Mini Goldendoodles
May 26, 2021 2021-07-16 5:28Table of Contents
Origin and History of the Mini Goldendoodle
The Mini Goldendoodle is type of Doodle and the little cousin of the highly popular Goldendoodle. Just like Goldendoodles, they are a cross of a Golden Retriever and Poodle.
For the Miniature Goldendoodle, the Poodle parent is a Miniature or Toy Poodle, resulting in small offspring. Many breeders only recently started to breed smaller and smaller Goldendoodles – this breed is very new, albeit already very sought-after. An especially popular variation is the F1b Mini Goldendoodle.
Mini Goldendoodles have become very popular due to their low-shedding coat, their outgoing temperament, social intelligence and adorable looks. Let’s look at the Mini Goldendoodle’s parents to learn more about the origin if this breed!
Miniature Poodles
Poodles were originally bred as water dogs in Germany.
When we hear the term Poodle we tend to think of the large Standard Poodle that we often see at dogs shows. The breed however has two smaller versions as well: The Miniature and the Toy Poodle. These are much smaller than the Standard Poodle who can stand as tall as 24 inches at the shoulder.
Miniature Poodles are only around 12 inches tall and weight 10-20 lbs. Toy Poodles are even smaller at only around 10 inches tall.
Don’t make the mistake to think that they are sleepy lap dogs though – Mini and Toy Poodles are high energy dogs that require exercise and training. They can be quite hyper at times and absolutely need a daily outlet for all their energy.
Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are the classic family dog nowadays. However, just like the Poodle these water dogs were originally bred to retrieve water fowl for hunters. They have a strong drive to please their owners and love to be active.
Because their retrieving instinct is very strong, Golden Retrievers are known to be very mouthy dogs long past their puppy years and can be destructive on furniture, shoes and even walls. They require daily exercise and training. They are exuberant and love to be around people and other dogs.
Golden Retrievers are often underestimated in the amount of mental and physical exercise they need. Their ancestors were working dogs and as such even the modern “family Golden” will have to go on walks, get trained and socialized – ideally every day!
Appearance of the Mini Goldendoodle
As a cross-breed, Mini Goldendoodle’s appearance is varied and can be quite different between litters or even puppies in the same litter!
Mini Goldendoodles are between 13 and 20 inches tall, weighing in at 15-40 lbs. Yes – this is quite a range! How big exactly your Mini Goldendoodle will be depends a lot on the size of both parents as well as just luck in the genetic lottery.
All dogs’ fur will have some shade of brown or red, ranging from a very light (and highly desired!) cream color to a rich auburn red. They can have small white markings on their chest.
Miniature Goldendoodle’s fur is wavy or curly and will grow very long if not cut regularly. Their floppy ears give their face a teddybear look. But don’t be fooled – underneath the adorable appearance is a high-energy dog!
Temperament of the Mini Goldendoodle
Miniature Goldendoodles are extremely outgoing and social. They are no dogs for introverts!
Every owner can attest to their love of all people and dogs on the planet. You will not be able to go for “just a walk” with a Goldendoodle – he will want to turn it into a meet and greet with everyone you come across!
Mini Goldendoodles are very energetic and active dogs. They are highly intelligent and require mental and physical exercise every day. As all dogs with working parents, they can and will become destructive if they are not challenged enough. It is crucial that you offer your Mini Goldendoodle plenty of chew and enrichment toys.
Due to their high energy, Mini Goldendoodles can be nervy and have short attention spans. They need very positive and consistent training. If you are not patient or give up quickly, this is not the right breed for you.
Mini Goldendoodles tend to get along very well with any other dog breed and often also with cat. However, in order to keep everyone safe you always want to supervise them around smaller animals.
Do Mini Goldendoodles bark a lot?
Mini Goldendoodles can be very loud dogs. They bark when they are happy, when they are excited (which they are a lot of the time!), when they are bored, when they hear an unusual noise … if you have close neighbors or you do not like dogs that bark, the Mini Goldedoodle is not for you!
While dogs can be trained to have impulse control and to bark a bit less, it is impossible to get a verbal dog to completely stop barking. If you are looking for a dog that is guaranteed to be quiet, then do not choose a Mini Goldendoodle. These goofy fluffballs can and will be loud!
