Australian Mini Goldendoodle: Pictures, Care Guide & Traits
By Beth Crane
Updated on
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The Australian Mini Goldendoodle is a dog designed for greatness. They’re compact, fluffy, and great for allergy sufferers, and the crossbreed is comprised of a whole mix of breeds that form two designer dogs: the Australian Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle. Read on to discover more about the friendly face of the Australian Mini Goldendoodle and how they went from large to little to cater to all.
| Height: | 14–17 inches |
| Weight: | 26–35 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–18 years |
| Colors: | All colors, including cream, chocolate, black, and white |
| Suitable for: | Active families, those looking for a low-shedding dog, families looking for a small breed |
| Temperament: | Friendly, intelligent, easy to train, loving, gets along with other pets, energetic |
The Australian Mini Goldendoodle (or “Double Doodle”) is a mix between an Australian Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle, which has been miniaturized in size. Five breeds go into this wonderful hybrid: The Australian Labrador, Poodle, Golden Retriever, Australian Labradoodle, and Goldendoodle. An Aussie Labrador and Poodle produce the Australian Labradoodle (with some Spaniel breeds added), and the Golden Retriever and Poodle produce the Goldendoodle. These two are then bred together to create the fluffy Australian Goldendoodle, which can come in three sizes: mini, medium, and standard.
Australian Mini Goldendoodle Characteristics
Australian Mini Goldendoodle Puppies
These doodles are designer dogs bred and curated for a specific niche: those who want a friendly, smart, and portable pup unlikely to trigger allergies. For this reason, Australian Mini Goldendoodles are gaining popularity and can be found more easily. The playfulness in all of the breeds that go into the Australian Mini Goldendoodle is truly expressed in these puppies, and they will happily push boundaries as much as they can due to their intelligence and mischievous natures. Getting them used to grooming and socializing is key at this age, as their temperament will flourish if they’re confident. Australian Mini Goldendoodles will need regular grooming, beginning in puppyhood.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Australian Mini Goldendoodle 🧠
The Australian Mini Goldendoodle is a bright dog. Poodles are the second most intelligent breed by most standards, and both the Australian Labrador and Golden Retriever are intelligent, easy to train, and doting on their owners. This doting friendliness makes the Australian Mini Goldendoodle so special, and the dogs are adaptable and open to people of all ages. They get along with children well, but the Mini should have supervision with small children since they can be easily hurt by rough play. Gentle and playful are two worlds that sum up the Australian Mini Goldendoodle well, and they are often used as therapy and support dogs because of their loving temperament and intelligence.
It should be said, however, that there can be some variation in temperament and intelligence due to how these dogs are bred. With a purebred dog, long lines of “proven” temperaments often outline what can be expected from the breed.
Australian Mini Goldendoodles bred from other Australian Mini Goldendoodles may differ in their temperament from first-generation Australian Mini Goldendoodles bred from an Australian Labradoodle and a Goldendoodle. Also, every dog is an individual!
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Australian Mini Goldendoodle is an excellent pet for families. All the dogs that go into the mix are known for being great with children, highly trainable, and adaptable. As we’ve mentioned, there are different sizes of Australian Goldendoodle, but the miniature variety is particularly suited to apartment or small home living.
They’re not the smallest variety available, but the Australian Mini Goldendoodle can still keep up on hikes and is large enough to comfortably play with small children (with supervision). However, the downside to these crossbreeds is the potential upkeep needed for their fur.
Because Australian Mini Goldendoodles are crossbreeds of crossbreeds, they can have the coat types of either parent, any of the breeds that make them, or somewhere in between them. Pups with curlier hair will need regular grooming to keep their coats comfortable and free from matting, which can take up a lot of time.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The Australian Mini Goldendoodle is known to be good with other pets, including cats. While every dog is different, the breeds that go into the Australian Goldendoodle are known for being adaptable and friendly; this openness, combined with correct socialization, can mean even small animals can find a friend in the Australian Mini Goldendoodle. While the dogs can be friendly toward other animals, it’s always advised never to allow your dog to interact with small animals unsupervised.
Things to Know When Owning an Australian Mini Goldendoodle:
All breeds need the correct care and love to thrive, and the Australian Mini Goldendoodle is no exception. However, because they’re a mix of different breeds, individuals can differ in certain areas of care. Some Australian Mini Goldendoodles are healthier than their purebred counterparts, which can reduce the likelihood of health conditions that purebred dogs are prone to.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The Australian Mini Goldendoodle is a small breed, weighing around 30 pounds and standing 17 inches tall. A small-breed puppy food is essential for these dogs when they’re growing since smaller dogs grow at a different rate than medium and large ones. They require different amounts of minerals (such as calcium), protein, and calories to sustain their growth and ensure their bones grow correctly. This is particularly important for Australian Mini Goldendoodles, as they can be prone to developing hip dysplasia which can severely impact their quality of life.
High-quality adult food should be introduced slowly when fully grown, and owners should consider their Australian Mini Goldendoodle’s activity level and food preferences when selecting a food. Keeping the dog at a healthy weight is also vital to keeping them healthy, as they can be prone to heart conditions that obesity can exacerbate. That includes being conservative with treats! Make sure fresh water is always available, and speak with your vet if you have any concerns about your Australian Mini Goldendoodle’s diet or nutritional needs.
