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.
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).
What is the Lifespan of the Mini Goldendoodle?
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.
The Poodle Mixes lifespan is another of the many bonuses of buying a Doodle as your newest family member. It’s been proved that mixing a pure-bred dog with a Poodle results in Hybrid Vigor.
Hybrid Vigor is the increased vitality and longevity that is often seen in hybrids ( crosses between two different breeds of plants or animals). It is thought to be caused by the heterosis effect, which is when the offspring of two different breeds are more fertile and healthier than either parent.
Hybrid Vigor aids in the extended longevity of your Doodle, particularly in larger Doodle breeds, as the Poodle’s genetics help to minimize problems such as bone density that lead to hip issues later on.
Other factors, such as the amount of exercise your dog gets, the quality of food you feed it, and the quality of care it receives from a Veterinarian all play a role.
On the whole, Doodles have a longer life expectancy and fewer health concerns than most Pure Breeds.
HOW TO HELP YOUR DOODLE LIVE A LONG & HEALTHY LIFE
One of the most important things you can do for your Doodle is to provide it with a good diet and plenty of exercise. Feed your dog high-quality food, and make sure it gets plenty of exercise – at least 30 minutes per day.
Regular vet checkups are also important, as they can help catch any health problems early on.
KNOWN HEALTH ISSUES IN MINI GOLDENDOODLES
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.