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Petite Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever, Poodle & Cocker Spaniel Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Petite Goldendoodle

Height: 10–18 inches
Weight: 15–40 pounds
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Colors: Golden, tan, white, cream, red
Suitable for: Families with children. Apartment or home living with moderate exercise
Temperament: Social, playful, and affectionate. Great with other pets. Intelligent and rambunctious

If you are looking for an adorable pup to invite into your home, the Petite Goldendoodle is an excellent choice. This is a very social, friendly, and playful dog that thrives in all types of living conditions. They are great with other pets and children and easy to train.

They are a cross between a Golden Retriever, Poodle, and Cocker Spaniel. Depending on the generation, the appearance and personality of the dog can vary widely. Of course, they all maintain the characteristics of being great family pets.

Below, we will go over all the details you need to make the best decision about this breed. We will share their grooming needs, diets, exercise regimens, and much more. Not only that, but we will also share some little-known facts about the Petite Goldendoodle.Divider 1

Petite Goldendoodle Puppies

petite goldendoodle puppy
Image By: Marcello Sgarlato, Shutterstock
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Petite Goldendoodle is one of the cutest puppies around. They are bred from 50% Petite Poodle, 25% Golden Retriever, and 25% Cocker Spaniel. Depending on which parentage is more dominant, the dogs can range in size and weight even as puppies.

These little curly-haired dogs have average intelligence but with an abundance of antics to spare. Even without training, they are very social animals that will get along well with other pets and children in the home. Arriving on the scene in the early 1990s, the Petite Goldendoodle is considered a hybrid designer dog and is not recognized by the AKC.

Something to note about these puppies, however, is that they can be quite mischievous. If that is the case, you must give your pup plenty of chew toys and other distractions, so they will not get into mischief. It is also better to keep smaller kids away from these crafty pups until they get a bit older.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Petite Goldendoodle

1. Their Designer Is Unknown.

There is little known about the first Petite Goldendoodle. The first recorded history of this hybrid came about in the 1990s in Texas.


2. They Are Not Very Vocal.

The Petite Goldendoodle does not bark often. In fact, there was one case where an owner indicated she had never heard her pup bark!


3. They Love All Creatures.

This dog is very affectionate. They are happy to show other pets and animals as much affection as their owners. This includes cats, rabbits, gerbils, and ferrets.

The parent breeds of Petite Goldendoodle
The parent breeds of Petite Goldendoodle: Left – Golden Retriever (Shayna Douglas, Unsplash) | Middle – Poodle (chili71, Pixabay) | Right – Cocker Spaniel (Kajetan Sumila, Unsplash)

Temperament & Intelligence of the Petite Goldendoodle 🧠

The Petite Goldendoodle is a moderately intelligent dog that is affectionate, playful, and social. They are known for being very sweet canines, and they get along with most other pets. Not only that, but they also make great family pups since they are good companions for small children.

The Petite Goldendoodle is active and can even be rambunctious at times. They have a mischievous streak that can take hold without an outlet for their excess energy. They can also have separation anxiety if they are not trained early enough.

Besides that, this dog is eager to earn your affection and praise. They pick up quickly on things that make you laugh and will get them an extra pat and treat. They are also easy to train, and they are pretty low-maintenance. What’s more, they are great with strangers and rarely aggressive.

Some Petite Goldendoodles do not like to be alone and can become a little bit snippy if not in the right mood. Generally, however, they snap out of the mood quickly.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Petite Goldendoodles make great family pets. They are affectionate and playful with children, plus they can thrive in all sorts of living conditions, whether in an apartment or a house. However, they can get into a little bit of trouble by nipping or pushing the boundaries of commands.

If that is the case, supervision is recommended if you have smaller children. Dogs with this disposition are not opposed to stealing a snack from a child’s hand, but responsible training will usually reduce the behavior.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Petite Goldendoodle gets along well with other pets and animals in the home. They can be affectionate with smaller animals and herd them around as though they were their pets. They are rarely aggressive or jealous of other animals.

This canine will also enjoy playing with other animals outside of the home. They are very social creatures and do well in dog parks and other social settings. The same holds true for human strangers. Although they can be a little shy and even curious, they are not likely to bark, bite, or set off any alarms for an intruder. The guard dog position is not recommended.

