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Doodles are all the craze these days—and it’s no wonder the Labrador and Golden Retrievers were put in the mix. These are two of the most popular breeds of all—but many can’t enjoy them due to allergies or excessive shed. Adding in the Poodle puts a splendid spin on these otherwise unfavorable aspects, making them more manageable—and adorably curly.
Labs and Goldens are one standard size, but not the Poodle parent. Poodles can be one of three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. So, hybrid dogs will be a certain size depending on the size of the Poodle. Miniature Goldendoodles and Labradoodles are smaller, compact dogs with exuberant personalities. What’s different about them? Let’s find out in this article.
Visual Differences
At a Glance
Mini Goldendoodle Overview
Mini Goldendoodles have been around since the mid-1990s and have grown in popularity ever since. This is a household name, littering city, suburban, and even country homes across the globe. People genuinely enjoy the hypoallergenic qualities and the amiable nature of both parent breeds.
Personality / Character
The miniature Goldendoodle takes on traits of both the Golden and Poodle parents. They can have a wide array of personality that falls everywhere on the spectrum. However, there are some steady, consistent qualities these dogs possess.
The Goldendoodle is truly a family dog. These pups always enjoy having furry and human friends around them. They will be incredibly social with children and tend to learn manners and how to be gentle pretty early on. Because of their friendly and aware demeanor, they make excellent first-time dogs for novice owners and introductory canines for children.
These silly dogs are vibrant, affectionate, and amiable. They will engage excitingly with their human companions and enjoy accompanying you virtually anywhere you’ll take them. Typically, these dogs don’t bark excessively but warn of any potentially suspicious activity around the home.
These dogs are not kennel dogs. If you are going to be gone most of the day, they will not fare well-being left alone for long periods. Also, long periods of alone time can cause separation anxiety and other behavioral issues.
Exercise
Miniature Goldendoodles love being on the go. They will likely tucker themselves out in a day just by following you from room to room, period. These shadow dogs are curious and need to know what’s going on around the house.
In addition to normal day-to-day activities, these dogs need to get a minimum of an hour of exercise per day. This stimulation will alleviate a lot of pent-up energy, helping them properly channel their energy.
Training
Goldendoodles are highly trainable, but very spirited, so they may test your patience and push the bounds of dominance. But they tend to adjust quickly to direction and are eager to please owners.
Health & Care
Goldendoodles, miniature included, can take on several health issues from the parents. However, with reputable breeding, these issues generally don’t crop up genetically. You should always ensure your miniature Goldendoodle is up to date on its vaccinations and receives proper annual vetting every year.
Breeding
Breeders achieved the miniature Goldendoodle by crossing a Golden Retriever and Miniature Poodle. Because of the size difference, reputable breeders create this dog through artificial or surgical insemination. This practice is primarily implemented if the other parent is a toy Poodle.
The problem with breeding this particular cross is that there are no guarantees for the puppies. Some might be nearly as big as the Golden Retriever, and some on the smaller side. Even puppies in the same litter can be very different sizes.
However, sometimes breeders do not use the 50/50 method. Instead, they hybridize these dogs to have more Poodle or Golden Retriever genes using multi-generation crosses.
Suitable For:
Mini Goldendoodles are excellent family companions to growing families, single folks, and just about anyone in between. These dogs can get along with other pets, especially with early socialization. So, these agreeable pets work for virtually any lifestyle, permitting you spend time with them and have the patience to train them.
Mini Labradoodle Overview
The Mini Labradoodle predates the Mini Goldendoodle by several years. These dogs were around in the 1960s, but weren’t developed into the breed they are today until 1989—and they have gained traction ever since for their ultra-desirable qualities. This low-shedding breed is certainly a family dog, meshing well with many folks.
Personality / Character
The Labradoodle has been popular for several years because of its docile demeanor and extreme trainability. These dogs make excellent family companions, meshing well into growing families and various other lifestyles.
The miniature Labradoodle is a swift little dog that likes to be on the go. They’ll happily accompany their families anywhere—many are shadow dogs. Even though they tend to like everybody in the household, these dogs might gravitate more toward one person.
Labradoodles tend to go one of two ways. Some of them relax as they start to age, being really fine with lazing about sometimes. Others tend to keep their vitality long until their adult life. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what you’re going to get.
Since these dogs are so people-oriented, they aren’t great candidates for long periods in a kennel or restricted space. They are highly social and need to be with both people and other dogs. If their social needs go unmet, it can lead to specific behavior problems that can be hard to correct.
Exercise
The Lab parent is an extremely athletic dog. Exercise and overall stimulation are incredibly important for this breed. They greatly benefit from vigorous exercise, requiring land to roam or a fenced-in yard. If you let your Labradoodle get bored often, they can exhibit some less than favorable behaviors, like separation anxiety and destructive tendencies.
However, if you allow your Labradoodle to be part of the family, they will be a very well-rounded pup that tends to get along with just about anyone, and they’re pretty stranger friendly too.
Training
Training your miniature Labradoodle is a very crucial part of the process. They can learn extremely challenging things and often perform tasks and roles to service humans. Basic concepts are a breeze—so potty training should take no time at all.
Health & Care
Labradoodles are pretty healthy dogs. They can sometimes have breed-specific issues depending on genetics and environmental factors. Knowing the different possibilities can help you distinguish potential problems in the future.
