10 Best Shampoos for Bernese Mountain Dogs — 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
By Jessica Kim
Updated on
Bernese Mountains are friendly, good-natured dogs that make excellent pets for first-time dog owners. While these dogs are known to be easygoing and relatively low maintenance, they do require some special attention to grooming. Bernese Mountain Dogs have thick and long double-coats and are heavy seasonal shedders. Without a proper grooming routine, your Bernese Mountain Dog can quickly develop an unhealthy coat and skin issues.
Giving your Bernese Mountain Dog regular baths can help manage shedding and also improve the condition of your dog’s skin and coat. So, it’s important to choose a shampoo that cleans your dog’s thick coat and reduces shedding without drying out or irritating the skin. Our reviews are here to help you find the best kind of shampoo for your Bernese Mountain Dog.
A Quick Glance at Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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FURminator DeShedding Shampoo |
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Best Value
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Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo |
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Check Price |
Premium Choice
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M. BARCLAY Lather + Bathe |
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Check Price |
| Best for Puppies |
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Nature’s Miracle Puppy Shampoo |
|
Check Price |
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kin+kind Organics Dog Shampoo |
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Check Price |
The 10 Best Shampoos for Bernese Mountain Dogs
1. FURminator DeShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo – Best Overall
| Main Ingredients: | Water, surfactants, conditioning agents, preservatives, aloe vera |
| Scent: | Fresh scent |
FURminator is a reputable brand known for creating helpful, high-quality pet grooming tools and supplies. This shampoo is no exception and is the best overall shampoo for Bernese Mountain Dogs for several reasons. First, it’s made with gentle ingredients. It is paraben-free and doesn’t contain any chemical dyes. The formula is also infused with omega fatty acids to moisturize the skin. It’s specially designed to reduce shedding by strengthening your dog’s hair. It also has deodorizing elements to reduce wet dog smell and keep your dog smelling clean for longer.
You’ll notice your dog’s coat looking healthy and shiny with just a few uses. We do wish that this shampoo came in larger bottles because it can run out quickly with Bernese Mountain Dogs due to the size and thickness of their coats. However, it’s sold by many retailers at a fairly reasonable price. So, it’s easy to stock up on this shampoo.
- Paraben-free and no chemical dyes
- Infused with omega fatty acids
- Formula reduces shedding
- Deodorizes wet dog smell
- One bottle gets used up quickly
2. Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey for Dogs – Best Value
| Main Ingredients: | Water, coco betaine, coco glucoside, glyceryl oleate, disodium cocoyl glutamate |
| Scent: | Oatmeal and honey |
Burt’s Bees is another reputable brand that sells natural products at affordable prices. So, it’s no surprise that this oatmeal shampoo is the best shampoo for a Bernese Mountain Dog for the money. It’s a gentle formula that’s 97% natural and made with ingredients that won’t irritate the skin.
It contains colloidal oat flour, which helps alleviate itchiness due to skin conditions such as eczema. The formula also has honey and green tea extract to strengthen hair follicles and help retain moisture in the hair. It also has a pH balance that’s optimal for dogs and won’t dry out the skin.
The only issue with this shampoo is that it doesn’t lather as much as other shampoos, so you may need to apply it twice to your Bernese Mountain Dog or take extra care to ensure that your dog’s coat is thoroughly wet with water before using the shampoo.
- 97% natural and made with gentle ingredients
- Formula reduces itchiness
- pH is balanced to prevent skin from drying out
- Doesn’t lather easily
3. M. BARCLAY Lather + Bathe Natural & Organic Conditioning Dog & Cat Shampoo – Premium Choice
| Main Ingredients: | Water, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sodium coco-sulfate, coco-glucoside, glycerin |
| Scent: | Bergamot and lavender |
If you’re looking to really spoil and pamper your Bernese Mountain Dog, this shampoo formulated by M. BARCLAY is an excellent choice. Bath days will feel like spa days with this premium organic shampoo. It has a conditioning formula that’s gentle on sensitive skin and helps heal dry skin. It rehydrates the coat with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties sourced from plants.
The shampoo lathers well and has a luxurious bergamot and lavender scent. It also contains hints of citronella and tea tree, which can help repel mites and other pests. Even the bottle looks fancier than your typical dog shampoo. The only thing we wish is for a version that doesn’t have a pump. The pump releases a small amount of shampoo, so you might find yourself pressing the pump numerous times to get enough shampoo to cover a large Bernese Mountain Dog.
