One of the most popular designer dog breeds right now is the Goldendoodle. A perfect mix between the stylish Poodle & the playful Golden Retriever, the Goldendoodle has many unique attributes that make them a great choice for families.
However, did you know that Goldendoodles come in a variety of sizes? One of the most popular options is the Mini Goldendoodle, which isn’t as big as a standard Doodle or as small as a teacup Doodle.
Here are some essential facts about this unique breed, including the cost, care, and possible drawbacks!
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Mini Goldendoodle Guide
Let’s discuss Mini Goldendoodles & some unique features they have.
Origins of the Mini Golden
The first “Mini Goldendoodle” litter was bred by Amy Lane of Fox Creek Farms on January 11th, 2002. These dogs have passed away but lived long, fulfilling lives with their new families.
Cost
If you buy a Goldendoodle from a reputable breeder, the cost is pretty high, considering they are a popular designer breed. Also, it’s a general rule of thumb that the smaller the dog, the larger the price tag!
Mini Goldendoodles are much more expensive than Standard Doodles because they are in higher demand and are more challenging to breed.
While the exact price depends upon factors like your location, the coat of the Doodle, and the breeder, expect to pay anywhere between $1800 and $3000 for your Mini Goldendoodle.
What Makes a Mini Goldendoodle Special?
Temperament
Mini Goldendoodles are known for their easy-going, fun-loving temperaments, & gentle natures. Their goofy personalities make them a blast to play with, but their Poodle intelligence makes them easy to train.
Their friendly nature makes them great with children; it’s rare to see a case of a Goldendoodle lashing out at the children of the family. This is why Mini Goldendoodles are excellent canine companions.
However, the Mini Goldendoodle’s easy-going personality & short stature means that they don’t really make good guard dogs. Instead, they are very hard-working & attentive guide dogs, service animals, or emotional support pets.
Coat
There are 3 possible coat types for Mini Goldendoodles, each with its pros & cons.
The least popular type is the flat coat; this hair is not hypoallergenic & closely resembles Golden Retriever fur. It is very easy to manage, & dogs with a flat coat are usually a lot cheaper than curlier coat types.
The most common texture is the wavy coat, which gives the Goldendoodles their signature Teddy Bear appearance. This dense coat is a little wavier and slightly hypoallergenic. A wavy coat requires regular grooming.
The most sought-after hair type is the curly coat. This fleece coat is the most hypoallergenic but requires the most maintenance & frequent grooming. Mini Doodles with curly coats tend to be the most expensive out of the litter.
Color
The AKC recognizes that Golden Retrievers come in Dark Golden, Golden, and Light Golden. They also recognize 7 Poodle colors: Apricot, Blue, Silver, Grey, Brown, Cream, and Cafe-au-lait.
Since Poodles come in many colors, there are also loads of color options for Mini Goldendoodles.
Some of the more common Mini Goldendoodle colors include Apricot, Brown, or Cream. More unique colors include Black, Parti, or Sable.
Life Expectancy
Goldendoodles benefit from a natural phenomenon known as “hybrid vigor.” It’s no secret that purebred pups tend to suffer from serious health ailments such as cancer, joint issues, and allergies.
When you crossbreed, you will find that the mixed breed tends to be larger, less prone to genetic diseases and acute conditions, and live longer.
Therefore, Mini Goldendoodles tend to have a life span of 10-15 years. They typically live healthy lives if they are taken care of properly.
Exercise Requirements
Since both Poodles & Golden Retrievers are working dogs, the Mini Goldendoodle is a very active dog breed. They need tons of mental & physical stimulation.
You will notice that he will begin to misbehave if you don’t give your pup ample opportunities to expend his extra energy. This could manifest as barking, whining for no apparent reason, acting aggressively, and rough-housing.
Goldendoodles need at least one 30-minute walk a day to prevent over-excitement. However, remember that Mini Doodles will tucker out faster, given their smaller stature.
How Do I Prepare to Bring a Mini Goldendoodle Home?
If you’re considering bringing a Doodle Mini home for the first time, you will need a few supplies to make the transition much easier.
Crates
Since Mini Doodles are so tiny, I would recommend buying an adult-sized crate, even if you have a puppy. Simply add in a crate divider to limit the amount of space your dog has! This is a great alternative to buying multiple crates in your puppy’s life.
The crate must be made of durable material, have ample ventilation holes, and should be large enough for your pup to enter & turn around in.
Food & Water Bowl
Every dog needs a good food & water bowl! I recommend a bowl with a narrow mouth because those Doodle ears are always getting into everything! A good way to limit ear infections is making sure their ears can’t get into their water bowl & collect bacteria.
Collar + ID
You need a high-quality, durable collar & an ID with essential contact information. This is an absolute necessity for all dogs.
Interactive Toys
The best way to keep your pooch occupied is to give them tons of interactive toys. Mini Doodles are extremely intelligent pups, and they love a challenge. Consider a puzzle toy to pass the time if your pooch is very food-motivated!
Comfort Toys
Also, purchase a couple of soft, snuggly toys that will quickly become your dog’s new favorite friend!
Litter Blanket
As you bring your new pup into your home, you are taking away everything he knows about life, including his home, mother, & littermates.
A good way to make the transition easier is to ask your breeder for a blanket with the litter’s scent on it. By putting this blanket in your dog’s crate for the first few weeks, you will remind him of his home, which should make him a bit more comfortable.
Leash & Harness
While you shouldn’t take your pooch outdoors until he is fully vaccinated, that doesn’t mean you can’t start the leash training process indoors!
To get your pup acclimated to using a leash & being walked, buy a sturdy lead and try to attach your dog to it a few times a day. At first, your Mini Doodle will probably be really scared by the lead, but if you repeat it a few times, he will get the hang of it eventually!