Breeding
Breeders achieved the Miniature Labradoodle by combining toy and miniature Poodles with Labrador Retrievers. Because of the size difference, breeders often have to use methods of artificial insemination for dame safety and organic breeding difficulty.
There are several generations of Labradoodles—each perfected in their own right. However, some can take on more of one parent’s traits than the other.
All pups should have curly coats, like a Poodle parent. However, Miniature Labradoodles can be larger or have straighter hair than intended. For example, some Labradoodles can have a flat coat, which is undesirable.
Suitable For:
Mini Labradoodles are perfect for growing families and multi-pet households. Many often take on service roles, so they are perfect for folks with medical conditions, disabilities, and emotional support needs. These dogs will not fare well in a kennel or restricted space, so make sure you’re home enough for your curly buddy.
Miniature Labradoodles vs. Goldendoodles: Side-by-Side Comparison
The Miniature Goldendoodle and Labradoodle are very alike in many ways. It might be a little hard to tell the differences to the naked eye. After all, these dogs are structurally similar, and they act a lot alike as well.
But, they each come with their own behavioral quirks, and they differ quite a bit in personality. First, let’s get to know the parent breeds a little better.
Golden Retriever Parent
For the Miniature Goldendoodle, they will have a Golden Retriever parent. Golden Retrievers are incredibly family-oriented dogs that tend to be very laid back and agreeable. Folks tend to love this breed because they are cheerful and get along well with just about anyone or anything.
Golden Retrievers are pretty athletic dogs, but they also tend to be very relaxed in a home environment. They might be a little more rambunctious as puppies, but they even out very well as they age.
Labrador Retriever Parent
This breed is consistently among the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It was only in the recent few years that French Bulldogs beat the Labrador Retriever out of the number one spot of popularity, according to the AKC.
Labrador Retrievers are exceptionally athletic and extremely amiable. They love to be on the go, and they even love to swim! This web-footed dog will enjoy many outdoor adventures but loves cuddling up on the couch at the end of the day with their family.
Poodle Parent
The Poodle is notorious for being incredibly intelligent and poised. This regal breed is hypoallergenic and often used in hybrids due to their keen smarts and coat quality. Poodles are generally very family oriented and make fantastic pets.
Poodles are typically fantastic dogs, but they can have a few gastrointestinal issues and dietary sensitivities.
Mini Labradoodle vs. Mini Goldendoodle
Friendliness
One of the main ways that the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle differ from one another is that the Goldendoodle typically loves every face they meet. They are highly social and love just about everyone and everything.
Labradoodles are more selective. They like people they’re familiar with but can get guarded and unfamiliar with circumstances. That is not to say that they are ever aggressive, as that is not generally part of the breed standard.
Some Labradoodles also show indifference towards people, especially if they are in roles of service. They tend to take their work pretty seriously, and their main goal is to be there for their owner. However, they can be a little cautious of strangers until they are well-acclimated.
We want to be clear that the miniature Labradoodle will not be a guard dog. They are not physically or mentally designed for this role. However, they can certainly let you know when something is amiss.
On the other hand, Goldendoodles typically have a very free-spirited outlook on things, coming to newcomers with their tails wagging. Goldendoodles do not make the best guard dogs for this reason. However, this does make them great emotional support and service animals. You can take them anywhere, knowing they will acclimate just fine.
Energy Levels
Both breeds have very similar energy levels. The Labradoodle and Goldendoodle can be very lively and even sometimes hyper. However, Goldendoodles tend to be more rambunctious as puppies, and Labradoodles take the cake when they’re older.
Labradoodles have a wanderlust quality—ready to go on all the adventures. So, they thrive more on physical activity as they age. However, the differences are so mild, and they can very much differ between dogs. So, Goldendoodles tend to even out, becoming more “chill.”
If you tucker your Goldendoodle or Labradoodle out, they will become more relaxed and be physically satisfied. Proper training and socialization are crucial to curbing extreme energy levels. If they don’t get the proper amount of exercise, both dogs can become destructive and exhibit poor behaviors.
The Labradoodle and Goldendoodle need roughly 60 minutes or more of daily exercise. Most of the time, they enjoy high-intensity exercise as well.
Grooming
Both the miniature Goldendoodle and miniature Labradoodle require regular grooming. Because the coats are so similar, grooming will be about the same for either. However, the Labrador Retriever is a short-haired breed, while the Golden Retriever is a long-haired breed.
Therefore, a Goldendoodle might be a bit more extensive to work with than a Labradoodle. However, this can vary from puppy to puppy, and there is no guarantee.
You should expect to take your pup to a professional groomer every 4 to 6 weeks—depending on how quickly their fur grows. Or, if you would rather, you can learn to give your mini some really cool hairstyles at home!
Which Breed Is Right for You?
Whether you choose the miniature Labradoodle or Goldendoodle, you will love the outcome. These dogs are so similar that you’ll likely get a great dog no matter your pick.
Remember that these dogs are not kennel animals and should always be supervised for a long time during the day. They need constant stimulation and socialization, making them perfect fits for growing families. Both of these dogs are skilled in acts of service. They are similar in personality, price, availability, and physical makeup. Which one is your favorite?
Featured Image Credit: Top – maceyhurley, Shutterstock | Bottom – KariDesign, Shutterstock
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