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Breed guide
How often should you bathe a bernedoodle?
Every 4 to 6 weeks, tighter for a curlier coat or a dog that lives outside. A big dog with a low-shed poodle coat runs on the opposite maintenance logic from a shedding breed its size.
Quick facts
The bernedoodle at a glance.
Coat type
Wavy to curly, poodle-influenced
Sometimes with a Bernese-style undercoat mixed in depending on the individual dog. Low-shed, high mat risk without regular brushing.
Shedding
Minimal to light
Curlier coats shed almost nothing visibly; looser-coated bernedoodles shed a bit more but still mat if brushing lapses.
Our bath cadence
Every 4 to 6 weeks, tighter for curlier coats or outdoor dogs
Most bernedoodles land at 4-6 weeks; curlier coats or heavy outdoor time push toward 3-4.
Typical price
$95 to $155
Mini bernedoodles (25-49 lbs) usually land in medium; standard bernedoodles (70-90 lbs) are often large or XL.
The real problem
A big dog on a poodle-style schedule, not a Bernese one.
A purebred Bernese mountain dog sheds heavily and can go months between baths. The poodle side of a bernedoodle cross changes that math entirely: the coat is low-shed and mat-prone instead, which means the maintenance burden moves from occasional heavy brushing to a shorter, more consistent bath cycle. Owners expecting Bernese-style upkeep are often surprised by how much a bernedoodle actually needs.
Size compounds the problem. A missed cycle on a small dog is a manageable brush- out; a missed cycle on a 70 to 90 lb standard bernedoodle means a lot more coat to catch up on, and mats that go unnoticed for a few weeks on a big dog are often already past the point a brush alone can fix. The interval matters more here than on almost any other breed on our list simply because of how much coat there is to manage.
Don't wash on a Bernese schedule. The coat behaves like a poodle's, not a Bernese's. Stretching the interval because the dog "looks like" a low-maintenance breed is the fastest way to a mat problem.
The schedule
A bernedoodle bathing schedule you can put on the calendar.
Every 4-6 wksFull bath and blow-dry
Brush first, wash, then dry with airflow and a brush together so the curl doesn't set into new mats while air-drying.
Every 3-4 wksCurlier coats or outdoor dogs
A tighter, curlier coat or a dog that's regularly outside in mud and brush needs the shorter end of the interval to stay ahead of tangling.
Every 6-8 wksHaircut at your groomer
We wash, not cut. Our maintenance bath between groomer visits keeps a standard-size dog's coat manageable instead of matting before the next trim.
2-3x weeklyBrush and comb at home
On a dog this size, a thorough brush-out takes real time. Focus on the ears, legs, chest, and anywhere a harness sits.
If your vet has prescribed a medicated bathing plan for skin issues, that plan wins over this one.
The honest answer
Does a bernedoodle need professional bathing?
A mini bernedoodle on a consistent home brushing routine can be a reasonable home bath. A standard-size dog is where it gets harder: a lot of coat, a lot of water, and a long drying time that home towels struggle to finish.
We brush first, wash, and dry completely with a forced-air dryer and a brush working together, down to the skin, so the coat comes out separated instead of matting as it dries. $95 to $155 depending on size, in the van at your driveway.
Beyond the bath schedule for your bernedoodle
Get your bernedoodle's schedule with real dates.
The schedule builder already knows the bernedoodle coat. Answer a few questions about your dog's size and coat type, and it turns the cadence above into dates you can act on.
Build the schedule, freeFrequently asked
Bernedoodle bathing questions.
The poodle side of the cross changes the coat from a shedding double coat to a low-shed, mat-prone hair coat, which flips the maintenance logic. A Bernese sheds and needs infrequent baths with heavy brushing; a bernedoodle mats and needs more frequent baths to stay ahead of tangles.
The cadence stays similar across sizes, roughly every 4 to 6 weeks, but the price and time on-site scale with size. Minis are closer to a medium-size dog visit; standards run 70-90+ lbs and take longer to fully dry, which matters more than the wash itself.
Yes. Frequent washing strips the coat's natural oils, which can leave it dry and more prone to tangling rather than less. Staying in the 4-6 week range, tighter only for curly coats or heavy outdoor use, protects the coat better than washing on a shorter schedule.
Matting, and on a large dog it compounds fast. A missed cycle on a standard-size bernedoodle means a lot more coat to catch up on, and by the time mats are visible they're often already past the point a brush-out alone can fix.
Standard-size bernedoodles are exactly who our big dog wash service is built for.
A curly, low-shed coat, fully dried, at any size.
A full bernedoodle wash runs $95 to $155 in the van at your driveway, dried completely before we hand them back.
or text us at (408) 599-8317
Owner-operated · Local service
Hi, I’m Ace.
I run Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash myself — I’m the one who shows up at your door. Every visit is one dog at a time in the van at your curb: warm water, a full brush-out and a proper dry, with no salon drive and no cage waiting. Big dogs, heavy shedders and nervous seniors are the reason this service exists.
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SUCH a great - and easy! - experience! Asa was immediately responsive (I love when businesses actually answer their phone!), worked Moose in within 24 hours, was communicative throughout, bought unscented products specifically for us, did a great job with my 12 year old doodle … all in all: amazing service!
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Ace at Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash was absolutely wonderful with my senior dog. He was so gentle and patient with him, which meant everything to me given his age — I could tell he genuinely cared about his comfort throughout the whole process. Beyond the excellent care, Ace was warm, loving, and clearly an animal lover at heart, while also being completely professional from start to finish. It's rare to find someone who balances that kind of tenderness with real expertise, and my dog came out looking and smelling great without a hint of stress. Highly recommend Ace and Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash.
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Ace was great with my 3 small dogs. They got washed and towel dried, their ears checked, their nails trimmed. One star off because he trimmed one nail too far and it bled for a long time, plus distressed my already anxious dog. Important to know that this service isn't van-based (yet). Ace brings a portable wash station to set up outside. He brings his own water and supplies. He doesn't do any hair cuts, just basic wash and towel dry. I'll call him again in the future!
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Ace did a great job with our little old chihuahua mix. Our appointment was for the evening and he came prepared with warm water, and made our sure our dog was comfortable the entire time. Don't let the lack of reviews on yelp scare you away, his prices are good, and he takes time to ensure that good work is done.
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He did such an amazing job with my dog! He came out looking so nice, clean, and well-groomed, but what stood out to me most was how happy and comfortable he seemed afterward. You can really tell he was treated with care throughout the entire process. I'm extremely pleased with how everything turned out and would definitely recommend him!
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Ace at Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash was absolutely wonderful with my senior dog. He was so gentle and patient with him, which meant everything to me given his age -- I could tell he genuinely cared about his comfort throughout the whole process. Beyond the excellent care, Ace was warm, loving, and clearly an animal lover at heart, while also being completely professional from start to finish. It's rare to find someone who balances that kind of tenderness with real expertise, and my dog came out looking and smelling great without a hint of stress. Highly recommend Ace and Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash. Price is great!
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We booked Bay Area Mobile Dog Wash for our 90-lb German Shepherd, Koda, who hates the groomer. Ace parked the van right in our driveway in Willow Glen, walked her up the ramp himself — no lifting, no cage, no other dogs — and I watched the whole wash from my doorstep. Bath, nails, ears, and she came back inside dry and calm. Flat $95 exactly as the website said, no surprise charges. We've already booked next month. 😊❤️
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