Everyone seems to always talk about the Labradoodle. The Standard Labradoodle is cute, energetic, and full of life. So we can see why it’s so easy to find information about them. But what about the Mini Labradoodle? What’s it like to own Mini Labradoodle? Keep reading to find out!
How Big Does A Mini Labradoodle Get?
The first thing everyone is curious about is how small a Mini Labradoodle is. Well, breeders achieve the Mini by crossing a Labrador Retriever female with a Mini Poodle male. The reason for this exact cross is that Lab puppies would be too large for the Mini Poodle. So most breeders opt to inseminate their Lab females for safety artificially.
You can expect your Mini to stand 14-16 inches tall at the shoulder. And they weigh no more than 15-25 pounds. And at what age is a Mini Labradoodle full grown? Smaller dogs are usually full size within 9-12 months. However, it might take them a little bit longer to mature mentally.
These smaller sizes have so many benefits. Not only are they great for apartment living, but they also make great pets for children. Small dogs are less of a fall risk with young toddlers and children. And the icing on the cake with these small dogs is that they will save you time and money. Let’s look more closely below.
Temperament
These hybrid dogs are the perfect blend of both the Mini Poodle and Lab. Mini Poodles make the best companion dogs that are loyal, intelligent, and self-confident. Meanwhile, Labs are gentle, outgoing, and brilliant breeds.
So what does this mean for the Mini Labradoodle? Do Mini Labradoodles like to cuddle? Your Mini Labradoodle will be a social butterfly that creates strong bonds with its owners. Many owners find that their Mini displays such loyalty and affection that it makes them the perfect dog.
But they are also a playful breed. These dogs go, go, go all day long. They love games and doing any of the activities that you like to do. The Mini Labradoodle is excellent for those who want a large breed’s personality and stamina in a small package.
Mini Labradoodle Energy Levels
Are Mini Labradoodles hyper? While Minis are high energy dogs, they aren’t exactly what you would call hyper. But they do need 30-60 minutes of activity a day to keep them happy. If your Mini Labradoodle doesn’t get the exercise they need, you might find that they seem more hyper than usual.
The important thing to remember with Mini Labradoodles is that they don’t need all this exercise at once. For young pups, you could do a 30-minute walk twice a day. For older dogs, 15-minute walks scattered throughout the day is also a great option. The Mini Labradoodle’s small body wears out quickly. So after a short walk, they will come home to nap for a while.
But let’s not forget to exercise your Labradoodle’s mind. Mini Labradoodles are intelligent and social. So when they are left alone for too long, they will need activities to keep them busy. Some great options to add to your toy rotation are:
Training And Intelligence
Both Poodles and Labradors are some of the smartest dog breeds in the world. And yes, they passed down this intelligence to their hybrid offspring as well. Your Mini Labradoodle will be easy to train and learns anything you throw at them.
The Labradoodle’s trainability has a lot to do with their loyalty and eagerness to please. They want their favorite people to be proud of them. So when you reward them with treats and praise, it encourages them to do it more. Using positive reinforcement training, your Mini Labradoodle will learn just about anything.
Do Mini Labradoodles Bark A Lot?
No one likes small yappy dogs that never seem to be quiet. You know the ones. The little dogs the neighbor has that bark every time you go outside or see leaves blow across the yard. You might have the idea that all small dogs are like this. But what’s it like to own Mini Labradoodle? Are they loud too?
You don’t have to worry about your Mini Labradoodle being like this. These dogs are relatively quiet and fair well in any living situation. The only time Mini Labradoodles start to get vocal is when they get antsy. So if you begin to notice more barking, it might be time to up the mental and physical stimulation these guys get.
So you will never have to worry about becoming that annoying neighbor.
Mini Labradoodle Coat Type
When you own a Doodle, you will spend a lot of time thinking about hair. Labradoodles of all sizes have what breeders call a hypoallergenic coat. But don’t be fooled by the terminology here. Hypoallergenic coats only mean that your Mini Labradoodle won’t shed as much as other dogs. They do still produce dander, which is what people are typically allergic to.
So, why do they call it hypoallergenic if you can still be allergic to the Doodle? Having a hypoallergenic coat can be excellent for several things. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, having a dog that sheds less prevents some triggers. Hypoallergenic dogs are also perfect for family members who suffer from eczema or asthma because they won’t trigger inflammation. Not to mention we love that you won’t have to clean the house as much with a low shedding dog.
The Mini Labradoodle can come in any color you can imagine. And they come in either a straight, wavy, or curly coat. While your dog’s color is about preference, the coat type is something you should think about. Curlier coats are the most hypoallergenic and have virtually no shedding. In comparison, straight coats are the least hypoallergenic and shed like other dogs.
Mini Labradoodle Grooming Needs
So all of that hair we just talked about is great for many reasons. But it’s also very high maintenance. For starters, you will need to brush your Mini Labradoodle every day. Starting with a detangling comb and then switching to a slicker brush gets deep in the hair.
Occasionally though, your Labradoodle might get a hard knot or mat. These are common with active dogs. And as long as you keep up focusing on high friction areas, you won’t deal with this often behind the ears and armpits. But if you do, you will want to use a dematting rake to detangle slowly. Working your way from ends to root is the fastest way for this job while protecting your dog’s skin.
On top of daily brushing, you will need to take your Mini Labradoodle into the groomer periodically. We recommend grooming every 6-8 weeks to keep your dog feeling fresh and looking nice. These appointments are essential to your dog’s health and well being. Why do you ask?
Groomers are doing a lot more than just cutting your dog’s hair. They are making sure that the hair and skin are in good health. Groomers also take the time to clean your dog and trim their nails to a comfortable length. If any of these grooming tasks are left undone for long, it could be detrimental to their health.
So what’s it like to own Mini Labradoodle? Lots of grooming and worry about hair. But the good news is that since your Labradoodle is so small, this task is much easier. Daily brushing takes less than half the time, and the cost of grooming is cheaper as well. And who doesn’t love that?
Mini Labradoodle Health Concerns
Mini Labradoodles are a very healthy breed altogether. In fact, most Mini Labradoodles have an average lifespan of 12-15 years. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t catch diseases like every other breed. Mini Labradoodles are prone to:
- Bad joints
- Eye disease
- Bloat
- Von Willebrands disease
- And exercise-induced collapse
But you shouldn’t be afraid of getting a Mini Labradoodle. You can prevent most of these diseases by choosing a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders make it their mission to only breed the healthiest dogs. That means that most of these breeders perform DNA tests to catch any genetic defects that could pass down to the puppies.
The other part of your dog’s health is how to take care of them. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can do wonders in prolonging your Labradoodle’s life. And don’t forget regular vet check-ups!
Cost Of A Puppy
Our last section is about how much a puppy will cost you. Mini Labradoodles cost more than your average puppy due to how they are bred and their availability. You can expect to pay anywhere between $1,500-$2,500. But don’t be surprised if some color morphs cost as much as $5,000.
While these prices might seem a little high, we think they are well worth it. Just think about all the other areas where you will be saving money with a Mini Labradoodle. Things like hair cuts, food, toys, and any medications are cheaper for smaller breeds.
Are Mini Labradoodles Good Pets?
We think you will be ecstatic to bring a Mini Labradoodle into the home. These dogs will stick by your side no matter what. They are kind and affectionate dogs that have such a care-free spirit about them. And for the right household, these dogs make perfect pets.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!
