Mini or Standard?

[Stephanie Sullivan]

So I have been doing a TON of research to decide what kind of dog to get for our family. After much research I have decided on a goldendoodle. However, I cannot decide on whether to get a standard or a mini. My issue is this: The mini's are so much more money! We live in a house with a fenced in yard, but it is not huge. It would be nice to get a standard for less money, but I can' figure out if paying the extra for the mini would be worth it? I know size is not able to be determined with certainty and I don't want to spend a lot more money and still get a dog the size of a standard. Our family is fairly active and we walk a lot so exercise is not an issue. But like I said, our house is not huge. Any one have any thoughts, advice or experience in this?

Thanks,

Stephanie

[Lindsay n Archie]

I have a standard, hes about 70 lbs at 9 months. He eats 4 cups of Fromm a day, which goes through abig bg of food about every month (60-70 bucks a month just for food).  Thats my main issue! We are in the process of looking for  a cheaper good food alternative, but we are pretty happy with Fromm. He takes up a LOT of room.  You dont need a big house though. We have a three story house which Archie is only allowed in the main level (kitchen and living room), but he actually just stays by our side (and w trip over him).  He does need a ton of excersize, walks playing outside, playing with other dogs. We take him to day care about once a week, which is 30 each time. Hes not a cheap dog!!! But hes worth it. We thought He ate batteries the other day, took him to the emergency vet, and a pay check later hes ok! Im not sure about the minis- if they get into less things or need less commitment.  Both breeds are really cute though. good luck

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

We have always had Goldens and prefer, no LOVE, the larger size dogs. Little Miss Enzo is now 4 months and weighs 26lbs. Normal for her Standard size age group. But, no matter what size, she is " perfect" for us.
You have to decide the lifestyle you prefer and how your dog will interact.
We also did not want our puppy shipped. One option was to fly to the destination and bring it back yourself via cabin as opposed to the baggage area.
Luckily, we ended up finding a breeder within 2 hrs of us.
Good luck in your search! He/She is out there waiting for your forever home!

[Robin & Josie]

Josie is a mini Australian Labradoodle. I know that you have your heart set on a Goldendoodle, but they are really very similar. We went with the Labradoodle because we REALLY wanted mini, and the multigenerational factor made the size more predictable. We also needed a non-shedder due to my allergies. I still sniffle when I brush her, but if there was hair all over the place, I wouldn't be able to live in my own home.

I was also able to find a breeder that had a mommy who is only 12 pounds, so I knew there was a better chance of our puppy being small (Dad is 22 lbs.) 

We really wanted a small dog because of the portability and space aspects. She's 6 months and 11 lbs. now and will probably top out at 15 lbs. or less and we are delighted with that size. She's very active at this point, so her personality is MUCH larger than her body. Hopefully she'll calm down as she matures! I can relate to many of the posters on this site, regardless of the size of the dog or whether it is a Goldendoodle or Labradoodle. They share a lot of qualities it seems!

Also, for what it's worth, the ALD's seem to be the same price no matter what size, (and many breeders have mediums) but they are also more expensive than the $1500 that was mentioned. I definitely had some sticker shock that I had to adjust to, but now I don't think about it (except when people ask :0, like it's any of their business....)

[KLN]

I actually have a double doodle (half labradoodle and half golden doodle). I didn't have a preference going in, this was just the first available litter with my breeder (she does all three). Robin is right, goldendoodles and labradoodles are very similar.

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

Mine is a mini double doodle and I couldn't be happier. When I look around at photos, he tends to look more like the multi-gen ALD, but I've seen Goldendoodles look simiar as well.  I would look for a breeder with comfort in predicting size.  My breeder does charge a little more for mini's because they predict very small ranges for the minis that they breed to be true minis, but only about $200 more.  Since she wasn't sure if the litter Kona came from would be a large mini or a small medium, she didn't charge me any extra and I didn't care if he reached the medium size of 35 (Kona's mom is 40 pounds and the dad is 20 pounds)....but I'm thrilled that he stopped at 24 pounds and 16 inches tall.  Perfect size for my house and yard and for lifting him up and over gates and into cars.  The breeder I used breeds minis that are typically 14 to 16 pounds.  I love the 24 pound size (but I'm sure I would have loved him at 14 or 40 as well!)  You just can't go wrong.  My main concern was that, no matter how much I adore my niece's 120 pound giant GD from the same breeder, I just couldn't handle that big of a dog in my little house. 

[Michelle L]

I have a mini and she is the perfect size. She is almost 6 months and she weighs 16 lbs. The breeder estimated she will be 16-25 lbs. IF I had a big yard, I would get a standard. With my experience, standards take more of the golden personality and are more mellow (at least the ones I met from my breeder - Almond Blossom Doodles). Our yard is very very small so it works for Butters. I also take her to daycare every single day. If I didn't, I am not sure how I would handle all that energy. She has a wonderful personality but she is more on the hyper side (like a poodle). With that said, I know every dog is different but that's my 2 cents!

[KLN]

Lol Michelle! I do the same thing! Finn goes to daycare at least three or four times a week and on the days he doesn't go his energy level is through the roof!

[Michelle L]

Yes, thank God for daycare. I take her 5 days a week. She loves it and when she comes home, she just sleeps!! She is too tired to bark, chew on rugs, jump on sofa, etc. It's WONDERFUL! She plays for 8 hours straight. She doesn't even want to leave when I pick her up. Little brat. I do a monthly plan so I end up paying $20/day which is super worth it, IMO. 

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

Since I have 2, it is $40 a day, so I have to spread out the visits....but they LOVE it there!  I need to take them again.  After seeing them zoom all over the dog park on the weekends, I feel bad that they don't get that much exercise during the week when I'm at home.  Just daily neighborhood walks and many zooming sessions in my smallish back yard.

[Emily, Jace, & Maggie Devers]

We have a standard right now, he is roughly 85-90 lbs. that being said he is a male and the females typically (this is just from what I have noticed and is by no means consistent) a couple of lbs lighter, we have a fairly large house living on base and all and we're very comfortable, we're getting our second in 2 weeks and she is going to be medium, both of her parents were 45 lbs and the breeders have estimated her weight to range from 40-50lbs. she was the same price for us as Jace. I will PM you with their link if you're interested! 

[Robin & Josie]

Funny you mention day care. I bring Josie one day a week without fail and it's our most relaxed evening :) I'd bring her more often but she comes to work with me and my seniors would be upset. However, I brought her today because we're going out til late tonight and I want her to go to sleep when we do, and not be ready to play when she comes out of the crate. Best $20 spent today!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I live in a tiny house and have one standard and one medium with no problem at all. They do eat lots more than the mini's but that is all I can think of that might be an issue. Choose the very best breeder based on the guidelines 'what to look for in a breeder ' here on DK and whatever size you end up with will be perfect for you.