15 Things to Know About the Mini Goldendoodle

Mini Goldendoodle on a brick background

The Mini Goldendoodle is a well-sought-after hybrid popular for its adorable looks, warm and playful temperament, and size best suited for apartment living.

This hybrid is a mix between two well-loved dogs — a Golden Retriever and a purebred Miniature Poodle. These dogs are very affectionate, making them great companions that will add joy to your home.

If you want to know more about the Golden Retriever Poodle mix, read this guide. This will provide you with facts about this hybrid and answer some frequently asked questions. 

1. There are different Mini Goldendoodle generations

Mini Goldendoodle sitting on the grass

To set things straight, all F1, F1B, and F2 Mini Goldendoodles are Goldendoodles. The primary difference between these three is in their ancestry, resulting in a slight difference in these dogs’ appearance.

F1 Mini Goldendoodles have Golden Retriever and Poodle parents, while F1B Mini Goldendoodles have a Poodle and an F1 Goldendoodle parent. 

F2 Mini Goldendoodles, on the other hand, are entirely produced from F1 Goldendoodle parents.

2. There are 13 Mini Goldendoodle colors and varying patterns

Mini Goldendoodle near the stream

Thanks to their Poodle origins, Mini Goldendoodles are available in different colors, such as chocolate/brown, apricot, cream, champagne, red, white, tan, silver beige, black, black and white, gray, blue, and silver. 

Aside from the colors mentioned, your Mini Goldendoodle puppy may also flaunt a pattern such as sable, brindle, merle, phantom, tuxedo, abstract, or parti-colored.

3. The price of a Miniature Goldendoodle is affected by different factors

Mini Goldendoodle smiling

Besides the fact that the breeding process of this designer dog took years to perfect, there are other factors that are taken into account for pricing a Mini Goldendoodle, including its coat type, coat color, and size. 

Miniature Goldendoodles may come in either straight, wavy, or curly coats, depending on their generation. 

However, first-generation Goldendoodles are frequently curly puppies which are often non-shedding. This makes them more costly than those with straight coats.

As with its coat color, phantom and tuxedo varieties of a Mini Goldendoodle puppy cost much higher than brown and apricot Goldendoodle puppies.

On the other hand, smaller Mini Goldendoodle sizes like Toy, Micro, and Teacups are usually higher than standard Goldendoodle mostly because this dog breed took a lot of time and effort to be produced and developed. 

4. Mini Goldendoodles may develop health conditions common to their parent breeds

Mini Goldendoodle sitting by the beach

Since Mini Goldendoodles are a mix of two dog breeds, they may be doubly exposed to the medical conditions their parent breeds have.

For instance, Golden Retrievers and Poodles have genetic maladies, and both are prone to diseases like cancer. 

Since both are genetic diseases, there is a huge chance that your Miniature Goldendoodle will develop this disease later on in life.

Besides this, Mini Goldendoodles may also develop potentially serious health concerns such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), bloat, patellar luxation, and Von Willebrand’s disease.

Note that Von Willebrand’s disease and bloat can be life-threatening to your Golden Retriever Miniature Poodle mix puppy.

On the other hand, less severe conditions that Miniature Goldendoodles may have include allergies, hip dysplasia, and ear infections.

While allergies, hip dysplasia, and ear infections are dubbed to be less severe. These conditions may affect the quality of life of your Miniature Goldendoodle.

That said, it is very important that you regularly check with your dog’s veterinarian. This is to ensure that your Miniature Goldendoodle is in tip-top shape and prevent serious diseases. 

5. The Mini Goldendoodle is not hypoallergenic but is a low-shedding dog

Mini Goldendoodle exploring outdoors

If you are a big-time dog lover but hesitant to own one because of allergies, the Miniature Goldendoodle is the perfect and right dog for you!

One of their best characteristics is that Mini Goldendoodles shed less compared to other dog breeds.

Mini Goldendoodles with more Golden Retriever in their genes have longer fur and will have a minimal amount of shedding, while Mini Goldendoodle puppies with more Poodle in their genes rarely ever shed.

Pet owners and future pet owners alike should keep in mind that no breed is purely allergen-free, but this Golden Retriever Poodle mix is as close as you can get.

6. Mini Goldendoodles are relatively easy to train

Mini Goldendoodle puppy playing fetch

These curly coat puppies are people pleasers by nature, which is most likely influenced by their Golden Retriever parent breed. These dogs are very smart, too, which makes them easy to train. 

Although Mini Goldendoodles are high-energy dogs, they will only need a few training repetitions because of how quickly they can learn commands.

