Chicago · Illinois

Bernedoodle
Puppies
for Chicago

Furnished & Unfurnished Health Screened Family-Raised Nationwide Delivery Doodle School Trained

A Wisconsin-based Bernedoodle breeding program serving Chicago families. Built around health screening, structured early development, and thoughtful family matching.

Stokeshire Designer Doodles · Medford, Wisconsin
The Breed

What is a
Bernedoodle?

A Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. The pairing is intended to combine the Bernese's calm disposition and loyalty with the Poodle's intelligence, trainability, and low-shedding coat genetics. The result is a companion often described as gentle, people-oriented, and adaptable - well-suited to the range of homes and lifestyles Chicago families bring.

Individual temperament, coat type, and size vary based on parentage, generation, and early development. Also known as the Bernese Mountain Doodle, Bernese Doodle, or Bernepoo. The Bernedoodle is not AKC recognized and has no governing breed standard.

Stokeshire produces Bernedoodles in standard, medium, mini, and micro mini sizes, in both furnished (low-shedding) and unfurnished (straight-coated) varieties, across a range of colors including traditional tricolor, merle, phantom, sable, and brown tri. For the comprehensive breed guide, visit our Bernedoodle breed page.

The Bernese provides the heart. The Poodle provides the mind and the coat. The breeder provides the method.

State Licensed
Wisconsin DATCP #514401-DS
Inspected, compliant, and publicly verifiable. BBB A+ Accredited.
Health Screening
Genetic + Structural Panels
Comprehensive genetic screening and structural health evaluations for all parent dogs. Testing reduces, but does not eliminate, risk.
Training
Doodle School: 28-Day Program
Structured foundational training at approximately $200 per day. Training outcomes vary by individual puppy.
Brown tri Bernedoodle puppy from Stokeshire Designer Doodles, available to Chicago families Brown Tri Bernedoodle
Stokeshire Bernedoodle · Traditional Tricolor
Stokeshire Designer Doodles Raised in Wisconsin. Delivered to Chicago.
Coat Types

Furnished and
Unfurnished Bernedoodles

Stokeshire produces both furnished and unfurnished Bernedoodles. The right choice depends on your household's sensitivity to shedding, grooming preferences, and aesthetic preference. Both coat types carry the same Bernedoodle temperament traits.

Blue merle micro mini furnished Bernedoodle puppy at Stokeshire Designer Doodles Wisconsin Furnished Bernedoodle
Blue Merle Micro Mini · 6 Weeks

Furnished Bernedoodle

Furnished Bernedoodles carry the RSPO2 gene, which typically produces the wavy or curly coat with a bearded, teddy-bear face. These dogs tend to shed less and are generally considered more suitable for families with mild to moderate dander sensitivity.

Furnished coats require regular brushing (2-3 times weekly minimum) and professional grooming every 6-8 weeks. No dog is truly hypoallergenic. Allergy responses vary by individual and should be discussed with your physician.

Learn more: Unfurnished Bernedoodles · Merle Bernedoodles · Ultra Bernedoodles

Unfurnished Bernedoodle puppy showing straight coat at Stokeshire Designer Doodles in Wisconsin Unfurnished Bernedoodle
Unfurnished · 12 Weeks

Unfurnished Bernedoodle

Unfurnished Bernedoodles lack the RSPO2 furnishings gene. They typically present with a smooth face, shorter muzzle hair, and a straight or lightly wavy coat that more closely resembles their Bernese lineage.

Many families report less shedding than a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog. They generally require less professional grooming. Shedding levels vary by individual dog. Not recommended for allergy-sensitive households.

Learn more: Unfurnished Doodle Guide · Unfurnished Bernedoodles

Size Guide

Micro Mini to
Standard.

Adult size is primarily influenced by the Poodle parent used in the pairing. The ranges below reflect typical outcomes across Stokeshire litters. No specific adult size, weight, or lifespan is guaranteed in any hybrid breeding program.

Size Typical Weight Typical Height Est. Lifespan
Micro Mini 10-25 lbs 10-15 in 14-18 yrs
Mini 25-45 lbs 15-20 in 12-16 yrs
Medium 45-70 lbs 18-22 in 11-14 yrs
Standard 70-100 lbs 23-29 in 10-13 yrs
Pricing

Bernedoodle puppies at Stokeshire start at $5,000 depending on size, coat type, and generation. Puppies completing our Doodle School training program are typically $10,000 or more, reflecting the investment in 28 days of structured foundational training. Pricing is subject to change.

