Mini Goldendoodle vs Medium vs Standard Goldendoodle [which size goldendoodle is best for you?]

There are several sizes of Goldendoodles. Standard, Medium, Miniature, and Toy. The Standard Goldendoodle is a large dog that needs lots of space. The difference between a Mini and Standard Goldendoodle is basically size and temperament. The Toy Goldendoodle is a tiny dog full of life.

When people hear of the Miniature Goldendoodle, they often get excited because they think it means they could have a dog with a Golden Retriever personality minus the large size and shedding issues.

Goldendoodle Size Chart

This article will tell you about the differences between all the Goldendoodle breed sizes. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the amazing Goldendoodle dog!

What is a Goldendoodle Mixed With?

A Goldendoodle (mini or standard) is a mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Here is a quick background on these designer hybrid dogs.

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is by far one of the most popular dog breeds among pet owners because of their loyalty and eagerness to please their owners.

However, Golden Retrievers are large dogs, easily weighing 70 pounds and being about two feet tall at the shoulder. 

Poodle

Since the Poodle comes in a variety of sizes, all doodle breeds also have a number of sizes.

In order to breed a miniature Goldendoodle, a mini poodle is crossbred with the Golden Retriever. 

While the Miniature Poodle and the Standard Poodle are very similar, they are also different. 

Standard Poodle vs Miniature Poodle

The Standard Poodle and the Miniature Poodle were both bred for different purposes. The Standard Poodle was bred as a retrieving dog and is quite athletic and active. 

The Miniature Poodle was bred in France to become a prized pet of 18th-century European aristocracy.

Specifically designed for their smaller size and companionship, they demand more attention and are more excitable than their standard counterparts. 

Which is Better? Standard vs Miniature

It can be hard finding the right breeder for a Goldendoodle because different breeders sometimes have different ideas about the sizes and what they consider to be miniature and standard. 

In this article, we will be looking at the Goldendoodle in three different size ranges: Miniature, Medium, and Standard. 

History of the Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle hybrid breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) but is not considered a breed. They are not listed by the AKC under breeds on their website.

The curly-haired Goldendoodle is said to have been first bred in 196os by cross-breeding a purebred Poodle and a purebred Golden Retriever. There are conflicting opinions as to the exact origins.

The goal was to get a purebred dog that was low-shedding (Poodle) with a great personality (Golden Retriever). 

Goldendoodle Popularity on the Rise

By the 1990s, the Goldendoodle started to become more popular as more and more breeders took interest in the dog.

Surprisingly, even with the popularity of Goldendoodles among dog owners, most Goldendoodles today are still thought to be first-generation.

This means their parents are a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle. The same holds true for many other Poodle hybrid breeds. 

Are Goldendoodles Hypoalergenic?

Since the Poodle is close to being hypoallergenic Goldendoodles were meant to be a great mix because you would be adding low-shedding Poodles to the hybrid breed’s gene pool.

In theory, this should be a great dog for allergy sufferers. 

Goldendoodle Temperament

Goldendoodles as Therapy Dogs

Goldendoodles are also friendly and affectionate dogs. Also, being highly intelligent makes them excellent therapy dogs and they are known for providing great emotional support for their owners.

They are still an active breed, having been mixed with the Golden Retriever, making them good watchdogs as well.

Not that they will attack an intruder like a German Shepherd (they still might!) but that they will sound the alarm!

Their individual temperament also depends on which of their parent dogs is more dominant. 

Goldendoodle Size

How Big is a Goldendoodle?

The size of the Goldendoodle is typically based on the size of the Poodle parent. You can find a variety of sizes in the Goldendoodle lineup! That is another intriguing aspect of these dogs. 

How Much Space Does a Goldendoodle Need?

Since they are high-energy dogs, a small apartment with little space is not the right type of home for a Goldendoodle. Something to keep in mind. 

Goldendoodles Need to Socialize

While the Goldendoodle is overall a friendly dog breed, they can also sometimes be a little shy or skittish. This means that it is important to have them socialize and be trained at a young age. 

By the time they are eight weeks old, it is essential to thoroughly train your Goldendoodle pup. They are an emotionally responsive breed so you really have to dedicate your time to them.

If you simply don’t have much time for your dog you may want to consider another breed or not having a dog as a pet.

Goldendoodle Lifespan

The Goldendoodle will make for a great family dog and they have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

Standard Goldendoodle

Standard Goldendoodle Size

The Standard Goldendoodle typically weighs 50-80 lbs with an average height of 19-25 inches. 

Standard Goldendoodle Characteristics

Standard Goldendoodles pretty much have the personality of a Golden Retriever; they are calm, patient, and gentle. Most are very tolerant of children. 

