Are you thinking of adding a puppy to your family? A pet is a wonderful addition to your family as long as you get one that fits your lifestyle.
It is important to understand the different dog breeds when you are thinking about adding a dog to your family. Mini golden doodles are currently a very popular pet. Lets take a look to see if this type of dog is a good fit for you!
Today I’m joined by my sister, Katie, who’s owned a mini goldendoodle for the last 6 years. She’s going to give you her firsthand experience on what it’s like to own a mini goldendoodle!
First, let’s take a look at goldendoodles in general.
What is a Goldendoodle?
Standard goldendoodles are the most common of all the poodle mixes. Goldendoodles are dogs that one parent is a purebred poodle and one parent is a purebred golden retriever.
Are Goldendoodles Purebred?
Doodles are considered a hybrid dog, a mixed breed dog, or a designer dog. There is no AKC (American Kennel Club) breed standards for a goldendoodle as goldendoodles are not considered to be a purebred dog.
There are several different types of goldendoodles that are denoted by a letter and number.
F1 Goldendoodle
F1 goldendoodles are first generation goldendoodles. One parent is a standard poodle and one is a golden retriever. This mix is a 50/50 goldendoodle. These dogs are low shedding, very smart and friendly.
If you are looking for a very specific look for your dog an F1 doodle is not for you. Because this is a first generation doodle mix, the look is much more unpredictable.
F1b Goldendoodle
F1b goldendoodles are a mix of an F1 goldendoodle and a poodle. This generation of doodles are extremely likely to be hypoallergenic and non shedding due to the higher level of poodle. These dogs will likely still have the personality traits of the F1 goldendoodles.
If you have allergy sufferers in your family you may want to consider an F1b puppy. The look of these dogs are much more predictable.
F2 Goldendoodle
F2 goldendoodles are dogs whose parents are both F1 dogs. These dogs have a higher likelihood of shedding. F2b goldendoodles have one parent an F1 doodle and one parent an F1b.
What is a Mini Goldendoodle?
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A miniature goldendoodle is a cross between a purebred golden retriever and a purebred miniature poodle or even a toy poodle. You will experience all the same personality traits and characteristics and a standard goldendoodle, just in a smaller size!
Mini goldendoodles have been around since 1990 and are a hybrid breed (not purebred). They’re classified as a teddy bear dog.
Mini Goldendoodle Size
A mini goldendoodle’s average weight is around 20-50 pounds and have a life expectancy of 10-15 years. The average height of a mini goldendoodle when full grown will be anywhere from 13-20 inches.
The size of full grown miniature goldendoodles can vary greatly depending upon its parents. There are many different sizes of mini goldendoodles ranging from quite small to medium. A reputable breeder will be able to give you a good estimate on the adult size of your miniature goldendoodle puppy.
Things to Know About Mini Goldendoodles
Mini Goldendoodle Temperament
Goldendoodles are a good mix of the personalities of both golden retrievers and poodles. Of course, you will not know if your particular mini goldendoodle puppy will be more golden or more poodle! Each puppy has their own personality and temperament.
Generally speaking, mini goldendoodles are smart, easy train puppies. They are an affectionate breed who love to be with their people. They have loving, playful temperament and generally make fantastic additions to families with small children.
Mini goldendoodles have a moderate energy level and do require exercise and regular walks. That being said, their small size does make them a good addition for apartment dwellers! They typically are quiet dogs who do not bark much.
Because mini goldendoodles love to be with their humans they may experience separation anxiety when you leave which can lead to destructive behaviors. Crate training mini goldendoodle puppies is important to give them a safe place to feel comfortable when you leave – and protect your home from getting chewed up!
Mini Goldendoodle Coat
Mini goldendoodles come in a variety of colors! Golden retrievers have golden, light golden, and dark golden colors recognized by the AKC.
Poodles, on the other hand, are a colorful breed! A poodle come in apricot, silver, gray, brown and cream. Mixing these dogs will give you quite the color options for your puppy!
