If you love the idea of having a Goldendoodle in the home, but are unsure whether you have the space for them, perhaps a Mini Goldendoodle is for you. The Mini Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Miniature Poodle. With two of the most popular dogs in the United States as their parents and their convenient and sought after size, it is no wonder that the Mini Goldendoodle is growing in popularity.
While their crossbreed origin means that it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact characteristics of a Miniature Goldendoodle, this teddy bear pup is known for being an excellent family dog as well as being incredibly smart. They also fit in to any environment and stand between 14-17″ in height!
If you’re interested in learning more about this adorable teddy bear breed, read on below to find out everything you need to.
History Of The Mini Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle dog was originally bred because both of the parent breeds were extremely popular. You could create a dog with the love and affection of a Golden Retriever with the hypoallergenic coat of a Poodle. The Miniature Goldendoodle was then bred to be a smaller and more convenient version of this pup, so more people could enjoy the breed!
There are actually different generations of the Mini Goldendoodle. A first generation pup is when the parent breeds are a Golden Retriever and a Miniature Poodle. If you are considering one of these first generation pups, you should always make sure that the mother is the Golden Retriever and the father is the Miniature Poodle. This is to do with complications that can arise from mating dogs of different sizes.
Second generation Mini Goldendoodles are the result of mating two Goldendoodles together. The health implications are greatly reduced here because there is less risk when mating two dogs of the same size.
Because they are a crossbreed, the Miniature Goldendoodle is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Breed Origin
The Goldendoodle turned 50 years old in 2019 and was first recorded in 1969. This breed was bred by Monica Dinkins who wanted to create a dog with a Poodle’s non-shedding coat that could be used as a guide dog for those with allergies. The popularity of this breed began to pick up in the 1990s.
It is thought that the Miniature Goldendoodle was bred not too long after this, as popularity began to increase and there was more desire for an even smaller pup that could fit into any home.
Characteristics Of The Mini Goldendoodle
As with many crossbreeds, it can be difficult to know the exact characteristics and temperament the Mini Goldendoodle is going to have. They may take after their Poodle parent more, or they may take after their Retriever parent more.
Because these pups are a designer breed and highly sought after, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,500 – $3,500 for a Mini Goldendoodle puppy. The high price is partly due to the demand, but it is also because breeders often have to cover the veterinary costs that come along with the complications of breeding two different sized dogs.
Appearance
The Miniature Goldendoodle looks like a little teddy bear! They can stand between 14 and 17 inches in height and can weigh anywhere between 15 to 30 pounds. Because of their small size, they are much better suited to smaller houses but still pack all the same desirable characteristics as their standard sized counterpart.
The appearance of your pup can vary greatly depending on their parents, of course. The Goldendoodle normally has a curly coat and wears a happy smile! Super cute, these pups have long noses, round faces and brown eyes. Their tails are long and their chest is muscular.
Coat
The hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle is one of the reasons the Goldendoodle was bred in the first place. Luckily, more often than not, both the Goldendoodle and Miniature Goldendoodle inherit this coat. The coat is normally soft and wavy and very low shedding. This is great for those with allergies and those who don’t want dog fur all over their house!
Unfortunately, although their coat is low-shedding, the Mini Goldendoodle still needs grooming. We will go into more detail about that later on.
Color
Of course, the Golden Retriever only comes in three colors, but the Poodle can come in many! This means that the Mini Goldendoodle can also come in a variety of colors. These include black, brown, cream, gold, red, sable, silver and white. There can also be multiple different colors of pups in one litter, which is especially common in first generation Goldendoodles.
Temperament
The Miniature Goldendoodle has a similar temperament to the larger Standard Goldendoodle. This breed is a friendly and loving dog that gets on with everyone. An excellent family dog, the Mini Goldendoodle just wants to spend time with you and give you love! These pups do not have any kind of an aggressive streak in their body and will happily curl up next to anyone for a cuddle.
Mini Goldendoodles are very patient and loyal. Their intelligence means they are easy to train and their friendliness puts you right at ease. They are also known for being playful and active, loving to chase a frisbee in the park, and love to be outside with you.
Of course, the temperament of the Mini Goldendoodle is greatly affected by which parent they take after more. Sometimes, they can be known to inherit more Poodle than Retriever. This can mean they get bored very easily and will always need to be kept entertained.
Lifespan
The life expectancy of a Goldendoodle is relatively long. These dogs can live to between 10 to 15 years old! This is thanks to the increased life expectancy of the Miniature Poodle parent.
Known Health Issues
Despite their increased life expectancy, like all dogs, the Mini Goldendoodle breed is prone to some health problems. The biggest health concerns they face are patellar luxation and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Patellar luxation is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop. It can be managed via pain medication, or surgery can be used in more serious cases. PRA is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye.
Another issue they can face is hypothyroidism. This can be caused by a deficiency of the thyroid hormone and may produce signs that include infertility, obesity, mental dullness and lack of energy. It can be treated with medication.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we know about the characteristics of the Mini Doodle and how they can take after both parents or one more than the other, it is time to see what daily life with these dogs is actually like. Fortunately, looking after them is simpler than trying to determine which parent they inherited more features from!