They have the stamina to keep up with you during any type of exercise, making them good hiking partners. They like to work hard for a while, then they will get tired and need to rest. 

Standard Goldendoodles Make Great Service Dogs

Both parent breeds of the Goldendoodle are common in the service dog industry as guide dogs.

The Standard Goldendoodle makes a great candidate for a therapy or service dog as they are extra trainable and a natural at providing emotional support. 

Standard Goldendoodles Make a Good Alert Dog

These dogs are also a good choice for families in need of an element of protection or simply want a dog that will alert them if needed. 

Goldendoodles are not really considered guard dogs because they are so friendly, even towards strangers.

However, Goldendoodles are still large dogs with a loud bark and they could scare off possible intruders. 

Disadvantages of the Standard Goldendoodle

One disadvantage of having such a large dog is that they take up a lot of space. This can make it hard to travel with them as they will take up a large section of your car.

Because of their large size, it makes it more difficult to take them on a plane.

Standard Goldendoodles Need Early Training

If you do not train your Standard Goldendoodle at a young age, it will be harder for them to learn things in the long run. 

An untrained Goldendoodle can be hard to live with because they can easily reach food, since they are so big, and will chew on furniture. 

Because of their large size and high tempo personality, they can easily be destructive if not given boundaries. 

Even a well-trained Goldendoodle may occasionally cause an inconvenience and may knock things over. They could even accidentally knock over a small child while playing.

Standard Goldendoodles Need Daily Exercise

Since the Standard Goldendoodle is an active dog they will need a space for them to get their exercise. It is recommended that you take them for daily walks. 

In theory, a Standard Goldendoodle could live in a small apartment, but it would be tough to make sure they are reaching their exercise needs. A bored Goldendoodle could be a handful!

The Standard Goldendoodle is typically low maintenance and a great family pet if you make sure they get their exercise, food, water, and regular grooming in order to live a healthy life.

Medium Goldendoodle

Medium Goldendoodle Size

Fully grown, a Medium Goldendoodle can be anywhere from 30-50 lbs and stand about 14 to 20 inches tall.

Typically a female Medium Goldendoodle will turn out smaller than a male, so if you don’t want your dog to grow too large, the female is recommended.

Medium Goldendoodle Characteristics

The medium Goldendoodle has a wonderful blend of both the Standard and Miniature Goldendoodle characteristics. The medium Goldendoodle can come from a Standard or Mini Poodle parent. 

Medium Goldendoodle Advantages

This type of Goldendoodle is perfect for families who want a manageable-sized dog for traveling, but also want some of the easygoing qualities of the standard-sized Poodles. 

Because of their size, they are easier to fit in the car more comfortably and can handle longer drives. 

Medium Goldendoodle Energy Levels

The Medium Goldendoodle will be able to keep up with you on walks or hikes. It is also easier to be picked up, which is beneficial in the case where they get tired from the walk or get injured. 

The Medium Goldendoodle is perfect for active owners who want a companion for their walks or jogs, but also have concerns about picking up their dog if needed. 

Disadvantages of a Medium Goldendoodle

The only real downside of this type of Goldendoodle is that their size and personalities vary.

Since they come from the Golden Retriever, and the Miniature and Standard Poodle, it’s hard to know exactly how they will turn out.

Mini Goldendoodle

Mini Goldendoodle Size

The Miniature Goldendoodle is bred from a Golden Retriever and a Miniature Poodle.

Their size can vary, however, they typically weigh 15 to 30 pounds with an average height of 12-18 inches tall. 

Due to the huge size difference between the parent Poodle and the Golden Retriever, the size of the Mini Goldendoodle can vary considerably. 

Most Miniature Goldendoodles have more mini Poodle in them which makes them so small.

Mini Goldendoodle Characteristics

They tend to have a fun and quirky personality and can sometimes be described as ‘human-like’ by their owners.

Mini Goldendoodles Don’t Have as Much Golden Retriever in Them

Most Miniature Goldendoodles have very little Golden Retriever in them. 

NOTE: A first-generation Mini Goldendoodle is usually not recommended to be bred because of the drastic size difference between the Poodle and the Golden Retriever. 

Doing so can result in unpredictable sizes and structural abnormalities in the pups which can be dangerous for their health. 

Advantages of the Miniature Goldendoodle

What’s perfect about the Miniature Goldendoodle is that they are very easy to travel with and easy to bring on a plane.

They are so small that they can fit in the carrier that goes underneath the seat. 

Some say Miniature Goldendoodles don’t do well in cars because they are prone to motion sickness.

Miniature Goldendoodle and Children

The Miniature Goldendoodle is a great option for families with children as they are less likely to hurt a child when playing. 

Their small size also means it is less likely they could do damage to items in your house.

How Much Does a Mini Goldendoodle Puppy Cost?

