A Comprehensive Guide to Miniature Goldendoodles

Miniature Goldendoodle

A Goldendoodle is a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. These dogs can come in various sizes thanks to their relationship to the Poodle, and the Miniature Goldendoodles are the result of a Golden Retriever mixing with a Miniature Poodle or a Toy Poodle. These dogs have become more and more popular for their friendly disposition and loving company, no matter their size.

The Miniature Goldendoodle is an excellent pet for first-time dog owners, and these dogs do great in any climate. However, apartment dwellers should know that even though Miniature Goldendoodle puppies are smaller dogs, they aren’t great for apartment life. Often, Miniature black Goldendoodle puppies are too energetic and loud for apartment living. Even though these dogs are friendly and get along well with other animals, they aren’t great in busy buildings.

However, Miniature Goldendoodle puppies are great for families with other pets and kids. These dogs are very reliant upon their families and often suffer from separation anxiety, so having an extra pet at home to keep them company is never a bad thing! Of course, owners need to make sure they properly train their dogs to be well socialized with other pets. Miniature Goldendoodle puppies are a great dog breed to rescue, and caring for them is relatively low maintenance.

History

The Mini black Goldendoodle mixed breed gained a lot of popularity in the 1990s and became an alternative choice to the Cockapoo breed. Black Goldendoodle puppies, in general, are typically well-socialized and trained dogs, and sometimes they’re used as service dogs and therapy dogs.

Due to the nature of the Miniature Goldendoodle being a mixed breed, these dogs don’t have a traditional breed group. There are a few different names for the Miniature Goldendoodles such as Mini Goldendoodles and Mini Goldenpoo. Because these dogs have a similar look to teddy bears, they’ve become very popular for families with children. These dogs are great with many different lifestyle types, so it’s easy to see why they’re such a go-to breed for so many families.

Size

Miniature Goldendoodles can be bred from a Golden Retriever and a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Because they can come from two different sizes of Poodles, their size varies a lot. Miniature Goldendoodle puppies will weigh anywhere from 15 to 35 pounds and stand anywhere from 13 to 20 inches.

Their petite size means they’re fragile and can be easily injured if they’re mishandled. This is why it’s essential to make sure children in any Mini Goldendoodle household know how to interact with them appropriately. It’s also important to make sure any other animals in the house are trained and can behave while around other animals.

Temperament

Miniature black Goldendoodle puppies are carefree, energetic dogs. Many of these dogs love spending the day playing with their family or other animals in the house. These dogs get along well with strangers but might bark upon meeting someone new.

Any dog is at their best temperament when they’ve received good socialization training and their daily exercise needs. When Miniature Goldendoodle puppies aren’t socialized properly, they can become fearful of new things and people. To encourage a more even temperament, owners can help their dogs by ensuring they take their dogs to as many new experiences as possible. It’s essential to always be patient with dogs when they’re exploring something new. Rushing them into something can scare them and prevent them from ever enjoying the intended experience in the first place. When new owners adopt their Mini Goldendoodle puppies, they should provide plenty of treats and praise when their Mini Goldendoodle goes to a new place, tries a new thing, or meets a new person.

Intelligence

Miniature Goldendoodles are brilliant dogs and very easy to train. Because of their innate intelligence and loyalty to their owners, these dogs are great for first-time owners or more timid dog owners. Many dogs in this mixed breed have also been trained to be therapy dogs or service dogs.

Owners should remember the best way to train their dog is to be consistent and positive. By creating a regular schedule of training sessions, your dog will be better prepared to learn. Also, dogs with shorter and more frequent training sessions will learn faster. Miniature Goldendoodle puppies are sensitive little guys and shouldn’t be scolded for not following commands but should instead be rewarded during training sessions when they complete the task correctly.

Shedding

Miniature Goldendoodle puppies have hypoallergenic fur that they inherit from their Poodle relatives. While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, some dogs are more so than others, and Miniature black Goldendoodle puppies are more than other breeds. Hypoallergenic dogs shed much less than other dog breeds, but pet dander, hair, and saliva can irritate a person who suffers from dog allergies. Because of how small the Miniature black Goldendoodle is, they release a small amount of these irritants and make an excellent choice for people with dog allergies.

Miniature Goldendoodle Overall Health

Miniature black Goldendoodle puppies are generally healthy dogs, but they have their share of health risks. These dogs can live anywhere from 10 to 15 years long. Owners should keep in mind, too, that even though these dogs have an average life expectancy, they’re a newer mixed breed and could live even longer than fifteen years.

Miniature Goldendoodle puppies suffer from some health conditions that are common in many dogs. Smaller dogs tend to have more stress and anxiety than larger dogs do. Like many other dog breeds, the Miniature Goldendoodle can also suffer from hip dysplasia. However, most Miniature Goldendoodle puppies have little to no health issues their entire lives.

Common Psychological Health Conditions

Stress

Miniature black Goldendoodle puppies can feel stress anytime they have excessive energy they need to get out. Even though these dogs are small, they’re energetic. Without meeting their daily exercise needs or being mentally stimulated, these dogs can have stress that turns into trouble. Often, when dogs experience stress, they’ll shake their heads or tear up a trash can.

