8 Things to Know About the Miniature Goldendoodle (Mini Goldendoodle)

The Miniature Goldendoodle is a cross of a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred miniature or small Poodle, also known as Mini Goldendoodle. It's a small dog breed at about 13 to 20 inches tall, weighing between 40 to 50 pounds. The lifespan of the Miniature Goldendoodle is around 10 to 15 years.

A Miniature Goldendoodle will give you a lifetime of love and companionship but also has a significant chance of developing illnesses and serious medical conditions.

Here is my list of Eight Things to Know About the Miniature Goldendoodle to see if this breed is the right fit for you and your family.

1. Their gentle temperaments make them a great addition to the family.

Mini Goldendoodles make fantastic family pets. They are non-aggressive, highly intelligent, loving, playful, fun, sweet, and enduringly loyal. Sensitive to tone of voice, the mini groodle is eager to please and very social. Additionally, because of their low prey drive, Mini Groodles tend to get along very well with other companion animals, like other dogs and cats.

This hybrid is excellent with kids of all ages, and is gentle enough for interaction with even the youngest children in the family.

2. The Mini Goldendoodle is versatile for various social purposes.

Because of their friendly, gentle natures, Miniature Goldendoodles thrive as service and therapy dogs. Their loyalty, protectiveness, and affability make them an ideal partner for people with disabilities.

Mini Groodles are also excellent sniff dogs and guide dogs, with some even becoming check dogs and steer dogs. This crossbreed is capable of doing it all!

3. Mini Goldendoodles do not make good watchdogs.

While they may be friendly and gentle, the Mini Goldendoodle just might be too friendly and gentle to guard the house when you’re away. This crossbreed is not known to be noisy, and in fact, they bark infrequently. Your Mini Groodle may not even bark when someone comes to the door!

Due to their quietness and openness toward people — even total strangers — the Miniature Goldendoodle is not recommended as a watchdog or as a dog for protection.

4. This hybrid is hypoallergenic and perfect for owners with allergies.

Have you ever wanted a dog but your allergies prevented you from owning one? Do you love dogs but can’t stand vacuuming up furry hairballs all the time? The Mini Goldendoodle might just solve both problems.

One of the essential characteristics of this crossbreed is its low shedding factor. Mini Groodles who have more Golden Retriever in their genes will have longer fur and therefore some minimal amounts of shedding. Those Groodles with more Miniature Poodle in their genetics will rarely shed at all.

Although no breed is entirely allergen-free, the Miniature Goldendoodle is as close as you can get. It’s the perfect dog for easy clean-up and for avoiding allergic reactions.

5. Mini Goldendoodles have a moderate energy level and are easy to train.

The Mini Groodle is a moderately active dog who requires around 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise. They adapt quickly to most hot and cold weather climates, making them an excellent all-weather dog selection. This crossbreed is excitable but will match their energy level to yours, so plan on snuggling on the couch together.

Mini Groodles are eager to please and very smart which means they are incredibly easy to train. This dog will not need many training repetitions because of how swiftly he learns commands. In particular, Mini Groodles make good agility dogs and the retriever in their bloodlines means that many learn to swim and love it.

Miniature Goldendoodles are active enough to help you stay active too, so pick up that leash and head to the park!

6. These dogs are all about low maintenance grooming.

Little to zero shedding equals a typically low maintenance dog. The Miniature Goldendoodle is a relatively easy keeper in the grooming department. As with shedding, the level of grooming is determined by the dog’s genes: a dog with more Golden Retriever will require more frequent grooming, and a dog with more Miniature Poodle will have shorter, curlier hair that requires fewer trips to the dog salon.

Remember that low maintenance grooming doesn’t equal no grooming at all. Even Mini Goldendoodles with curlier hair can experience matting, and occasional trimming and clipping may be necessary, so keep an eye on your dog’s coat and brush when needed.

7. Get ready to have your new buddy by your side — a lot.

Miniature Goldendoodles are so loyal and people-oriented, they may want to be with you all the time, and that can be a problem. Mini Groodles may become too attached to their owners and suffer from separation anxiety when left to their own devices.

Separation anxiety can result in unwanted behavioral issues, such as constant barking, howling, chewing, and other destructive actions. To prevent separation anxiety, make sure you socialize your Mini Groodle properly and give him plenty of mental stimulation, such as puzzles, to ward off boredom (and chewed up furniture) until you return home.

8. Parentage presents some potential health concerns.

All dog breeds have medical issues associated with them, but in the case of a crossbreed like the Miniature Goldendoodle, there is a double dose of concern. Both Golden Retrievers and Poodles have genetic maladies and are prone to certain diseases, like cancer. A dog that is the product of these two pure breeds is, in some cases, doubly exposed to its parent breeds’ weaknesses.

Here is a list of the potentially serious health concerns that mini groodles may develop:

• Progressive retinal atrophy is an inherited disease involving the bilateral degeneration of the retina, eventually resulting in blindness.
• Von Willebrand’s disease is an inherited blood clotting disorder where the dog has an insufficient amount of plasma protein to encourage blood clotting. Dogs suffering from this illness experience excessive bleeding for even minor skin wounds.
• Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) is when a dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid, and expands, placing pressure on surrounding organs.
• Patellar Luxation is a dislocated knee injury common to toy and miniature breeds.
• Hypothyroidism is an illness resulting in an inadequate production of hormones by the thyroid gland.

Other, less severe conditions that the miniature goldendoodle may have are ear infections, allergies, and hip dysplasia.

Always be sure to purchase your dog from a reputable breeder.

Because Miniature Goldendoodles are hybrids, they are susceptible to having health issues and varied coat colors. You can avoid some of the health issues associated with this crossbreed by purchasing your dog from a reliable, proven breeder.

A conscientious, responsible breeder will offer the following:

• a genetic test to check for inherited diseases
• an uninflated, reasonable price
• proper socialization for puppies, preferably with exposure to children
• veterinary records with updated vaccines and worming
• two-year health guarantee

Avoid getting your dog from a puppy mill, and ensure a long, happy, healthy life with your Mini Groodle by purchasing her from a good breeder or adopting her from a rescue organization or shelter.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Conclusion

With a Miniature Goldendoodle, you get the best of both worlds: the friendly, eager to please Golden Retriever, and the loving, loyal Miniature Poodle. The Mini Groodle makes the perfect family dog and is versatile enough for everything from swimming to service. However, Mini Groodles do have some energy, don’t make good guard dogs, and are prone to genetic diseases.

So are you ready for a Miniature Goldendoodle? Many Mini Groodles are thrilled with their canine companion, but you need to determine if this crossbreed will be a good fit for your family and home life.

More info:

• Get to Know the Goldendoodle: A Devoted & Social Dog