkin, 1 cup carrots, 1 sweet potato, 1 cup brown rice, 1 cup peas, 1 cup spinach, 1 cup cauliflower & other veggies

Instructions: Add everything but the pumpkin & tumeric to the instant pot. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Quick release & add can pumpkin, sprinkle with tumeric, & add fish oil if desired (helps with a shiny coat)

See all recipes →

Panda the Bernedoodle mom after her first grooming appointment

Grooming Tips for Curly Coats

We have already begun clipping the puppies' nails and introducing a brush (we recommend the Chris Christensen Big G Dog Slicker Brush). These dogs will need to be brushed and washed often to maintain their coat. We also recommend taking your puppy in for their first grooming appointment within their first few months. Most groomers offer a "first grooming" appointment that is designed for familiarizing your pup without traumatizing them. Panda received frequent grooming appointments as a puppy (see the blog photo!) and behaves well for the groomers. We have now transitioned to grooming her at home and are happy to answer any questions about the process.

Tips for bringing your puppy home for the first time

Stay tuned for advice on "baby"-proofing your home, list of needed items, and how to start a routine with your new puppy.

Check back for more posts on puppy training, health, and homestead life!