Despite his somewhat comical-sounding name, the Mini Goldendoodle is a serious contender for the perfect family dog award. This designer dog is one of the newer pups on the scene, but he is proving to doggy lovers across the globe that he really is a wonderful animal who makes a great canine companion. The Miniature Goldendoodle is a combination of the Golden Retriever, and the Toy version of the poodle. That’s how they are able to go from regular-sized doodle mix to smaller size as the Toy Poodle is much smaller than the standard version. He is both energetic and friendly, funny and gentle, and he will fit in with any family who can provide him with the attention, love, and
exercise that he needs. Read this comprehensive guide to the Miniature Goldendoodle, and you will learn just how great he is! Breed Overview
Contents
- 1 Parent Breeds
- 2 Miniature Goldendoodle
- 2.1 Temperament
- 2.2 Size & Appearance
- 2.3 Coat & Colors
- 2.4 Exercise Requirements & Living Conditions
- 2.5 Training
- 2.6 Health
- 2.7 Nutrition
- 2.8 Grooming
- 2.9 Breeders & Puppy Costs
- 2.10 Rescue & Shelters
- 2.11 As Family Pets
- 3 Final Thoughts
Parent Breeds
Whilst designer dogs are not a new trend as such, it is a trend that has definitely picked up momentum over the last decade, despite a fair bit of controversy. Designer dogs are also commonly known as hybrid dogs, but whichever term you use to describe them, they are the puppy product of the intentional mixing of two purebred dogs. In this article, we are going to delve deep into the details of the Golden Retriever and the Miniature Poodle’s pup, the Mini Goldendoodle.
A purebred pup, like the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, generally all have the same appearance and the same temperament as one another, so you know what to expect. A designer dog whose breed is in the early stages of development, like the Miniature Goldendoodle, will likely be a mixture of the two breeds, but it is not guaranteed which parent he will take after more. The average litter of Goldendoodles is 3 to 8 puppies, and they will probably all be different from one another in some way.
In order to understand the Mini Goldendoodle, and to gain a better idea about his needs and what you can expect from him, it is important to understand a little about both of his parents.
Golden Retriever
It was a common myth that the Golden Retriever descended from Russian Circus dogs, but he was in fact cleverly engineered in the Scottish Highlands to be the perfect water bird hunter by day, and a cuddly family companion by night.
Lord Tweedmouth I bred a mixture of dog breeds and only continued breeding the ones who were yellow and golden in color, all the rest he gifted to friends and other noblemen. In England, he was first registerable as a ‘Retriever- Yellow or Golden’, but this rather inconspicuous name was later changed in 1920 to the Golden Retriever.
In 2019, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has ranked the Golden Retriever as the 3rd most popular dog in America. He is described as friendly, intelligent, and devoted, and it is these gentle traits that the Miniature Goldendoodle has inherited.
Tucker the Golden Retriever has 1.6 million followers on Instagram before he was two years old! So, if you want to see the friendly, cute, and dopey side of the Mini Goldendoodle, then be sure to check Tucker out.
Miniature Poodle
The Miniature Poodle is one of three different sized Poodles, with the toy and the standard being the others, and they are exactly the same dog except for their size. In Germany, where the Poodle originated from, he is known as ‘Pudelhund’ which translates as puddle dog.
When the standard Poodle strutted his stuff over to France, he soon became a firm favorite of Royalty and noblemen, they bred him to be much smaller in order to fit perfectly on their laps, and this is where the Miniature Poodle was born.
In 2019, the AKC ranked the miniature Poodle as the 7th most popular dog in America. He is described as active, proud, and very smart, and it is the Poodle’s genetics that gives the Miniature Goldendoodle his feisty and energetic side.
It is unknown when the Miniature Goldendoodle first appeared, but it is believed that the standard Goldendoodle was born in the 1980s, so it can safely be said that the Mini version was sometime after this. For safety reasons regarding size, his mother will always be the Golden Retriever, and his father will always be the Miniature Poodle.
As a hybrid dog, and not a purebred, it is unknown which genes he will inherit from which parent, and whilst this may be exciting for some, for others it is somewhat unnerving. However, the advice that all hybrid owners should take is to expect any combination of traits from either the Golden Retriever or Poodle.
With that advice, you cannot be disappointed. If there is something that you dislike about either breed, then you should walk away from the Mini Goldendoodle. If you are ready for this exciting genetic bingo, then let’s jump into the details.
If you don’t know a Goldendoodle yourself, then check out the Instagram account ‘goldendoodlesofinstagram’, to give yourself a daily dose of beautiful Goldendoodles of all sizes. The miniature version of the Goldendoodle is usually a little bigger than another toy poodle mix, the Cavapoo.
