The Mini Labradoodle and the Mini Goldendoodle are fantastic breeds to own. They are both adorable and make perfect pets. It can be hard to choose between the two. Today we are going to be comparing the Mini Labradoodle & Mini Goldendoodle. By the time we finish, you will see how they fit into your family.
Origin
The best way to examine how these two Mini Doodles are similar is to look at their origins. Both the Mini Labradoodle and Mini Goldendoodle are mixed breeds. They are both half Poodle, which gives them their hypoallergenic coats. Standard Poodles are a hunting breed specifically for hunting ducks. Their curly coats are waterproof, which makes it easier for maintenance after an extended hunting season. After a few centuries, the Poodle was developed for smaller companion sizes, like the mini and toy versions. These smaller Poodles are what allows us to make Mini Doodles.
The other half of a Mini Labradoodle is the Labrador Retriever. The Lab is also originally a hunting breed that is eager to please and intelligent. They are accessible to this day as hunting companions and as service dogs. The first Labradoodle cross was to create a hypoallergenic seeing-eye dog in the 1980s. They have since become one of the most popular Doodle breeds and now come in smaller varieties.
The Mini Goldendoodle is half Golden Retriever. These are again another hunting variety of dogs. They specifically had the task of fetching waterfowl shot from the sky. Their gentle mouths, high intelligence, and willingness to please is what made them so great at their jobs. The first Goldendoodle started as a hypoallergenic guide dog. When the Doodle fame stormed America, breeders started cross-breeding for smaller breeds. That is when the Mini Goldendoodle came around.
Temperament
You would think that since both of these Doodles have similar starts, that they would behave similarly as well. And while they do have some things in common, they couldn’t be any more different.
The Mini Labradoodle is a very loyal and obedient dog. Their tiny natures are very energetic and love to meet new people. The Mini Labradoodle is also very confident and shows surprising courage for such little things. They are also very loving to their families and willing to do anything to make you happy.
The Mini Goldendoodle has a very calm temperament. They are gentle creatures that care about their owner’s wellbeing. But don’t let their sweet demeanor fool you. The Mini Goldendoodle is also very playful and goofy. The Mini Goldendoodle is excellent for a family because of their good nature.
Training
Both the Mini Labradoodle and Mini Goldendoodle are brilliant breeds. They learn quick and love to please their owners. You can use this to your advantage with positive reinforcement training. When appropriately trained, they are well-behaved dogs. They potty train effortlessly and enjoy the training process. As long as you have a treat and tell them how wonderful they are, they will do anything.
These Doodles have such high intelligence, that it is vital to keep their minds busy. You will want to have plenty of toys for rotation, and puzzles for when you are gone. If your Doodle is not mentally stimulated, they could become bored and destructive. This is especially for people who work. You will want to provide enough mentally stimulating toys to keep your pup busy while you are away. Otherwise, you might come home to find a destroyed house.
Energy Levels
Here is where the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle differ. No matter what size the Labradoodle is, they are a high-energy dog. They need to have at least an hour of exercise a day to keep them happy and healthy. They love to be outside, going on ventures and playing games with their owners. The Mini Labradoodle also loves to run. They are perfect for people who spend a lot of time outdoors.
The Mini Goldendoodle is a moderately active dog. They enjoy running around and playing, but they can be just as happy indoors spending time with you. They do well with 20-30 minutes of exercise daily and they love walks and playing games like fetch with their owners. As your Goldendoodle ages, you might need to encourage them to exercise to keep them thin and trim.
Coat Type
Both the Mini Labradoodle and Mini Goldendoodle have similar coat types. They can have either a straight, wavy, or curly coat type. Curlier coats are typically hypoallergenic and shed very little. While straight coats shed as a short-coated breed would. Genetics is a fickle thing with Doodles, mainly depending on what generation they are. An F1 cross is likely to produce slightly larger puppies and wavy hair. And F1B crosses typically have smaller puppies and curlier coats. F2 crosses are very unpredictable and not as common.
If having a puppy with a specific coat type is your goal, you should talk to your breeder. They can help guide you and even show you pictures of past litters. An experienced breeder can tell what type of coat your puppy will have as early as six weeks.
Grooming
Since both of these Doodles have the same coat types, they have identical grooming requirements. The biggest complaint that owners have about Doodles is that they require a lot of grooming. You will have to brush your Doodle every day. Skipping days on active dogs with long hair can be disastrous. You will find that they mat easily, and those mats are impossible to get out.
We recommend having at least three types of brushes on hand. A metal comb to tease out knots is best to start grooming with. Once that is done, you will want to brush your Doodle with a long pin slicker brush to help make sure that you have detangled everything. And in case of any knots that go unnoticed, we recommend having a dematting rake to make detangling as painless as possible. If you are brushing every day, you likely won’t have to use the dematting rake often.
Your Doodle will need to see a professional groomer every 6-12 weeks to keep up with coat health. They will give your dog a bath and hair cut along with any other services you may need. Your groomer can also teach you how to care for your Doodle’s coat properly. They can make recommendations, and always have your dog’s health first in mind. You will need a groomer for your dog’s entire life, so it’s best to be very acquainted with them.
Size and Lifespan
You would think that since both of these Doodles are minis that they would be the same size. But they are slightly different. The Mini Goldendoodle averages about 15-30 pounds. While the Mini Labradoodle averages 16-25 pounds. These sizes can vary on what generation Doodle that you get, and how large the parents were. Should there ever be any question about what to expect, your breeder can guide you.
Both the Mini Labradoodle and Goldendoodle have the same lifespan of 10-15 years. You can increase this longevity with a few quick tips. Firstly you will need to have a reputable breeder that produces healthy puppies. Secondly, you will need a high-quality diet with adequate exercise. And last you will need to have regular vet check-ups to make sure that your pup is staying healthy.
Medical Concerns
We mentioned above that having a reputable breeder and regular vet check-ups are very important. The reason these are important is that both of these breeds are prone to specific medical concerns. If you have a reputable breeder, they make sure that they are breeding healthy dogs that produce healthy offspring. And having regular vet check-ups help catch any concerns that might come up. These all improve your dog’s health to live the best life they can.
Some Mini Labradoodle concerns are:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Eye disease including cataracts
- Epilepsy
- Frequent ear infections
- Allergies to food and environment
- Addison’s disease
- And Von Willebrands disease
Some Mini Goldendoodle concerns are:
- Eye diseases
- Bloat
- Ear infections
- Von Willebrands disease
- Joint problems
- Hypothyroidism
- And Skin allergies
Knowing these common health concerns can help you notice the signs sooner and plan for them.
Cost
The last part of this comparison is the price. Mini Labradoodles can cost anywhere from $1,500-$2,500 and Mini Goldendoodles $1,500-$3,500. These price ranges vary on location, breeder, and what variety of Doodle you are getting. Should you ever be looking for a rare type of Doodle, they can cost more and have a longer waiting list.
But for prices like these, you will want to make sure you are doing your homework. You will want to double-check your breeder to be sure that for the price you are paying, you are getting a high-quality pup. You should, at the minimum, receive health certificates, DNA testing from parents, shots, and deworming. Most reputable breeders do have contracts as well to make sure that their puppies are going to good homes.
In Conclusion
Which one will you choose? The Mini Labradoodle and Mini Goldendoodle are perfect breeds for many families. We hope you see the subtle differences in these Doodles and how they might fit into your lifestyle. Now you can make a well-informed decision on your next family pet.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
