Bernese Mountain Dog
A Bernese is a big dog under a big coat. Dogs NSW describes it as long, shining, straight or slightly wavy. That is a lot of hair to wash and a lot more to dry. Most Bernese come in every eight weeks.
- Coat type
- Long Double
- Groom every
- 8 weeks
- Brushing at home
- Line brush three times a week
- Shedding
- Heavy in spring and autumn
- Watch for
- Knots behind the ears and in the trousers
- Time in the salon
- About 80 minutes for a Luxe Wash and Dry
A lot of coat
The Bernese coat is long on top with a dense soft layer beneath. The ruff, the trousers and the tail carry the most hair. It holds water like a towel. A wet Bernese can take hours to dry properly. The soft layer drops heavily in spring and autumn. Behind the ears and under the front legs are where knots start, because that is where the coat rubs.
Why eight weeks
Eight weeks is about the wash and the dry, not a haircut. A Bernese is heavy, hot and slow to dry. We break the session up and let the dog rest. We watch for panting and stop when we need to. Getting the soft layer out is the real job. A study of NSW dogs found more deaths on hot days, with a double coat and size over 15 kilograms among the risks. In summer we book big coats early.
We do not shave a Bernese. No shaving, whatever the weather. The coat holds heat off the skin as well as in, and regrowth is not guaranteed.
Home care between grooms
- Line brush three times a week. Hold the coat back with one hand and work a thin band at a time, from the skin out. A brush over the top alone will miss everything under it.
- Do the ruff, behind the ears, the trousers and the tail. Those four take most of the time.
- Dry the coat right down to the skin after rain or a swim.
Line brushing, shown by iGroomHub, our partner. This is how our groomers brush, and it is the way to do it at home.
What you need at home
- Undercoat rake
Pulls out the soft layer underneath. That is the hair that ends up on your floor.
- Slicker brush
This is the brush you line brush with. Follow it with the comb.
- Shampoo and conditioner
A proper wash loosens the dead hair so the dry can lift it out. Our range is made with chemists: 100% natural, vegan and palm oil free.
What we do for Bernese at WOOOF
Most Bernese book a Luxe Wash and Dry with Deshedding. That is a bath, a long dry, ears and nails, with the soft layer worked out as we go. It takes about 80 minutes. Deshedding is what we do instead of taking length off. We keep the room cool and give your dog breaks.
What a Bernese Mountain Dog groom costs
Set to an extra large dog with a long double coat. Drying is where the time goes. A wet winter coat can add to it.
Showing the lowest prices, for a xl dog with a long double coat. Pick your dog’s weight and coat to see their price.
Add to any service
- Teeth Brush$30
- Nail Trim$25
- Nail filing$15
- DemattingFrom $34quoted on arrival
- DesheddingFrom $34quoted on arrival
Specialist grooming and programmes
Grooming that is priced after a conversation, a consultation, a coat assessment or a programme rather than a standard slot.
Happy Puppy Club
Short, positive sessions that teach a puppy the salon is a good place, so their whole grooming life is easier. Start any time from their first vaccinations.
See how the club works →
Spa treatments
Hydrospa and therapeutic treatments for coat, skin and muscular health, for itchy skin, dull coats, and older dogs who feel their walks the next day.
Browse treatments →
Hand stripping
Terriers and Spaniels whose coats are better hand stripped, or stripped and clipped. Duration and price depend on the coat.
Talk to our team →
Asian freestyle groom
Soft, sculpted, toy-like styling by an award-winning stylist: rounded faces, fuller legs, even braids. For smaller dense or curly coats groomed every 4 weeks.
Talk to our team →Cancellations and late arrivals
Please give us 24 hours if plans change. Arriving more than 15 minutes late may mean we cannot finish the groom booked.
Safe handling fee
A $30 safe handling fee applies where a dog needs two groomers or extra time to stay safe and comfortable. We always call you first.
Ready when you are
You’re 2 minutes away from happiness. Our booking portal helps you select the right services for your dog and shows you live calendar availability.
Book nowService prices are a starting point. The exact price is confirmed at drop-off, based on grooming time, coat condition, size and any extra handling. Add-on prices are exact.
Common questions
How often does a Bernese Mountain Dog need grooming?
Every eight weeks. The coat is not cut, but a dog this size needs the soft layer washed and blown out on a schedule.
Why does a Bernese take so long at the salon?
Drying. The coat holds water like a towel, and we work in stages with breaks so your dog does not get hot. That is most of the 80 minutes.
Where this comes from
Dogs NSW, Bernese Mountain Dog. The breed standard describes the coat as "long, shining, straight or slightly wavy". The page gives no grooming advice, so we cite it only for what the coat is.
Tripovich and others, Feeling the heat, Australian Veterinary Journal, 2025. A study of NSW dogs from 1997 to 2017. Deaths rose about 0.6% for each degree above 25°C, and 9.5% on days over 32°C. A double coat and a body weight over 15 kg were listed among the things that raise the risk.
RSPCA Australia, Why and how should I groom my dog? Brush knots out before they turn into mats.
RSPCA South Australia, The complete guide to grooming your dog. Poodles, poodle crosses and wiry haired terriers need regular combing. Trapped hair can cause ear and eye infections.
WOOOF groomers are not vets. We tell you what we see on the table and send you to your vet. Nothing here is vet advice.