Large and sturdy, Bernese Mountain Dogs are as beautiful as they are affectionate. Berners, as they’re also called, live to please their owners. Their intelligence and gentle temperament make them easy to train. But Berners can be sensitive to harsh correction and don’t do well with being left alone. That’s why it’s important to consider specific training and milestones so you can best cater to their needs.
For advice, we talked to Julie Jackson, the owner of RavenRidge Bernese Mountain Dog with over 20 years of experience breeding and raising Bernese Mountain Dogs. Jackson is a member of the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America and is active in obedience, agility, and confirmation.
So you’ve just brought home an adorable Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, or maybe you’re planning to adopt one soon. One of the first things you’ll notice is how quickly these fluffy bundles of joy grow! At 8 weeks old your Berner pup is just starting their journey from tiny fluffball to magnificent adult dog. But exactly how big should they be at this age?
I’ve spent years researching and working with this magnificent breed and I’m excited to share everything you need to know about your 8-week-old Bernese Mountain Dog’s size expectations!
TL;DR: 8-Week-Old Bernese Mountain Dog Size
An 8-week-old Bernese Mountain Dog typically weighs between 15-25 pounds for males and 12-24 pounds for females. At this age, they stand roughly 9-13 inches tall at the shoulder. Remember, these are just averages – your puppy may be slightly smaller or larger depending on their unique genetics and growth pattern.
Bernese Mountain Dog Weight and Height at 8 Weeks
When you bring home your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy at 8 weeks, you can expect them to be in the middle of a rapid growth phase. According to multiple reliable sources, here’s what you can expect:
| Gender | Weight Range | Height Range |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 15-25 lbs | 9-13 inches |
| Female | 12-24 lbs | 8-12 inches |
It’s important to note that these measurements represent averages based on data from thousands of Bernese Mountain Dogs. Your individual puppy might fall slightly outside these ranges and still be perfectly healthy.
Male vs Female Size Difference at 8 Weeks
Even at this young age, you might notice a slight size difference between male and female Bernese Mountain Dog puppies. Boys tend to be a bit heavier and taller than girls, but the difference isn’t always dramatic at 8 weeks.
Males typically weigh around 15-25 pounds, while females usually weigh between 12-24 pounds. Height-wise, males stand roughly 9-13 inches at the shoulder, with females measuring about 8-12 inches.
One Berner puppy parent told me, “My female Berner was actually bigger than her brothers at 8 weeks! She weighed 22 pounds while they were around 20. By 6 months though, the boys had definitely surpassed her.”
How Fast Will My 8-Week-Old Bernese Mountain Dog Grow?
Hold onto your hats, folks, because these pups grow FAST! Bernese Mountain Dogs experience their most rapid growth during the first 6 months of life. After bringing home your 8-week-old puppy weighing around 15-25 pounds, you can expect them to gain approximately:
- 2-3 pounds per week for the next few weeks
- 1-2 pounds per week after they reach 4 months
- Height will increase by about 1-2 inches per month initially
By 6 months, your male Berner will likely weigh between 50-70 pounds, while females will be around 45-65 pounds. That’s more than double their 8-week weight!
Complete Bernese Mountain Dog Growth Chart from Puppy to Adult
To help you visualize your Berner’s growth journey from 8 weeks to adulthood, I’ve compiled this comprehensive growth chart:
Male Bernese Mountain Dog Growth Chart
| Age | Weight Range (lbs) | Height Range (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks (2 months) | 15-25 | 9-13 |
| 3 months | 20-35 | 12-16 |
| 4 months | 35-55 | 16-20 |
| 5 months | 40-60 | 19-24 |
| 6 months | 50-70 | 21-25 |
| 7 months | 55-75 | 22-27 |
| 8 months | 65-85 | 23-28 |
| 9 months | 70-90 | 24-29 |
| 10 months | 70-95 | 25-30 |
| 11 months | 75-100 | 26-31 |
| 12 months | 75-105 | 27-32 |
| 2 years (Adult) | 80-115 | 25-27.5 |
Female Bernese Mountain Dog Growth Chart
| Age | Weight Range (lbs) | Height Range (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks (2 months) | 12-24 | 8-12 |
| 3 months | 20-35 | 12-16 |
| 4 months | 30-45 | 15-19 |
| 5 months | 40-55 | 17-22 |
| 6 months | 45-65 | 19-24 |
| 7 months | 55-70 | 20-26 |
| 8 months | 55-75 | 21-27 |
| 9 months | 60-80 | 22-28 |
| 10 months | 60-85 | 22.5-28.5 |
| 11 months | 65-85 | 23-29 |
| 12 months | 65-90 | 23.5-29.5 |
| 2 years (Adult) | 70-95 | 23-26 |
When Will My Bernese Mountain Dog Stop Growing?
