Goldendoodles bring life and joy to the home. But not every household is fit for these larger breeds. Luckily for you, you can get a Mini Goldendoodle. These mini varieties have many advantages to larger Doodles. For one, they are great for small children and the elderly because a Mini Goldendoodle won’t knock them over. Minis are also fantastic for smaller homes and apartments. Smaller breeds are cheaper and live longer. So what’s it like to own a Mini Goldendoodle?
What Is The Mini Mixed With?
The Mini Goldendoodle is part Golden Retriever and part Poodle. But in many cases, they are not a 50/50 mix. Many breeders try to achieve the smallest Mini Goldendoodle by making them multigenerational. Currently, there are three ways that reputable breeders use to create minis.
The F1 generation is the largest of all the minis. This cross is 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Mini or Toy Poodle. This hybrid is the most predictable as far as size, coat type, and temperament. They also tend to be the healthiest of any generation.
The next generation is the F1B Mini Goldendoodle. The F1B is created by mixing an F1 Mini Goldendoodle with a Mini or Toy Poodle. That means that this generation is smaller than the first. Another benefit of this Mini Goldendoodle is that they also have the most hypoallergenic coat. Since they are 75% Poodle, they will inherit the non-shedding curly hair.
And finally, we have the second generation Mini Goldendoodle, call the F2. These crosses are 50/50 mixes and retain a lot of the same qualities of the F1 generation. But they are unpredictable and, therefore, more prone to disease and improper coats.
Which Generation Is Best?
Deciding which generation is best for your family depends on your needs. If you want the smallest Mini Goldendoodle possible, an F1B is the best option. If you want a slightly larger mini, an F1 might be the best.
In any case, you should talk to your breeder about all your concerns. Most breeders even keep in touch with past litter owners and give you a better idea of size and temperament. See past litters, and the breeding pair will provide you with the best view of size and temperament.
Mini Goldendoodle Size And Lifespan
What’s it like to own a Mini Goldendoodle? Well, for one, they are like tiny puppies for life. A Mini Goldendoodle full grown can range anywhere from 15-35 pounds. Depending on what generation you get will determine how small your mini is. No healthy Mini Goldendoodle will be smaller than 15 pounds.
Occasionally you will see some breeders label their smaller puppies as a Teacup Goldendoodle. Beware of these breeders as “teacup” is not a recognized size. Most puppies labeled as teacups are runts or the product of breeding parents with genetic defects. No reputable breeder uses this term and is a telltale sign of a backyard breeder.
The Mini Goldendoodle lifespan is 12-15 years. This is longer than the standard sizes, which is good for you. More years equals more time to spend with your beloved best friend. You might even have them around for longer with proper care and breeding. It isn’t uncommon to see some mini breeds living as long as 18 years without any life-threatening illnesses.
Temperament
So, what’s it like to own a Mini Goldendoodle? The Mini Goldendoodle temperament is sweet and gentle. Minis retain the dispositions of the Standard Goldendoodle that we all know and love. Mini Goldens are playful and joyful creatures. If you have an active lifestyle, they will like nothing more than to tag along. But if the outdoors isn’t your cup of tea, your dog won’t mind. They enjoy anything you do.
Many families love Mini Goldendoodles for children because they are careful. Your mini will understand that your children are little and even pick up on their emotions. You might even find that your dog sees your kids as part of their litter as well.
Other Mini Goldendoodle owners love the breed because they make fantastic therapy dogs. When Doodles pick up on bad emotions, they try everything to cheer you up or calm you down. Everything about the Mini Goldendoodle makes them the perfect choice for any family.
Mini Goldendoodle Intelligence
The Mini Goldendoodle learns quickly and loves to please. Golden Retrievers and Poodles alike are intelligent hunting breeds. So it only makes sense that their offspring inherit this intelligence as well. You will notice that your Doodle learns commands and tricks quickly.
Positive reinforcement training styles work best for your Goldendoodle. Since Goldendoodles are so eager to please, giving treats and praise help your dog learn faster. Once they make the connection that doing something gets them rewards, they do it more easily.
Goldendoodle puppies catch on quickly to basics like sit, stay, and potty training. You will even find that your Mini Goldendoodle learns faster than other puppies in training classes. The key is finding their motivators and being consistent. So when asking yourself what’s it like to own a Mini Goldendoodle, training should be near the top of your list.
Energy
Goldendoodles of all sizes are considered moderate energy levels. But unlike larger breeds, your mini will get worn out fast. All your Mini Goldendoodle needs is a 20-30 minute walk a day to stay fit and healthy. That is excellent news for people who don’t get out a lot or like going for long walks.
While their bodies don’t need much stimulation, their minds do. You need to give your Mini Goldendoodle lots of toys, puzzles, and entertainment to keep them happy. Without enough mental stimulation, your puppy will get bored quickly. Boredom often leads to chewing, digging, and marking in the home. So to prevent this, we recommend having a toy rotation with a variety of things.
Coat Types
Do Mini Goldendoodles shed? Most minis are low to non-shedding depending on their coat type. Mini Goldendoodles can have either straight, wavy, or curly hair. And the curlier the hair, the more hypoallergenic it is.
Each of these coat types also comes in a variety of colors. You can get your Goldendoodle in any color you can think of, not just gold. There are also black, chocolate, white, sable, merle, and red. It is hard to choose with so many different colors, especially since each is cuter than the last.
Grooming
Mini Goldendoodle grooming can overwhelm some. But the good news is that since they are small, it isn’t as time-consuming. You should brush your Doodle daily with a steel comb and slicker brush. These tools help catch knots before they get too large.
If a knot gets too large, they begin to mat close to the skin. These larger mats are harder to get rid of and should be taken care of immediately. For this task, you should use a dematting rake. Dematting rakes work just like a comb, except they have small blades that cut through severe tangles. Working from ends to root, these rakes will keep your Doodle from matting more.
In addition to daily brushing, you will also need to take your Goldendoodle to the groomer every 6-8 weeks. During this visit, they will get a bath, nail trim, and hair trim. Without these trims, your Mini Goldendoodle’s hair will continue to grow and become more knotted.
Health
Mini Goldendoodles are overall very healthy. But their health depends on the breeder and cautions that they take. For instance, the F1B generation is more likely to get diseases common in Poodles since they are 75% Poodle. But if your breeder DNA tests all of their breeding dogs, the risk of illness is significantly reduced. Here are a few diseases common in Mini Goldendoodles:
- Bloat
- Ear infections
- Allergies
- Hypothyroidism
- Von Willebrands
- Joint issues
- And eye disease
While these diseases can happen to any breed, they are common in Goldendoodles. Buying from reputable breeders is more expensive, but it also guarantees that these aren’t an issue.
Cost
Our last point is the price point. Mini Goldendoodle puppies have an average cost of about $1,500 across the USA. But they can cost up to $3,000 for rare colors and breeding standards. With this price, you can expect to have DNA testing, health checks, vaccinations, and often a microchip. So the price is well worth it.
If you prefer to adopt and not shop, there may be Goldendoodle options in your area. Some states have amazing Goldendoodle rescues, but they are rare. Another option is to look at Poodle rescues. Most Poodle rescues take Doodles of all kinds because of their grooming requirements. Of course, this route is cheaper, but it also comes with its pros and cons.
So What’s It Like To Own A Mini Goldendoodle?
It’s the bliss of a best friend in a tiny curly package. Your new puppy will bring a smile to your face and make your house feel warm and welcome. And most of all, owning a Mini Goldendoodle will make you a happier, healthier person.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!
