There are many designer dog breeds available for pet owners to choose from. A designer breed allows you to combine two great dogs into one, and get all the desirable qualities of both breeds in an entirely new breed of dog. With this in mind, many people wonder if it’s possible to breed a Golden Retriever with a Miniature Poodle?
You can breed a Golden Retriever with a Miniature Poodle. This results in a new breed type known as a Mini Goldendoodle. There are several types of Goldendoodles, including the Mini Goldendoodle, all of which are friendly, love to be around people, easy to train, and a good choice for any family.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what a Mini Goldendoodle is, their temperament, overall characteristics, and some of the best ways you can take care of your Goldendoodle and keep them in the best health possible.
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Mixing the Golden Retriever and the Poodle
When a Poodle and a Golden Retriever are mixed, it results in an adorable new breed known as the Goldendoodle. These dogs are very popular because they’re smart, cute, and playful around children and adults.
They’re known as a designer breed because they have some of their parents’ best qualities. A Goldendoodle blends the energetic, friendly disposition of a golden retriever and the high intelligence of a poodle.
Since you’re mixing two breeds, it’s impossible to exactly control which traits they’ll inherit from their parents but with the desirable attributes of both a golden retriever and a poodle, the end result is a dog that’s pretty special!
This breed is relatively new, first appearing in the early 1990s, it was officially named in 1992. They’re naturally athletic and love to play! They’re friendly, and make an excellent choice for families, especially for those who have small children. They also have plenty of energy to keep up with an active lifestyle.
Why Are Goldendoodles So Popular?
The Goldendoodle has become a very popular pup indeed! The popularity of this breed is because it’s a mix of a golden retriever and a poodle, which are two of the most sought after dogs on the planet!
A Goldendoodle is a blend of the laid back and friendly nature of a golden retriever and the smarts of a poodle. On top of that, they’re cute as can be!
The Goldendoodle is easy to train, likes to be around people, and shows a lot of affection to their owners. They are extremely social dogs and are an excellent breed to choose as a family pet.
Goldendoodles Are Hypoallergenic
Another big reason Goldendoodles are so popular is that they’re considered to be hypoallergenic due to their low shedding and dander. They get this from their poodle pedigree.
Poodle coats are made up of hair instead of fur. Much like human hair, a poodle’s hair keeps growing and doesn’t shed. This is why poodles need to go to the groomer for haircuts.
Therefore poodles are considered hypoallergenic and Gooldendoodles inherit this trait depending on what degree they get their coat from their poodle parent.
That being said, some Gooldendoodles are more hypoallergenic than others. You’ll have to look at their coat to see if it’s more fur-like (golden retriever) or curly hair-like (poodle). The more poodle-like their coat, the more hypoallergenic the dog will be.
The Mini Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles overall come in several varieties and sizes depending on their parents. Poodles are classified as either Toy, Miniature or Standard and depending on which one is bred with a golden retriever will determine what type of Goldendoodle you end up with.
It’s not uncommon to see a Goldendoodle come in at over 50 pounds and stand higher than 21 inches, coming in closer to the size of the Golden Retriever than to the poodle (this would be a mix between a Standard Poodle and Golden Retriever). For some families, this is the perfect size for them to run around and have fun with. But for others, this size is too big.
In the case of a Mini or Miniature Goldendoodle, the poodle used for breeding will be either the Toy or Miniature Poodle, making them much smaller. The full-grown size of a Mini Goldendoodle is somewhere between a golden retriever and miniature poodle. They take up less space in the home or apartment and don’t eat as much.
You can expect an adult Mini Goldendoodle to be between 13″ and 16″ inches tall and weigh somewhere between 25 and 35lbs on average. You could very well, however, end up with a Miniature Goldendoodle that is bigger or smaller than the average. It really depends on how the genetics play out. A Mini Goldendoodle could have either more golden retriever or more miniature poodle in them. It can be difficult to tell when looking at a puppy.
