Bernese Bunker
- Preferred Breeder
- 100% response rate • Responds within a day
Meet the breeder
I'm the breeder behind Bernese Bunker located in Rural Retreat, VA. Our dogs are our passion, and we can't imagine spending our lives without them. We are dedicated to achieving excellence and healthy family pets, and we love to raise puppies and prepare them for their forever homes.
Esther’s experience
About Esther
I live on farm with lots of room for my Beautiful Dogs ! We have ponds and room to roam ! We also have bee’s, alpacas and chickens, I try to garden but the chickens, deer and rabbits seem to get more then there share!
What makes Esther’s program special
My Dogs each have such different personality ! I have so much love for them as they do for me 🥰
Puppies
Boy 4 Elm
Male • Ready May 24
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 1 Rowen
Male • Ready May 24
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 1 Maple
Female • Ready May 24
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 2 Hazel
Female • Ready May 24
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 3 Cherry
Female • Ready May 24
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 2 Aspen
Male • Ready May 24
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 3 Ash
Male • Ready May 24
Bernese Mountain Dog
Sugar
Female • Went Home Jan. 23
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bear Jr
Male • Went Home Jan. 23
Bernese Mountain Dog
Cinnamon
Female • Went Home Jan. 23
Bernese Mountain Dog
Lulu
Female • Went Home Jan. 23
Bernese Mountain Dog
Ginger
Female • Went Home Jan. 23
Bernese Mountain Dog
Clove
Female • Went Home Jan. 23
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 4
Male • Went Home Aug. 27, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 1
Female • Went Home Aug. 27, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 1
Male • Went Home Aug. 27, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 4
Female • Went Home Aug. 27, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 3
Female • Went Home Aug. 27, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 5
Male • Went Home Aug. 27, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 7
Male • Went Home Aug. 27, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 3
Male • Went Home Aug. 27, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 6
Male • Went Home Aug. 27, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 2
Male • Went Home Aug. 27, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 2
Female • Went Home Aug. 27, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 1
Male • Went Home June 12, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 2
Male • Went Home June 12, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 3
Male • Went Home June 12, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dog
Chloe
Female • Went Home Dec. 16, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Merry
Female • Went Home Dec. 16, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Carol
Female • Went Home Dec. 16, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bianca
Female • Went Home Dec. 16, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Holly
Female • Went Home Dec. 16, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 4
Female • Went Home Oct. 30, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Dot
Female • Went Home Oct. 30, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Annie
Female • Went Home Oct. 30, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 3
Male • Went Home Oct. 30, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 3
Male • Went Home Oct. 30, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 2
Female • Went Home June 11, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 2
Male • Went Home June 11, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 1
Male • Went Home June 11, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 1
Female • Went Home June 11, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 3
Female • Went Home June 11, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 6
Female • Went Home June 11, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 4
Female • Went Home June 11, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Marlin
Female • Went Home June 11, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 4
Male • Went Home June 11, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boy 3
Male • Went Home June 11, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Girl 5
Female • Went Home June 11, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Mia
Female • Went Home June 5, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Tia
Female • Went Home June 5, 2023
Bernese Mountain Dog
Clover
Female • Went Home June 29, 2022
Bernese Mountain Dog
Daisy
Female • Went Home June 29, 2022
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bloom
Female • Went Home June 29, 2022
Bernese Mountain Dog
Newborn & upcoming litters
Newborn Bernese Mountain Dogs from Jericho and Angel
Born Nov. 2024. Ready Jan. 23
Newborn Bernese Mountain Dogs from Jericho and Tamari
Born Mar. 2025. Ready May 24
Newborn Bernese Mountain Dogs from Jericho and Angel
Born Nov. 2024
Ready Jan. 23
Newborn Bernese Mountain Dogs from Jericho and Tamari
Born Mar. 2025
Ready May 24
Litter and program updates
Esther A.
Litter update on 24 Mar. •Ash🤍🐾🤎
Jericho and Tamari's litter
Esther A.
Litter update on 22 Mar. •Ash
Jericho and Tamari's litter
Esther A.
Litter update on 20 Mar. •Ash 🤍🐾🤎
Jericho and Tamari's litter
Esther A.
Litter update on 19 Mar. •Good ☀️ Morning
Jericho and Tamari's litter
Esther A.
Litter update on 18 Mar. •Leisure Dining 😂
Jericho and Tamari's litter
Esther A.
Litter update on 18 Mar. •🤍🐾🤎
Jericho and Tamari's litter
Esther A.
Litter update on 18 Mar. •Sweet Babies 🤍🐾🤎
Jericho and Tamari's litter
Esther A.
Litter update on 18 Mar. •Sweet Momma and Babies
Jericho and Tamari's litter
Esther A.
Litter update on 17 Mar. •Welcome Tamari’s 7 Beautiful Babies
Jericho and Tamari's litter
Esther A.
Litter update on 05 Feb. •Mia 🤍🐾🤎
Jericho and Angel's litter
Getting a puppy from Esther
Esther has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. Together, you'll choose the puppy that's right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices range from $2,500 - $3,500 and include a deposit of $200.
