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The Mini Goldendoodle a sweet, adorable, pint-sized pup!
While this dog is not a purebred dog breed, Mini Goldendoodles are still incredibly popular dogs all around the world.
With their teddy-bear-like faces, people adore this designer breed. Let’s take some time to get to know the Mini Goldendoodle, including those who might want to reconsider adding this breed to their family.
| Mini Goldendoodle Dog Breed Facts | |
| Height | 13-30 inches |
| Weight | 15-35 lbs |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Temperament | Gentle, playful, intelligent, loyal |
What is a Miniature Goldendoodle?
A Mini Goldendoodle, is a cross between a Miniature or Toy Poodle and a Golden Retriever.
Miniature Poodle
Mini Goldendoodles rose to popularity by being small low-shedding dogs, and if you’re wondering, “do mini Goldendoodles shed?” the answer is yes, somewhat. Mini Goldendoodles tend to have low-shedding coats, however, they can still shed minimally.
Temperament and personality
Due to their cross breed status, Miniature Goldendoodles have unique temperaments and personalities. Here’s what makes them so special.
Friendly
Like their Golden Retriever parent, Mini Goldendoodles are gentle, friendly, and eager-to-please.
They love meeting new people and get along with children and adults alike. Even better, Miniature Goldendoodles get along well with another animals, making it easy to bring one into your home if you’ve already got pets.
Playful
Because Miniature Goldendoodles are part Mini Poodle, they are incredibly playful and intelligent!
Intelligent
Being a Golden Retriever Poodle mix, Mini Goldendoodles are highly intelligent. Afterall, both their parent dog breeds continuously make the list for the smartest dogs in the world.
Their intelligence makes training a Mini Goldendoodle easy, but it can also make them mischievous at times, so be prepared for your Mini Goldendoodle to outsmart you!
Loyal
Both parent dog breeds are warm towards people and crave love and attention from their pack. They are loyal and love to stay close to their humans.
As such, they can quickly develop separation anxiety, so it’s essential to work on confidence building from the start so your pup feels secure when alone.
Energetic
Mini Goldendoodles have a moderate energy level. Most require about 60 minutes of exercise per day, but the actual amount will depend on your dog.
Types of Mini Goldendoodles
While searching for a Mini Goldendoodle puppy, you’re going to see words like “first generation” and “F1”, “F1b”. Here’s a quick overview of the different Goldendoodle generations:
1. F1 Mini Goldendoodle
An F1 Mini Goldendoodle (or first-generation) is when a purebred Golden Retriever is bred with a purebred Miniature Poodle. F1 Mini Goldendoodles are half Golden Retriever and half Toy Poodle.
2. F1b Mini Goldendoodle
F1b Mini Goldendoodles are when a Mini Goldendoodle is bred with a Toy Poodle. F1b Mini Goldendoodles are 75% Miniature Poodle, meaning they are less likely to shed.
3. F2 Mini Goldendoodle
An F2 Mini Goldendoodle is when two Mini Goldendoodles are bred together.
4. F2b Mini Goldendoodle
An F2b Mini Goldendoodle is when an F1 (half Golden Retriever and half Toy Poodle) is bred with an F1b Mini Goldendoodle.
Appearance
Size
Mini Goldendoodles are anywhere from 15 to 35 pounds and are 13 to 30 inches tall. However, the size of the Mini Goldendoodle depends on the size of the Poodle that is being used for breeding the hybrid dog.
These numbers can differ slightly depending on the height and weight of both the Mini Poodle and Golden Retriever parents. If you want a slightly bigger dog, you should consider a Standard Goldendoodle, and if you want one even smaller, look to the Teacup Goldendoodle.
Coats
Mini Goldendoodle puppies tend to have fluffy coats that change as they age. The coat of an adult Miniature Goldendoodle can vary.
It can be similar to the Poodles (and be curly), or it can be like a Golden Retriever and be straight. Their coat can also fall somewhere in the middle and be somewhat wavy!
It’s impossible to tell what types of coat a Miniature Goldendoodle will have until they are adults.
Mini Goldendoodle
Because Miniature Goldendoodles don’t shed often, you will need to spend extra time brushing and combing through their hair to prevent knots, tangles and painful mats. We advise you to comb through the coat at least once a day.
Colors
Miniature Goldendoodles also come in a range of different colors. Golden Retrievers can be a dark golden color (also known as red), yellow-golden, or a light cream. A Miniature Poodle can be red, black, tan, cream, apricot, red, or brown.
The most popular colors for Miniature Goldendoodles are cream or golden, however, you can have black, white, grey, red, or even mixed colors!
Grooming needs
Miniature Goldendoodles require lots of grooming, both at home and with a professional. Grooming a Doodle requires daily brushing, combing, and trips to the groomers to prevent painful mats and tangles.
You’ll need to invest lots of time and money in keeping your Mini Goldendoodle looking their best. The good thing is, there are plenty of Goldendoodle haircuts you can browse for inspiration each time you go to the groomer!
Health problems
Mini Goldendoodles can have the same health problems that Mini Poodles or Golden Retrievers have. This includes:
- Cancer: Golden Retrievers have one of the highest rates of cancer of all dog breeds.
- Hip Dysplasia: Hip Dysplasia is a painful joint pain that is common in both Goldens and Poodles.
- Dental Disease: Miniature Poodles are more likely than other dog breeds to have teeth-related issues. It’s important to clean your dog’s teeth daily and take them to see a doggie dentist at least once a year.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): PRA is a group of genetic eye diseases that can lead to blindness.
