13 Facts About Mini Goldendoodles

Miniature Goldendoodles are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Miniature Poodle. Now that the cross is more established, a litter of Miniature Goldendoodle puppies can also have two Mini Goldendoodles as parents.
They are also sometimes called Mini Goldendoodles, Mini Groodles, Mini Goldenpoos, or Mini Goldiepoos. They tend to be friendly, cheerful, and intelligent dogs with low or non-shedding coats that also make a good fit for families. Here are some more fun facts about Mini Goldendoodles:
- The Mini Goldendoodle is a newer dog breed.
- They’re a good fit for apartment living.
- Mini Goldendoodles love to be by your side.
- Miniature Goldendoodles are highly responsive to training.
- They tend to be kid-friendly.
- Mini Goldendoodles enjoy chasing.
- They will probably love the water.
- Miniature Goldendoodles have many coat colors.
- Mini Goldendoodles are very smart.
- They are true companion dogs.
- Their coat needs a lot of grooming.
- Mini Goldendoodles make excellent therapy dogs.
- Miniature Goldendoodles are tiny, but mighty.
1. The Mini Goldendoodle is a Newer Dog Breed
Although it has become very popular and has been around for a while now, the Miniature Goldendoodle is still a fairly new dog breed. It is a smaller version of the standard Goldendoodle.
Although the Miniature Goldendoodle is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, it is recognized by other dog organizations and registries. The Mini Goldendoodle is recognized by the Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the American Canine Hybrid Club, and more.
2. They’re a Good Fit For Apartment Living
Mini Goldendoodles tend to be easygoing and highly adaptable. Despite their higher energy level, their smaller size means they tend to be a good fit for apartment living, as long as they get enough attention, exercise, and mental stimulation every day.
Regular walks and some playtime will keep this pup well-exercised and happy. Plus, they don’t tend to be noisy, unless they’ve been trained to bark, on purpose or unintentionally, so you shouldn’t have to worry about noise complaints from the neighbors!
3. Mini Goldendoodles Love to Be By Your Side
The Mini Goldendoodle is loyal and people-oriented. They love to be around their humans and can become very attached, especially for dogs that have chosen their favorite person. If not properly socialized or given things to occupy their mind while you are gone, they can develop separation anxiety or destructive behavior. This can result in some undesirable behaviors, which can be nipped in the bud if caught early with some training, socialization, and puzzles and games to engage your dog’s brain.
4. Miniature Goldendoodles Are Highly Responsive to Training
Miniature Goldendoodles are intelligent, sensitive dogs that are also eager to please. They tend to pick up quickly on training and can often respond to verbal cues based on the tone of your voice.
You do have to be gentle in your tone and focus on positive rewards and praise because negative tones can make them pouty or send them into a sulk, while damaging the bond you are building with them. They love you and work hard to earn your praise, so they tend to take corrections personally.
5. They Tend to Be Kid-Friendly
Not all dog breeds are inherently kid-friendly or open towards other dogs, strangers, and pets. This is not a concern with the Miniature Goldendoodle. Well-socialized, these dogs tend to love to play with children and are friendly towards other dogs and strangers. Despite the potential for a higher prey drive, they also tend to get along well with other pets in the household.
6. Mini Goldendoodles Enjoy Chasing
Although modern Poodles and Golden Retrievers aren’t necessarily known for being hunting dogs, they were originally trained to assist hunters and retrieve prey. This is why they are often considered unconventional hunting dogs in modern times, despite their origins.
This also means that Mini Goldendoodles can have a high prey drive and enjoy chasing. They do tend to get along with other pets in the family, provided they are socialized properly, especially if they have been raised with them. But, they are known to still have an urge to chase animals outside of the family and other things.
This makes them a good candidate for playing frisbee or fetch, and for several dog sports. It is usually not recommended to let a Miniature Goldendoodle off-leash outside of fenced areas unless you know they have mastered the recall command and will respond when you use it. And, don’t be surprised if they catch small animals while out and off-leash and bring them back to you.
7. They Will Probably Love the Water
With both parent breeds being dog breeds that tend to love water, it’s no surprise that Miniature Goldendoodles often love the water, too. Individual dogs will vary, but Mini Goldendoodles overall are likely to enjoy playing in water and going for a swim.
