Mini Goldendoodle Pros & Cons: What To Consider Before Adopting

Goldendoodles are one of the hottest dog breeds in the world right now. The combination of a Poodle’s intelligence and coat with a Golden Retriever’s loyalty and sweetness has created one of the most popular cross breeds in history. One variety of Goldendoodles that is making a splash is Mini or Miniature Goldendoodles. These dogs have a lot going for them, but there are also some things you need to be aware of before shopping for one.

Here are the pros and cons you should know about the Mini Goldendoodle that everyone should know, especially if you are considering getting one of these dogs for yourself.

 

What Is a Mini Goldendoodle?

A Mini Goldendoodle or Miniature Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Miniature Poodle or a Toy Poodle. Using a Miniature Poodle for breeding Mini Goldendoodles is more common than using a Toy Poodle. Using smaller Poodles helps reduce the overall size of a Mini Goldendoodle. Standard Goldendoodles are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Standard Poodle.

Mini Goldendoodle Pros

1. Small Size

One of the biggest pros to getting a Mini Goldendoodle is the size. Mini Goldendoodles stand between 16 and 18 inches tall and weigh between 20 and 40 pounds. That is quite a bit smaller than a standard Goldendoodle, which can stand as tall as 24 inches and weigh anywhere from 5 to 75 pounds or more. Mini Goldendoodles package all of the fun and quirkiness of a Goldendoodle in a small and more manageable dog. That makes Mini Goldendoodles very popular with people who enjoy smaller dogs but still want the personality and coat found in a Goldendoodle.

The smaller size of a Mini Goldendoodle makes them more portable, easier to travel with, and will save you money on dry dog food. Mini Goldendoodles are also better suited for apartments, townhomes, and small houses than full sized Standard Goldendoodles.

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2. Family Friendly

Goldendoodles are very family friendly dogs. Both Poodles and Golden Retrievers are extremely friendly, sweet, intelligent, loyal, and caring. A Goldendoodle inherits most of these traits, making them excellent family dogs. Mini Goldendoodles are rarely aggressive, protective, or afraid of strangers or other dogs. That makes them excellent for a variety of households, including ones with kids and other dogs. The same cannot be said of all dog breeds.

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3. Little to No Shedding

One of the reasons that Goldendoodles were bred in the first place was because of the fact that they rarely shed. Golden Retrievers are great dogs and are very popular, but they shed like crazy. Large Golden Retrievers can leave behind tons of hair and fur all over the house, which can be a beast to clean up and can become very annoying over time. Goldendoodles retain the hair-like quality of a Poodle’s coat and heavily reduce shedding.

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4. Hypoallergenic Fur

One of the benefits of the reduced shedding, combined with the Poodle-like fur, makes Mini Goldendoodles very hypoallergenic. No dog is entirely hypoallergenic, but Goldendoodles have a much lower chance of aggravating a person’s allergies. If you have mild dog allergies, a Goldendoodle will help keep your allergies from flaring up. Goldendoodles have much lower levels of allergens and dander than other dogs, especially dogs that heavily shed like Golden Retrievers.

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5. Healthy

Goldendoodles are very healthy dogs in general, and Mini Goldendoodles are even more so. These dogs do not have a large number of health problems. They have a low risk of cancer and joint disease. That is an upgrade over Golden Retrievers which have a high risk of cancer. The primary health issues that a Goldendoodle can suffer from include hip dysplasia and cataracts. Both of these issues are easy to diagnose and can be treated if caught at an early stage.

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6. Long Lifespans

There is an understanding within the dog community that small dogs typically live longer than large dogs. Large dogs, such as Great Danes, have a much shorter lifespan than small dogs, like Chihuahuas. Since Mini Goldendoodles are pretty small, they have an increased lifespan over large dogs and even over other Goldendoodles. Mini Goldendoodles’ good health also helps them live long into adulthood.

A Mini Goldendoodle can live anywhere from 12 to 16 years. The smallest examples of Mini Goldendoodles can even live as long as 17 or 18 years. That is considerably longer than a dog like a Great Dane, which has a typical lifespan of 8 years. If you are looking for a dog that has the potential to be a companion for many years, the Mini Goldendoodle provides a lot of upsides.