- Hypothyroidism: This is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. It can cause weight gain, fatigue, and other symptoms.
- Ear infections: Dog breeds with floppy ears are more prone to ear infections. Regular ear cleanings will help prevent infections.
You can keep your Mini Goldendoodle healthy by going to the vet frequently and feeding them high-quality food.
Related: Goldendoodles versus Labradoodles
Cost
A Mini Goldendoodle puppy will be anywhere from $1,500-$3,000. The price depends on where you live, the pedigree of the parents, and other factors.
Where to find Mini Goldendoodle puppies
Reputable breeders
The most obvious place to find Mini Goldendoodle Puppies is from a reputable breeder. Be very wary of people selling puppies through online marketplaces and on social media.
Here are a few tips to make sure you are purchasing a puppy from a reputable breeder:
- Always ask the breeder for references
- Ask if you can come to meet the parents and the puppies
- Ask for health certificates and testing (to ensure the parent dogs don’t pass any genetic diseases to the puppies)
- Make sure the breeder screens you as well (the breeders should do their own due diligence to ensure their pups are going to good homes)
- If the Mini Goldendoodles are going for a cheap price, there’s probably a reason…be very careful
Dog rescues
You can also adopt a Mini Goldendoodle! Search through our list of Doodle rescues here to see what dogs are up for adoption in your area.
While you may not be able to find a Mini Goldendoodle puppy at a rescue, you can likely find other Poodle mixes who are waiting to find forever homes. (We adopted our Labradoodle after he became available for adoption at the agency we foster with!)
You can also contact breeders in your area to see if they have a Miniature Goldendoodle up for adoption. We have put together a directory of Goldendoodle breeders, which you can look through to find one near you.
Why you shouldn’t get a Mini Goldendoodle
In every blog post, I include a reason why you might want to reconsider the breed in question. Getting a dog is a huge responsibility, and unfortunately, when it comes to Doodle dogs, more and more are ending up in shelters because people get them and don’t realize they aren’t a fit for their lifestyle.
If you’re on the fence, here’s a few reasons why a Mini Goldendoodle might not be the right dog for you:
- Mini Goldendoodles require lots of grooming: you’ll want to set aside time every day—or every other day—to brush and comb your Mini Goldendoodle.
- Mini Goldendoodles are expensive: because they don’t shed, Mini Goldendoodles need frequent trips to the groomers. Spending $100+ every six to eight weeks adds up.
- Mini Goldendoodles need plenty of exercise and mental enrichment: these aren’t low-energy dogs by any means. If you want a lazy dog, the Mini Goldendoodle is not the right pup for you.
- Mini Goldendoodles need lots of attention: Mini Goldendoodles won’t do well with families that work long hours and are away from the home for long periods of time.
If you’re fine with the above points, then the Mini Goldendoodle might just be a great addition to your family!
Summary
Miniature Goldendoodles are perfect for people who want the personality of a Golden Retreiver and the intelligence of a Poodle mixed up in one fantastic dog.
They’re social, loyal, and easy to train!
Do you have a Mini Goldendoodle? Drop a comment and tell us what yours is like!
FAQs
Mini Goldendoodles can be quiet dogs with the right training and socialization, making them great for apartment living and attached dwellings.
Mini Goldendoodles make good apartment dogs as long as they get enough exercise.
Mini Goldendoodles are snuggly dog but don’t confused their cuddly-nature with low energy! Mini Goldendoodles need lots of playtime and exercise.
Yes! Mini Goldendoodles are fantastic with children. Just be sure to keep a close eye on your children when they play with any animals and be sure to educate young children on the proper way to interact with animals.
No, Mini Goldendoodles are not recognized by the American Kennel Club as they are a Golden Retriever Poodle mix, and are not purebred dogs.
Mini Goldendoodles are great dogs when they get proper socialization, training, and exercise.
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Veterinary Disclaimer: travellingwithadog.com is not a substitute for veterinary advice and does not intend to provide any type of veterinary advice for your animals. Please consult your vet for any questions you have regarding your pets health.
About the Author:
Dana owns a Sheepadoodle and a rescue merle Labradoodle. Her first dog growing up was a white Toy Poodle and she’s loved dogs ever since. She has years of experience fostering dogs and has helped find homes for a variety of different breeds, both large and small! After seeing so many dogs end up unwanted and in shelters, she began blogging about different dog breeds (specifically Doodle dogs, since that’s what she knows best) to help people make informed choices when adding a new member to their family.
When Dana’s not brushing her Doodles’ hair (it takes a lot of time for two!) you can find her playing nose work games and fetch with her two amazing pups.
Learn more about her here.
We have 2 golden doodles– no brushing required! Maybe we just got lucky, but their hair is low maintenence. We get them groomed every 6 weeks or so, and bathe them in between, but that’s it. No brushing. Our black golden doodle doesn’t shed, but our apricot one does shed a little. They are the smartest, easiest dogs ever. I highly recommend them. They play hard about 30 minutes a day, but they nap a big part of the day, too. They were the easiest dogs to potty train. They learn new things almost always on the first time they’re trained. They are cuddly, sweet, love people and other dogs and pets. I’ve never seen them not warm up to anyone. They are very curious and need a lot of toys and things to do– they’re sooo smart. As long as they have toys and simulation, they have never torn up shoes, furniture, etc. They’re just about the perfect dog!