You probably think of apricot or tan when you think of a goldendoodle. However, doodle puppies can come in black, brown, cream, or multi colored!
Miniature goldendoodles coat’s can be a variety of textures as well. Some coats are more curly and coarse (poodle) while other coats are more straight and flowy (golden retriever).
Do Mini Goldendoodles Shed?
Mini goldendoodles are considered hypo-allergenic dogs. However, you will find that breeding cannot guarantee that your miniature goldendoodle will be non shedding. The breeder has no way of knowing if your puppy will be more golden retriever (who sheds a lot) or poodle (who doesn’t shed)!
You can be pretty certain that your miniature goldendoodle will shed very little regardless of their mix, but if you suffer from allergies you will want to be aware of the risks with this breed vs a purebred hypoallergenic breed.
You will need to take your doodle into a dog groomer for regular haircuts – or learn to groom your dog yourself. How often to take a miniature goldendoodle to the groomer depends upon the personal preference of the owners and how they want their puppy to look.
If you are ok with your dog’s hair getting a little shaggy and then having a short cut you will be able to take your dog in every 3ish months. The price of a short haircut is also less expensive as the groomer will not have to spend as long brushing out mats.
If you prefer your mini goldendoodle to have a uniform look year round you will need to take him to the groomer much more often. These types of cuts cost more as the groomer will try to keep your pet’s hair longer, which requires more maintenance and brushing.
There is no right or wrong way to keep your pet groomed – just financial and time considerations!
It’s also a good idea to brush your mini goldendoodle a few times a week. Using a dematting comb can help keep the tangles away and the grooming bill down!
Also giving your dog a bath with dog specific shampoo every few weeks will also help keep your mini goldendoodle’s coat nice and clean!
Mini Goldendoodle Health Concerns
Goldendoodles are considered to be healthy dogs without a lot of health issues. Because their gene pool embraces two breeds, there tends to be less genetic issues for these designer breed dogs! That being said, some health conditions to look out for include:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Patella Luxation
- Cataracts
- Hypoadrenocorticism
- Ear infections
My Personal Mini Goldendoodle Experience
We have a 6 year old mini goldendoodle who we named Mozzie. We got her as a puppy when she was about 10 weeks old from a breeder in Wisconsin. Overall, she has been a fantastic addition to our family!
She is an F1 mini goldendoodle. Her mother was a cream English Golden Retriever, sometimes called a teddybear retriever. Her father was a gray-ish mini poodle. Based on her personality, we think she has more poodle than golden retriever in her.
Puppy Training
Mozzie was a very easy puppy to train. She learned to sit and stay very easily. Housebreaking her was also pretty easy. She had minimal accidents in the house.
She also did not chew much as a puppy. We had a couple things that she destroyed, but we were shocked at how little she chewed!
Health Problems
Mozzie has had very few health issues. She has had a couple ear infections which is common for dogs with floppy ears. She also has had some skin rashes, which may or may not be related to her breed.
These have been easy fixed with some topical spray and prevented with fish oil as recommended by our veterinarian.
Shedding
Mozzie sheds very little. We owned a black lab (not purebred) prior to Mozzie, and we constantly were brushing her and vacuuming up dog hair. Now we almost never have hair from Mozzie in the house!
We take her to the groomer every 12 weeks or so. We are ok with a short cut, so our groomer will cut Mozzie’s hair to ½ inch length. The price of groomers will vary depending upon where you live and the experience of your groomer. We pay around $120 each time we go to the groomer.
I also bought these clippers and have been doing some maintenance in between visits to the groomer. It’s been surprisingly easy to learn how to groom our mini goldendoddle and we’re saving tons of money!
Mini Goldendoodles Bark
Mozzie has met all of our expectations regarding goldendoodle temperaments except for one thing: the barking. Everyone says that mini goldendoodles don’t bark, and we have not found that to be the case.
