Mini Goldendoodle
Golden heart, apartment-size frame.
- Weight
- 15–35 lbs
- Height
- 13–20 in
- Lifespan
- 12–16 yrs
In short
The Mini Goldendoodle is a North American designer cross of the Golden Retriever and the Miniature Poodle, first bred in the 2000s as a smaller family companion. Adults weigh 15–35 lbs and live 12–16 years. There is no breed standard, so size, coat and shedding vary widely, even within one litter.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a friendly, trainable family dog
- can budget for grooming every 6–8 weeks
- are home often
Think twice if you…
- need a guaranteed low-shedding dog
- want a dog that's fine alone all day
- don't want to brush several times a week
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 50–90 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study8.5/10
EnergyActive7.0/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors9.5/10
SheddingModerate shedder4.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Variable fleece coat
Coats range from wavy to tight curls; curlier coats shed less but mat faster and need clipping.
-
02
Floppy, hairy ears
Hair in a warm, folded ear canal traps moisture, so ear infections are common after swims and baths.
-
03
Size lottery
With no standard, adult size depends on the parents; ask to meet both, or at least see their weights.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 20–35 lbs | 15–30 lbs |
| Height | 15–20 in | 13–18 in |
| Lifespan | 12–16 yrs | |
| Coat | Wavy to curly fleece; varies by generation (F1, F1B and so on) | |
Personality
Most Mini Goldendoodles are sociable, playful and keen to be wherever their people are. They pick up the Poodle's quick wit and the Golden's love of everyone. Many stay puppyish and mouthy well past their first birthday.
With kids
Usually excellent with kids; teach puppies not to jump and mouth, which small children find hard.
With other pets
Typically friendly with dogs and cats, especially when raised with them.
With strangers
Most greet strangers like old friends, so expect to train calm greetings rather than protection.
Alone time
Strongly people-oriented and prone to separation stress; build alone time gradually from puppyhood.
Training
Both parent breeds were bred to work with people, so Mini Goldendoodles learn fast and enjoy it. They thrive on short, upbeat sessions with clear rewards.
-
How often
2–3 sessions of 5–10 minutes a day, ending each one on a win.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Use 8–16 weeks for grooming handling above all: brushing, the clippers, dryer noise and paw and ear handling. Add calm alone-time practice so separation stress doesn't take hold.
-
Self-control
Four paws on the floor for greetings, and calm settling in a crate or on a mat. Reward calm, ignore jumping and keep sessions short.
-
What it works for
Food and play both work; many love to retrieve. Use small, high-value pieces for new skills and a game of fetch as the jackpot. Keep treats within 10% of daily calories.
Exercise
Mini Goldendoodles need daily walks plus active play; many inherit the Golden's love of retrieving and water.
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Fetch and retrieving games
- Swimming
- Brisk walks or hikes
Brain work
- Trick training
- Nose work or 'find it'
- Puzzle toys
Best home
Apartment OK with daily exercise and play.
Watch for Ears stay damp after swimming, so dry them right away to prevent infections.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Mini Goldendoodle (15–35 lbs) lands around 475–900 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 600–1,125 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 60–115 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–6 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 475–900 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 50–90 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–5 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 650–1,225 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 65–125 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–6 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 425–775 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 45–80 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–4 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 600–1,125 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 60–115 kcal | 3–6 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 475–900 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 50–90 kcal | 2–5 pieces |
| Active / Working | 650–1,225 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 65–125 kcal | 3–6 pieces |
| Senior | 425–775 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 45–80 kcal | 2–4 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Mini Goldendoodles can inherit issues from both parents: hip and elbow problems, kneecap luxation, eye disease and ear infections. Choose a breeder who health-tests both parents.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | OFA hip and elbow evaluations of both parents | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder for results) |
| Luxating patella | OFA patella evaluation of the Poodle parent | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder for results) |
| Progressive retinal atrophy and other eye disease | CAER eye exam plus PRA DNA tests (prcd-PRA, GR-PRA1/2) | Eye exam yearly in breeding dogs; DNA once |
| Heart disease | Cardiac exam of the Golden parent | Before breeding; ask the breeder |
Health tests to ask for
The Mini Goldendoodle has no CHIC program of its own, so ask for the tests the OFA requires for each parent breed.
Golden Retriever parent
- Hip evaluation
- Elbow evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Heart exam
Poodle (Miniature) parent
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Kneecap (patella) check
- Hip evaluation
Grooming Usually low, but varies by dog; mats without regular brushing
Brush to the skin 3–4 times a week with a slicker and comb. Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, clean and dry ears weekly and after swimming, and brush teeth several times a week. No dog is truly allergen-free, so spend time with one before committing if allergies are a concern.
History
1990s
Doodle origins
Breeders in North America began crossing Golden Retrievers with Poodles to produce low-shedding family dogs.
2000s
Going mini
Miniature Poodles were used to produce smaller Goldendoodles for families with less space.
Today
Mixed generations
Mini Goldendoodles are bred across generations (F1, F1B, multigen), and they are not recognized by the AKC as a breed.
Questions owners ask
Are Mini Goldendoodles easy to train?
Yes. They are smart, people-focused and food-motivated, so short, upbeat sessions work well.
Are Mini Goldendoodles good with kids and other pets?
Usually yes. They are friendly and playful, but puppies jump and mouth, so supervise with small kids.
How much exercise does a Mini Goldendoodle need?
About 60–90 minutes a day of walks, play and mental games. Many love fetch and swimming.
Do Mini Goldendoodles shed?
Usually lightly, but it varies by coat. Grooming is high: brush 3–4 times a week and book a professional groom every 6–8 weeks.
What health problems do Mini Goldendoodles have, and how long do they live?
Most live 12–16 years. Watch for hip and elbow dysplasia, luxating patellas, eye disease and ear infections.
Is a Mini Goldendoodle good for apartments or first-time owners?
Yes, often. They adapt well to small homes and are easy to train, but grooming costs and separation stress need planning.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Mini Goldendoodle needs only 2–5 pieces a day, well inside the 50–90 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Mini Goldendoodle ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Mini Goldendoodle
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
