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A mix between the ever-popular golden retriever and the charming miniature poodle, the mini Goldendoodle, is a new and increasingly popular designer dog on the block.
If you are looking for an affectionate, intelligent, and low-shedding canine companion that can double as a cuddle buddy, this cute hybrid is a superb choice!
With their teddy-bear faces and soft, fluffy curls, miniature Goldendoodles are easy on the eye and also have great temperaments.
Moderately active and spunky, these mini doodle dogs are also outdoing and adoring pooches that are always in the mood for snuggles.
Highly adaptable, easy to train, and outgoing, they make great pets to people of all ages and are a particularly fantastic choice for timid, first-time owners.
This guide will take you through everything you need to know about the miniature Goldendoodle’s temperament, exercise needs, grooming, training, and so much more. Keep on reading to find out if this adorable hybrid is the right pup for you!
Miniature Goldendoodle Overview
- Size – 13 to 20 inches tall, weighs from 15 to 35 pounds
- Coat – Medium-long wavy or curly thick coat; color varies
- Shedding – Non to low shedding
- Lifespan – 12 to 16 years
- Trainable – Highly trainable, but can become destructive if not mentally stimulated
- Activity – Moderately active; needs between 30 and 45 minutes of activity every day
- Best For – Singles, couples, seniors, families with children, first time owners, homes with fenced outdoor space
What Is A Mini Goldendoodle?
Miniature Goldendoodles are a relatively new designer breed developed by crossing a purebred golden retriever with a purebred miniature or toy poodle.
To avoid birthing complications, breeders exclusively breed female golden retrievers with male miniature poodles.
As a designer dog breed, the mini doodle isn’t recognized by any major kennel club, but they are one of the most popular designer hybrids.
Mini Goldendoodle Appearance
The Goldendoodle is a mixed-breed dog and not a purebred. As a result, it’s hard to say which genes a miniature Goldendoodle will inherit and from which parent they will inherit their traits.
Pups that take after their golden retriever parents are more robust and thicker-bodied, while pooches that mainly take after the poodle are more delicately built.
While there is no way of predicting how your mini Goldendoodle is going to look like as an adult, here’s what you can expect:
Size
Being a cross between a golden retriever and a miniature or toy poodle, you can expect your mini doodle to be on the smaller side.
Most miniature Goldendoodles weigh anywhere between 15 and 35 pounds and are typically around 13 to 20 inches tall at the withers.
Color
The most recognized and highly sought-after miniature Goldendoodles are those with the golden blond coat of the golden retriever.
But while the majority of these mini doodle dogs will have golden locks, they can also come in any of the poodle’s colors, which can be black, blue, silver, sable, red, apricot, and brown.
Coat
The coat of the mini Goldendoodle is typically medium-length and should be wavy or curly. Although they have thick, dense coats, mini Goldendoodles are non or low-shedding pups that won’t leave a ton of hair on your clothes and furniture.
It’s important to note that many breeders advertise mini Goldendoodles as hypoallergenic. But while the poodle is hypoallergenic, the golden retriever isn’t, so your Goldendoodle can go either way.
If you or any of your family members suffer from allergies, you’ll need to spend time with the mini doodle before bringing it home to see if it triggers your allergy symptoms.
Miniature Goldendoodle Character And Temperament
Mini Goldendoodles tend to inherit the best personality traits from both their parent breeds, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular.
They are extremely people-oriented dogs that need affection, attention, and interaction with their owners to stay happy and thrive.
People pleasers at heart, miniature Goldendoodles form strong bonds with their families and will find creative ways to earn an extra pat on the head or a full belly rub session.
Thanks to their sociable nature and their need to have company, these cute pooches are best suited for multi-pet households and will enjoy having other furry companions.
As long as they are properly socialized from a young age, mini Goldendoodles get along nicely with cats as well as dogs.
Bred specifically for its small size and companionship, the mini doodle makes a devoted, biddable, clever, fun, and spunky pet for people of all ages.
They like to be involved in all family activities and will always find ways to be the center of attention.
If you decide to welcome this handsome crossbreed into your home, know that your personal space will be invaded!
Your pooch will follow you everywhere, including the bathroom, and won’t mind keeping you company no matter how uncomfortable you feel.
As long as you have the time and are willing to meet your pup’s high social needs, the mini Goldendoodle will be a happy camper.
However, keep in mind that mini Goldendoodles don’t like being left alone a lot and can develop separation anxiety if you aren’t around much.