Placement includes genetic health panel, age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, microchip, health guarantee (see terms), and ongoing breeder support. View our full pricing page for current details.

The Stokeshire Method

Four pillars of
intentional development.

Pillar I
Intentional Genetics
Our program prioritizes genetic screening and structural health evaluations for all parent dogs. We monitor coefficient of inbreeding (COI) across generations with the aim of supporting genetic diversity. Health testing reduces risk but cannot eliminate it entirely.
Pillar II
Early Development
Early neurological stimulation protocols beginning Day 3. Structured socialization, environmental enrichment, sound desensitization, and confidence-building exercises. Puppies are raised in our home alongside our children. Early development is intended to support, not guarantee, behavioral outcomes.
Pillar III
Temperament Matching
Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test conducted at weeks 7-8. Each puppy is evaluated and matched to a family based on observed energy, confidence, sociability, and household composition. Matching is informed by assessment data but does not guarantee temperament outcomes.
Pillar IV
Foundational Training
Doodle School: 28 days covering crate conditioning, potty foundation, recall, leash introduction, and household manners. Training builds a foundation; continued reinforcement at home is essential. Learn more.
Stokeshire Designer Doodles Ten children. One program. Raised with purpose.
Family-Raised in Our Home

Puppies raised for families.
By a family.

At Stokeshire, James and Katie Stokes raise every litter in their home alongside their ten children. This is not a marketing detail. It is the environment.

From birth, puppies experience the sounds, movements, schedules, and affection of a large, active household. By the time they leave, they have been held by small hands, acclimated to the cadence of family life, and exposed to the kind of real-world stimulation that kennel-raised puppies may never encounter.

Many families report that this home-raised foundation contributes to smoother transitions and more confident behavior in the early weeks at home. Individual outcomes vary based on the puppy's genetics, temperament, and the owner's continued socialization and training.

Training + Guardian Program

Our trainers are also
our guardians.

Several of our training partners are also guardian home families. This means the people who train your puppy during Doodle School are the same people who raise and love our breeding dogs in their own homes. It creates a continuity of care that kennel-based programs cannot replicate.

Our parent dogs live as family pets first. They return to Stokeshire only during whelping and the early nursing period. Learn about our process.

Child holding a Bernedoodle puppy at Stokeshire Designer Doodles, raised with kids in Wisconsin Raised with Kids
Bernedoodle · 6 Weeks · Stokeshire Home
Stokeshire Bernedoodle trainer and guardian home family in Wisconsin Trainer & Guardian
Stokeshire Guardian Home Family
Our Programs

Built on foundation lines.
Refined over generations.

Stokeshire's Bernedoodle program is built on carefully selected foundation lines. Our parent dogs are chosen for temperament, structure, coat quality, and genetic health profile. We produce F1, F1B, F2, and multigenerational Bernedoodles, each with different coat and shedding characteristics suited to different family needs.

George, an F2 Bernedoodle stud at Stokeshire Designer Doodles in Wisconsin Premier Stud
George · F2 Bernedoodle
Doodle School
28-Day Foundational Training
Structured training before go-home covering crate conditioning, recall, leash introduction, and household manners. Approximately $200 per day. Training outcomes vary by individual puppy. Continued reinforcement at home is essential. Learn more
Mini Bernedoodle stud used in Stokeshire's collaborative breeding program Collaborative Genetics
Mini Bernedoodle Stud · Partner Program
Nationwide Collaboration
Working with breeders across the country.
Stokeshire works with select Bernedoodle breeders from across the United States to access genetics that strengthen our lines. This allows us to introduce new bloodlines, expand our color and size offerings, and maintain the genetic diversity that responsible breeding demands. Every outside stud or dam is evaluated against our health screening and temperament standards before any pairing is planned.
Available Litters

Bernedoodle
puppies.

We plan multiple Bernedoodle litters throughout the year across a range of sizes, coat types, and color patterns. Litters are typically reserved through our waitlist before puppies are born. Availability, timing, and litter composition are subject to change.

Not sure which size or coat type may be right for your home? The Dream Dog Quiz helps us match your family to the right pairing before you apply.