If you’re looking at your 8-week-old puppy and wondering when they’ll reach their full size, prepare for a longer journey than with many other breeds. Bernese Mountain Dogs are considered a large breed and have a longer growth period.
Most Berners will reach their full height by around 12-15 months of age, but they’ll continue to fill out and gain muscle mass until they’re about 2 years old. Males typically take a bit longer to fully mature than females.
As one Berner owner shared with me, “My boy looked lanky and all legs at 10 months, even though he was already 90 pounds! It wasn’t until he was almost 2 that he developed that broad chest and sturdy build that Berners are known for.”
How to Tell If Your 8-Week-Old Bernese Mountain Dog Is the Right Size
It’s natural to worry about whether your puppy is growing properly. Here are some guidelines to help you determine if your 8-week-old Bernese Mountain Dog is at a healthy size:
-
Consult your breeder: They should be able to tell you how your puppy compares to littermates and parents.
-
Veterinary check-up: Your vet can assess your puppy’s growth and body condition.
-
Body condition: You should be able to feel (but not see) your puppy’s ribs. They should have a visible waist when viewed from above.
-
Energy levels: A healthy puppy will be active and playful, regardless of their exact size.
Remember that consistency in growth is often more important than hitting exact numbers on a chart. If your puppy is growing steadily, even if they’re slightly smaller or larger than average, that’s usually a good sign.
Common Growth Concerns for 8-Week-Old Bernese Mountain Dogs
As a new Bernese Mountain Dog parent, you might have some worries about your puppy’s growth. Here are some common concerns:
My Puppy Seems Too Small
If your 8-week-old Berner is significantly smaller than the averages mentioned (under 10 pounds for males or under 8 pounds for females), it’s worth discussing with your vet. However, some Berners are simply smaller due to genetics, especially if they come from smaller parents.
“My female Berner was only 10 pounds at 8 weeks and I was so worried,” says Maria, a Bernese owner from Colorado. “But she had a clean bill of health from the vet and grew to be a happy, healthy 85-pound adult. She was just petite!”
My Puppy Seems Too Large
If your puppy is on the larger side (over 30 pounds at 8 weeks), they might just be from a line of larger Berners. However, it’s important not to overfeed your puppy in an attempt to make them “grow faster” or bigger. Excessive growth in large breeds can contribute to joint problems.
Growth Rate Concerns
Bernese Mountain Dogs should grow steadily, not in dramatic spurts. If your puppy suddenly stops growing or grows extremely rapidly, consult your veterinarian.
Feeding Your 8-Week-Old Bernese Mountain Dog for Healthy Growth
What you feed your 8-week-old Bernese Mountain Dog plays a crucial role in their development. Here are some feeding tips to support healthy growth:
-
Choose a large-breed puppy formula: These foods are specially formulated with the right balance of nutrients for controlled growth.
-
Avoid overfeeding: Follow the feeding guidelines on your puppy food, adjusting as needed based on your vet’s recommendations.
-
Meal frequency: At 8 weeks, feed your Berner puppy 3-4 small meals throughout the day.
-
Monitor weight gain: Weigh your puppy weekly to ensure they’re growing at a steady, healthy rate.
-
Avoid supplements: Unless specifically prescribed by your vet, additional supplements aren’t usually necessary and might disrupt the nutrient balance.
Exercise Considerations for Growing Bernese Mountain Dogs
While your 8-week-old puppy might have bursts of energy, it’s important to be cautious about exercise. Berners’ joints are developing during their rapid growth phase, and too much high-impact activity can potentially cause problems.
-
Limit structured exercise: Short, gentle play sessions are better than long walks at this age.
-
Avoid jumping: Discourage your puppy from jumping off furniture or up/down stairs.
-
Monitor playtime: Let your puppy set the pace and rest when they’re tired.
-
Soft surfaces: When possible, have your puppy play on grass or carpet rather than hard surfaces like concrete.
Final Thoughts: Enjoying Your 8-Week-Old Bernese Mountain Dog
Your 8-week-old Bernese Mountain Dog puppy may be between 12-25 pounds now, but before you know it, they’ll be a majestic adult weighing 70-115 pounds! While it’s helpful to know the average sizes and growth patterns, try not to obsess over the numbers.
We’ve raised three Berners over the years, and each one grew at their own pace. Our first boy was a chunky 26 pounds at 8 weeks and grew to be 110 pounds as an adult. Our girl was a dainty 14 pounds at 8 weeks but still reached a healthy 85 pounds fully grown.
Focus on providing your puppy with quality nutrition, appropriate exercise, regular veterinary care, and lots of love. Take plenty of photos along the way—you’ll be amazed at how quickly they transform from your 8-week-old bundle of fluff into a magnificent adult Bernese Mountain Dog!
