Mini Labradoodle Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Full Guide to the Miniature Labradoodle

The Mini Labradoodle is an intelligent and social puppy that is perfect for many types of families. These dogs have been service dogs and guide dogs, but they are excellent companion pets, too. The Mini Labradoodle is the result of mixing a Labrador Retriever with a Toy or Miniature Poodle. At their best, Miniature Labradoodle dogs are friendly balls of energy who are happy to do anything alongside their owners. These dogs are destructive, noisy, and nervous pups at their worst behavior. Mini Labradoodle puppies deserve owners that can help them be their best, and that requires an owner who is patient and dedicated to training and socializing these dogs.

Mini Labradoodle puppies are great for first-time owners since they are easy to train. These dogs love other dogs and can get along well with other animals as long as they are properly socialized. Well-socialized Mini Labradoodle dogs will have a healthy curiosity and a playful attitude.

Because the Labradoodle is a hybrid breed, many of the breeds’ size specifications or color patterns aren’t as uniform as purebred dogs are. Mini Labradoodle puppies were bred to be guide dogs but quickly became loved by families for their loyal and affectionate personalities. These dogs have become popular as family pets or therapy dogs because they love to spend time with their owners.

If any potential owners are worried about adopting a Mini Labradoodle puppy and not socializing them well, they could always consider a puppy kindergarten class. There are many different classes for dogs, like obedience training, socialization training, or even anti-anxiety training. Owners can always hire help if needed, but it is up to them to make that decision.

Miniature Labradoodle History

Mini Labradoodles were originally developed as part of the Labradoodle hybrid breed. These dogs were going to be great for families with dog allergies because of their hypoallergenic coats. Australia was the first place that had a documented planned breeding between a Poodle and Labrador Retriever. The Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia saw the potential to create a hypoallergenic hybrid breed that was smart, friendly, and had all the ideal qualities of a great guide dog.

The first purposeful crossbreed of a Labradoodle was between a Standard Poodle and a Labrador Retriever. One of the dogs produced from the first crossbreed grew to be an intelligent, well-trained, hypoallergenic Labradoodle. This is part of why so many families found this breed to be desirable. Labradoodle dogs quickly became one of the most sought-after doodle breeds.

Because the Mini Labradoodle is a mixed breed, it doesn’t come from a traditional breed group. This popular hybrid breed originally comes from the Poodle and Labrador Retriever, but multigenerational breeding has become more popular. This means that more Miniature Labradoodle dogs are the products of Labradoodle to Labradoodle dogs. Responsible breeders are doing this to try to create a more consistent mixed breed.

Full Grown Mini Labradoodle Size

Full grown Mini Labradoodle dogs can be anywhere from 15 to 25 pounds and stand between 14 and 16 inches tall. However, full grown Mini Labradoodle dogs can vary in size and be larger or smaller than the average dog because of how much variation there is in the Labradoodle hybrid breed.

While full grown Mini Labradoodle dogs aren’t big dogs, they aren’t precisely petite either. These dogs can play a little rougher than some other small dogs their size and might even find themselves playing around with a dog triple their weight.

Mini Labradoodle Temperament

The Mini Labradoodle approaches life head-on with fearless optimism, and they approach new people in a similar way. Mini Labradoodle dogs are friendly in nature and love to socialize. Mini Labradoodle puppies that are well socialized at a young age will enjoy going into new environments and meeting new people. These dogs are extroverts in the most extra ways. Their energy and affection can sometimes be their own Achille’s heel, as it means these dogs aren’t always great in families with small children. Because of how excited they can get, Mini Labradoodle may knock over small children simply because they are unaware of their own bodies.

Mini Labradoodles may bark when anyone new enters the house, but these dogs will likely never be hostile towards strangers. Miniature Labradoodle dogs are more likely to want to meet anyone new.

