Are Mini Goldendoodles Good Dogs?

Mini Goldendoodle walking in green grass

If you prefer a smaller dog but love the look and personality of a Goldendoodle, you are in luck with a Mini Goldendoodle. A Mini Goldendoodle is just what it sounds like; a miniature version of the popular standard-sized Goldendoodle.

Mini Goldendoodles are excellent dogs that have some of the same desired qualities as their larger counterparts. They are lap-sized, intelligent, friendly, energetic, and fun to be around. They are very easy to train and have a lifespan of 10 – 15 years on average.

Keep in mind that the lifespan is only an average and isn’t a guarantee. There are no guarantees in life but we are the proud owners of a Mini Goldendoodle and she is going on 15 years old now. She is still healthy but does have some issues that most senior dogs encounter. Her eyes are getting cloudy, hearing isn’t what it once was, and she is experiencing incontinence.

We have kept her active through regular walking and exercise but we have been very fortunate with how healthy she has been during her life.

Good Qualities of a Mini Goldendoodle

Mini Goldendoodles have all the qualities that many people look for when they are in search of a dog. Here are a few of the best qualities that we like as the proud parents of one.

They Are Perfectly Sized

Just because they come in a smaller package, doesn’t mean they are any less special than a standard dood. Their miniature size has lots of benefits and is great for those who are seeking a dog of a smaller size.

  • They range from about 15 – 35 pounds. Ours is currently around 19 pounds.
  • They are easier to travel with than a full-size dog.
  • Easier to leave with family or friends when you need to go somewhere.
  • They don’t take up as much space in the bed (us dog owners know how much space a dog steals in the bed).
  • They don’t eat as much.
  • They don’t require quite as much exercise as a standard-sized dog.
  • Easier to groom, bathe, etc.
  • They are great for people who live in apartments or small places.

This is the type of dog that you won’t mind sitting in your lap. You could call them the perfect lapdog. Of course, if you have one that is pushing the high end of the weight range, it will be more difficult. However, for those who fall towards the lower end or right in the middle, they are perfect.

Mini Goldendoodle enjoying sun

Gentle and Loving Temperament

If you are looking for a dog that is gentle and loving, you will definitely find those qualities in this crossbreed. While they do have energy and love to play, they also like to relax and they enjoy laying right next to you while they do it.

Their gentle nature makes them great for families who have children or other pets.

Ours loves to cuddle and be close to us on cold winter days and she provides us with unconditional love when we can’t find it elsewhere in our lives. In the summertime, she can be a bit more distant but that’s only because she is usually hot due to her warm coat.

We have spoiled her rotten over the years, but it has been so worth it. She has given us so much love and enjoyment and has made our lives better in every way. We can’t imagine life without her.

Like most dogs, her love for us is unconditional but it’s not only with us. She is gentle and loving towards everyone she encounters. Your results may vary and a lot of behavior habits will have a lot to do with how they are raised. In our experience though, you can expect a loving and gentle dog that will make any family proud.

They Are Super Friendly

Goldendoodles are friendly with every person that they meet for the most part. The miniature version is no different in this respect. They like people and are generally treat them as part of the family as long as the family accepts this person.

They are unassuming and you likely won’t have to worry about getting bit when you encounter one. They can be somewhat protective but they are friendly with people as well as other animals the majority of the time.

They Are Easy to Groom

Though they do require grooming regularly, it is typically an easy process as long as you keep their hair brushed and from matting between grooming sessions.

Since they are smaller than the standard size doodles, you won’t have to spend as much time on them. A standard-sized Goldendoodle can take a lot of time if you intend to groom them yourself.

We find that with our mini Goldendoodle, we hardly ever have to brush her hair between haircuts. Her soft hair does tend to get matted if we don’t keep up with it but it usually doesn’t get bad until it’s time to get a haircut anyways.

They Are Healthy

They are very healthy and you will have a dog that will be generally happy and playful for many years. Our dog has only experienced minor illnesses throughout her life.

We exercise her regularly, she eats healthy meals, we spend lots of quality time with her and she has been very healthy her entire life.

The only time she has been sick is when she has had urinary tract infections, Coccidiosis, or other bacterial infections that she might have picked up while we were walking or traveling.

Of course, now that she is in her senior years, she is experiencing some of the common age-related issues. However, this is to be expected for any type of dog no matter how healthy they have been throughout their lives.

It’s important to note that all dogs are at risk of health issues. Just as humans are at risk of health issues, Mini Goldendoodles may be born with a genetic predisposition to certain diseases such as Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, and Von Willebrand Disease.

Side face of mini goldendoodle

They Are Moderately Active

Our mini Goldendoodle has been moderately active her entire life. Of course, she was more active as a young pup but she has continued to be active throughout her adult life and now into her senior years.