Location

Central Wisconsin.
Nationwide delivery.

Stokeshire is located in Medford, Wisconsin - a comfortable drive from Chicago and the broader Midwest. Many Chicago families make the trip for pickup, while others choose our delivery network for a hands-off experience from deposit to doorstep.

Stokeshire Designer Doodles

W4954 County Road O, Medford, WI 54451

Wisconsin DATCP License #514401-DS

Chicago is approximately 4 hours southeast via I-90 and I-94. Milwaukee is approximately 3.5 hours south. Minneapolis is approximately 3.5 hours west. Madison is approximately 3 hours south.

For families beyond driving distance, we offer nationwide puppy delivery via our flight and ground nanny network, currently covering the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Mexico. Availability and transport routes are subject to change. Transport details.

Driving Distance from Chicago
Chicago ~4 hours
Milwaukee ~3.5 hours
Madison ~3 hours
Minneapolis ~3.5 hours
Green Bay ~2.5 hours

Drive times are approximate and subject to traffic, weather, and route conditions.

Frequently Asked

Questions about Bernedoodle
puppies near Chicago.

Are Bernedoodles a good fit for Chicago families?

Many Chicago families are drawn to Bernedoodles for their companion-oriented temperament, adaptability, and people-focused nature. How well a Bernedoodle adjusts to city life depends significantly on early socialization, consistent exercise routines, and ongoing training. Individual outcomes vary, and no breed placement is guaranteed to suit every household or environment. Families in high-rise buildings, apartments, or densely scheduled households should discuss their living situation during the application call.

What Bernedoodle size may work best for a Chicago apartment or townhome?

Families in smaller urban spaces often inquire about micro mini and mini Bernedoodles, which typically range from 10 to 45 pounds. That said, a well-exercised medium or standard Bernedoodle can also adapt to apartment living with sufficient daily outdoor activity. Size is influenced primarily by the Poodle parent and generation. No specific adult size is guaranteed. We discuss size options in relation to your living situation and lifestyle during the application process.

How far is Stokeshire from Chicago?

Stokeshire Designer Doodles is located in Medford, Wisconsin, approximately four hours north of Chicago by car - generally via I-90 north to I-39 north. Many Chicago families make the drive for pickup. Others choose our ground or flight nanny delivery options. Both may be available depending on route and scheduling. Visit our transport page for current details.

Can you deliver a Bernedoodle to Chicago?

In most cases, yes. Delivery to the Chicago area may be arranged through our flight or ground nanny network. Availability depends on route, timing, and current scheduling. Delivery fees and logistics are covered in the purchase agreement. View transport details.

Do Bernedoodles shed?

Shedding depends on coat type. Furnished Bernedoodles carrying the RSPO2 furnishings gene tend to be lower-shedding and are generally considered more suitable for families with mild dander sensitivity. Unfurnished Bernedoodles have a straighter coat that does shed, though many families report less shedding than a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog. No dog is truly hypoallergenic. At Stokeshire, every puppy's coat genetics are tested and disclosed before placement. We recommend consulting your physician if allergies are a concern.

What health screening does Stokeshire conduct on parent dogs?

Our breeding program prioritizes comprehensive genetic screening and structural health evaluations for all parent dogs. Testing is an ongoing process as dogs mature and enter the program. Health screening aims to reduce, but does not eliminate, the risk of inherited conditions. Specific testing details for each pairing are available during the application process. For general information, visit our health guarantee page.

How do I reserve a Bernedoodle puppy from Stokeshire?

Start by submitting an application. We then schedule a call to discuss your family's lifestyle, goals, and preferences. A $500 deposit secures your waitlist position. Deposits and reservation terms are outlined in our purchase agreement. Learn more about our full process.

What colors and patterns are available?

Stokeshire Bernedoodles are available in traditional tricolor, blue merle, red merle, phantom, sable, brown tri, and bicolor patterns. Merle pairings are managed responsibly - we do not breed merle-to-merle. Color and pattern availability depend on planned pairings and are not guaranteed for any individual litter. View our merle Bernedoodle guide for details on merle genetics.

Explore Further
Welcome to the Stokeshire Family

Raised with intention.
Nurtured with care.

The right Bernedoodle for your Chicago family may be in the hills of central Wisconsin. The process begins with a conversation.