Most Mini Goldendoodles are active enough to keep you active, too—they make good agility dogs, and many learn to swim. 

With consistent training and early socialization, along with positive reinforcement training, there is no doubt your pup can be the most trained Doodle in the household.

7. Mini Goldendoodles live up to 15 years or longer

Mini Goldendoodle puppy walking on the grass

Generally, the lifespan of a Miniature Goldendoodle reaches between 10 and 15 years, thanks to the increased lifespan of a Toy Poodle. Unknown to many, smaller dogs have longer lifespans. 

However, as always, these dogs need proper diet, exercise, and grooming to live longer. 

That said, it is best for people planning to own a Mini Goldendoodle to ensure their dog is in good health by researching a reputable breeder and avoiding buying from a puppy mill. 

8. Mini Goldendoodles are great companion dogs

Mini Goldendoodle sitting near a fountain

Since the Mini Goldendoodle is a people-pleaser, they make for a great canine companion. 

Mini Groodles are also extremely friendly that kids and grandparents alike would love to have them around.

Unfortunately, their loving personality has a downside. A Miniature Goldendoodle can struggle with being left alone and may experience separation anxiety.

These dogs may cry, dig, and chew when left without their owners. That said, it is best to find a dog daycare or a pet sitter if there is a need to leave them.

9. The Mini Goldendoodle puppy is considered a designer breed

Mini Goldendoodle in a dock

The Mini Goldendoodle puppy is a mix between a Miniature or Toy Poodle and a purebred Golden Retriever, so this hybrid is considered a designer breed. 

While the title sounds appealing, the downside to being labeled as one is that the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize this dog breed. 

That said, despite these Mini Golden Doodles having likable characteristics, they still cannot join in dog shows set by the said organization. 

10. A Miniature Goldendoodle has a cousin

Mini Labradoodle puppy with eyes hidden on its fur

Not everyone knows this, but Mini Goldendoodles have cousins — the Mini Labradoodles!

Like the Mini Groodles, the Mini Labradoodles or Miniature Labradoodles are a crossbreed between a purebred toy Poodle and a purebred Labrador Retriever.

Due to the size and temperament, both Mini Goldendoodle and Mini Labradoodles are perfect for apartment living or dog lovers with smaller homes. 

11. Mini Goldendoodles have many aliases

Mini Goldendoodle playing with a toy indoors

One might be confused about what this hybrid is called because of the many aliases it has in different parts of the world. 

In Australia, Mini Goldendoodles are called Groodles or Mini Groodles. Meanwhile, they are called Goldenpoos, Goldiepoos, or Doodles in other countries. 

However, future pet owners must remember that Labradoodles, Bernadoodles, and Aussiepoodles are not the same breed as Mini Goldendoodles.

Note that Goldendoodles are bred from Poodle and Golden Retriever parents, while the other dogs are mixes of toy Poodles and other dog breeds.

12. The Mini Goldendoodle is not the best watchdog

Mini Goldendoodle side profile

Although the Mini Goldendoodle is intelligent, this Mini Poodle mix is not the best option for watch or guard dogs.

Their pleasing personalities outweigh their skill to defend themselves and their owners. They are unlikely to bark at someone knocking on the door and are more likely to greet anyone warmly.

This adorable temperament and characteristic is the main reason why Mini Goldendoodle owners opt to choose them as a pet — they are the best therapy dogs!

13. The first cross between a Golden Retriever and Poodle was bred by Charles Dickens’ granddaughter

Mini Goldendoodle playing in the forest

Monica Dickens, the granddaughter of English writer and social critic Charles Dickens, was claimed to have been the first person to breed the first cross between a Golden Retriever and a Mini Poodle in 1969. 

This designer dog, however, did not become popular then, but it did gain popularity in the 1990s.

The Goldendoodle first appeared in the United States in the early to mid-1990s and quickly gained popularity among pet owners even though they were a newer hybrid.

14. The smallest Mini Goldendoodle measures 13 inches tall

Mini Goldendoodle walking on the snow

The tiniest Goldendoodle ever recorded measures 13 to 15 inches tall and only weighs 15 pounds. Groodles this size are usually referred to as Teacup or Micro Goldendoodles. 

Mini Goldendoodles tend to have a higher cost since breeders allot more effort and time in producing and breeding this size variety to avoid medical conditions that may later develop in the puppies.

15. The Miniature Goldendoodle is apartment-friendly

Mini Goldendoodle puppy inside an apartment

If you want to take home a Standard Goldendoodle but can’t due to its size, then the Goldendoodle Mini is the best option for you!