While these dogs have surely found a home in the hearts of many families, they aren’t the well-bred guide dogs they were once intended to be. Mini Labradoodle dogs can certainly be great guide dogs if they have the right temperament. One of the issues with this is that this hybrid breed is not very consistent in the hybrid puppies. Most purebred dogs will have physical characteristics and personality traits that are carried for every dog in their breed. For example, Collies naturally enjoy herding. Mini Labradoodle puppies have many different qualities across all of the offspring. Not all Mini Labradoodle dogs will be as hypoallergenic as their Poodle relatives and are more likely to shed frequently like their Labrador Retriever relatives. Some dogs are more reserved, like the Poodle personality traits, and some Miniature Labrador Retrievers will act like puppies until much later in their lives. Adopting a Mini Labradoodle is a gamble either way, but it hasn’t decreased the hybrid breed’s popularity.

Mini Labradoodle Intelligence

Mini Labradoodle dogs get excellent traits from both their parent breeds. The Labrador Retriever and Poodle are both incredibly intelligent breeds, and they pass their traits onto their hybrid breed as well. These dogs are generally easy to train because they are naturally eager to please their owners.

The best way to train a Miniature Labradoodle puppy is to provide a positive environment and quick training periods. Miniature Labradoodle dogs are high-energy but also very intelligent. Owners will find that their Mini Labradoodle might learn a new command in five tries or less. However, these dogs can become easily distracted by their own enthusiasm. It’s best to keep training sessions brief and consistent. Owners should make sure they don’t ever scold their dog for not completing a command. During training sessions, scolding your Mini Labradoodle might encourage a negative association with training. Instead, it’s best to focus on the successful commands your Mini Labradoodle completes and praise them verbally while providing rewarding treats.

Miniature Labradoodle Shedding

Miniature Labradoodle puppies can have three different coat types. Because of the variability in this hybrid breed, these dogs can be anywhere from non-shedders to average shedders, meaning not all Miniature Labradoodle puppies are hypoallergenic. Owners should brush their dog once a week minimum to help maintain a clean coat and remove dead hair.

Many dog breeds go through two heavy shedding seasons in the spring and fall, and owners can help their dogs by brushing them extra during these times.

Health Overview of a Miniature Labradoodle

Full grown Mini Labradoodle dogs have an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, and smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs. A Miniature Labradoodle is at risk of developing certain health conditions, just like all breeds are at risk of developing specific conditions. Miniature Labradoodle puppies are much more likely to experience conditions their parent breed relatives, the Poodle and Labrador Retriever, also face.

Mini Labradoodle dogs are likely to experience common mental conditions like stress and anxiety. These dogs may also develop physical health conditions, although most conditions are milder.

Common Psychological Health Conditions

Stress

Small dogs may experience stress if they aren’t properly socialized. Dogs can experience stress for a number of reasons; most often, it is out of fear. For example, some dogs have common stress-related symptoms around loud noises like police sirens or fireworks. Some dogs are stressed around new people or other animals.

When dogs feel unsettled, they will respond with stress symptoms. Miniature Labradoodle puppies will communicate their stress with body language. A stressed-out full grown Mini Labradoodle might have its tail tucked between its legs or its ears pointed backward. Some dogs cower when they are stressed or pant excessively. Small dogs often whine or bark during periods of stress, and Miniature Labradoodles may also pace or refuse to relax in general.

Owners can help their Miniature Labradoodle puppies with their stress in several different ways. Anytime you notice your Mini Labradoodle is stressed, remove them from the situation, if possible. Sometimes loud noises or thunderstorms may cause your dog to stress out, and it can be hard to remove the noise from your environment. Instead, try to distract your dog. You can try going into a training session. Treat-motivated pets like the Mini Labradoodle might enthusiastically ignore their stress for a scooby snack.

But, owners shouldn’t worry about their Miniature Labradoodle getting stressed out. All dogs will experience stress at some point, and the best thing owners can do to help their pets is to know their pet’s signs of stress. Just by spending time with your pets, owners will naturally come to know when their dog is relaxed, excited, or stressed out.