Miniature Goldendoodles share the traits of their parents, generally making them loving, friendly, energetic, playful and social dogs. Because of their smaller size, they’ll need less exercise than a Golden Retriever or regular Goldendoodle. This is beneficial to some pet owners who can’t be home as often. They’re also so cute, it’s hard to resist their charms!
The Temperament of the Goldendoodle
You will quickly notice that the Mini Goldendoodle has an easy temperament to work with. They are friendly and like to spend time around others. They are easy to train and can easily handle rambunctious children, making them a great family dog.
Some things to consider when looking at the temperament of this dog include:
- They have lots of energy: This means that they must be exercised regularly. You can take them on long walks, play in the backyard, and bring the dog on any adventure you’d like (they’ll be up for it!). Without the right amount of exercise, your dog will get into trouble.
- They are easy to train: you can get the whole family involved in training this dog. They like to please their owners, making them easy to train, and they’re quick to learn new tricks and behaviors.
- They are athletic: You can take them on walks or runs, and even on some good hikes in the mountains. They can handle endurance sports and can run for a long time, which makes them good for a family on the move.
- They are social: The Goldendoodle is a social animal. They are friendly, while also staying calm around humans and other dogs. They do well with children. They can protect them when necessary and are always ready to play.
How to Take Care of Your Goldendoodle
You’ll need to provide your puppy with the right kind of care. This will help them to grow properly and feel their very best. A few things to consider when taking care of your Goldendoodle include:
Groom Your Dog
Make sure that your puppy gets the grooming they need. All those curls will become a mess if you don’t brush it through on a regular basis. You should also brush their teeth, clip their nails, and do any other necessary grooming tasks. The amount of grooming you need to do will depend on the coat type. Some types need more care than others.
Exercise Your Dog
Like the Golden Retriever, you’ll need to provide them with daily exercise to keep them entertained and prevent them from getting bored. You’ll need to spend an hour or more a day with your dog, helping them run, play, and get that energy out. It’s fine to split the time up between the morning and night if necessary.
Stimulate Their Minds
There are several ways that you can work the mind of your dog. You can teach them some new tricks or go through training to help them behave the way you expect. You can give them toys that they can play with and have fun with, engaging the mind. These are smart dogs that are always ready to learn something new.
You can also check out our article The 19 Best Toys Golden Retrievers Will Actually Play With! for some idea of toys that your Goldendoodle will love to play with as well!
Visit the Vet
It’s important to get on a good vet routine with your dog once you bring them home. Visiting the vet will help you catch any health concerns earlier, learn about the right food to provide your dog at each stage of life, and make sure they are developing well. Starting this early will also make it easier for your dog to feel comfortable with the vet, making the visits less traumatic for everyone.
Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games: 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved!
Health Concerns to Consider for the Goldendoodle
There are a few health concerns to consider before deciding to add a Goldendoodle puppy to your home. When you combine two breeds of dogs, the offspring will potentially have to deal with any of the health conditions of the parent. Some common health concerns that the Goldendoodle puppy may have without proper care includes:
- Hip Dysplasia: This is common for both the poodle and the Golden Retriever. This is when the hip socket is formed abnormally.
- Eye Disorders: This may result in blindness, or some trouble seeing, in the dark.
- Patella Luxation: This is a condition of the knees.
- Diabetes: Without the proper diet, it’s common for some of these puppies to develop diabetes. Make sure to avoid an excessive amount of people food.
- Aortic Stenosis: This is a heart disease that can show up with a Golden Retriever. You should check to see if your breeder has tested for this condition before purchasing.
Conclusion
The Goldendoodle is a great dog for your family. They possess the best qualities of the Poodle and the Golden Retriever, providing your family with a dog that is easy to take care of, love, and enjoy!
Goldendoodle highlights:
- Goldendoodles are a mix of a golden retriever and a poodle.
- They’re known for being friendly, easy to train, and loyal.
- Exercise is an essential part of owning a golden retriever-poodle mix.
Other Golden Retriever Articles You’ll Love!
- Can Golden Retriever Puppies Swim? (And Is It Safe?)
- The World of Golden Retriever Coat Colors (with Pictures!)