Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

5 Best Dog Foods for Bernedoodles in 2024 — Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Genevieve Dugal

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Nicole Cosgrove

5 Best Dog Foods for Bernedoodles in 2024 — Reviews & Top Picks

Bernedoodle Puppy lying on the ground

If you’re lucky enough to be the pet parent of an adorable Bernedoodle (also known as Bernese Mountain Poo, Bernesepoo, or Bernepoo), it’s only fitting that you’re looking to feed them the best dog food available. Your loving and loyal four-legged friend is well worth it!

But since there is no shortage of dog food, you may not know what to choose to feed your furry best friend. Considering that your pet eats the same food day after day, it is important to make sure that it meets their needs.

Here, we created reviews of dozens of dog food brands to select the ones that would best suit your Bernedoodle’s needs. Let’s dive in!

divider-paw

A Glance at Our Top Picks (2024 Update)

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription
  • USDA-certified human-grade turkey and whole vegetables
  • Meets the AAFCO standards for Dog Food Nutrient Profiles
  • Minimally processed and pre-portioned
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Pedigree Adult  Dry Dog Food Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food
  • Enriched with omega-6 fatty acids to keep the coat shiny and silky
  • Made in the U.S.A.
  • Helps support good oral health
  • Third place
    Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food
  • High-quality proteins
  • Made with whole natural ingredients, including real meat, grains, and veggies
  • Meets complete nutrition dietary needs
  • Best for Puppies
    Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Puppy Food Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Puppy Food
  • Perfect for puppies that have difficulty digesting grains
  • Contains calcium and phosphorus to support bone growth
  • Supports immune health with antioxidants from vegetables and fruits
  • Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food
  • Helps maintain a healthy weight
  • Helps stabilize blood glucose levels
  • Supports digestive health and helps keep your dog full longer
  • The 5 Best Dog Foods for Bernedoodles

    1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription — Best Overall

    the farmers dog full recipe packaging

    Main ingredients: Turkey, chickpeas, carrot, broccoli
    Crude protein content: 38%
    Fat content: 26%
    Calories: 562 kcal per lb

    The Farmer’s Dog isn’t a dog ​​food that you’ll find at your local pet store. These are tasty recipes developed by certified veterinary nutritionists that meet the standards established by the AAFCO. The turkey recipe is by far the best overall option for your Bernedoodle, though you could also opt for one of three other options: pork, beef, or chicken.

    The ingredient list for each of the recipes is stellar: USDA meat is the first ingredient in each option, followed by chickpeas, carrots, and broccoli in the case of the turkey recipe. The other options contain sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, lentils, and bok choy, along with essential vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals to keep your dog at their best. Plus, there are no added preservatives or by-products.

    The only downside of The Farmer’s Dog food is the slightly high portion prices. However, you won’t have to go to the pet store anymore because the food is delivered right to your door!

    Pros
    • USDA-certified human-grade turkey and whole vegetables
    • Meets the AAFCO standards for Dog Food Nutrient Profiles
    • Minimally processed and pre-portioned
    • Environmentally friendly packaging
    Cons
    • High in price

    2. Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food — Budget Buy

    Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Ground whole-grain corn, meat and bone meal, corn gluten meal
    Crude protein content: 21.0% min
    Fat content: 10.0% min
    Calories: 309 kcal/cup

    Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable is a good value for money. It’s made with ingredients sourced in the U.S.A., fortified with omega-6 fatty acids (which help maintain a healthy coat and skin) and essential nutrients. Plus, dogs seem to love the big, crispy kibbles, which also help loosen plaque between tooth brushings.

    However, this option contains additives, artificial colors, and a moderate amount of named and unnamed meat by-product meals as the primary source of animal protein. Additionally, there is an above-average amount of carbs compared to a typical dry dog food, which is not optimal if your Bernedoodle tends to gain weight easily.

    Pros
    • Enriched with omega-6 fatty acids to keep the coat shiny and silky
    • Made in the U.S.A.
    • Helps support good oral health
    • Budget friendly
    Cons
    • Contains artificial coloring
    • Contains corn gluten meal and soybean as main protein sources

    3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food

    Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
    Crude protein content: 24.0% min
    Fat content: 10.0% min
    Calories: 309 kcal/cup

    Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food contains high-quality protein to help maintain your Bernedoodle’s lean muscle, while keeping their coat silky and skin healthy. This dry food also contains whole grains and a moderate amount of meat meals as a source of protein. However, it may not be suitable for dogs sensitive to pea protein or with an intolerance to grains.

    That said, Blue Buffalo’s kibble recipes meet the dog food nutrient profiles established by the AAFCO. Therefore, this option is considered complete and balanced for your dear Bernepoo.