Exercise 🐕
Australian Mini Goldendoodles are just as bright and energetic as their larger counterparts and require around an hour of exercise a day to stay fit and mentally stimulated. Because they are smaller than the standard or medium Australian Goldendoodle, they fare better with shorter walks but still keep up with moderate hikes. A home with a yard would be beneficial for them to play in, but they can cope in apartments if they get at least an hour of outdoor time split into two 30-minute walks a day.
Australian Mini Goldendoodles are also likely to be excellent at agility courses due to their high energy and intelligence, with an affinity for agility from their Australian Labradoodle side. Amateur agility classes or finding a fun dog park with an agility course can serve your Australian Mini Goldendoodle well and keep them stimulated and trimmed.
Training 🎾
Australian Goldendoodles are intelligent and born to please; the same goes for the miniature variety. They are bred from hybrids created for serving people as allergy-friendly guide dogs, so the ability to follow commands and excel in training is bred into them. This translates well to the double doodle, as they’re bright dogs that are trusting and receptive to positive training.
Like any dog, they’ll need to be rewarded with treats or praise for their work. The Australian Mini Goldendoodle should be socialized well as a puppy to prevent separation anxiety. Socializing them well with different sights, sounds, situations, people, and pets will ensure you have a well-rounded, balanced Australian mini Goldendoodle when they’re grown.
Grooming ✂️
Because of the hybrid nature of the Australian Mini Goldendoodle, their coats can come in a variety of types. Some versions have the classic curls of the Poodle, the same wavy hair as the Golden Retriever, wooly coats that are often tightly curled, and fluffy coats that can land somewhere in between. Australian Mini Goldendoodles commonly inherit a thickly waved coat that sheds minimally.
It’s wise to groom them daily if they inherit the Poodle fur since the curly-coated varieties need daily detangling to prevent matting. The wavy-coated Australian Mini Goldendoodles may be able to get away with being groomed a couple of times a week, but they’ll look their best and feel most comfortable being groomed daily.
Dog groomers recommend a professional clip every 6 to 8 weeks for Australian Mini Goldendoodles, but some owners prefer to clip the coat themselves. Just as with any breed, over-bathing the Australian mini Goldendoodle can cause dry skin and irritation, so only bathe when necessary and ensure you rinse any shampoo off thoroughly to prevent skin irritation.
Health and Conditions ❤️
The Australian mini Goldendoodle is more genetically diverse than the purebred dogs that go into it, meaning the likelihood of congenital illnesses and diseases is lower. Most Australian Goldendoodle breeders take the health of their dogs very seriously and are trying to improve the breed. There are still some conditions that could affect the Australian Mini Goldendoodle, however, which we’ve listed below:
- Obesity
- Dental Disease
- Hip Dysplasia
- Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Retinal Atrophy
Alongside regular grooming, an Australian Mini Goldendoodle needs its claws clipped regularly to prevent overgrowth and its teeth cleaned daily with a dog-friendly toothbrush. Teeth cleaning is essential to introduce to your Australian Mini Goldendoodle from puppyhood; good oral hygiene can prevent cavities and dental diseases from occurring. Dental disease is painful for a dog and affects many other systems in the body.
Male vs Female
Male Australian Mini Goldendoodles are typically larger than the females, but the difference is not as pronounced in the mini breed as in the larger types. Usually, the male Australian Mini Goldendoodle’s testicles will descend into the scrotum within 8 weeks of age, which should be checked by a vet before being rehomed. If this doesn’t happen (known as cryptorchidism), a future castration will be slightly more invasive than a standard one. Females generally get their first season at around 6 months of age, at which time it’s important to keep her away from unneutered male dogs and make an appointment for her spaying procedure.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Australian Mini Goldendoodle
1. The Australian Mini Goldendoodle Makes a Great Service Dog
These dogs make excellent service animals because of the friendliness, openness, and obedience of the breeds that go into the Australian Goldendoodle. Both the Australian Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle were bred specifically for service dog work, so it comes naturally to the Australian Mini Goldendoodle.
2. There Are 10 Coat Patterns and Colors
Any variation of colors seen in the parent breeds of these dogs can be expressed in the Australian mini Goldendoodle, with common colors including tan, red, apricot, and cream.
3. They Are Hypoallergenic
The hybrids that produce the Australian Mini Goldendoodle are hypoallergenic service dogs, so it stands to reason that the puppies of these dogs would also be hypoallergenic. They don’t shed much (usually), meaning they spread a lot less dander into the atmosphere and around the hair. While no dog is truly hypoallergenic, the Australian Mini Goldendoodle is likely as close as any breed will get!
Final Thoughts
The Australian Mini Goldendoodle is a complex breed with simple beginnings. The original breeders of the Australian Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle set out to create crossbreeds of the most intelligent, friendly dogs around to make assistance dogs accessible to those with allergies.
The Australian mini Goldendoodle is a double doodle that brings a lot to the table, and it’s excellent for families with limited space. Of course, anyone with an allergy can’t be 100% certain that an Australian mini Goldendoodle won’t trigger a reaction. However, their low shedding coats generally mean that even those with mild to moderate allergies to dogs can enjoy all this hybrid has to offer.
Featured Image Credit: (L) Darcy Jardine, Shutterstock | (R) Reddog3, Shutterstock
