Mini Goldendoodles are a smaller variety of the popular and larger Goldendoodle.
These petite dogs are the result of breeding between a Golden Retriever and a Miniature Poodle.
The result is a small dog that can make an excellent companion or family pet depending on each individual’s personal circumstances.
Mini Goldendoodles, like all the Doodle varieties, have proven popular with dog lovers worldwide thanks to their low-shedding coats.
Their goofy personalities, inherited from the Golden Retriever breed, has results in social media stardom for some members of the cross breed.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at Mini Goldendoodle pros and cons, looking at some of the advantages of these so-called designer dogs as well as some of the potential challenges.
We’ll speak to Insta-famous Mini Goldendoodles called Bentley (@minidoodlebentley), Willow (@willows_world15) and Nugget (@nugget_my_minigoldendoodle) and Bruno (@thedoodbrunello).
Pros
Apricot Goldendoodle (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Small size
One of the advantages of the Mini Goldendoodle over the Goldendoodle is their size. Mini Goldendoodles have an average size range of from 13 to 17 inches (The Standard Goldendoodle have a size range of 17 and 20 inches). Mini Goldendoodles tend to weigh between 15 and 35 pounds (Standard Goldendoodles will usually weigh between 15 and 35 pounds). Mini Goldendoodles could be more adept at apartment-living or city life considering their smaller size, especially if owners have limited space in a high rise or townhome.
Willow’s owners gave us an idea of the size of their Insta-pup (@willows_world15).
Willow is about 25lbs and is a pretty average size. We know a few Mini Goldendoodles that are in the low 30s and I believe they can go up to 35lbs.
No shedding
Mini Goldendoodles don’t shed much – if at all. While the Golden Retriever is a moderate shedder, the Poodle breed is well-known as a hypoallergenic breed that doesn’t product much dander. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about lots of hair on your clothes, furniture and collecting on the floor. However, it’s worth remembering that every dog is different and there is no absolute guarantee that your Mini Goldendoodle won’t shed a little, or trigger your allergies if you’re allergic to dogs considering saliva is also considered an allergen!
Nugget’s parents (@nugget_my_minigoldendoodle) highlighted how different generations of Mini Goldendoodles may have different levels of shedding.
F1 (Golden Retriever + Poodle) have a tendency to shed more than F.1B (Goldendoodle + Poodle). But it really depend on the dog. My dog is a F1 and he doesn’t shed at all and have a wavy coat. The one’s with the flat coat will shed more (the have more of the Golden Retriever gene than the Poodle). They require a lot of grooming to avoid mats. I brush my dog regularly and send him to the groomer every 6 weeks max to avoid him to be shaved.
Portable
If you’re looking for a dog you can take everywhere with you, Mini Goldendoodles could be the right fit for you. These small dogs are portable and versatile, so they can easily fit in a dedicated dog carrier or backpack, a doggie carseat and in a travel crate. You’ll be able to enjoy lots of exciting adventures with your canine companion, whether you like to explore your local area or you’re a frequent flyer.
Apartment-friendly
Some apartments have rules about the breeds and size of dogs that they’ll allow on their premises. Mini Goldendoodles are a small breed that don’t need a lot of space to live provided these hybrid dogs get sufficient daily exercise. If you’re familiar with the Mini Goldendoodle cross breed, you’ll almost certainly have spotted some examples of this designer dog in big cities such as New York and London. In fact, a quick scour on social media suggests there’s lots of meet-ups – so you can embrace the social element of being a Mini Goldendoodle owner.
Family dogs
It won’t come as a surprise to learn that Mini Goldendoodles can thrive in a family setting seeing as one of their parents is perhaps the most family-friendly of all dog breeds. Modern films have long showcased the caring, loving and loyal nature of the Golden Retriever. The Mini Goldendoodle may also inherit some of these traits, although their small size requires parents to educate their children on how to respectfully interact and play with these dogs.
Willow’s owners (@willows_world15) highlighted their Mini Goldendoodle’s friendly nature.
They are extremely family-friendly dogs. They’re incredibly loving, goofy and social. They love humans and pets alike. It’s important to socialize them as they grow with other pets/kids.
Cons
Goldendoodle puppy (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Maintenance
While most Mini Goldendoodles will be low-shedding dogs, it does come at a price – sort of. They’ll require some maintenance to promote a healthy coat, ensuring dead hair is removed as well as getting rid of any debris and dirt. By regularly brushing your Mini Goldendoodle, you’ll also remove any potential allergens brought in from outside such as pollen from plants. Many Mini Goldendoodle owners will take their dog to a groomer every few months for a trim – too. This costs money so you’ll need to budget for a professional groom as well as dedicate some time each week to brushing.
Willow (@willows_world15) doesn’t shed any more than her human family members.
Willow doesn’t shed (anymore than I do lol) and we brush her consistently to minimize any loose hairs. Mini Goldendoodles are a hypoallergenic breed. I am allergic to dogs as are my parents and none of us have any reaction to Willow. We have Willow groomed every 5 weeks.
Price
Mini Goldendoodles are often dubbed an example of a designer breed – so you can probably get the hint that these dogs are expensive to buy. Their cost fluctuate depending on the breeder, coat color, generation and size. Based upon our research, Mini Goldendoodles will usually cost between $1000 and $5,000 but some Mini Goldendoodle may fetch a price up to $10,000.
High energy
If you’re looking for a dog that can fit into apartment or city life but won’t need a lot of exercise, a Mini Goldendoodle probably isn’t the right dog for you. The offspring of two active dog breeds traditionally used to hunt water fowl, Mini Goldendoodles will require a lot of exercise. We’re talking about at least an hour of exercise a week, whether that’s a walk, trip to the dog park or playtime in the garden.
Alexandra revealed that Bruno (@thedoodbrunello) needs a nightly walk or else he’s a “terror”.
We walk him and get him to the park as much as possible or he is a complete terror at night.
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety can affect any dog irrespective of breed or mix. It’s a chronic canine condition that manifests itself when dog owners are about to leave the home or have left the home. With their dog at home alone, their separation anxiety rises to the surface in a variety of possible ways. They may bark, howl or whine, they could resort to destructive behaviours such as chewing and digging, or in some extreme cases, do their business inside the home. Mini Goldendoodles are prone to separation anxiety, although every dog is different.
Nugget (@nugget_my_minigoldendoodle) does suffer with some separation anxiety.
I would say it depend on the dog. My dog is always with us so yes he get’s a little anxious when left alone but it doesn’t last long.
Barking
Poodles are sometimes dubbed a loud breed, with the tendency to bark at anything. This is a trait that a Mini Goldendoodle could potentially inherit. This could result in your dog sounding the alarm if they notice a squirrel outside, a neighbour arriving at their home, the mailman coming to your door or any unfamiliar noise. If your Mini Goldendoodle does excessively bark, you could work on it with a dog behaviorist. While this is a trait that some Mini Goldendoodle owners encountered, not all members of the cross breed will have this trait.