Swimming is a great low-impact activity for dogs, which can make it perfect for puppies who are still growing. It’s best to keep activity low-impact until puppies finish growing to avoid damage to developing bones and joints. Just make sure you outfit your dog with a life vest, keep an eye on them, and follow other safety tips for swimming with your dog.
8. Miniature Goldendoodles Have Many Coat Colors
With the Poodle in the mix, Miniature Goldendoodles can come in so many different coat colors and color combinations. The rich gold Golden Retriever color is common, as is cream, apricot, red, silver, dark brown, black, and mixes that feature light highlights in different areas or combine colors.
It’s a rarer coat color, but some Mini Goldendoodles end up with a merle coat that includes multiple shades. Even though curly or wavy seems to be the most common type of dog coat, some doodles can have smooth, straight hair more similar to a Golden Retriever.
9. Mini Goldendoodles Are Very Smart
With some of the smartest dog breeds as parents, it’s no wonder that Mini Goldendoodles are also known for being very smart dogs. They tend to pick up things very quickly, which also means they can get bored with too much repetition.
Picking up on things quickly in training and being able to figure out challenging toys and puzzles are some signs of dog intelligence. This is also one of the reasons why Mini Goldendoodles are lifelong learners and truly thrive when they get to learn new things and build on their skills. It’s important to give them enough mental stimulation and keep them interested and engaged via new tricks, new games, learning dog sports, and more.
10. They Are True Companion Dogs
Miniature Goldendoodles are one of the most affectionate dog breeds. They also tend to be open and friendly with just about everyone when they are well-socialized. They have a reputation for having super-friendly personalities and being cuddly teddy bears, especially with their favorite people.
11. Their Coat Needs a lot of Grooming
Miniature Goldendoodles, and Doodles/Poodle Mixes in general, are popular for their low-shedding or non-shedding coats. However, it’s important to note that low shedding does not mean low maintenance. This is an important consideration when determining the grooming level of a puppy.
The Poodle coat requires a lot of grooming to be properly maintained. Daily brushing is recommended to remove tangles from their curly coats and to prevent mats from forming. Professional grooming is recommended every 4-8 weeks.
If you’re keeping them in a shorter puppy clip and not maintaining a show cut or longer clip, you might be able to get by with grooming every 6-8 weeks. Regardless, you will have to plan for regular visits to the dog groomer or take care of your dog’s coat at home if you are comfortable clipping them yourself.
12. Mini Goldendoodles Make Excellent Therapy Dogs
The affection, cuddliness, and friendly personality that make Miniature Goldendoodles a great addition to any family also make them a fantastic candidate for working as a companion dog, emotional support dog, or therapy dog. They often instantly bring a smile and comfort to people and absolutely love the attention and affection they receive in return.
Depending on the task, Mini Goldendoodles can also be good candidates for being trained as service dogs. Their small size doesn’t make them a good fit for tasks requiring physical support, but they often excel at a variety of monitoring tasks for medical alerts.
13. Miniature Goldendoodles Are Tiny, But Mighty
Miniature Goldendoodles may be small dogs, but they are often sturdier than they look. Despite their smaller stature, these dogs tend to be naturally athletic and versatile dogs. It’s important to keep activities low-impact until puppies finish growing to avoid damage to developing bones and joints, which is why swimming is such a great activity.
For some small dog breeds, this can happen as early as 6-8 months. Usually, it’s around a year for small and medium dogs. Your vet can help you determine when your Mini Goldendoodle is finished growing as you wrap up routine puppy visits. They can also guide you on what activities might suit your dog best and what to avoid based on where your Mini Goldendoodle puppy is on their growth chart.
Once the vet has cleared them for higher-impact activities, these little dogs are known to excel at a variety of popular dog sports and are often more than capable of keeping up with their humans on rugged outdoor adventures. These dogs may love to cuddle, but they also love being active. So, they will likely jump at the opportunity to spend more time with you while being active.
Is a Mini Goldendoodle Puppy Right For You?
These are just a few essential and fun facts about Mini Goldendoodles. The Mini Goldendoodle is an adorable, lovable ball of fluff. Due to their low or non-shedding coat, they tend to keep their fluff to themselves, which can be an added benefit for dog owners.
That, paired with their sweet and gentle nature, makes them a good fit for families and dog owners of any experience level. If you think this dog breed could be the right fit for you, learn more about them, and then check out the available Mini Goldendoodle puppies. Who knows? You could end up finding your new best friend!