“$200 refund depends on how long puppy is held for new family , once the puppy turns 6 weeks old there will be no refunds of deposit and this could be situational !”
Contract and health guarantee
Esther may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Esther offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Esther directly.
What's included
Enrichment and socialization
Our puppies are well adjusted to home, environments, children, and other dogs. I utilize the following enrichment methods: Socialized with other animals, Introduced to people of different ages and appearances, Socialized with other dogs, Surface & tactile stimulation, Socialized in new places, Scent introduction, Daily handling, Socialized with children, Car rides, Various sounds, bathing, children, Well socialized puppy that a family can take and enjoy their new family member in their adventures , Water Introduction, Touch, pets, and kisses are encouraged during human socialization., Confidence building, eye contact, and general initial potty training., Three toys for chewing, kongs, nylabones and real bones, Beginning Grooming, Pee Pad Intro, Potty training in good weather., Doggy door training , Human Interactions , Potty pads,, "No" Biting or Chewing, also have lots of friends and family who come over to handle the puppies and help out with the puppies daily. I do not take them to public places to expose them to people as they are not fully vaccinated until 16 weeks. , Outdoors (when Weather permits), car riding , Fireworks , Chew, e.g. Bone, Toys, e.g. Ball, Socialized with Adult Dogs, Socialized with Children, and We start house training.
Puppy health practices
All puppies are vaccinated and taken to the vet for a wellness check before they go home.
Extras
We send our puppies home with Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent, Microchip, Initial potty training, Puppy starter kit, Toys, Food & treats, Vet records, Basic obedience & manners, AKC Registration, Microchipped , Our puppies are all sent home with welcome home bags and information. , Puppy Starter Kit, Blanket with Littermates Scent, Food Starter Bag, Certificate of Health, and Bone.
Bringing your puppy home
Esther offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.
Pick up your puppy in Rural Retreat, VA or nearby
If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.
Get your puppy dropped off to you
We’ll meet at a mutually convenient halfway point to drop off your puppy. Once your application is approved, we’ll coordinate the details for your pick-up day together.
More about Esther
Why Esther started breeding
My Brother and Family, gave me a puppy! Best gift ever ♥️ I have been in love with Bernese every sense!
Esther is a Preferred Good Dog Breeder
Preferred Breeders are recognized for their quick replies and exceptional buyer support.
Esther has been a member of Good Dog for almost 3 years
Esther was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2022.
Esther’s program includes one color
Esther’s Bernese Mountain Dog puppies are tri-color. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Esther is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Bernese Bunker meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Meet Esther's parent dogs
All breeds
Bernese Mountain Dog
Marci, mom
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Marci
Marclene is a large girl , very loving, unique markings and one blue eye!
Angel, mom
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Angel
Angel is very loving , loyal, considerate and confidant , she is very aware of people’s feelings!
Uploaded health tests
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1B), Bernese Mountain Dog Type
Charlotte, mom
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Charlotte
Tri color, beautiful markings, very confident and happy girl!
Uploaded health tests
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1B), Bernese Mountain Dog Type
Jericho, dad
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Jericho
He is very friendly Big Boy, He will grab you and hold on to you until He decides you have scratched his neck long enough and then he hugs you(his thanks for the scratches) Very loving and eager to please 🤍🤎🖤🐾
Uploaded health tests
von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), +2 more
Tamari, mom
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Tamari
Tamari is a beautiful, Happy a little goofy and tries to get away with things that are mine like she takes my slipper to her bed and lays on it not chewing it just hiding it from me until I notice then she gets a belly rub and lets me have it back ! She is very personable! Tamari thinks she Human 🤎🐾
Good health testing
von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), +3 more
Parent health testing
Bernese Mountain Dog
Great level
Bernese Bunker reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I), DNA Profile, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1B), Bernese Mountain Dog Type, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A)
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Esther to bring home their puppies.
Nancy W.
Feb. 2025
Esther is a wonderful dog mom! Her dogs and puppies are clearly loved and well cared for. She was very responsive during the entire process, and I’m so glad to have found a breeder with such...
Elizabeth R.
Jan. 2025
I have worked with a lot of breeders mainly for our bulldogs-it goes without saying Esther is by far the most informative the most attentive caring breeder I have met. She met us half way which was a...
Andrea A.
Jan. 2025
Esther's breeding standards was beyond our expectation--she did an absolute amazing job raising Lulu, along with the rest of the litter. She is very responsive, eager to answer all questions, and she...
Lindsey L.
Jan. 2025
Esther did a great job keeping us updated on our puppy and was very easy to work with. 😊 We love our pup and definitely suggest working with Esther!
Katlin B.
Dec. 2024
Esther clearly loves this wonderful breed, and was great to work with through this process. Her set up shows just how much she cares for her dogs. She was responsive, informative and has kept in...
TZTarah Z.
Dec. 2024
Esther was great to work with for the addition of our newest family member, Milo! She was so responsive from the day we inquired, after deposit, and up to the day we drove 4 states to meet her and...