Anxiety

Small dogs often struggle with anxiety, especially separation anxiety. Full grown Mini Labradoodle dogs are still very small and clingy to their owners. Smaller dogs tend to suffer from anxiety more simply because they are more often bred as companion dogs rather than to perform a service for the family. Mini Labradoodle puppies might become very anxious dogs if they are left alone for too long. Dogs are more likely to suffer from anxiety if they have been abused, neglected, or in a shelter.

When Miniature Labradoodle puppies suffer from anxiety, they’ll show a few symptoms that will tip their owners off. The most apparent sign is destructive behavior. It becomes obvious when dogs start tearing up the furniture or trash bags, but most owners think these dogs are misbehaving. In reality, dogs that become destructive are releasing their pent-up anxiety. Anxiety can also cause your dog to urinate or defecate in the house. Some dogs get anxious when they are reminded of something traumatic. This is why sometimes a dog will favor one gender over another. No matter what causes the anxiety, there are many ways to help alleviate your anxious Miniature Labradoodle dog’s symptoms.

Many Mini Labradoodle owners have started making their dogs a safe space, a place away from main walkways in the house. They decorate their pet’s space with a dog bed, a water bowl, and whatever else they think will help their anxious dog. Pet owners can provide nervous animals with calming treats or supplements, and some dog treats are made to help dogs calm down. Owners have also found CBD to be useful when helping their dogs deal with anxiety. Dog CBD is sold in treats or as oil that owners can put in their dog’s food or simply feed their dog. Some owners find it helpful to talk to their vet about anti-anxiety medication because more severe cases of animal anxiety might benefit from medication. No matter what owners decide, they always need to talk to their vet before feeding their dog any supplement to ensure their individual dog doesn’t have any unforeseen issues.

Calming Dog Products

Many pet owners find the best way to treat their pet’s anxiety is to provide more than one aid. Some owners will give their dogs calming treats and provide them a safe space away from all the noise in the house. The most effective ways to help your dog de-stress is to understand what causes them stress and then create an area where these things can affect them as little as possible. Safe spaces can provide a place your pet will retreat to naturally in times of anxiety, especially if they’re provided a dog bed, fresh water, and maybe a few of their favorite toys.

Common Physical Health Conditions for Mini Labradoodles

Even though many dogs experience stress and anxiety at some point in their lives, not all dogs will experience physical health concerns. However, some Mini Labradoodle puppies will experience these health conditions because this mixed breed has a risk of developing joint issues and ear infections. Even though some dogs will develop these issues, not many will be heavily affected by their mild conditions. There are many ways owners can help their dogs through any of these health issues.

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is a condition that is common in many dog breeds. Both the Labrador Retriever and Poodle have many joint issues, so it makes sense that these breeds passed this trait along to their hybrid mix. This condition occurs when the three bones that make up the elbow joint don’t align properly. Many dogs are born with this condition and never experience significant symptoms until they reach their twilight years.

Mini Labradoodle puppies with elbow dysplasia will likely show signs of pain around their elbow. These dogs might have a restricted range of motion or may avoid climbing stairs. Owners can help dogs with hip dysplasia by ensuring their dog is getting the proper amount of exercise. Too much exercise can wear the cartilage in a joint down, and too little exercise can make a joint stiffen and lose range of motion. Many dog owners also provide their dogs with pain management supplements or CBD for its anti-inflammation properties.

Joint Health Options We Love

Ear Infections

Mini Labradoodles can have very similar fur to that of a Poodle. Poodles have protective fur that keeps some dirt and debris away from their skin but also keeps some moisture and bacteria on their skin. This can help them and hurt them, especially when they aren’t cleaned in easily infected areas. Mini Labradoodles fur needs to be cleaned regularly around the ears to prevent infection.