Temperament
The Mini Goldendoodle tends to inherit the gentle and affectionate side from his Golden mother, and the wild side of his Poodle father. He adores humans and is always on the lookout to please his entire family. The Miniature Goldendoodle is gentle with the eldest family members and tolerant of inquisitive children, so he makes the perfect family addition for any type of family!
He is also suited to a multi-pet household as he also enjoys being around other animals, so all in all, everyone’s a winner! The only downside here is that this sociability can sometimes turn in separation anxiety if he is left alone for too long. Despite his angelic face he will chew and shred your homely belongings if he feels restless and lonely.
It is super important to be around for this guy, so if you work long hours then you should consider getting a less needy dog. But if you can be there for most of the day, then the Mini Goldendoodle is very loyal and always pleased to greet his master whenever he comes home from work, or even just coming back from the bathroom. It is almost impossible to be downhearted when there is a Mini Goldendoodle about!
They are also likely to be very energetic thanks to his Poodle father’s energy, and in between cuddling, he will be running around the backyard playing games and fetch, messing around in the pool or just generally getting up to mischief.
Size & Appearance
The Mini Goldendoodle is the newest, but most convincing, teddy bear doppelganger. So, if it is a canine cutie pie that you are after, then look no further! He will measure 13 to 20 inches tall, from paw to shoulder, and will weigh anywhere between 15 to 35 pounds.
He will usually have dark button eyes, although on occasion they can be green or blue, but with a cute dark button nose to match. Whilst they are smaller dogs, they have a well-proportioned body that is sturdy.
Dependent on which parent he takes after, he could be slightly more delicate like the Poodle, or a bit more robust and thicker like the Golden Retriever. His tail tends to be long and can become quite bushy with all those thick curls.
Coat & Colors
The most desirable and most recognized appearance of the Miniature Goldendoodle is the golden blonde hair of the Golden Retriever, with the cute curly waves of the Poodle. His hair is thick and dense and is often medium length.
While the majority of Mini Goldendoodles have golden locks, they may also take any color of the Poodle, which can be black, blue, brown, red, sable, or silver.
It is important to note here that whilst many breeders may advertise the Miniature Goldendoodle as hypoallergenic, just like his Poodle parent, he also may not be, like the Golden Retriever is not a hypoallergenic pup. If this is a really important factor for you and your family, then it may be wise to stick to a hypoallergenic dog.
Exercise Requirements & Living Conditions
Despite his mini size the Mini Goldendoodle is full of beans, and he requires 45 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. Don’t think that because he is small that he will be content as an all-day lapdog because you will be quickly disappointed.
As both of his parents are traditional working water babies, the Mini Goldendoodle also has an affinity for water, so be sure to take him to the local lake or doggy pool, as he will be forever thankful! Because of his intelligence, he may get bored quite easily, so make sure that you mix up his exercise routine with different activities.
This guy is very adaptable, and he is suited to any home, be that an apartment with an outdoor space, or a larger home with a large backyard. With that being said, he really would be better suited to a home with access to an outdoor space of some kind, as he is energetic and becomes bored quite easily. Because of his small stature, he does not require reinforced fencing, however, because he is quite the detective you should ensure that it is enclosed and that he cannot escape.
Additionally, because of his thick and dense curly fur, he will need access to an area that will provide him with shelter from the sun, or even better, he should be kept indoors in the cool on particularly hot days.
Training
The Miniature Goldendoodle is very intelligent and combining that with his eagerness to please his master, he is quite easily trainable. However, because he is such an excitable dog who is always looking for the next best thing to do, his concentration levels aren’t the best, so for this reason, it is important to keep training sessions short and sweet, just like him! Positive reinforcement training with verbal praise and small training treats will make this process a lot easier!
Of course, as with any pup, be sure to socialize him early and expose him to as many unfamiliar sounds and sights as you can, which will help to build his confidence and become a well-mannered adult. Putting the effort in with this guy will not only make things a whole lot easier when he is older, but it will also act as a bonding session for you both.
Because the Miniature Goldendoodle is such an intelligent and friendly pup, he makes the perfect therapy dog in nursing homes and hospitals. So if this is something that takes your fancy, then you could always train him to become a service dog!
Health
There aren’t any breed standards as the Mini Goldendoodle has yet to be declared a breed of his own. As such, the best way to determine what health conditions he will be predisposed to is to look at the health of both of his parents. Generally, he is quite a healthy pup and there are no known significant health problems associated with the breed.
His Poodle parent is prone to suffering from Hip Dysplasia and Patella Luxation, which are abnormal formations of the affected joints, which can cause a lot of pain when walking.
