Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did you guys get started?
A: We have always had a heart for helping others financially with service and therapy dogs. After falling in love with the bernedoodle which of course also meant the poodle and bernese, our family then fell in love with helping match the perfect puppy with their perfect family. WE LOVE WATCHING ALL THE PUPPY TALES UNFOLD. It’s now become a passion for not just Greg and I, but our kiddos as well. After digging into years of research, we had our first litter which was more of Momma’s thing. That all changed after seeing our wonderful families matched with their furever furbaby as watching those puppy tales begin, inspired us all. We have the most wonderful families and as we saw our babies begin to heal hearts, provide love and change lives it all changed. It’s now something our entire family couldn’t love more. Health and temperament are of utmost importance to us.
Q: Do you have any available puppies right now?
A: We do have several wonderful litters planned and on the way for this upcoming year. We have deposits right now from families who have been on our waiting list for months while they wait for their forever puppy. Because of the high demand for Bernedoodles, we don’t have any puppies available at this time, but we do work from our waitlist. You can get on the waitlist by filling out an application and sending in your reservation fee that will go towards the purchase price of your puppy.
Q: How do I get on the list?
A: You can get on the waitlist by filling out an application and sending in your reservation fee. The reservation fee is $400 and will go towards the cost of your future puppy. You can submit your application in by clicking here. Due to the growing number of applications we receive every single day, please remember you are not officially placed on the list until the reservation fee has been received. We carefully review applications to be sure we are doing all we can to ensure a good placement for our puppies. Each puppy is very special to us and a forever family is our top priority.
Q: Once I'm on the list, what happens?
A: Once you’ve submitted your application and reservation fee you’re officially placed on the waitlist. We know the wait can be difficult, but we will contact you as soon as you’re toward the top of the waitlist. Exact timing depends on a number of factors such as the timing of mothers coming into season, the size of each litter, and decisions of those before you on the list.Once you’re closer to the top of the waitlist, we’ll know more about the current litters you’ll have the opportunity to join.
Q: How does your selection process work?
A: Puppy selection is done around 7 weeks after temperament testing to ensure your puppy's “doggie-ality” (aka personality ;) ) matches what you are looking for to the best of our abilities. We will share with you all about each and every puppy. Each one is different just like our five kiddos. You will know about not only their temperament, but also their coat and who is tracking to be on what side size wise of a litter. Selection is done in the order application and reservation fees are received. Even though official selection isn't till 7 weeks families will get to know their litter before hand through facetime, daily insta/facebook stories, pictures and videos. If you wish to come visit and meet the puppies we ask that you do so prior to selection day.
Q: Why do we wait until they’re older to pick?
A: Waiting until 7 weeks not only allows us to learn more about each puppy's temperament (our daughter calls it their “doggie-ality”) it also helps us to be able to tell you more about their coat types and if they are tracking to be on the smaller or larger side of the litter. OOOOH, what we love about them is that they are each so unique and spectacular, they all have been put on the Earth to do special things just like your families needs are unique and spectacular.
Q: How does my puppy get home?
A: We highly encourage you to pick up your puppy in person as we get really excited to meet our “furever” families and officially welcome you to the Bluegrass family. We also understand that this is not possible for all of our families that live farther away. We have several options depending on the travel distance. We are happy to connect you to some of our very favorite drivers. We can also help you with flight nanny service for your puppy. We have our fav flight nanny, but sometimes it’s even one of us if possible. We love to meet our fams when at all possible. Your puppy is right with us or the nanny the entire time! We will help coordinate transportation of the puppy, but the financial responsibility is that of the new puppy owner. Flight costs can vary, but are usually $500 for anywhere in the continental United States.
Q: Why don’t we place 2 pups from the same litter in the same family?
A: We feel that the most important part of placing a puppy into a family is the bond of trust that they develop with that family. This relationship is crucial in the puppy stage and will have an impact on the dogs behavior for the rest of their life with their family. This bond of trust can be impacted negatively or not as strongly if the puppy is dependent upon a sibling or another puppy from another littler. They may form a primary bond with that puppy and the family can become secondary. Look up litter-mate syndrome and you will see why we make this decision for not only our babies, but for you too.
Q: Where are your puppies raised?
A: Our puppies are raised inside our home alongside our family and our pets. We feel this is really important to producing a puppy that will adapt to their family seamlessly. Man our family is a busy one, so socialization is happening even if we didnt put so much effort into making sure your puppies are getting exposed to many situations, sounds, exposures. We work hard helping to develop nerve strength as they will continue to be exposed to situations their entire lives.
Q: Do you offer training?
A: We offer a 4-5 week additional training, Puppy Kindergarten, for our puppies beyond the eight weeks they are with us. We only accept one to two puppies at a time to keep this training very specific to the designated needs of each puppy and family. We take them into our family and begin training them just as if we have a new pup. Their crate will be right beside Greg’s nightstand. Greg takes care of this and works closely with family. Feel free to email him directly or call him to inquire more at 270-906-5900. greg@bluegrassbernedoodles.com
Q: Are bernedoodles hypoallergenic?
A: No dog is “hypoallergenic” and no reputable breeder will use such a term. There are absolutely allergy friendly breeds and yes, we breed non shedding, very allergy friendly Bernedoodles.
Q: How big do Bernedoodles get?
A: We offer three sizes of our Bluegrass Bernedoodles. Standards will range from 60-100 lbs, Minis will range from 30-50 lbs and our micro-minis will range from 20-40 lbs. This is not exact science as genetics ultimately play a large part in size; this is why we wait for selection so we can tell who is on the larger/smaller side of a litter.
Q: Do bernedoodles shed?
A: Every bernedoodle has a different coat and every dog with hair will shed, but the wavy type of coat that a Bernedoodle has is a low-to non-shedding.
Q: What are the generations (F1, F1b, F2) and what do they mean?
A: An F1 Bernedoodle is a first generation cross, which means 50% Bernese Mountain Dog and 50% Poodle. An F1b is a backcross in which a Bernedoodle is bred with a Poodle. This would mean the puppy is 25% Bernese and 75% Poodle. F1b puppies are most likely to be non-shedding and allergy friendly. An F2 Bernedoodle is 50% Poodle and 50% Bernese Mountain Dog, but just a second generation.
Q: If I’m concerned about allergies, is there a way to test that?
A: We can mail you a blanket that has been with our dogs or connect you with a family that has one of our dogs that you may be able to connect with to test this out!
Q: Why don’t all your dogs live with you?
A: We believe first and foremost that our parents health and wellness is most important. This is why all of our dogs except our family dogs live in Guardian Homes with our closest friends and family so that they can be a part of a loving family. Click here to read all about our Guardian Families.
Q: Do you see a temperament difference between males and females or between minis and standards? Or between different generations?
Q: How do I choose, boy or girl?
Q: Why don’t you post your list on your website?
Q: What's the difference between furnished and unfurnished?
