Are you thinking about adding a Goldendoodle to your life, but can’t decide if you should opt for a Standard Goldendoodle vs the smaller-sized Mini Goldendoodle? While it might seem like the Mini Goldendoodle is just a smaller version of the Standard Goldendoodle, they are not the same dog.
This is because the miniature poodle, that is used for breeding the Miniature Goldendoodle, was bred down to their smaller size to be a lap dog back in the 1700’s. The objective was to develop a dog for European aristocrats that would patiently sit on a lap to keep the person warm. This was done through selective breeding that emphasized the temperament and size needed to be a small companion dog.
In comparison, the standard Poodle was developed to be a large, active dog, with the desire and stamina to work tirelessly in the field. Their purpose was to work alongside hunters to retrieve waterfowl in the cold European waters. This different breeding shows up not only in their size, but also their personality.
Since the Goldendoodle is part poodle the difference between the two poodle types also shows up in the various Goldendoodle sizes.
Join us as we compare the mini Goldendoodle to the Standard Goldendoodle to help you decide which one is the best choice for you.
Quick Comparison of the Mini Goldendoodle vs the Goldendoodle
| Trait | Goldendoodle | Mini Goldendoodle |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 50 to 80 lbs. | Less than 35 lbs. |
| Personality | Goofy, confident, high energy, intelligent and trainable | High strung, affectionate, likes to cuddle, intelligent, and trainable |
| Lifespan | 10 to 13 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Coat Type | Straight, wavy or curly | Dense wavy or curly |
| Exercise | A couple of long walks and off-leash time | Shorter walks and playtime more often throughout the day. |
| Kids | Good, but may accidentally knock over small children | Good, but prone to injury due to small size |
| Cost | $2,000 to $4,000 | $3,000 to $5,000 |
| Travel | Not allowed in-cabin on flights, does well in the car | Prone to car sickness, but may be small enough to fly in-cabin. |
| Apartment Living | Ok for apartment living, but needs adequate exercise and space to spread out. | Good for apartment living. though they will need to be taught not to bark. |
Goldendoodle Origin
The first purposely bred poodle crossbreed was a litter of three Labradoodle puppies. These so-called designer dogs were a mix of Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle. The pairing was done in the hope of breeding hypoallergenic guide dogs for a woman who needed a service dog but her husband was allergic to most dogs.
Out of the three puppies only one passed the sniff test and went on to be trained. The others needed a home but at the time people only wanted purebred dog breeds. As a marketing campaign, the two puppies were called Labradoodles and marketed as hypoallergenic dogs. The rest as they say is history.
Everyone wanted this new kind of dog breed, prompting breeders to start experimenting with other types of hybrid dogs. Since the purebred Golden Retriever was already a popular dog breed it only made sense to cross breed them with a poodle. Hence, the Goldendoodle (aka standard Groodle ) was born.
As time went on people started wanting smaller size poodle-mixes. Again, in response to the demand, breeders began using the mini poodle to breed the mini Labradoodle and mini Goldendoodle (aka mini Groodle).
Mini Goldendoodle vs Standard Goldendoodle
Size Comparison
The most noticeable difference between the mini Goldendoodle and the standard Goldendoodle is their size difference. The standard Goldendoodle, a cross between a Golden Retriever parent and a standard poodle parent, is about twice the size of the mini Goldendoodle, whose parent breeds are the Golden Retriever and mini poodle.
GANA Goldendoodle Size Chart
| Size Range | Height Range | Typical Weight Range |
| Petite | Below 14 inches | 25 lbs. or less |
| Miniature | Over 14 but under 17 inches at wither | 25-35 lbs. |
| Medium | Over 17 but under 21 inches at wither | 36-50 lbs. |
| Standard | Over 21 inches at wither | 51 or more lbs. |
As you can see from the chart above the mini Goldendoodle is not that small. If you really want a small dog you may want to consider the petite or toy Goldendoodle (aka Teacup Goldendoodles). A toy Goldendoodle is usually a later generation that is bred using a mini F1 (or later) generation Goldendoodle and a toy poodle.
If you prefer a larger dog that is smaller than the standard Goldendoodle, a medium Goldendoodle might be a better choice. The medium Goldendoodle will generally have the same personality and look as the Standard Goldendoodle.
Appearance and Coat Type Comparison
A Goldendoodle’s appearance and coat type has more to do with their Goldendoodle generation than their size or the type of poodle used in breeding. Standard Goldendoodles can be found as F1, F1b, F2, F2 b Goldendoodles and multigen Goldendoodles.