    Pros
    • High-quality proteins
    • Made with whole natural ingredients, including real meat, grains, and veggies
    • Meets complete nutrition dietary needs
    Cons
    • Not suitable for dogs sensitive to pea protein or grains
    • Expensive

    4. Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Puppy Food — Best for Puppies

    Nulo Freestyle Puppy Grain-Free Salmon & Peas Recipe Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Deboned salmon, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal
    Crude Protein content: 30.0% min
    Fat content: 17.0% min
    Calories: 428 kcal/cup

    If you’re ready to splurge on a great puppy food option, the Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Salmon and Peas Recipe should be your go-to. You have the choice between two different flavors: salmon and peas or turkey and sweet potatoes. The latter is best if your pup has fish allergies, but grains, soy, corn, wheat, and other additives are not listed as ingredients in either recipe.

    This food is made in the U.S.A. and contains a probiotic formula that improves digestive health and supports the immune system of your growing little pup. The premium ingredients come from quality animal protein. This is a high-end option, but you can switch to less-expensive food when your Bernedoodle puppy is finished growing.

    Pros
    • Perfect for puppies that have difficulty digesting grains
    • Contains calcium and phosphorus to support bone growth
    • Supports immune health with antioxidants from vegetables and fruits
    • 80% of protein comes from real meat
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Not suitable for puppies with fish allergies

    5. Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Dry Dog FoodHill's Prescription Diet wd Multi-Benefit Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Whole-grain wheat, powdered cellulose, chicken meal, whole-grain corn
    Crude protein content: 16.5% min
    Fat content: 9.5% min
    Calories: 255 kcal/cup

    Hill’s Prescription Diet Multi-Benefit is a veterinarian-formulated dog food that requires a prescription. Bernedoodles are known to be voracious eaters, so they tend to gain weight easily, especially if their daily exercise needs are not met.

    Fortunately, you can help keep their weight stable with this food. Hill’s Prescription Diet with Multi-Benefit can help metabolize fat and maintain lean muscle mass and healthy body weight. Antioxidants also help control the premature aging of cells and support a healthy immune system. The moderate addition of fiber is also beneficial for supporting your dog’s digestive health while helping them stay full longer. However, this option is quite expensive, and some dogs may not like the smell and texture.

    Pros
    • Helps maintain a healthy weight
    • Helps stabilize blood glucose levels
    • Supports digestive health and helps keep your dog full longer
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Some dogs don’t seem to like the texture and smell

    divider-paw

    Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Food for Bernedoodles

    Tips for Feeding Your Bernedoodle Properly

    Feeding your Bernedoodle well goes beyond choosing good kibble. The amount of food to give, the frequency of meals, the addition of treats, your dog’s age, and their physical condition are all factors to consider.

    How much to feed your dog?

    You should use the portions listed on the package with a scale or measuring cup. That said, remember that these amounts are usually appropriate for a dog with an average activity level. So, if your Bernepoo is active, it is normal for them to eat more. If they are more sedentary, watch their portions or the fat level of their food. Do not hesitate to consult a veterinarian to help you manage your pooch’s weight, and have your pooch weighed more than once a year if necessary. Bernedoodles can suffer from obesity if they eat too much and do not exercise enough.

    Bernedoodle
    Image Credit: Cavan-Images, Shutterstock

    How often to feed your Bernedoodle?

    You should split your dog’s daily ration into two or three meals a day. That said, it depends on the behavior of your pet. Some dogs have the habit of barely finishing their food even if their bowl is only filled once a day. But if you have an overeater at home, there are toys designed to make it more difficult for dogs to access their food in order to limit this habit and even enable them to recognize signals of satiety.

    What about treats?

    Treats should not exceed the equivalent of 10% of the dog’s total daily serving. Not only is your Bernepoo at risk of becoming overweight if they eat too much, but treats are also not formulated to be balanced like their staple food.

    Pay attention to your dog’s general condition

    Each dog is unique and may have specific preferences, allergies, digestive issues, etc. For example, some dogs don’t digest chicken well, so lamb, to which they are less exposed, is sometimes a solution. If your dog is having trouble with their teeth, you can find large kibbles that will force them to chew more, which will help reduce tartar.

    When choosing dog food, try it for a month and observe your pet throughout that time. Pay attention to their general condition: the luster of their coat, the condition of their eyes and muzzle, etc. Are they energetic, and playful? If not, this food may not be right for them.

    Finally, remember that your veterinarian is the right person to make the connection between your dog’s overall health, activity level, and diet.

    divider-paw

    Conclusion

    If you are still unsure of which option will satisfy your Bernedoodle’s palate, we strongly recommend that you try a recipe from The Farmer’s Dog for at least a month. Nulo Freestyle may also be perfect for them, although this option is rather expensive. If your pooch is a little overweight, the Hill’s Prescription Diet can benefit their waistline.


    Featured Image Credit: jcburke, Shutterstock

    Get Dogster in your inbox!

    Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.
    Dogster Editors Choice Badge
    Shopping Cart

    Pangolia

    © Pangolia Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.