Do Mini Goldendoodles like to cuddle?
Yes, Mini Goldendoodles love to cuddle! No matter if you get a 15 lbs. or a 40 lbs. dog, they will happily snuggle up with you every night. They love to be petted, brushed and cuddled. Their soft coat makes snuggling extra fun!
Mini Goldendoodles enjoy the company of all people, especially kids. They will thrive when they can be in the middle of a group of children. Many Mini Goldendoodles go on to become therapy dogs because of their love for people and snuggles.
Most dogs will need some exercise before they are happy to settle down however – do not expect your pup to be happy with a whole weekend of just Netflix and chill! He will need physical and mental enrichment in order to really enjoy the snuggly downtime as well.
Grooming Miniature Goldendoodles
It’s extremely important to keep on top of your Mini Doodle’s grooming. While they do not shed as much as double-coated dogs, their curly coat can easily mat if not maintained properly.
You should brush your Mini at least once or twice a week. Don’t go for many weeks without brushing or your dog will mat badly.
The coat of many Doodles will become very long unless it is clipped. Most owners opt for an easy-to-care-for cut for their dogs. Your local groomer can recommend the best look for your dog that will be adorable and easy to maintain.
Depending on how much your Doodle plays outside, he will also need regular baths. If you do not bathe your Mini when he is muddy, the dirt and locks will become an unmanageable mess.
Do Mini Goldendoodles shed?
They promise of non-shedding qualities is what entices many owners to get any kind of Doodle breed.
It needs to be noted that while it is likely that your Miniature Goldendoodle will not shed much, there is no guarantee.
If you or a member of your family has a dog allergy, you need to spend time around a Goldendoodle before committing to buying a puppy. Every individual’s reaction to the dogs’ coat will be slightly different and there is no way to predict how exactly the coat type will turn out.
If you want a Mini Goldendoodle in order to minimize hair around your house, then you are in luck: They do indeed shed much less than double coated dog breeds such as the King Shepherd or Australian Shepherd.
Shedding less than most other dogs however does not mean that the Mini Goldendoodle does not require any grooming! In fact, their curly hair will need attention and care:
Do Mini Goldendoodles smell?
Mini Goldendoodles do not have a distinct “doggy odor”. They can be nearly scent-free and will not offend even sensitive noses.
However, this is only the case if you keep up with your dog’s grooming schedule. If you do not brush your dog and bathe him, dirt particles and old skin cells will get caught in his coat and start to stink. This however is the case with any dog breed – you need to devote time to grooming your dog.
Think of it like human hair – if brushed and washed regularly, it has no scent. If one was to however not wash or brush their hair for months, the smell would certainly be offensive!
Like any dog, your Mini Goldendoodle will probably smell a bit if he has gotten wet, such as during a rainy day walk or after swimming. If you dry him properly and brush him out however, he will be good to go and smelling nicely.
Are Mini Goldendoodles good dogs?
Mini Goldendoodles can be amazing companions if their needs are met. An owner who has time to devote to training and exercising their Mini Goldendoodle every day will have a wonderful and loyal by his side. Their high intelligence, outgoing nature and social skills makes them fantastic pets.
If a Mini Goldendoodle however ends up with a family that cannot meet his needs, he is likely to develop behavioral issues. Your Mini Goldendoodle might start to be destructive, bark incessantly or show reactive behaviors.
If not properly socialized, Mini Goldendoodles also can become too boisterous around other dogs and start escalations. It is crucial that you take a lot of time to teach appropriate public and play skills to your dog.
What health problems do Mini Goldendoodles have?
As in any dog breed, unfortunately there are a number of health conditions that tend to pop up in Mini Goldendoodles. When you are selecting a breeder, you need to make sure to check with them about the parents’ health and genetic clearances. Luckily, there are a number of tests available with which breeders can check if the parents of a litter are likely to pass conditions onto their offspring.
Mini Goldendoodles show health issues that occur in both parent dogs, the Golden Retriever and the Miniature or Toy Poodle. Most common are:
- Patellar Luxation
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Bloat