If you leave your Goldendoodle home alone for hours on end, your cute pup will turn into a menace that will resort to destructive chewing and excessive barking to feel better.
These dogs crave affection, attention, and company above all else. If you work long hours or aren’t able to meet the mini Goldendoodle’s social needs, consider getting another dog.
Miniature Goldendoodle Activity Level
Mini Goldendoodles are moderately active dogs, who don’t let their small size stop them from having fun and being active. Just because they like to cuddle and follow your every move, don’t assume your pooch will be content being a mere lap dog.
Miniature Goldendoodles are incredibly playful dogs that are always up for a game of fetch, chase, or hide and seek. As an offspring of two water dog breeds, this designer hybrid likes water and will have a lot of fun in a pool or a lake.
Since their short legs aren’t designed for extended periods of vigorous activity, mini Goldendoodles tend to play hard in short, 20 to 30-minute bursts of activity.
Thanks to their excitable nature, you can expect a good dose of enthusiasm during every play session.
Caring For Mini Goldendoodles
Mini Goldendoodles, like all other dogs, require proper care to fulfill their needs. Develop a care routine as soon as you bring your new puppy home, and stick to it for the rest of your dog’s life.
To keep your mini happy and healthy, pay attention to the following factors in particular.
Exercise
As mentioned previously, mini Goldendoodles are moderately active dogs. Most need at least around 30 to 45 minutes of moderate activity every day to stay healthy and in good shape.
Due to their smaller stature, these pups aren’t good for vigorous activities and may make poor hiking and running partners. However, they do well in agility and are always up for a walk and play session in the park.
Intellectual Stimulation
Like their parent breeds, miniature Goldengoodles are highly intelligent dogs. When left to their own devices without stimulating toys, these pups easily become bored and frustrated.
When bored, your angelic-looking pooch may chew your favorite pair of leather shoes.
To keep your shoe collection intact and to prevent the destruction of your home, keep your dog mentally stimulated with puzzle toys and other interactive dog toys designed to keep your Goldendoodle sharp and stimulated.
Companionship
Bred to be companion dogs, mini Goldendoodles adore people and are devoted to the entire family. As briefly mentioned above, staying home alone is one thing these cute furballs aren’t good at.
Without interaction and companionship, they tend to develop separation anxiety, which is often accompanied by a host of other behavioral problems.
This mix thrives in homes where there is always someone around to keep them company, whether it’s a four-legged or two-legged family member.
If you live alone and work a lot, consider hiring a pet sitter or taking your pooch to doggy daycare while you are at work.
Grooming Needs
Being a poodle mix, the miniature Goldendoodle has higher grooming needs than most other dogs.
While they shed very little, you’ll still need to brush your pup’s curls regularly to prevent mats and tangles from forming. Use a metal pin brush at least three times a week to keep your pup’s curls in pristine condition.
Due to their fast-growing fur, most owners opt to take their miniature Goldendoodles to a professional groomer once every two to three months.
While this isn’t a necessity, having your pup’s coat clipped by a professional regularly may make grooming a lot easier and less time-consuming for you.
A great thing about this mix when it comes to grooming is they rarely develop a distinct “doggy odor” and don’t have to be bathed often.
When you do decide it’s time for a bath, use a mild hypoallergenic dog shampoo and conditioner that will untangle your pup’s curls.
Checking your pup’s ears once a week should be a part of your grooming routine and will prevent painful ear infections from occurring. Use a vet-approved ear cleaning solution for dogs to clean your Goldendoodle’s ears if there is waxy buildup, dirt, or other debris.
Diet
The ideal diet for miniature Goldendoodles is one formulated for small breeds with moderate to high energy. Choose the highest quality kibble you can afford and make sure that it’s complete and balanced to meet your pup’s nutritional needs.
As always, if you have any doubts regarding your pup’s diet, consult with your vet or a canine nutritionist.
Common Health Problems
Although they are generally considered healthy dogs, mini Goldendoodles tend to develop many of the same health problems that affect poodles and golden retrievers.
This doesn’t mean your pup is guaranteed to get any of these conditions, but it’s best to be aware of all potential issues from the start. Commonly seen health problems in this mix are:
- Hip Dysplasia: Caused by the malformation of the hip joint, hip dysplasia is a painful condition that causes mobility issues, lameness, and arthritis.
- Patellar Luxation: The dislocated knee is a common issue seen in both miniature and toy poodles.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This is a group of degenerative diseases that affect photoreceptor cells in the eye, resulting in blindness.