Food And Diet
The Miniature Goldendoodle is an active breed and this means they need to be eating quite a lot of food a day! It is recommended that this dog eats roughly 500-900 calories per day, which is around 1 to 2 cups of kibble a day. Of course, you should always double check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount you should be feeding your dog based on their weight.
The food you feed your Mini Goldendoodle should be high-quality and nutritious. You should try to split their food into at least two meals a day. This will help to prevent gastric torsion (bloat) in your pup, which is a common health issue in their Golden Retriever parent.
Best Dog Food For The Mini Goldendoodle
Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites Small Breed Natural Dry Dog Food
BUY ON AMAZONWe recommend the Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites dry dog food for your Mini Goldendoodle. Formulated especially for smaller breeds, this kibble comes in small pieces, perfect for the small mouth of your dog. It’s also crunchy, which helps to clean their teeth and keeps their gums healthy as they chew.
This recipe contains United States farm-raised chicken as the number one ingredient, ensuring your Goldendoodle is getting all the protein they need to stay active and to keep their muscles lean. It also features cranberries, which are rich in antioxidants, that help to support the immune system of small dogs. Even better, there are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in this food that could harm your pup.
Exercise
Even though the Miniature Goldendoodle is a small pup, don’t think they don’t have high exercise needs! These pups need upwards of 60 minutes of active time every day. They will love to walk with you and join you on hikes and runs.
Even better, because they are so intelligent and easily trainable, you don’t need to worry about keeping them on the leash once you have trained them initially. They will just want to stay by your side and have lots of fun exercising alongside you!
Remember to keep these dogs mentally stimulated, too. Because they are intelligent, they can get bored easily.
Family Compatibility
We have mentioned above that the Goldendoodle is the perfect family dog. This is because they love people and are extremely friendly to everyone they meet. Their intelligence and happy-go-lucky nature makes training a breeze, making the Goldendoodle a great first pet.
What’s great about the Miniature Goldendoodle is that they are smaller, so even if you live in a small apartment and do not have a lot of space, you can still enjoy this pup! The Mini Goldendoodle likes to be outside and loves to play, so will therefore be best suited to an active family. They will especially love it if they can accompany you on hikes, walks, runs and even swims.
These dogs get on with everyone they meet, including humans and other animals. Of course, they should be socialized from a young age, but this is the same with any dog. These pups make an excellent pet for homes with children because they love to play!
Miniature Goldendoodles do not have any kind of aggression in their personality whatsoever, so you do not need to worry about their temperament. These dogs are not known to bark either, which makes them terrible watchdogs and guard dogs! All you need to do is give them lots of love, attention and playtime, and they’ll grow up to be very happy, friendly, loving dogs.
Training
Just like the Standard Goldendoodle, Mini Goldendoodles are the perfect dog for first time pet owners because of their intelligence and trainability. These pups love to please their owners and are very easy going, which makes training a breeze.
You should never use physical punishment or correction with a Miniature Goldendoodle and always use positive reinforcement techniques. This includes verbal praise and treats as rewards. These methods will ensure your pup stays happy and isn’t nervous around you!
Socializing
We have explained that Mini Goldendoodles are extremely friendly dogs that get on with everyone. For this reason, socializing your Poodle Mix will not be difficult. It should still be done from a young age, but the chances are your Goldendoodle is going to want to be everyone’s friend!
Socialization should especially take place around other animals and children, although your Mini Goldendoodle should not have a problem with either.
Grooming
Although the Mini Goldendoodle often has a hypoallergenic coat, they still need to be groomed. Most owners get their Goldendoodles coat trimmed every eight to twelve weeks. You can, of course, let it grow longer, but you will need to be brushing it more frequently to prevent knots, tangles and matting.
Poodles can be prone to ear infections so try to keep on top of checking their ears and see a vet if you suspect there is a problem. The groomer can help you clip their nails, too. Ensure you brush your Mini Doodle’s teeth every week to prevent dental decay and disease.
It is important to start grooming your Goldendoodle from a young age so they get used to it and understand that there is nothing to be scared of.
Mini Goldendoodle FAQ’s
How Big Do Mini Goldendoodles Get When Fully Grown?
This cute little pup can stand between 14 and 17 inches in height and can weigh anywhere between 15 to 30 pounds. The size of the Mini Goldendoodle is one of the reasons they are so popular.
How much does a Mini Goldendoodle cost?
A Mini Goldendoodle is a designer breed and can therefore cost between $1,500 – $3,500.
This heavy price tag is partly because they are highly sought after pets, but also because the breeder can end up paying expensive veterinary bills due to complications that can arise from breeding two different sized dogs.
For this reason, always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder. If this is a little out of your price range, you can check your local shelter to see whether there are any Mini Goldendoodles who need a home. You can expect to pay around $300 for a Goldendoodle at the shelter.
Summary
The Mini Goldendoodle is a smaller version of the Standard Goldendoodle and the result of breeding a Golden Retriever with a Miniature Poodle. These dogs are just as loving and friendly as their standard sized friends, although much smaller and perfect for those who live in smaller homes. Making the perfect family dog, the Mini Goldendoodle loves people, especially children, and will want to be around you all the time. An active dog, the Mini Doodle loves to be outside and will thrive when able to go walking, hiking or swimming with you. However, they’ll be just as happy curling up next to you on the couch and giving you a cuddle! At just 17 inches in height, are you thinking about adding one of these dogs to your home?