Mini Doodle - Questions about Size and Temperaments

[Julie K]

We're looking for our first family dog.  We are concentrating on finding a f1b mini-golden doodle, but some red flags have been raised, and I want to hear from actual owner's experiences.

A few breeders I have spoken with said that they no longer breed mini's because of temperament issues.  Mini-golden doodle owners, can you please provide me with info on your experience on temperament/behavior/personality?  Also, what size/weight is your dog at full maturity?  THANKS!!!

[Nancy & Echo]

I don't have a doodle, of course, but I posted a similar question a few months ago.  http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/minidoodles/forum/topics/are-mini...

[Kamela & Beckett]

We have an 8 month old Ausiedoodle (Australian Shepard/Poodle). He's considered moyen size (medium), he's 31 lbs now. We think it's the perfect size, large enough to be sturdy and a worthy running partner, but still small enough to be manageable. Our breeder does focus on temperment and I think that is certainly one reason for his fabulous personality- friendly, outgoing, happy go lucky, loves everyone and everything. That said I also think the time and effort we put into training and socializing him also contributed greatly to it. We knew we were getting a high energy dog who would need a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation. We've spent a lot of time (and not an inconsiderable amount of money) providing that. Doodles are not easy, low effort dogs. Keep that in mind if you have a lot of other priorities (work, children, etc.).

[Amy and Annabelle]

I do agree that you reap what you sow. As with most dogs, if you don't put in the time and effort to train them, you will have dog with behavior issues. Some breeds are obviously more prone to it than others. I really don't know how Annabelle would have fared if we had not had her in multiple training classes that first year. The training never stops. I work with her at least twice a week. I don't know how much of it was her breeding or her being a puppy. Luckily she grew out of it. I did have a trainer tell me that by the age of 2 they will have mellowed quite a bit and won't be the same mischievous puppy they were. It had held true for us. Annabelle was a huge chewer that first year, and now at 1.5 years she wants nothing to do with it. We had to train her not to chew on her leash on walks. She is such a little lady now. The trainer did tell me Annabelle was one of the happiest dogs he had ever met. So that's something I guess.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

"The training never stops." This is so true, and I wish more people knew that. It would cut DRC's rehome applications in half, at least. 

[Emery & Watson]

I have a F2 Mini-Goldendoodle that has a fantastic temperament and is good around kids.  We were lucky in that he wasn't really a nipper, chewer (of things that weren't his toys) or even barker on his own and we continued to do a lot of training so he would be well mannered and well behaved.  

He is only 10 months old but he is already a little larger than we expected.  The breeder estimated he would be about 30 lbs and he is 26 lbs now so he may still put on weight for a few more months, but he looks larger because he inherited the tall poodle legs so he is maybe 17 or 18 at the withers which classifies him more of a Medium doodle.  

[Paige and Leo]

Leo is a medium sized goldendoodle. So not sure if that is mini? He is 30lbs.   His temperament was the reason we picked him rather than size.  He is the middle of the road guy and very sweet, snuggle pup.   As a puppy he was  low key and easy to train.  Leo is almost 2 now. He is friendly and a wonderful dog for a household with children.  He does get training and is going to be a therapy dog.  He is not a chewer and nipping was only a few times when we 1st got him. I guess really comes down to personality of the dog.  Leo has short legs and boxier than his litter mates with long poodle legs.   Good luck with your choice!

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

My Daphne (just turned 4 years old) & Pippa are minis at 25 and 35 lbs respectively. They are both very sweet and love children. Daphne was especially great with puppies when she was a bit younger but now she doesn't much put up with their nipping and pawing at her. Same goes for older and larger dogs though. She doesn't let those big dogs bother her. She goes right at them if they are annoying her. Its quite funny to see! 

Lucy (Daphne's mother) is mini sized at 17- 1/2" tall at the shoulder however, her parents were a 60 lb Golden Retriever and a 45b moyen poodle so she's technically not a "mini". She was bred with a 9 lb toy poodle and that is Daphne's father.

I had a mini or toy poodle before getting the Doodles and he lived to be 14 years old. In his older age he did not tolerate children well but I would say that was not the case until he was probably around 10 years old or so. In those later years we referred to him as a "grumpy old man".