Mozzie is a typical “watchdog” who barks quite aggressively when people come to the house or ring the doorbell. She calms down very fast but for a minute or two it is a bit crazy.
Personality and Temperament
We have learned that poodles like their environment to be calm and we can see that from time to time when our 3 kids are playing aggressively. Mozzie is not a fan of wrestling, nerf guns, or general craziness.
Mozzie is not mean to the kids, but she lets us know with her voice that she doesn’t like things to feel out of control or chaotic. We affectionately call her the “fun police.”
She loves her kennel, so if we want to let the kids be a bit wild we will put Mozzie in her kennel for a bit and she is quiet.
*We love this kennel that both Jen and I have. It folds up easy making it great for travel and both our dogs love it. You can put a dog bed like this one inside it to make it cozy for your furry friend! (Find a photo of Jen’s puppy in the dog bed on this Amazon favorites post.)
She’s always been great with Jen’s young children and has never been aggressive, even to her youngest who loves to hug and cuddle Mozzie!
Besides the barking, Mozzie is a fantastic dog. She loves to be around us so we can let her outside in our yard without her leash with no problems. She never runs away and comes immediately when she is called.
Our former lab was a runner, so having a dog that sticks around is worth its weight in gold to us. Even at the dog park, Mozzie will stick by us and interact very little with other puppies or dogs.
Mozzie loves to cuddle and will always choose to be in the room that we are in. Overall, she has been a perfect addition to our family!
Products We Love for our Mini Goldendoodle
1. Kennel
As mentioned above, this kennel is a great option for dog kennels, especially if you travel. It folds up easy and can easily be transported.
- Newly enhanced with added security features to keep your pet safe | Slide-bolt door latches now feature patented Paw Block and locking tips to create a safer, more secure home for your pet
- iCrate single door dog crate measures 36.6 x 21.9 x 24.5 inches and is suitable for intermediate dog breeds with an adult weight of 40 to 70 pounds. If your dog’s weight or measurements are on the higher side for this crate, we recommend buying the next crate size up
- Dog crate includes a divider panel, durable & leak-proof plastic pan, protective rubber feet, carrying handle, and customer support team based in Indiana
- Easy to assemble & portable | Dog crate sets up in seconds with no tools required and conveniently folds flat for travel
- Durable & strong, quality construction creates a secure place for your dog to fulfill their natural instinct to den. Proper ventilation , large door openings with low thresholds, and rounded corner clips make iCrate a safer crate experience for your dog
2. Dog Bed
Jen has this bed inside hers and it works perfect.
- DESIGNED FOR PETS: The classic bolstered sofa design promotes ultimate comfort and security, providing high-loft orthopedic cushion support as well as a super cozy nestling and burrowing space for dogs and cats
- SLEEP SURFACE: The main sleep surface is lined with cuddly soft, plush faux fur, while the supportive bolsters are wrapped in easy-care suede; both materials are gentle on noses and paws for enhanced snuggling and burrowing comfort
- EASY ON JOINTS: The egg crate orthopedic foam base helps cushion pressure points and improve air circulation, while the fluff-filled bolster railings support the neck, back, hips, and joints; both help to ease discomfort and encourage restful sleep
- PRODUCT DETAILS: Gray; Large, 36" x 27" x 6.5" (3" Foam; Sleep Surface: Approx. 28" x 23")
- AVAILABLE VARIANTS: The bed comes in Espresso, Gray, Deep Pool, and Almondine; it's also available in Small, Medium, Large, Jumbo, and Jumbo Plus
- EASY CARE: The removable dog bed cover is completely machine washable for your convenience; for more specific washing instructions, please refer to the hang tag and/or seam label (if applicable)
- CUSTOMER ASSURANCE: The product comes with a 90-day limited coverage against material defects and may also qualify for our 60-day Worry-Free Program; restrictions apply: purchases from unauthorized 3rd-party resellers may not be covered by Furhaven
3. Good Leash
A good leash that is reflective is a must for us since we live in Minnesota. This one is great! Regardless of where you live, you should always be safe when walking in the dark! Reflective leashes are perfect for keeping both you and your mini goldendoodle safe!