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- Formula helps heal and rehydrate dry skin and coat
- May help repel mites and other insect pests
- Pump can be inconvenient
4. Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Natural Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner – Best for Puppies
| Main Ingredients: | Water, mild surfactants, conditioning agents, preservatives, aloe vera |
| Scent: | Cotton |
Bath time can be an intimidating new experience for puppies, so it’s important to have all the right supplies to help them adjust and get used to baths. Using a high-quality shampoo, like this Nature’s Miracle puppy shampoo, can help by preventing irritation and making bath time unpleasant. This shampoo has a tearless formula, so you don’t have to worry if any suds get in your puppy’s eyes. It also has a mild scent, so it’s not too overpowering and irritating for your puppy.
The shampoo is free of dyes, parabens, and sulfates. It contains ingredients like keratin, aloe vera, and panthenol, which work to moisturize and soothe sensitive skin. The formula helps to neutralize odors to prevent wet dog smell.
This particular shampoo has loyal customers that have been using it for a long time. Recent changes to the scent have caused some upset from many long-time customers that prefer the previous scent. However, if you’ve never used this brand, you probably won’t have issues with the new fragrance.
- Tearless formula
- Mild scent that doesn’t irritate puppies
- Free of dyes, parabens, and sulfates
- Neutralizes wet dog smell
- Scent may not be pleasant for some people
5. kin+kind Kin Organics Jasmine & Lily Dog Shampoo
| Main Ingredients: | Organic aloe water, coconut cleanser, saponified organic olive oil, saponified organic coconut oil, fragrance |
| Scent: | Jasmine and lily |
This kin+kind Kin Dog Shampoo is another type of organic shampoo, but it’s a more affordable option. It uses USDA-certified organic ingredients and is free of parabens and sulfates. The formula contains coconut oil, olive oil, and glycerin to moisturize and help remove allergens from the skin and coat. It also has colloidal oatmeal, which hydrates and forms a protective layer over the skin and coat.
The shampoo has a pleasant jasmine and lily smell, but it can be a bit strong and overpowering for the first few days after a bath. So, if you or your dog are particularly sensitive to scents, you may want to pass on this shampoo.
- USDA certified organic
- Free of parabens and sulfates
- Formula helps remove allergens from skin and coat
- Scent can be overpowering
6. PetLab Extractos Long Hair Comfrey Extract Dog Shampoo
| Main Ingredients: | Sodium laureth-2 sulfate, lauryl glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamide DEA, panthenol |
| Scent: | Fresh scent |
This shampoo developed by PetLab Extractos is specifically made for dogs with long hair. It has a balanced pH level to protect the skin from irritation and drying out. The formula helps maintain and control natural oils so that your dog’s skin and coat stay evenly moisturized without any dry spots. It also contains keratin to improve the appearance and texture of the coat.
While the shampoo’s formula strengthens the coat, it doesn’t specifically address shedding. A healthy coat can reduce shedding, but just keep in mind that this shampoo may not be as effective with shedding as other shampoos with a shedding control formula.
- Formula specifically made for dogs with long hair
- Helps control natural oils
- Keratin improves appearance and texture of coat
- Formula doesn’t specifically target shed control
7. Shed Defender Shed Defense Omega 3 & 6 Dog & Cat Shampoo
| Main Ingredients: | Water, sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium gluconate, glycerin |
| Scent: | Chamomile and lavender |
This Shed Defender Shed Defense shampoo may be a little more expensive than other shampoos, but it has an effective shed control formula. It contains vitamin E and omega fatty acids to moisturize and strengthen the coat and reduce shedding.
The shampoo is made with natural ingredients and is cruelty-free. It doesn’t contain any alcohol, dyes, parabens, or sulfates. You also don’t have to worry about any strong, artificial fragrances irritating you or your dog, as the scent is made with natural ingredients, such as chamomile and lavender.
- Strong shed control formula
- Vitamin E and omega fatty acids moisturizes coat
- Made with natural ingredients
- Relatively expensive
8. John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Oatmeal Dog & Cat Shampoo
| Main Ingredients: | Water, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamide MIPA, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium chloride |
| Scent: | Oatmeal and almond |
This John Paul Pet shampoo contains a blend of aloe, chamomile, and almond oil to nourish and revitalize your Bernese Mountain Dog’s coat. It contains hydrolyzed oat protein, so you don’t have to worry about any skin irritation or allergic reactions when using this shampoo. It’s also safe for cats, so it’s an excellent option for multi-pet homes.
The formula of this shampoo contains gentle ingredients that won’t over-dry the skin. However, it does contain yellow 5, which is an artificial color, and added fragrances. So, the smell can be overpowering or irritating if you have a particularly sensitive nose.