Owners can help their stressed-out Miniature black Goldendoodle puppies by providing daily exercise and toys that can help these dogs by distracting them or focusing their energy. Owners can also purchase supplements that aim to help a dog calm down. Many dog owners purchase mentally stimulating dog games that are designed to distract dogs. These games typically have food or treats inside them as an incentive, and a dog has to figure out some puzzle to get to the compartment for the treats to open. It’s an excellent way for dogs to de-stress.

Anxiety

Small dogs that are bred solely for companionship often suffer from separation anxiety more than larger dogs. Since the Miniature black Goldendoodle is one of these, it’s fair to say these dogs are likely to get a lot of anxiety if they’re left alone for too long.

If you want to get a Miniature Goldendoodle but spend most of your days at work, you should look for a different breed. Miniature Goldendoodles need a lot of attention, and if they don’t feel they’re getting what they need, they might start to show anxiety symptoms. It can be hard to help your dog with their anxiety, but owners can train their dogs out of stress or provide them calming treats to help them.

Calming Dog Products

Miniature Goldendoodle puppies would appreciate having their own dog bed so they have a space just for them. Owners should also consider getting zen treats to help their dogs calm down and relax. These treats can be handy to help with separation anxiety or any anxiety-inducing event like thunderstorms and fireworks.

Common Physical Health Conditions

Mixed dog breeds are at risk of inheriting genetic health conditions from either of their two parent breeds. This can be a good thing if it widens the gene pool, lessening their risk of experiencing certain conditions. However, mixing dog breeds doesn’t always add up to a healthier breed. Miniature black Goldendoodle puppies still have their fair share of health conditions they’re at risk of developing.

Miniature black Goldendoodle puppies are at risk of experiencing ear infections or hip dysplasia. These conditions affect more dogs than most others and can be treated with supplements and lifestyle changes. Often, when dogs experience these health conditions, they aren’t severe enough to need much medical assistance.

Ear Infections

Miniature Goldendoodle puppies need their ears to be checked regularly to make sure no dirt or debris gets trapped in them. The unique wavy fur the Miniature Goldendoodle puppy has is excellent at moisturizing the skin, but if the skin underneath gets too dirty, then ear infections can begin. Their hair naturally traps heat and moisture but allows the air to flow, so they don’t get any conditions. When dogs don’t get adequately groomed, bacteria and debris build up in the fur and lead to a loss of airflow. This dirty fur can easily infect a dog’s ears.

Owners can check if their dog’s ears are infected by flipping their ears outwards. If any specks are in them, it’s a good idea to give your dog an ear cleaning. You can make homemade ear cleaning solutions or you can buy an ear cleaning mix at most local pet stores. You have to ensure you only get mixes that are specific for dogs and only use them to wipe the outside part of the ears. It’s essential owners only use a cotton ball to rub their dog’s ears and never use a cotton swab. Putting anything inside your dog’s ear can cause permanent damage to their eardrums. It’s best never to try to clean anything your finger can’t easily clean.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is a health condition in which a dog’s knee cap gets displaced. A kneecap is called the patella, and luxation means out of place. This condition isn’t often severe enough to need any serious medical attention. Most often, when dogs suffer from patellar luxation, their kneecap might fall out of place every once in a while. This might look like the dog has a weird jog temporarily before they quickly go back into their regular movements.

There are four different levels of severity for dogs with patellar luxation. Most dogs only experience the mildest severity of this condition and might have some symptoms. Some dogs might have discomfort when this happens and might benefit from joint supplements. Owners shouldn’t stress about their miniature Goldendoodle developing this condition, and they should rest assured knowing most dogs have no issue with this. Providing joint supplements and pain remedies is more than enough to aid a dog with the mildest form of patellar luxation.

Hip dysplasia is a condition where the hip joint doesn’t align correctly. A dog may feel pain and get arthritis in the affected joint when this occurs. Eventually, this can cause them to experience stiff joints or pain in certain positions. Many dogs can experience this condition and go their whole life without needing any treatment. However, some dogs have much more severe cases of hip dysplasia that require medical attention to treat.

Less severe cases of hip dysplasia can mostly be treated at home. Typically, treatment can vary greatly based on an individual dog’s regular activity. Less active dogs with hip dysplasia could benefit from more movement to help their joints loosen up rather than allowing them to stiffen. On the other hand, more active dogs could benefit from less exercise. The severity of hip dysplasia will also change what dogs need to aid their condition.

Dogs with less severe cases of hip dysplasia might not need any pain management aids. No matter what, these dogs can always take some simple supplements to help their joint pain. Many dog owners find that supplements are enough to treat their pet’s condition. Owners should also make sure their dog has a soft place to rest their joints, too. Providing a comfy dog bed or some large blankets to lay on is a great way to offer your dog blissful rest. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, some owners even provide their dogs with hip dysplasia dog CBD.

 

Oral Health

Many dogs have dental health issues, but small dogs struggle with dental health more than average. Miniature size dogs like the Miniature Goldendoodle are likely to have overcrowded teeth, and this can cause pain. This can also make it easier for food and bacteria to get trapped, leading to dental disease.