She still loves to play and she loves to run, go walking, chase rabbits and birds and she still gets excited over things that many senior dogs wouldn’t even care about.

Sometimes she amazes us with how fast she can run. Oftentimes when we are walking we will go through spells of running and it’s nearly impossible to keep up with her during these short spurts.

Moderately active is a good thing as this will not put stress on the owner of a dog that is more active and requires much more exercise.

The level of exercise that a mini Goldendoodle requires can be achieved by nearly anyone as long as you are willing to work with them, walk them on a regular basis, or play with them in a space where they are free to run.

They Have a Long lifespan

It has been reported that Mini Goldendoodles typically live between 10 and 15 years. However, like most dog owners, we are hoping for our dog to live much longer than this as long as she is healthy and thriving.

Smaller breeds generally live longer than larger breeds and this can be comforting for anyone interested in adopting a Mini Goldendoodle.

Losing a dog can be one of the most difficult things you will ever experience. With a dog that has a longer lifespan, you can put off the inevitable for longer than you might have to with a regular size dog.

Of course, anything can happen and the lifespan average is just that — an average. It doesn’t mean all of them will live to be between those ages.

Bad Qualities of a Mini Goldendoodle

They Like To Bark

Mini Goldendoodles love to bark! At least this is true for our dog. Due to her protective personality, she is always on the watch for people that get too close to us or people who walk by her house.

She barks at each person that she sees walking by our house in an attempt to warn us that an intruder might be near. Until she has met the person and knows they are not a threat, she will tell us what she thinks about them. She is all bark though and would never hurt anyone.

It’s hard to blame her for wanting to protect us but barking can definitely be a bad behavior that may be difficult to handle with your mini Goldendoodle.

Of course, each dog is different so not all of them will display this behavior and it will also depend upon your training methods.

Just know that there is a potential for you to have a barker on your hands. This hasn’t been too big of a problem for us because her barking doesn’t last for long and we are able to stop her when she does get going.

It’s not like she is terrorizing the neighborhood with her loud barking. In fact, her barking is rather quiet when compared to larger barking dogs in our neighborhood.

They Can Be Protective

Like most dogs that are loyal to their owners, Mini Goldendoodles tend to be a bit protective in a bad way sometimes.

Our dog is very protective of us and she is even protective of both of us from each other. If I get close to my wife. She doesn’t like it. And vice versa, if my wife gets too close to me or comes towards me fast, our dog always has something to say about it.

This is common among many dogs so it should come as no surprise but it’s important to note that this breed does like to be protective. This can be a good thing if you live alone or may have a fear of intruders. He or she will gladly alert you if anyone gets near.

Although they likely will not scare anyone away, they certainly mean well and want to protect you in every way that they can. It goes with the loyal nature of the mini Goldendoodle.

For a longer list of the good and bad of Mini Goldendoodles, you can read about the pros and cons here.

Dog with head resting on back of couch

Mini Goldendoodle vs Standard Goldendoodle

The main differences between these two are size and energy needs. A Standard Goldendoodle can be upwards of 80 lbs or even more. They have a lot of energy needs and are great for people who want to exercise with them. I often see joggers with a Standard Doodle by their side as they jog.

On the other hand, the miniature version would not make a great jogging partner. While they are certainly active, they could not keep up with that type of activity unless it is done in short spurts. I am a jogger myself but I know my dog would not be able to run with me on my typical 3-mile jogs.

When looking at size, you’ll need quite a bit more space for a standard-sized dog. Whether it’s in your backyard, bed, car, or on your couch, they are just going to require a lot more room to roam and relax. The Mini Goldendoodle can fit into nearly any little spot and you hardly know they are there.

A miniature dog will likely be easier to train and control than a larger dog. If you do not train a standard-sized dog well, you could end up with your hands full as they hit their adolescent and young adult years. You may find them grabbing food off the counter, pulling you on walks, knocking children over, and doing other goofy things that large playful dogs often do.

A miniature dog will not be such a handful for those who want to live in a calmer environment.

Neither is better than the other and each person has their own idea of what makes a perfect dog. Some like them small and some like them big. One good thing about Goldendoodles is that they come in lots of different shapes and sizes so options abound.

The Best Thing About Owning a Mini Goldendoodle

After all is said and done, perhaps the best reason to own a Mini Goldendoodle is the friendship and unconditional love that you will have for as long as they are in your life.

There is no better friend than a dog as they are extremely loyal and will be there for you through thick and through thin.

If you are considering this crossbreed, you should know that they are excellent pets. They are definitely good dogs and depending on the time and effort you are willing to put in, you could end up with the perfect companion for many years to come.

Dan Collins

Not only am I a dog or pet lover, but an animal lover. My Goldendoodle has opened my eyes to how special animals can be and I am proud to be her dad. I write about Doodles and share my knowledge and experience of owning a mini Goldendoodle for 16 years.

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