Owners can help their dogs avoid infection altogether by cleaning their dog’s ears once a month. They should be careful not to overclean their dog’s ears, as overcleaning can cause the skin to develop an infection. Owners can buy a dog ear cleaner from their local pet stores. All they need is ear cleaner and a cotton ball to clean their pup’s ears. Never use a cotton swab to clean your dog’s ears. Owners should always check with their vet before using ear cleaner, especially because vets may offer a product that is tailored for their Mini Labradoodle.

Ear Cleaning Solutions We Love

Hip Dysplasia

Another common condition many dogs are born with is hip dysplasia. Most dogs can live their whole lives with hip dysplasia and not have any issues until much later in life. Typically dogs with hip dysplasia will show symptoms of pain with their hip. They may not jump, have a decrease in activity, or whine when they sit down or stand up.

Many owners help their Miniature Labradoodle puppies with hip dysplasia by providing joint supplements. Some dog joint supplements aim to help the cartilage and have some anti-inflammation properties. Owners can also provide comfortable places for their dogs to rest their joints off the floor. If your Mini Labradoodle develops hip dysplasia and grows to avoid stairs, owners could buy their dog a small ramp to help them avoid jumping.

Oral Health

Mini Labradoodle puppies need their teeth brushed three times a week minimum. Many owners find they can’t keep up with their dog’s dental needs and provide them dental treats instead. While dental treats do help dogs get rid of some plaque and tartar, they aren’t as effective as a toothbrush.

Owners should only use dog oral health products on their Mini Labradoodle. Human toothpaste may contain a chemical that is poisonous to dogs.

Oravet Dental Hygiene Chews Based On Size

Mini Labradoodle Dog’s Needs

Exercise

Dogs need exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. Full grown Mini Labradoodle puppies need anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes of activity daily. Owners can provide their dogs with daily walks, runs, or hikes. Some owners get creative and turn their training sessions into exercise as well. There are plenty of ways to provide Mini Labradoodles with exercise.

Exercise Toys We Love

Nutrition

Even though Mini Labradoodles are smaller dogs, they will still require about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of high-quality dry dog food every day. Owners should feed their Mini Labradoodle multiple meals to help stimulate their metabolism and help their dogs feel fuller for longer. A dog’s individual diet may change based on a lot of factors. Height, weight, activity levels, age, and sex can all change the amount of food your Mini Labradoodle requires. Ownes can always talk to their vets to ensure they feed their dogs the right amount of food.

Dog Food Based On Age We Love

Grooming

Mini Labradoodle puppies will need one or two brushes a week to keep their fur looking clean. Owners can bathe them every 6 to 10 weeks or whenever they smell. Never use anything other than dog-specific shampoo on a dog.

Owners can take the best care of their dog’s grooming needs by cleaning their ears and clipping their nails. Anytime owners can hear their dog’s nails tapping on the ground, it means it’s time to give their nails a trim. Some owners don’t feel comfortable trimming their dog’s nails themselves, and they can take their dog to a groomer to get this done.

Top Product Picks for the Miniature Labradoodle

Any potential owners that are looking into adopting a Miniature Labradoodle should make sure they have everything they need whenever they bring their puppy home. Of course, dogs need food, so make sure you get the proper kind of food depending on their age. A puppy will need smaller kibble than a full grown Mini Labradoodle. Owners may also want to get their dog a crate and a bed to provide them with some places of their own. Mini Labradoodle owners should always walk their dog while wearing a harness, so new owners will need to purchase one, but it may be a good idea to wait until you know your dog’s size. Some owners forget to buy their dogs any toys right away, but getting your new pup a stuffed animal to chew on can help make them adjust to your house more.

Crates We Love

Most of all, Mini Labradoodle puppies need owners who know they can commit time and energy to them. Any owner that can give their dog plenty of exercise and attention will be able to provide a wonderful life for their full grown Mini Labradoodle.

Other Resources

Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association

Australian Labradoodle Club of America

Australian Labradoodle Association of America