Owners can help their Miniature Goldendoodle maintain their best oral health by giving their teeth a good brushing twice a week, minimum. If you want to go above and beyond the minimum, daily brushing would be a great way to help your dog fight any potential oral health issues.

Owners can only use specialty dog toothpaste as many human kinds of toothpaste contain a specific mint-like ingredient that’s poisonous to dogs. Many dental treats are also specially made to clean a dog’s teeth daily.

Oravet Dental Hygiene Chews Based On Size

Miniature Goldendoodle Needs

Exercise

Although the Miniature Goldendoodle is sure to get a lot of exercise running around the home by just following their families around, they would benefit greatly from daily walks. These dogs don’t need hour-long walks either, and a quick walk around the block is a great way to give your Miniature Goldendoodle time outside.

Because Miniature black Goldendoodle puppies would love a little extra exercise, taking these dogs to the dog park is a great way to get them more socialized and active. Many of these dogs also love playing in the water and swimming when they’re given the opportunity.

Giving your Miniature Goldendoodle puppy around sixty minutes of activity every day is a great way to ensure they keep their physical health at its best. Puzzle toys are great ways to give Miniature Goldendoodle puppies daily mental stimulation. Dogs can get mental stimulation in a lot of different ways, and it’s usually up to the owner on how to provide this. Owners can play interactive, mentally stimulating games with their dogs, such as hide and seek, or they can provide toys that are meant to challenge their dogs mentally.

 Exercise Toys We Love

Nutrition

It’s recommended to feed your Miniature black Goldendoodle puppy about one cup of food daily in two separate meals. Providing your dog with smaller meals throughout the day helps them feel fuller while stimulating their metabolism.

Every owner should know that their dog’s diet will change based on their activity levels, sex, size, and any health conditions, if present. Owners should ensure they give their dog high-quality dog food since it will have more nutrients in smaller portions.

Many owners forget to account for treats in their dog’s daily calories. It’s absolutely fine to give your dog a few treats every day as long as you don’t overdo it. Owners need to keep a general track of their dog’s daily calorie intake and activity to ensure they aren’t overfeeding or underfeeding their dogs. There are a few at-home methods to test if your dog is at a healthy weight.

One method involved the owner standing above their dog, looking directly down at their waist. A waistline should be noticeable but not too exaggerated. An exaggerated waist would indicate an underweight dog, whereas no waist at all indicates an overweight dog. Another way to tell if a dog is overweight or not is to feel its ribs with your hands. Owners should be able to put a little pressure pushing their fingertips into their dog’s side to feel their ribcage. If you don’t need any pressure to feel your dog’s ribcage, your dog is underweight. If you need more than just a little bit of pressure to feel their ribcage, your dog is overweight.

Grooming

Miniature black Goldendoodle puppies get fur from both their parent breeds, and this breed will almost certainly be inheriting a curly coat that’s around a medium length and is very dense. Even though it may appear as if these dogs are walking furballs, they shed rarely but need proper grooming to keep their fur at its best.

The Miniature Goldendoodle has wavy hair that can be black, gray, red, fawn, brown, or cream. Black Goldendoodle puppies are very rare. A black Goldendoodle puppy’s coat will look its best when owners ensure they brush their dog two to three times a week. Poodles and Poodle mixes have semi-hypoallergenic fur that’s sensitive and can matte easily when it isn’t cleaned or brushed regularly. Some owners will need to hire a professional groomer to tidy up their Miniature black Goldendoodle puppy’s coat every two or three months.

Owners can take care of their Miniature black Goldendoodle puppy’s coat themselves if they feel comfortable enough. Many owners bathe their dogs, although you shouldn’t bathe these dogs too often since they have sensitive skin. Bathing them once every five to ten weeks is a great way to make sure their skin is healthy. Potential owners should know these dogs need mild/sensitive shampoos made specifically for dogs.

Potential owners should be prepared to buy their miniature Goldendoodle the proper food for their age. Miniature Goldendoodle puppies will need special puppy food, whereas elderly dogs will need specific senior dog food. The difference in these foods aligns with the different nutrients these dogs need at that age range. Miniature black Goldendoodle puppies also benefit from having a crate and a bed to call their own. Crate training your dog is an excellent way to make sure they can be trusted home alone in case you need to put them in the crate. It can also be a great way to provide them with a space that they can keep to themselves. When dogs are stressed out, having a place away from people they trust is just an excellent way for them to calm down.

Owners should also ensure that they have the proper harness, collar, and leash their dog needs. You should make sure to wait to purchase these items until you get your dog to ensure that they fit. When adopting a new dog, owners could also provide a blanket- that way it can adopt their smell. Owners can also decide to start buying special dog toys for mental exercises or dog nail trimmers. There are dog toys that are great for giving them physical activity, but many mental exercise toys exist as well.

Other Resources

1. Goldendoodle Association of North America
2. Mini Goldendoodle Rescue
3. Adopt-a-Pet
4. 10 Goldendoodle Rescues in the US
5. Petfinder