- HEAVY DUTY - The BAAPET dog leash made with strongest 1/2 inch diameter rock climbing rope and very durable clip hook for you and your dog safe
- COMFORT PADDED HANDLES - Features soft padded handles for amazing comfortable, just enjoy the feeling walks with your puppy dog and protects your hand from rope burn
- REFLECTIVE FOR NIGHT SAFETY - Highly reflective threads puppy and dog leashes keeps you both safe and visible on your late-evening walks
- GREAT FOR WALKING, RUNNING OR TRAINNING - This 5 foot length dog leash is a perfect balance between freedom and control, give enough freedom to your dog and everything absolutely under your control
- 100% MONEYBACK GUARANTEE - No matter you and your puppy not like this dog leash, no problem, get your money back! or get this new cool leash for your dog today, it's also a great gift idea!
4. Dog Poop Bag Dispenser
You also NEED to get a dog poop bag dispenser for your leash with small dog poop bags.
- 300 unscented pet waste bags with black dispenser for leash; 15 bags per roll; 20 rolls per box
- Sturdy polyethylene bags offer reliable strength and durability
- Unscented dog poop bags help keep hands protected and minimize odors
- Dimensions: 9 x 13 inches (LxW) per bag; bag dispenser with carabiner-style leash clip included
5. Dog Poop Scooper
When it comes to scooping poop at home, this dog poop scooper is genius! It has a rake for easy scooping and a bag fits inside the container for easy disposal.
- NO TOUCH POOP SCOOPING: Great for any surface or animal, this set includes one Arm & Hammer Swivel Bin and rake, with 2 bonus no-touch heavy duty waste bags with activated baking soda to keep odor at bay. Large capacity makes cleaning the dog kennel, yard, dog run, or even chicken coops a breeze.
- DOG POOPER SCOOPER WITH ADJUSTABLE HANDLE: The lightweight handle extends up to 32 inches, which prevents the need to bend, kneel or squat to pick up pet waste. No more breaking your back to bend down and scoop up dog poop with your hand and dog poop bag. Rake and then lift the pan to contain waste.
- NEXT LEVEL QUALITY: Arm and Hammer waste bags help keep your bin clean and provide natural odor control with activated baking soda.2x thicker than standard grocery bags and helps contain large quantities of pet waste. Less messy than a broom and dustpan set, perfect for your dog housebreaking supplies.
- HEAVY DUTY BAGS: These poop bags are two times thicker than standard grocery bags. Fresh Scent along with activated baking soda help to neutralize foul odors while you work. The handle ties prevent touching the waste and keeps stink in while you are taking the dog poop bag out.
- ARM & HAMMER, ODOR CONTROL YOU CAN TRUST: From waste bag dispensers and litter box wipes to litter pans, liners, scoops, and pet beds, Arm & Hammer has you and your pet covered with mess-fighting solutions that people know and trust. Refill bags are available for purchase separately.
6. Dog Puzzles
- INTERMEDIATE LEVEL FUN: The Dog Hide N' Slide level 2 intermediate dog puzzle is a fun hide-and-seek challenge that requires your pup to learn how combined actions lead to a tasty reward! Great for dogs who have mastered level 1 puzzles.
- CHALLENGE YOUR DOG'S MIND: The Dog Hide N' Slide is an interactive treat puzzle game that works your dog's mind while reducing boredom and destructive behavior. Swivel to hide treats under the flippers or place them in the blocks through the top opening for an added challenge! Your pup will need to take sequential steps to release the final rewards!