- Von Willebrand’s Disease: This is a blood clotting disorder that prevents blood cells from clotting properly. Dogs with this condition experience excessive bleeding even from minor wounds and cuts.
Lifespan
Mini Goldendoodles have an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years. Proper care, regular exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary check-ups will help to increase your pup’s life expectancy and ensure they age as happily and healthily as possible.
How To Train Your Mini Goldendoodle
As an offspring of the biddable golden retriever and highly intelligent miniature poodle, the mini Goldendoodle is a highly trainable dog. Thanks to their quick wits and eagerness to please, they can learn new commands after only a few repetitions.
However, as soon as you start training your doodle, you’ll notice that such an excitable dog can’t stay concentrated and focus on training for long. Therefore, keep the training sessions short and sweet to maximize your dog’s potential.
Like all other dogs, mini Goldendoodles respond best to positive reinforcement training, so use treats and a lot of praise to train your puppy to become a well-mannered dog.
Despite being naturally friendly and trusting, your miniature Goldendoodle will benefit from early socialization. Expose your pup to different people, sounds, smells, and situations from a young age to build their confidence.
Who Should Own A Miniature Goldendoodle?
This designer hybrid makes an amazing pet and companion to first-time owners, people of all ages, and families with children.
If you have enough time to interact and play with your dog, the miniature Goldendoodle will adapt to any type of home with or without outdoor space.
Devoted, affectionate, and needy, this cute pooch thrives in homes where it won’t be left alone all day or night. If you work from home or are looking for a doting canine companion, the mini Goldendoodle may be the right choice for you.
Buying A Mini Goldendoodle Puppy
Doodle breeds are extremely popular, but no breed is so highly sought after as the Goldendoodle, both the standard and the mini varieties.
Finding Goldendoodle breeders in your area shouldn’t be that hard, but be prepared to do some research to ensure they are reputable and ethical.
If you want a standard miniature Goldendoodle, look for first generation or F1 mini Goldendoodles. These puppies have a poodle father and a golden retriever mother and may vary in appearance greatly.
Some breeders breed two miniature Goldendoodles together, and their puppies are known as F2 or second generation Goldendoodles. These pups have a similar appearance and are a bit more expensive than F1 puppies.
If this is an important factor for you, be sure to ask the breeder what generation their Goldendoodles are and ask to see their parent’s papers to confirm the lineage.
Mini Goldendoodle puppies cost, on average, anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000. The exact price of a mini Goldendoodle depends on many factors, including the breeder, location, supply and demand, quality, and pedigree of the parent breeds.
History Of The Goldendoodle’s Parent Breeds
Poodle: Breed History And Overview
Originating in Germany, the poodle comes in three different sizes – standard, miniature, and toy. It’s worth noting that these aren’t different breeds but rather different sizes of the same dog.
Highly intelligent, easy to train, affectionate, spunky, and agile, poodles make great companion dogs. They are often mixed with other breeds due to their great temperament and low shedding hypoallergenic coat.
Golden Retriever: Breed History And Overview
Medium to large in size, the golden retriever originated in Scotland as a gun dog bred to gently retrieve shot waterfowl without damaging the birds.
While they are still used for hunting, goldens are nowadays more commonly kept as pets due to their affectionate, intelligent, and loyal natures.
Outgoing, trusting, eager to please, and people-loving golden retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds, and they can often be seen as service or therapy dogs assisting people with disabilities.
FAQs About The Mini Goldendoodle
Are mini Goldendoodles good dogs?
Mini Goldendoodles make superb family pets to people of all ages and novice owners. They are affectionate, sweet, playful, spunky, doting, and smart dogs that get along with everyone, including other dogs and cats.
This designer breed also gets along well with kids of all ages and can be an ideal choice as your kid’s first dog.
Wrapping Up: The Goldendoodle
A fairly new designer hybrid that has quickly caught the attention of dog lovers around the world, the miniature Goldendoodle makes a fantastic family pet.
Small in size and moderately active, this cute pooch makes a great apartment dweller and doesn’t need a ton of exercise. If you are thinking of welcoming this cute mix into your home, make sure you are able to:
- Interact with your dog daily and meet their high social needs
- Commit to regular grooming to prevent mats and tangles from forming
- Provide companionship to your dog in form of doggy daycare or a pet sitter if you have long working hours
Do you have a miniature Goldendoodle?
If so, what is your doggie like?
Share your experience owning this mix with us and our readers in the comment section below.
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