Bernese Bunker

Esther A.

Certified Breeder of Bernese Mountain Dogs

  • Rural Retreat, VA
  • Responds within a day

Upcoming litters

Jericho
Marci

Expected Bernese Mountain Dog litter

Due Aug. 2025

Ready Oct. 27

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.

Q. & A. with Esther

  • Why did you start breeding?

    My Brother and Family, gave me a puppy! Best gift ever ♥️ I have been in love with Bernese every sense!
  • What makes your program special?

    My Dogs each have such different personality ! I have so much love for them as they do for me 🥰
  • What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

    Our puppies are tri-color. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
  • Where do your breeding dogs live?

    They live in my home.

Matched dogs

These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.

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.

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 & 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.

Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more

What’s included

    • From Good Dog
      • Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
      • 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
      • Puppy Training Program & private community
    • Enrichment & socialization
      • Various sounds
      • Car rides
      • Surface & tactile stimulation
      • Socialized with children
      • Socialized in new places
      • Scent introduction
      • Daily handling
      • Socialized with other dogs
      • Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
      • Socialized with other animals
    • Puppy health practices
      • Vet check
      • First round of shots and deworming
      • Microchip
      • Vet records
    • Extras
      • Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
      • Initial potty training
      • Puppy starter kit
      • Toys
      • Food & treats
      • Basic obedience & manners

Location & pick-up

You can fly or drive to pick up your puppy from Esther.

  • Meet in Rural Retreat, VA

  • Meet at ROA airport

  • Meet at PSC airport

More about Esther

  • Esther has been a member of Good Dog for about 3 years

    Esther was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2022.

  • Esther’s links

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

Litter and program updates

Parent dogs

Parent health testing

Breeder-Reported Testing

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.

  • Shalie S.

    Verified owner · June 2025

    Me and my boyfriend have been looking and interested In getting a Bernese Mountain dog now for around 2 years, and Ester could not have made this process any better. Throughout the entire process she would send us pictures and videos of our sweet pup. Every question we had was answered IMMEDIATELY and even some questions we didn’t think to ask were stated during pickup. We flew from Texas for this puppy and honestly could not have picked a better person to work with. Our favorite part of working with Ester was when we arrived being greeted by the happiest and healthiest puppers you could imagine. Pulling up you could tell the love and care she has for this breed and it just made us that much more excited. We had a WILD 17.5 hour car ride home, he didn’t have one accident was the most amazing cuddle bug and just made the bonding so so so incredible. I would HIGHLY recommend Ester, and honestly if we were to get another Bernese I would do the trip all over again just to work with Ester again! Thank you for making our dreams come true and giving us the newest member of our family Sullivan Thunder Buckner❤️

    Bria H.

    Verified owner · June 2025

    I had the absolute pleasure of working with Esther of Bernese Bunkers, and I can't recommend her highly enough! From the very beginning, she was patient, informative, and incredibly easy to communicate with. Esther provided frequent and wonderful updates on the litter, which made the entire process so exciting and reassuring. When it was time to bring my beautiful, vibrant little girl home, Esther made the transition seamless. My puppy came well-socialized, happy, and healthy, and it was clear she had been loved and well cared for. She also sent us home with a thoughtful care bag and plenty of helpful information to get us started on the right paw. Esther truly goes above and beyond. She’s a kind and knowledgeable breeder who clearly loves what she does. I would absolutely work with her again when it’s time to find a friend for my little gal pal. If you’re looking for a Bernese baby, Esther is the one to trust! 🤎🤍🖤🐾

    Nancy W.

    Verified owner · 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 integrity. I would highly recommend adopting one of her beautiful and friendly Berners.

  • MM

    Murraya M.

    Verified owner · June 2025

    Ester was SO great to work with! From the very first message, we started to discuss the diet and supplements that she strongly believes in for her dogs. Little did she know, that’s something I’m super passionate about and believe in fully. I knew it was a sign that he was meant to be our puppy! I immediately purchased it all and took notes to ensure I kept our boy on track when we picked him up. Ester provided pictures and updates during the week prior to pickup. She also drove to meet us, since we were driving over 5.5 hours. She spent a good amount of time with us reviewing all the vet records, paperwork, and other essential info for him at pick up. She sent a to go bag that was filled with so many thoughtful things for him. She also followed up with us to check on him throughout the week after pickup which proves she truly does care about her dogs and puppies. Brody (Titan) is the sweetest, smartest, well adapted puppy. He is already sitting, and learning to fetch and shake in the first week. He also is picking up very quickly on potty training. He’s super affectionate and does so well with meeting other people, kids, and our family’s trusted dog. He is literally the dream puppy. Our vet commented on how healthy he was and wanted to shout out Ester’s proactive approach with his diet and supplements. We truly can’t thank her enough for our sweet, much loved, perfect addition to our family!

    LN

    Lesley N.

    Verified owner · May 2025

    We are very happy with our experience with Bernese Bunker. The many updates between deposit and pickup were appreciated. Our girl, Gracie, is happy and healthy. Our previous Berner was shy but Gracie is well socialized and more self confident. I think it is because she stayed with her family until 10 weeks vs 8. We have had her a week and she is being a rockstar at house/crate training. And everyone who meets her is infatuated! Thank you Esther!

    Elizabeth R.

    Verified owner · 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 huge help. Brought all our puppies paperwork and handouts with helpful information for us. The bag of goodies and puppy food to get is started and giving is a bed for the ride home was beyond our expectations. She is absolutely wonderful! The updates almost daily just gave us so much to look forward to. Our girl Butter is at home and I know she misses Esther! The Romero Family

Photos

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

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