About Us
Healthy • Family Raised • Joyful
At Shaffer Acres, our story began in 2022, the year our family fell in love with the gentle, loyal, heart-melting personality of the Bernedoodle. The more time we spent with the breed, the more amazed we became at their calm companionship, intelligence, and ability to fit so naturally into family life. It didn’t take long for us to realize:
we wanted to share this joy with other families.
Our mission is simple but meaningful — to raise puppies who bring joy, connection, and lasting companionship to the families who welcome them home.
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Our Breeding Philosophy
We believe that raising exceptional puppies begins long before they are born.
At Shaffer Acres, our parent dogs are not just breeders — they’re beloved family pets who live enriched, low-stress lives. Research consistently shows that dogs who experience stable, loving environments have lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and higher oxytocin levels (the bonding and comfort hormone). This combination supports healthier pregnancies, better milk production, and puppies who start life with stronger emotional foundations.
Because we live on a large ranch and homeschool our children, our dogs enjoy constant interaction, hands-on care, and plenty of time outdoors. Sunshine, fresh air, and freedom to run are part of their daily life — and those early environmental advantages create confident, well-balanced puppies.
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Raised on Our Family Ranch
Shaffer Acres is a quiet countryside property nestled in the hills of Santa Paula, California, surrounded by goats, cows, egg-laying chickens, and a community of homeschool families. Puppies grow up:
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on our ranch
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alongside their mother
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with our family of four
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and our two indoor dogs
This means every puppy is immersed in real family life: laughter, daily routines, gentle handling, and the natural rhythms of ranch living.
Yes — our children help socialize every litter, and for families who want a head start on training, the kids also offer structured early lessons for an additional fee.
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Early Training & Socialization
We want every puppy to leave our home prepared to thrive in yours.
Our puppies experience:
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crate introduction
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sound desensitization (household noises, nature sounds, etc.)
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outdoor play and exploration
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gentle beginning steps toward confidence and independence
This early shaping results in puppies who transition more easily into their new homes and bond quickly with their families.
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Health & Veterinary Care
Every Shaffer Acres puppy receives:
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A vet check
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Initial vaccinations
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Age-appropriate deworming
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Daily monitoring and hands-on care
Our parent dogs receive genetic and health screening to support long-term health in their litters.
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Our Promise to You
When you adopt a puppy from Shaffer Acres, we want you to feel:
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Excited
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At peace
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Confident that your puppy was raised with intention, care, and love
We are here to support you throughout the adoption process and beyond — whether that’s answering questions, sharing training tips, or simply celebrating milestones with you. (This is often called “lifetime breeder support,” meaning you can reach out anytime with questions or guidance as your puppy grows. If you'd like, I can add this officially.)
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Our Puppies
We currently raise Standard Bernedoodles — intelligent, affectionate, loyal companions with excellent temperaments for families, ranch life, adventure, and therapy potential.
Each litter is intentionally raised to be:
healthy, family raised, and joyful — the heart of Shaffer Acres.
Available Puppies
About Bernedoodles
Loyal • Gentle • Family-Focused
The Bernedoodle is a beloved hybrid breed created by crossing the Bernese Mountain Dog with the Poodle, resulting in a companion known for intelligence, warmth, loyalty, and a low-shedding coat. Families love Bernedoodles because they fit beautifully into home life — bringing joy, companionship, and calm, playful energy.
Bernedoodles are known for their excellent temperament, intuition, and desire to be part of the family’s daily rhythm.
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Why Bernedoodles Are Such a Great Breed
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1. Exceptional Family Dogs
Bernedoodles are famously patient and gentle, making them wonderful with children. Their steady, affectionate personality allows them to bond deeply with every member of the family. They are playful enough to be fun, yet calm enough to be comforting — a perfect balance.
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2. Intelligent and Highly Trainable
With their Poodle intelligence, Bernedoodles pick up training quickly. They enjoy learning new tasks, routines, and commands, and thrive when included in family life. Whether you’re teaching basic manners or more advanced skills, Bernedoodles aim to please.
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3. Calm + Playful = Perfect Temperament
Bernedoodles excel in switching between playtime and relaxation. They love walks, hikes, yard time, and mental stimulation — but also happily curl up beside you for quiet evenings. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in both active and relaxed households.
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4. Low-Shedding, Allergy-Friendly Coats
One of the breed’s greatest appeals is the potential for reduced shedding and greater allergy friendliness thanks to the Poodle coat. Their coats come in beautiful patterns such as tricolor, bicolor, sable, and merle.
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5. Emotionally Intuitive & Loyal
Bernedoodles are highly attuned to human emotions. They can sense when their owners need comfort or connection and respond with affection. This emotional intelligence makes them ideal for families, children, therapy work, and companionship.
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6. Ideal for First-Time Dog Owners
With their stable temperament, trainability, and loving personality, Bernedoodles often make excellent pets for first-time dog owners.
Understanding Generations: F1 vs. F1B Bernedoodles
To help families choose the right fit, it’s helpful to understand what “F1B” means and how it differs from an F1 Bernedoodle.
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What Is an F1 Bernedoodle?
An F1 Bernedoodle is a first-generation cross:
50% Bernese Mountain Dog × 50% Poodle
Typical traits:
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Balanced mix of shedding vs. low-shedding coats
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Often looser or wavy coats
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Temperament is stable, affectionate, and family-friendly
F1s are excellent for families who want the classic Bernedoodle look with a good blend of the Bernese’s gentle nature and the Poodle’s intelligence.
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What Is an F1B Bernedoodle?
An F1B Bernedoodle is created by breeding an F1 Bernedoodle back to a Poodle:
75% Poodle × 25% Bernese Mountain Dog
This generation is not better or worse—just different, offering unique benefits for certain families.
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Benefits of the F1B Bernedoodle
1. More Hypoallergenic & Even Lower Shedding
Because F1Bs have a higher percentage of Poodle genetics, their coats are generally:
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more predictable
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more hypoallergenic
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very low-shedding or non-shedding
Perfect for families with allergies or sensitivity to dog hair.
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2. Easier Coat Maintenance for Some Families
F1B coats are often:
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curlier
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more uniform
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easier to manage with regular grooming
They tend to be less prone to heavy shedding during seasonal changes.
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3. Excellent for Training & Cognitive Work
With 75% Poodle genetics, F1Bs are typically:
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extremely intelligent
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responsive
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eager to learn
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great for advanced training
This makes them excellent candidates for therapy work, emotional support roles, and structured training programs.
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4. Consistent Temperament & Structure
The F1B generation tends to be more predictable in terms of:
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size
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coat type
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temperament
Families who want clearer expectations often prefer F1Bs.
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5. Great for Active or Semi-Active Homes
They have slightly more “Poodle energy,” which means:
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they enjoy exercise
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they love activities and brain games
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they bond strongly through training and routines
Yet they still retain the calm, gentle personality of the Bernese.
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Which Is Better — F1 or F1B?
Both are wonderful.
It depends on what a family is looking for:
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Want the lowest shedding and more hypoallergenic coat? → Choose F1B
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Want a 50/50 mix with a slightly more Bernese-like look or temperament? → Choose F1
Either way, you get:
a loyal, gentle, family-focused companion with heart, intelligence, and joyful personality.
Our Passion for Puppies
Who We Are
Shaffer Acres is a family-run ranch located in Southern California, specializing in the breeding of Bernedoodles and Bordoodles. Our mission is to produce confident, loving puppies through rigorous health testing and early socialization, ensuring they are well-suited for family life. We believe in responsible placements and are dedicated to providing future owners with the utmost care and support throughout the adoption process.