Food & Treats
Of course, the essential thing your Goldendoodle needs is healthy food & treats. For treats, I love to give my dogs whole foods because a ton of treats are actually quite fattening & unhealthy.
My pups love a bit of boiled chicken breast or freeze-dried chicken liver during their training sessions! I recommend kibble with real animal protein, like the Wild Red Kibble by Stella & Chewy.
Care of a Mini Goldendoodle
Grooming
While exact grooming requirements depend on your dog’s coat type, all Mini Goldendoodles need to be bathed & trimmed every 4-6 weeks. You must brush their hair about once a week, but this depends on their fur length.
Make sure to protect their teeth with a doggy toothbrush & toothpaste!
Also, since Mini Doodles have those adorable floppy ears, they are quite prone to ear infections. Take the time to use a cotton ball & a veterinary-approved ear cleanser to clean the visible part of their ears.
Do this every time your pup gets wet or dirty. Don’t ever clean inside the ear canal, and avoid using Q-tips. If the ears begin leaking a foul-smelling discharge, consult your vet immediately.
Vet Visits
In the first year of their life, you will find that you are going to the vet’s office pretty much every day! Young pups need a ton of vaccinations, such as for the canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, canine hepatitis, rabies, Leptospirosis, and Kennel Cough.
There are also a few vaccines that should be administered depending on where you live and what populations your dog will come into contact with. For example, your pup may be immunized against Leptospirosis, Kennel Cough, Lyme Disease, and Canine Influenza if he spends a lot of time with other dogs or in wooded areas.
Boarding
If you plan on leaving your Goldendoodle Mini alone for hours at a time, you may consider investing in puppy boarding. Putting your dog in a kennel or doggy daycare ensures that your pup is being walked frequently, has enough food, and gets tons of attention.
Shop around for boarding solutions. Look at customer reviews and talk to other pet parents. Since Goldendoodles are so friendly & make strong bonds, they are prone to developing separation anxiety. So, you need to find a kennel that will give your dog the attention & care he needs.
Exercise
Exercise is crucial to raising a healthy Mini Goldendoodle. Since both of his parents are working dogs, your Doodle will always be ready to go for a long walk!
Make sure you give him tons of opportunities to release all that pent-up energy, or it may lead to naughty behaviors like biting, whining, or urinating in the house.
Health Issues
Before you bring a Mini Golden home, you might be wondering if they are prone to any health conditions or ailments. This is a super normal fear to have.
Goldendoodle genes predispose them to a few conditions. However, it’s important to remember that genes are only half the story and don’t tell you 100% if your dog will be affected or not.
Dogs bred by responsible breeders who performed health screenings have a nutritious diet, get ample exercise, and are less likely to inherit any of the following medical conditions.
Goldendoodles are predisposed to developing hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, a skin disease known as sebaceous adenitis, Addison’s disease, and a luxating patella.
Mini Goldens, like other smaller breeds, are also prone to Mitral Valve Disease, dental disease due to crowding of the teeth, and obesity.
You might also like: Micro Goldendoodle: The Adorable Doodle
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions by potential Doodle parents.
Are Mini Goldendoodles good dogs?
Yes! I would definitely recommend adopting a Mini Goldendoodle because of its playful temperament, adorable teddy-bear look, and cute size. However, be prepared to pay top dollar for a well-bred Mini Goldendoodle.
These pups are in high demand, and their price tag definitely reflects that.
Do Mini Goldendoodles bark a lot?
A very common question is if Mini Doodles also suffer from “Small Dog Syndrome.” The answer is no! Mini Goldendoodles are known for their calm demeanor, and they usually don’t bark all that much.
If you live in an apartment & are scared about your dog making too much noise, I would say you don’t have to worry too much.
Are Mini Goldendoodles hyper?
Your Mini Goldendoodle likely won’t be too hyper. While they are really active, high-energy pups, if you give them enough exercise & tucker them out during their walks, they won’t be bouncing off the walls.
However, neglecting to take your pup out for walks could lead to over-excitement & high energy. This can manifest in naughty behaviors like barking, whining, destroying furniture, and jumping on their owner.
Do Mini Goldendoodles shed?
Many people buy Goldendoodles due to their somewhat hypoallergenic coats. You may be wondering if Mini Goldendoodles shed. It all depends on their coat type.
A Mini Goldendoodle with a flat coat or a wavy coat will shed a lot more than a Mini Golden with a curly coat.
However, the drawback is that you must brush out your dog’s fur daily to prevent matting. Also, frequent brushing will reduce how much your dog sheds throughout the day.
Frequent brushing will also greatly help with allergies.
Do Mini Goldendoodles smell?
Since Poodles aren’t known to be a smelly breed, Goldendoodles don’t have a partially pungent smell. However, if you don’t take the time to brush your pup once a day and give them a bath when they get dirty, they will certainly have that “Eau de Puppy.”
Conclusion
Mini Goldendoodles are the perfect breed if you love that teddy-bear Goldendoodle look but also want a smaller dog. These dogs are extremely sociable, playful, intelligent, and athletic, making them great for apartment living or as ranch dogs!
If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. If you found this article helpful, please share it with other pet parents.
Thanks for reading!
Thank you. This is a great article.
Most helpful.
I have 3 dogs and my initial inquiry was about life spans.
Thanks for all the info.
Helpful! My mini was one year August 4. Love her to death, easy potty trained only complaint, she barks.
My Goldendoodle was adopted from a shelter four years ago. He was ten years old at the time. He is a joy and hopefully will be with me many more years. He loves people; the more the merrier! He is a barker, but I live in an isolated place so I appreciate this.