Because they are so small and unique a Mini Goldendoodle puppy can be very expensive and cost up to $4,000 depending on the breeder you purchase from

However, if you consider overall lifetime costs, they may actually result in a lower overall cost to own than a larger dog. 

An example is that they don’t need as much dog food, they don’t need as much flea medicine, and they even cost less to groom. 

Mini Goldendoodles are Affectionate and Loyal

These dogs tend to be closer to their owners. They are very loyal and will follow their owner around everywhere. 

This can be cute, but it requires more attention from the owner. They also shouldn’t be left alone for very long because they can get separation anxiety. 

If you spend most of your day away from home, this probably isn’t the right dog for you.

Disadvantages of a Mini Goldendoodle

Unfortunately, the disadvantage of having a Miniature Goldendoodle is that they will likely be unable to keep up with their family during walks or hikes. 

They have little spurts of energy that they need to get out, but a long hike will be harder for them to handle. 

Young Children Could Hurt a Miniature Goldendoodle

While they are easy to control with a leash and can easily be picked up, they may be too weak for a young child’s rough playtime. 

While their small size may be nice, their excitable nature may make them somewhat impatient with younger children.

A Mini Goldendoodle might get overwhelmed by the unpredictable nature of young children and are more likely to snap at a child. 

Mini Goldendoodles Need More Attention

Minis tend to be more excitable and energetic, but have less stamina than the other types of Goldendoodles for longer periods of exercise.

This results in them needing more attention throughout the day for mental stimulation. 

Miniature Goldendoodle Health Concerns

Keep in mind, Miniature Goldendoodles are prone to health issues. Therefore, it is important that you get your dog from a reputable breeder who knows the genetics of the mini.

Toy Goldendoodle

How Big is a Toy Goldendoodle?

Goldendoodles that only weigh between eight and 15 pounds and stand 10 to 15 inches tall are called Toy Goldendoodles. 

Most Toy Goldendoodles are the offspring of a Mini Goldendoodle and a Toy Poodle. This tiny dog can also be called a Teacup Goldendoodle or Petite Mini Goldendoodle when they fall in the small size of this category.

Related Goldendoodle Questions

Are all Size Goldendoodles Susceptible to Hip Dysplasia?

Yes, all Goldendoodles are prone to the same health problems as a Golden Retriever would be including hip dysplasia. However, it is less likely to occur in smaller dogs. 

Something to consider is that your dog may have hip dysplasia and not show any symptoms. Be sure to have your vet check them on a regular basis.

Can I Choose the Goldendoodle Characteristics I Want?

Although many of the characteristics of the Goldendoodles listed above can be common in each type, be aware, you may end up with a mix.

You could have a mini Goldendoodle blessed with a laid-back nature or a large Standard Goldendoodle with a more excitable nature. As Forest Gump said, it is like a box of chocolates!

Talk to Your Goldendoodle Breeder

Not all characteristics of the Goldendoodle are the same every time. It is important to communicate with the breeder to make sure you get the right type of dog you are looking for. 

Remember, it is up to you to decide which type of Goldendoodle you want and communicate that to your breeder of choice.

What is a Labradoodle?

A Labradoodle is another hybrid designer dog that mixes a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle.

What is an English Goldendoodle?

There are basically three types of Golden Retrievers, American, Canadian, and English. An English Goldendoodle would pretty much mean a dog that had an English Golden Retriever as one of the parents.

Sometimes English Goldendoodles are referred to as English Creme Goldendoodles and tend to be slightly more muscular.

What Size Goldendoodle Should I Get?

All Goldendoodle sizes make great family pets. The one that is right for you depends on your living situation and personal desire.

If you have a big house with a nice sized yard and like big dogs then a Standard size Goldendoodle is a great pick. On the other hand, if you live in an apartment a Miniature Goldendoodle may be a better option for you.

What is the Best Size for a Goldendoodle?

My personal choice for the best size is the Medium Goldendoodle. Not too big, not too small, and a perfect fit for most families.

Conclusion

The Toy Goldendoodle and Miniature Goldendoodle are the smallest of this type of designer dog breed. The Standard Goldendoodle is the largest. There can be a wide range between sizes.

The Mini and Medium Goldendoodles will usually reach their adult size by 13 months, whereas the Standard Goldendoodle will typically reach its adult size by 16 months. 

Because they are hybrid dogs it is possible for them to take even longer to reach adult size. It’s also possible for you to notice some growth spurts even when they are three years old. 

All Goldendoodles tend to be high-energy dogs.

ALL sizes of the Goldendoodle breed make great family dogs so you can’t go wrong! 

Hopefully by providing more information about the differences in the Goldendoodle breed we have helped you decide which type is best for you.