An F1 Standard Goldendoodle tends to have either straight, or wavy fur. Later generations like the F1b or F2b will typically have wavy or curly hair that is closer to the poodle’s fur type due to the greater percentage of poodle genetics.
The Mini Goldendoodle can also be found as a F1, F1b, F2, F2 b mini Goldendoodle and multigen mini Goldendoodle, but it’s more common to see smaller Goldendoodles as later generation doodles.
The later generations allow more time to safely reduce the size of miniature Goldendoodles. Since they are a later generation doodle with more poodle genetics they typically have wavy or curly fur.
Shedding and hypoallergenic considerations between the Mini Goldendoodle and the Goldendoodle
Just like with appearance and coat type, a Goldendoodle’s generation has a greater influence over shedding and allergic reactions than the size of the poodle used in breeding. Later Goldendoodle generations with fur that closely resemble the poodle’s curly coat will shed less than first generation Goldendoodles.
However, both the larger size Goldendoodles and their smaller version will have a low-shedding coat or at least shed less than a Golden Retriever and therefore be a better option for people with mild allergies.
Where their size does come into play is the amount of fur actually shed. It’s only natural that a smaller dog will shed less than a larger one, even if all else is the same.
Just know that shedding is only one way to come into contact with pet allergens. You can also be allergic to their saliva and urine. It’s best to spend time with the dog you are looking to bring home to ensure you will not react.
Grooming needs
You cannot talk about shedding and a Goldendoodle’s coat type without mentioning grooming. Dogs with wavy or curly fur will require regular brushing and trips to the groomer. However a smaller dog will take less time to brush. Plus they cost less to have them professionally groomed than a large Goldendoodle.
Another advantage the mini Goldendoodle has over the full-sized Goldendoodle is that the minis were bred to stay still making it easier to brush and groom them.
Temperament and Behavior: Mini Goldendoodle vs the Goldendoodle
Another area you will see a difference between the mini Goldendoodle vs the Goldendoodle is in their temperament and behaviors. While both are highly intelligent, social dogs that are eager to please, and crave affection, the mini Goldendoodle tends to be more “high-strung” as compared to the larger Goldendoodles.
This comes from the mini poodle side of the breeding. Since the mini Goldendoodle is typically a multi-generation doodle, they have more mini poodle genetics than Golden Retriever, which causes them to lean more towards the mini poodle’s smart, fun and as one breeder put it, spunky personality.
But even with this spunk they can make great family members as long as they are socialized and trained early.
In contrast the Standard Goldendoodle has a laid-back, friendly vibe. They are family oriented and love to be out and about.
Children, other pets, and strangers
Both the mini and standard Goldendoodle can do well around children and other pets. Though they should be exposed to them early on. However, the large size of the standard can be an issue around small children. It is not uncommon for young children to be accidentally knocked over by an excited doodle.
On the flip side, children need to be taught how to properly handle a small dog. Mini Goldendoodles, due to their size, are prone to injury if not carefully handled. They may also develop fear aggression if hurt by a child.
Trainability and potential behavioral issues
Due to their high intelligence and desire to please all Goldendoodles are easy to train with the right persuasion. Big or small they all like a reward for doing something that is asked of them. Positive training is the best way to train them.
Both sizes can also suffer from separation anxiety, though the mini Goldendoodle might develop it easier than the standard.
Exercise and Activity Level
Both the mini and standard have moderate energy levels, but they can manifest in different ways. The standard is always up for a long hike in the woods, a long walk in the neighborhood or a jog. They also enjoy daily off-leash time in a fenced in yard. Overall, they like to play hard but will then settle down for a nap.
The mini Goldendoodle tends to have shorter bursts of energy throughout the day. Regular exercise, in the form of a daily walk, is also a must for the mini Goldendoodle. But they can expend some of their energy inside the house too through short games of fetch or playing our doodle’s favorite game which is chasing her.
Possible Health Issues and Lifespan Comparison
Health Comparison: Mini Goldendoodle vs Goldendoodle
The mini and the standard Goldendoodle share some of the same health concerns, but there are some conditions that only affect one or the other. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the possible health conditions that might affect Mini Goldendoodles and Standard Goldendoodles.
It is important to note that just because they could have these health problems, it doesn’t mean they will. Many Goldendoodles will live a long healthy life.