- NON-REMOVABLE PARTS & DURABLE COMPOSITE WOOD DESIGN: Made with a non-slip base and a unique plastic and wood composite, the Dog Hide N' Slide is a game that is built to last for hours and hours of fun! Train your pup not to chew on the toy by removing it after the treats have been eaten. Non-removable parts make it a safe and easy to clean choice.
- BPA, PVC & PHTHALATE-FREE: Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound interactive treat dog puzzles are designed with your pet's health in mind from food safe materials that you can trust with your dog. Easy to clean with warm water and soap between uses.
- PLAY IT SAFE: No toy is indestructible. Do not leave toys with unsupervised pets. Remove and replace toy if damaged.
Dog puzzles are great for winter months to help keep your dog’s brain active when it’s too cold for walks.
7. Kongs
- Instinctual Needs: The KONG Classic red rubber toy helps satisfy dogs' instinctual needs while providing mental stimulation. Healthy play is important for dogs' physical and mental development, emotions and behavior. By encouraging healthy play and satisfying instinctual needs, this treat dispensing puzzle toy helps solve chewing, separation anxiety, teething, boredom, weight management, crate training, digging and barking
- Fetch Toy: The KONG Classic's unpredictable bounce makes for exciting games of fetch and other interactive play with your pet. This is a fun way for average chewers to get the exercise they need
- Great For Stuffing: The stuffable KONG Classic is even more enticing when treat filled with bits of kibble, peanut butter, KONG Easy Treat, Snacks or Ziggies. Dishwasher safe for easy clean up. Bonus: For an added challenge, freeze stuffed KONG for 4-6 hours before giving to your dog
- Vet Recommended: Veterinarians and trainers worldwide recommend the KONG Classic as one of the best durable dog toys available
- Made in the USA. Globally Sourced Materials
Kongs are also great for mini goldendoodles to chase around or you can fill it with peanut butter for a delicious treat that takes a while for them to enjoy!
8. Dog Booties
- SECURE and ADJUSTABLE: Easy to put on / off. These dog shoes expands with a wide split seam opening and two adjustable and reflective straps to ensure a tight fit, also make your dog safe at night.
- RUGGED: Tough anti-slip sole of dog boots provides stability and traction, protection from sharp thorns and hot pavement.
- QUALITY: The dog boots have a rugged sole and high quality fabrics that are then sewn together to ensure they are ready for your adventure.
Also in the winter, dog booties are key for keeping your miniature goldendoodle getting the exercise they need.
Mini Goldendoodle FAQ
As mentioned above, mini goldendoodles will weigh somewhere around 20-50 pounds and an average height of a mini goldendoodle will be anywhere from 13-20 inches. This depends a lot on your specific mini goldendoodle’s parents and their sizes.
Yes! Mini goldendoodles make great family dogs. They’re sweet and loyal and love to be around you. They’re also great with kids!
This will depend a bit on where you live but the average cost is around $1,500.
In our experience, yes! Mini goldendoodles can get very excited very easy and can be very loud. Keep this in mind if you live very close to your neighbors or have people in your family who hate the sound of barking dogs!
No, a mini goldendoodle is not a purebred. It’s a mix between two purebred dogs – a Golden Retriever and a purebred miniature poodle.
Overall Mini Goldendoodle Recommendation
I would definitely recommend a mini goldendoodle as a pet. The temperament of a mini goldendoodle, combined with the decreased shedding/less dander makes them a good choice for a family pet.
The smaller size of the mini doodles make them great companion animals for families who want a pet but don’t want a bigger dog.
Mini goldendoodles are one of the most popular breeds of dogs for good reason. A golden retriever poodle mix is a hybrid dog that will a gentle nature that will make a great family pet for any family!
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Can you share the breeder in Wisconsin that you used?
Yes! It is Doodle Dog Hill
Hi Jen, May I ask what was the breeder you bought your dog from in Wisconsin?
Kind regards,
Timea Kovacs
How did you find your breeder?
I understand that goldendoodles can be many different sizes. Was interested to know what mozzi’s size is how tall and how much does she weigh?