Have you recently welcomed a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy into your home? I’d love to hear about their growth journey in the comments below!
Key Milestones: 4-6 months
Puppies can begin obedience training after their second round of vaccines, meaning there will be a ton of learning (and growing) in this time.
Work with a trainer on strategies for controlling your dog and dealing with pulling. An exuberant puppy or adolescent dog might jump on or accidentally knock over a child or an elderly person. When properly introduced, Berners are good with other pets and farm animals. One exception is chickens, in which case, puppies need to be taught that chickens are not prey.
The adolescent stage begins around sixteen weeks and can last for six months. Adolescent puppies tend to forget their training and might become fearful of new and familiar objects. Set boundaries with your puppy and revisit training.
Berners have a silky, double coat that needs weekly brushing to remove excess fur and avoid matting. Long nails can cause pain and affect your dog’s gait, so trim them yourself or enlist the help of a reputable groomer.
Dogs that are moderately active can have a bath every six to eight weeks, but bathing puppies too frequently can dry out their skin. If your dog goes into the water, make sure to dry their coat thoroughly to prevent hot spots and staph infections.
Prepare yourself for shedding season. Bathe your dog at the start of shedding season and use a powerful dryer to pull out the dead coat. In another three weeks, bathe them again to reduce dry, itchy skin. “Twice a year, there is going to be hair in every corner of the room when they blow coat,” Jackson says.
Key Milestones: 3-12 weeks
Puppies need to be eight weeks old before going to their new home. However, there are a few things you can do to get you and your home ready for a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy before they arrive.
Research the breed by talking to breeders and owners and attending regional club events. Visit Berner-Garde Database, a free resource on the health and pedigree of registered Bernese Mountain Dogs. Before getting on, ask yourself: Am I comfortable managing an adult dog that can weigh between 70 and 115 pounds? Am I prepared to provide food, grooming, and veterinary care throughout my dog’s lifetime?
“I’m not just looking for the owner,” Jackson says. “I am looking for people that will be advocates for the breed.” She recommends booking a wellness exam and obedience classes before your puppy comes home.
Once they’re properly vaccinated, introduce your puppy to new people, animals, surfaces, and environments. Jackson’s advice is to “give it about a week or two to bond with the puppy, get to know each other, but in the meanwhile, it’s important that they not be in lockdown.”
Invite friends and family over and visit dog-friendly places with floors that are cleaned regularly. Steer clear of unfamiliar dogs until your puppy is fully vaccinated.
“Stairs should be kept to a minimum for the first couple of months,” advises Jackson. While most Berners can go upstairs on their own, make sure to carry them downstairs until they’re older or get too heavy. The same rule applies to car rides. Lift your puppy onto the ground for the first year to avoid elbow and knee injuries.
Puppies earn the privilege of increased freedom as they learn the house rules. Curtail unwanted chewing by limiting their access inside the home with puppy pens and gates.
Berners don’t have full bladder strength until about six months. Getting angry during potty training is counterproductive. Instead, be patient, take them out regularly, and mark good behavior with praise.
“It’s amazing how quickly they understand, and in the morning, they can’t wait to get out and do potty outside and not in their pens,” Jackson says. She cautions against using pee pads which can signal that it’s okay to pee inside the house.
We got a PUPPY! ❤ 8 Weeks old Bernese Mountain Dog CUTENESS OVERLOAD
FAQ
How big is an 8 week old Bernedoodle?
| Age | Micro-mini | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 3–5 lbs | 8–10 lbs |
| 12 weeks | 4–7 lbs | 12–16 lbs |
| 18 weeks | 6–10 lbs | 20–30 lbs |
| 6 months | 10–15 lbs | 30–40 lbs |
How big will my Bernese puppy get?
The weight of a Bernese Mountain Dog ranges from 80 and 115 pounds in adult males and 70 to 95 pounds in adult females, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) official breed standards. At full height, these dogs often stand over two feet tall, measuring 23 to 27.5 inches from the floor to the shoulder.
How much to feed an 8 week Bernese Mountain Dog?
Food intake will increase steadily as your pup grows. Usually healthy pups from 8-10 weeks of age eat roughly 3/4 – 1 and 1/2 cups of food per meal. Usually young pups are offered 3 meals between 2-6 months . After 6 months, offer the dog two meals per day.
How big are Bernese Mountain dogs at 3 months?
| Age (Months/Years) | Average Weight (lbs) | Average Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12-22 | 5.44-9.98 |
| 2 | 25-40 | 11.3-18.1 |
| 3 | 40-60 | 18.1-27.2 |
| 4 | 55-80 | 24.9-36.3 |