Unlike Standard Goldendoodles, this Miniature Poodle and Golden Retriever mix won’t take up too much space as they are small, and they also won’t need a large space to play and run around. 

These dogs are low-shedders too, so there is a huge chance that you can own a Golden Retriever Miniature Poodle mix in a pet-friendly apartment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adorable mini Goldendoodle walking outdoors

How Big Does a Mini Goldendoodle Get?

The Mini Goldendoodle is a mixed dog breed making it hard to say which genes Miniature Goldendoodles will inherit and what traits they will get from which parent.

However, it can be expected that Mini Goldendoodle puppies are on the smaller side, with most Mini Goldendoodles weighing between 15 and 35 pounds and measuring around 13 to 20 inches tall.

Are Mini Goldendoodles Good Dogs?

Generally speaking, Mini Groodles are good dogs. They are known to be sweet, playful, affectionate, smart dogs that make great family pets for people of any age.

Unsurprisingly, Mini Goldendoodles get along with kids really well. However, you must never leave your Goldendoodle Mini and kids unattended while playing. 

Due to their smaller size, these dogs can be prone to injury when they accidentally get stepped on. 

Likewise, Mini Goldendoodles are also the perfect dog for families and individuals who already own a cat or dog of a different breed. This is because these dogs get along with other animals really well, too. 

Are Mini Goldendoodles High Maintenance?

In terms of grooming needs, a Mini Golden Doodle dog, being a Standard Poodle mix, may have higher grooming needs than other dog breeds.

That is why regular grooming and daily brushing of your Mini Goldendoodle’s hair is advised. 

Likewise, taking your Miniature Goldendoodle to a professional groomer once every two months will also be very helpful in keeping your dog’s curly or wavy coat healthy and clean. 

As with this dog’s diet, it is best that a Mini Goldendoodle should only be fed with food that is formulated for small dog breeds. 

It is important to provide them with the highest quality food to ensure your Mini Goldendoodle receives complete and balanced nutritional meals. 

To have a visual idea of what a mini Golden Doodle’s grooming looks like, you can watch this video:

Mini Golden Doddle Haircut - Dog Grooming

How Much Does a Mini Goldendoodle Cost?

Since the Mini Goldendoodle is a designer dog breed that takes longer to produce than purebred dogs, you may expect to pay reputable breeders anywhere between $500 and $4,000.

In most cases, the smaller the Goldendoodle pup is, the higher the price will be. That being said, Teacup, Toy, and Micro Goldendoodles are more expensive than the Mini Goldendoodle. 

However, many other factors affect the price of a Mini Goldendoodle, including the breeder’s location, the Mini Goldendoodle’s generation, and the overall quality of the crossbreed. 

It is important to note that the Mini Goldendoodle is not an inexpensive crossbreed. That said, you must be wary of many breeders selling the Mini Goldendoodle breed at a very low price.

If you find Mini Goldendoodles expensive, you might also opt to adopt them instead. 

Unfortunately, many of these Mini Goldendoodles end up in dog shelters despite being tagged as fancy, designer dogs.

You can try looking for a rescue organization in your area that adopts and rescues both the Golden Retriever and Mini Poodle. Most likely, these shelters also adopt these dogs’ mixes. 

Do Mini Goldendoodles Bark a Lot?

Although Miniature Goldendoodles are active dogs, they are known for being gentle and friendly. That’s why you can expect these Miniature Groodles to be non-prolific barkers. 

While every Goldendoodle puppy is different, Mini Goldendoodles bark infrequently.

Are Male or Female Mini Goldendoodles Better?

It is important to remember that regardless of its gender, the Mini Goldendoodle makes a great family dog. Note, however, that there may be differences between a male and female Mini Golden Doodle.

In terms of size, like other dogs, male Mini Goldendoodle puppies tend to be larger than female Mini Goldendoodles. 

Regarding temperament, behavior, or general health, there are few differences between a male and a female Mini Goldendoodle, so you can’t really choose which of the two sexes is better. 

That said, it all boils down to personal preferences. Regardless of whether you get a male or female Mini Golden Doodle, you will indeed have a companion in your daily life!

Final Thoughts

The Mini Goldendoodle is one of the best, if not the best option for a canine pet if you prefer one that is low-maintenance and a living teddy bear in the form of a curly-haired pup.

Although they could be a bit on the pricey end, the presence and companionship they willingly give make the cost much more worth it. 

Still, you must think twice before getting the Mini Goldendoodle, as taking care of dogs is a commitment of a lifetime that novice owners need to think through.

Do you have thoughts and interesting facts about these miniature furbabies? Leave a comment below about what you think about Miniature Goldendoodles!

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