He is also prone to suffering from a variety of eye conditions, particularly Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Unfortunately, the smaller and larger Poodles suffer from separate health issues, but the Miniature Poodle, being the middle sibling, seems to have inherited them all. In addition to some of the above health issues, the Golden Retriever parent also suffers from Elbow Dysplasia and requires a cardiac evaluation.
The best way to look after your Mini Goldendoodle’s health is to take him for regular Veterinarian checkups and to understand each of his parent’s health conditions and the associated symptoms. For further and more detailed information about his parent’s health, the Golden Retriever national breed club outline his breed standards, and the Poodle national breed club also outline his standards.
Nutrition
The Miniature Goldendoodle will require around 2 cups of food every day, just be sure to give him high-quality kibble that is specifically designed for higher energy dogs to keep him sustained throughout the day.
Grooming
As with any Poodle mixed breed, the Miniature Goldendoodle is more demanding than the average pup when it comes to grooming. A metal pin brush is the best tool to tame his soft curls, especially to ensure that they do not become tangled or matted, which in itself can be quite painful.
Most owners claim that because of his fast-growing hair, and his sometimes tricky curls around his eyes and ears, they send their Mini Goldendoodle off to a professional groomer every 8 to 12 weeks. Whilst this is not necessary, it may make things a lot easier for you.
Because of his floppy ears, and especially if he finds himself in the water a lot, it is important to regularly check and clean his ears in order to keep infections at bay.
Breeders & Puppy Costs
Typing in ‘Mini Goldendoodle breeders’ into any online search engine will generate results, and this is the easiest and quickest way to begin your search for the perfect breeder. Just be sure to read all of their reviews and do a little digging to ensure that they are reputable and ethical. Alternatively, another great way is to join Goldendoodle groups on social media platforms and ask for recommendations.
If you aren’t too keen on playing the gene lottery, and would rather have a typical Miniature Goldendoodle, then you should seek a breeder who has bred them for some time. A first-generation puppy, in the genetics world, is known as an F1 puppy. It is these guys that have a Golden Retriever mother and a Miniature Poodle father, and their pups can be wildly different from one another.
There are some breeders who will breed two Miniature Goldendoodles together, and they are second-generation Mini Goldendoodles, who are known as F2 puppies. These guys tend to be more similar and typical of the Mini Goldendoodle. Although these guys tend to be a bit more expensive, some owners prefer genetic certainty. If this is important to you then be sure to ask what generation their Miniature Goldendoodles are, and ask to see their parent’s lineage papers to prove this.
The average starting price of a Mini Goldendoodle is around $1,500. As Goldendoodles, in general, are quite the sought-after designer pup, be careful not to buy your pup from an unprincipled and dishonest puppy mill, as the pups will not have had the best start to life, and they are unlikely to be as healthy as they should be.
Additionally, there are also three types of Goldendoodles. The American Goldendoodle is often more golden in its coloring, the English is paler in color and is also a bit bulkier in size, and the Australian Goldendoodle is believed to have Spaniel and Labradoodles in the earlier generations. While these are only slight differences, they are something to bear in mind.
Rescue & Shelters
As with many designer doggos they are much less likely to be found in rescue homes, so the best way to adopt one of these guys is to focus your search on breed-specific rescue centers. The Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation lists their associated rescue centers and rescue centers dedicated to Golden Retrievers can be found here.
As Family Pets
- The Miniature Goldendoodle is a happy and friendly pup who gets along with everyone
- He is a very adaptable dog who could live in all kinds of homes.
- He does need access to at least a modestly sized backyard.
- The Mini Goldendoodle adores children, the elderly, and everyone else in between.
- The Miniature Goldendoodle also gets along well with other pets.
- He needs to be with a family that can be with him for most of the day.
- If he’s left alone for long periods, he can develop separation anxiety.
- The Mini Goldendoodle needs a lot of cuddles and affection.
- He also needs between 45 to 60 minutes of walking a day.
- If he doesn’t fulfill his exercise needs, he may become destructive.
- He is a low shedder, and there may be a chance that he is hypoallergenic.
Final Thoughts
As long as you prepare yourself for a pup that will inherit genes from either parent or seek a second-generation Mini Goldendoodle, then you will not be disappointed. They are lovable and boisterous dogs who just want to play and be loved by the whole family. As long as you can commit to spending time with these guys, and exercising them enough, then they will slot right into your life just perfect.
Overall, if you are having a bad day then this golden buttercup will pick you up whenever you are feeling down. So go and get yourself a canine teddy bear and get ready for the best cuddles ever!
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