Possible Health Conditions Comparison: Mini Goldendoodle vs Goldendoodle
| Health Conditions | Mini | Standard |
| Addison’s Disease: An endocrine disorder where the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones. | X | |
| Ear Infections: Due to the long floppy ears they are prone to ear infections | X | X |
| Elbow Dysplasia: Abnormal development of the elbow joint | X | X |
| Cancer | X | X |
| Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (aka Bloat): life-threatening condition where the stomach twists. | X | |
| Hip Dysplasia: A malformation of the hip joint | X | X |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: condition where the hip joint’s ball section loses its blood supply and degenerates, more common in smaller breeds. | X | X |
| Mitral Valve Disease: A heart condition more common in smaller dogs. | X | |
| Patellar Luxation: A condition where the kneecap dislocates or moves out of its normal location. | X | |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): An eye disorder leading to blindness. | X | X |
| Sebaceous – Skin disease | X | X |
| Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis: A heart condition more common in larger breeds. | X |
Average lifespan
Most Goldendoodle will live a long healthy life, but as with all dogs, smaller dogs often enjoy a longer life than larger dogs. This is also the case with the Goldendoodle. The Standard Goldendoodle has an average life span of 10 to 13 years, while the mini Goldendoodle tends to live a couple of years longer with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
To help extend your dog’s lifespan, choose a reputable breeder who does genetic testing. Make sure to feed a quality diet and ensure daily exercise. Scheduling regular visits to the veterinarian, keeping up with necessary vaccinations and proper dental care will go a long way to keeping your dog healthy.
Mini Goldendoodle vs Standard Goldendoodle – Maintenance Cost Comparison
When it comes to daily maintenance, larger dogs tend to cost more than smaller ones. This is also the case with the mini and standard Goldendoodle. Here we will go over some of the cost comparisons of caring for a Goldendoodle.
Food
Both the Mini Goldendoodle and Standard Goldendoodle need quality food and plenty of water. But since the mini can be half the size or less than a full-sized Goldendoodle they will require less food.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be half the cost. If you plan to feed your dog dry dog food, the smaller bags of food generally cost more per pound then larger bags.
Pet Insurance and Veterinary Expenses
Both pet insurance and veterinary expenses cost more for larger dogs than smaller ones.
Grooming
You will also pay a premium to get a large dog groomed over the cost of a smaller dog. Plus, it will take longer to brush out the fur on a larger dog.
Pet Supplies
Pet supplies like beds, toys and treats will all cost more for a larger dog over a smaller one.
Cost Comparison of Buying a Goldendoodle
While it might cost more to care for a larger Goldendoodle, a mini goldendoodle puppy will cost more to purchase than a standard Goldendoodle puppy. This is due to the time and care it takes to breed a smaller dog from a larger dog. The smaller versions are also in higher demand due to their more convenient size, therefore driving up the price.
Whichever size you ultimately decide on, make sure to look for a reputable breeder that cares for the dogs as if they were their own pets. You can find reputable breeders at the Goldendoodle Association of North America.
Which is better, the Mini Goldendoodle or Standard Goldendoodle?
In the end which one is “better” is subjective and largely depends on individual preferences and circumstances. The Mini Goldendoodle, with its smaller size, might be more suited to those with limited space or for people who want to travel with their dog. While the Standard Goldendoodle could be ideal for those with more room to roam and enjoy outdoor activities.
Both breeds share many admirable traits, including intelligence, affection, and a low-shedding coat. Ultimately, the decision should factor in one’s living situation, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Either way, both variants of the Goldendoodle offer companionship and joy to their owners, making them a great choice for many.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find frequently asked questions. While we try to answer the questions the best we can, it’s important to emphasize that the “better” choice is subjective and based on individual circumstances, preferences, and lifestyles.
1. Which size is more adaptable to apartment living?
Either sized Goldendoodle can live in an apartment as long as they get adequate exercise and off-leash time in a fenced in location. But if you are living in a small apartment you need to make sure there is enough space for your dog to move around and laid-down. When a dog lays down they need a lot more space than when standing or sitting. You also want to make sure that they are not underfoot all the time.
2. How often do they need professional grooming?
The frequency of grooming does not change based on size. Both the mini Goldendoodle and standard will need to be groomed every 6 to eight weeks. Some people like myself try to groom our pup every 4 weeks, but we do it ourselves.
3. Which size Goldendoodle is more prone to separation anxiety?
The answer to this question is really dependent on how they were raised and socialized as a young puppy. Regardless of size, dogs that are trained from a young age to be left alone for a few hours a day will have less issues with separation anxiety than one that is used to having people around all the time.
Both sizes were bred to be around people most of the time so that is what they prefer and need.