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Things to Know When Owning a Petite Goldendoodle:

These cute and cuddly dogs are a great choice for a family pet. With the Petite Goldendoodle’s affectionate and social nature, they fit right into many environments. However, there are other factors you have to consider before you make the final decision. The information below will give you more details on their care, such as their diet, grooming requirements, and training ability.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Petite Goldendoodle’s diet is very basic. They do not have any dietary restrictions that you need to be aware of other than individual needs that may arise during their lifetime. They should eat a well-balanced diet that consists of protein, fat, fiber, and other vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

How much you feed your pet depends on their weight and height. For example, it is recommended that dogs get 30 calories per pound of body weight per day. If you are unsure how much to feed your Petite Goldendoodle, you can speak with your vet to ensure they are getting adequate nutrition without overfeeding them.

Some things you want to look for in your Petite Goldendoodle’s food are as follows:
  • Antioxidants: Antioxidants such as omega-3 and -6 fatty acids can help your dog’s coat remain strong and shiny. Not only that, but it will also promote immune health.
  • Probiotics: This ingredient is vital for your pet’s digestive system, and ensuring everything runs smoothly is essential.
  • Glucosamine: Glucosamine helps relieve and prevent joint pain.
  • Vitamins: Essential vitamins are also crucial for your pet’s overall well-being. They will support their immune, digestive, and heart health.
  • Calcium: Calcium is also important for your pet as it will help their teeth and bones grow strong, as well as help with their eyes.

You can feed your Petite Goldendoodle any brand and flavor, depending on their palette. Besides their food, you also want to consider their treats and snacks. Treats are a great way to build a bond with your dog and reward positive behavior. However, you must ensure you are feeding your pet nutritious snacks that do not promote weight gain or have other unhealthy ingredients.

Exercise 🐕

Since the Petite Goldendoodle is in the small to medium dog size family, they require moderate exercise to remain happy and healthy. A daily walk is recommended, along with solitary playtime in the yard. They also do well with entertainment, such as learning tricks and interacting with the family.

As mentioned, they can thrive in apartments just as well as a home with a yard. Romps in the house can give your pet just as much exercise as bringing them outdoors. Although fresh air is recommended, when the weather is bad, or there are other restrictions to going outside, your pet can get adequate exercise inside.

petite goldendoodle with harness
Image Credit: Ann Lillie, Shutterstock

Training 🦮

Another trait of the Petite Goldendoodle is they are remarkably easy to train. Though training early is recommended, a little patience and positive reinforcement will have your pet practicing good obedience and house rules immediately.

With moderate intelligence, the Petite Goldendoodle picks up on commands quickly. Keep in mind, however, that this is not a pet that will easily learn intricate tricks or duties. They will be able to master simple commands like sit, stay, lay down, roll over, etc.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming is another area that is simple for the Petite Goldendoodle owner. Their medium-length fur is not prone to shedding, but the longer-haired variety must be brushed occasionally to avoid tangles and mats. You also do not need to bathe your pet more than a few times a year since they are an exceptionally clean dog.

Other grooming requirements, such as teeth, ear, and nail maintenance are pretty standard. You should brush your Petite Goldendoodle’s teeth weekly to prevent tartar and plaque buildup that can cause bad breath. You should also clean their ears and trim their nails about once a month, depending on the dog.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Perhaps due to the hybrid breeding, there are few health concerns associated with the Petite Goldendoodle, but they are susceptible to any of the typical canine ailments such as obesity, ear infections, skin irritations, joint pain, and other concerns.

None of these issues are more likely than others, and keeping your pet healthy by providing them a nutritious diet is vital to good health. Also, giving them exercise, attention, and mental stimulation will ensure they live a long and happy life.Divider 5

Male vs Female

There is little research on the differences between male and female Petite Goldendoodles. Every dog will have their personality traits and quirks. Additionally, how they are brought up from puppies, their day-to-day life handling, and many other factors can contribute to how they behave.

Something must be said about whether or not your pet has been fixed. Females that maintain their “cycles” can have different personality quirks than they otherwise would. Male dogs can be more aggressive, while females can be moodier. Again, this can have a lot to do with the individual dog and their lifestyle.

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Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Petite Goldendoodle will make an excellent pet for most families. They are sweet, affectionate, and playful. Not only do they get along well with children, but they can also be housed with other pets, big or small. Even better, these dogs are easy to train, maintenance-free, and have a disposition that will melt anyone’s heart.

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Featured Image Credit: Wokandapix, Pixabay

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