- Hydrolyzed oat protein prevents skin irritation
- Also safe for cats
- Gentle ingredients won’t over-dry the skin
- Contains yellow 5
- Added fragrances may be overpowering or irritating
9. Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal & Aloe Vera
| Main Ingredients: | Water, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate |
| Scent: | Vanilla bean |
This Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo is formulated to alleviate itchy and irritated skin. It contains aloe vera and vitamin E to nourish and moisturize the coat and oatmeal to help soothe the skin. This shampoo is safe for all dog breeds and life stages, so it’s a considerable option for multi-dog homes.
It’s important to remember that this shampoo contains tree nuts and can trigger allergic reactions if accidentally ingested. It also doesn’t contain a particularly unique set of ingredients, such as organic or cosmetic-grade ingredients. Considering that it tends to sell at a more expensive price, you may save on costs while experiencing similar results by purchasing a cheaper brand with a similar formula.
- Formula designed to alleviate itchy skin
- Aloe vera and vitamin E nourishes skin
- Safe for all dog breeds and life stages
- Tree nuts can trigger allergies
- Relatively expensive
10. Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
| Main Ingredients: | Coconut shampoo base, aloe vera gel, essence of lavender, essence of mint, chamomile extract |
| Scent: | Lavender and mint |
This Buddy Wash Original Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is a considerable option if your Bernese Mountain Dog has particularly sensitive skin or atopy. The mix of shampoo and conditioner makes bathing your dog a quicker and more convenient experience.
The formula contains cosmetic-grade botanical extracts and natural ingredients that nourish the skin, like sage, aloe vera, green tea, and chamomile. It also has a coconut base and is alcohol-free, so it’s extremely gentle on the skin and prevents triggering skin irritation. This shampoo has a fresh lavender and mint smell, but some dogs are extremely deterred by mint, so your Bernese Mountain Dog may not like it.
The formula uses wheat protein, which acts as a natural deodorizer to prevent wet dog smell. However, if your Bernese Mountain Dog happens to have a wheat allergy, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian before using it, as this shampoo may trigger an allergic reaction if your dog’s skin comes in contact with it.
- Gentle sensitive skin formula
- Uses cosmetic-grade ingredients
- Uses natural deodorizer to prevent wet dog smell
- Dogs may not like mint scent
- May trigger reaction for dogs with wheat allergy
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Shampoos for Bernese Mountain Dogs
There are many different kinds of dog shampoo, and it can be difficult figuring out where to start. Focusing on key factors can help you sort through the variety to find ones that are a better match for your dog. Here are three things to keep in mind when shopping for dog shampoo for a Bernese Mountain Dog.
Shed Control
As heavy seasonal shedders, it can be extremely beneficial to use dog shampoo with a formula that helps manage shedding. Some companies may claim that their shampoo has a shedding control formula, but it’s important to note that there isn’t a single ingredient or silver bullet that stops shedding. Instead, shampoos made to help control shedding contain ingredients that nourish and strengthen the coat so that hair is less likely to break off.
So, check to ensure that the shampoo contains nourishing and strengthening ingredients. Common ingredients include aloe vera, vitamin E, and omega fatty acids. These ingredients can help reduce shedding for some dogs. However, make sure to keep your expectations realistic. Even if your Bernese Mountain Dog has the healthiest coat, it will still shed pretty heavily during shedding season because that’s what its coat is naturally designed to do.
2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
As a large dog breed, it can take some extra work to bathe your Bernese Mountain Dog, especially if you compare it to bathing a small toy breed. So, using a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner formula can make bathing your dog easier and faster while adequately moisturizing and nourishing your dog’s coat.
Dog conditioner can be pretty challenging to rinse off, especially with a Bernese Mountain Dog’s thick double coat. A shampoo and conditioner formula makes rinsing considerably easier, so your dog is spending less time being wet in the bathtub.
Mild Scent
Dogs have sensitive noses, so the scent of their shampoo can be more overpowering to them than to us. So, it’s best to find a shampoo that has natural scents and is free of added fragrances and artificial perfumes. Also, try to avoid shampoos with scents that dogs commonly dislike. Citrus, mint, and rosemary are all scents that may smell pleasant to humans, but most dogs don’t like them.
Conclusion
Based on our reviews, FURminator DeShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo is the best overall shampoo for Bernese Mountain Dogs because it uses gentle ingredients to help control shedding and reduce odors. Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo is a great budget-friendly option that also uses gentle and natural ingredients. If you’re looking to splurge and spoil your dog, M. BARCLAY Lather + Bathe Natural & Organic Conditioning Dog & Cat Shampoo is sure to make bath time feel like a day at the spa. Any of these shampoos will help keep your Bernese Mountain Dog’s coat healthy and well-nourished.
Featured Image Credit: Hebi B., Pixabay