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7. Intelligent

Both Poodles and Golden Retrievers are very intelligent breeds, so it is no surprise that the Mini Goldendoodle is also very intelligent. Intelligence is a pro for a number of reasons. Intelligent dogs are easier to train than stubborn or dumb dogs.

Intelligent dogs can also display deep levels of empathy and situational awareness. This helps them be great companions and safe family dogs. Mini Goldendoodles have a high potential to be trained and socialized and can even learn a number of tricks. This also helps you if you want to bring your Mini Goldendoodle out on adventures or if you want to travel with your dog.

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8. Loyal

All of these traits combine to create a dog that is exceptionally loyal. Mini Goldendoodles are friendly, live for a long time, and are intelligent. That means they will be exceedingly loyal. A healthy Miniature Goldendoodle can be a loyal companion for years and years. They will always be loving and kind and will adore being at your side through thick and thin (though that might not always be a good thing).

Mini Goldendoodle Cons

1. Barking

One annoying downside to Mini Goldendoodles is that they tend to bark a lot. They are very excitable and will bark for a number of reasons. They will bark at people outside, they can bark when they are excited, and they can sometimes bark for no apparent reason. The small size of the Mini Goldendoodle makes them popular for apartments, but the barking can be an issue, especially if you have thin walls or nearby neighbors. There are no good ways to stop a Goldendoodle from barking excessively, and it is a behavioral trait that you have to manage rather than eliminate.

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2. Price

Miniature Goldendoodles are expensive to buy. Since they are a popular designer breed right now, breeders are charging a premium for their puppies. Typically, the smaller the Goldendoodle, the more expensive it is. Prices can range anywhere from $1,500 on the low end all the way up to $5,000 or more. You will need to go through a breeder to get a healthy, legitimate Miniature Goldendoodle. These dogs rarely show up in the shelter and can be difficult to find outside of using local breeders. If you are interested in a Mini Goldendoodle, make sure to save up the money for the cost to buy.

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3. Separation Anxiety

As mentioned, Goldendoodles are very loyal and loving dogs. That is great most of the time, but it can also be negative if it manifests itself as separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety will become stressed when you are not around. This can manifest as bad behavior, such as chewing or destroying objects around the house. It can also cause your dog to bark when you are not home which is a problem given the fact that Mini Goldendoodles are already prone to barking. Mini Goldendoodles with separation anxiety might need to be crated when you are not home to keep them out of trouble.

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4. Grooming Requirements

While Goldendoodles do not shed much and are hypoallergenic, they still need regular grooming. If you do not groom your Goldendoodle their hair will get long and tangled. Like human hair, a Goldendoodle’s coat needs to be brushed, trimmed, and maintained. Many people opt to take their Mini Goldendoodles to grooming on a regular basis to keep their hair looking its best, but this can add extra hassle and cost to your regular routine.

If you do not seek professional grooming help, you will need to invest in some brushes, combs, and shampoos to keep your dog’s hair healthy. If you do not groom your Mini Goldendoodle, its coat can quickly become matted and dirty.

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5. Excess Energy

Lastly, despite their small stature, Mini Goldendoodles can be highly energetic. This is great when you are playing with your dog, but if you do not provide enough exercise and mental stimulation, your dog could act out or become hyper while inside. Goldendoodles require 1 to 3 hours of exercise per day, which is a lot. Excess energy and a lack of mental stimulation can heighten other problems like barking and separation anxiety. If you do not have the time or energy to provide your Mini Goldendoodle with the exercise it needs, you might need to send them to doggy daycare a few times per week, which can be expensive in some areas.

 

Conclusion

Mini Goldendoodles are great dogs with a ton of pros compared to relatively few cons. Before getting a Mini Goldendoodle, or any new dog, you should know the overall pros and cons, so you know what you are getting into. One of the biggest downsides to the Mini Goldendoodle is the cost and availability. However, if you can afford to buy a Mini Goldendoodle, you will be getting a loyal, family-friendly, healthy, and intelligent companion that is sure to delight you.

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Featured Image Credit: Tanya Consaul Photography, Shutterstock