Health issues more common in a small dood?

[HrseMom]

In my travel looking for a Goldendoodle. It was mentioned in passing that the smaller (mini's) are prone to health issues. Why one breeder told me they don't deal with them.

If this so?

Appreciate feedback.
Thanks!

[HrseMom]

Hi,

Thank you for the info! Do you have a mini? I may not be too selective. As I read, size and weight cannot really be predicted. So a "mini" could be a 50lb dog, or more!

[Adina P]

Both the standard and the minis have potential health issues as does any breed. The key is to find a breeder that tests their breeding stock for the most common conditions found in the breed or mix. Please refer to this discussion about health issues in doodles:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/potential-health-problems-in

There aren't too many 'older' mini doodles so life expectancy is a guess mostly.

[HrseMom]

Hi Adina,

Makes complete sense. I do have much research to doing. In a learning curve!

Thank you.

[sandy b]

There is a website called goldendoodles.com. I don't know much about it but when I was researching australian labradoodles some breeders breed both types of doodles and belong to associations that require certain types of testing on the breeding dogs. If the breeder belongs to one of these associations they will have the link on their website. You'll learn lot's of information about the breed and it's an easy way to locate breeders across the US, Canada & Europe. I found Max's breeder from the ALAA (Australian Labradoodle Assn of America). Hope this helps.

[HrseMom]

Hi Sandy,

Thank you very much for the information. Beleive I have been on that site? Will take another look.

Would also be open to a Labradoodle. My only hesitation is that all of the Labradores I know are pretty high strung and have taken 3 years to pass the puppy stage! Do you find this to be true, if you are at that point?

Thanks!

[sandy b]

I don't consider Max high strung although he has a lot of energy but no more than any other breed we have owned. I work at home and from day 1 he spends most of the day with me in the office sleeping under my desk or chewing on a bullystick but is very good while in the office. We do take time out for potty breaks, lunch and playtime. He is now 7 months old and he has changed alot especially getting past the teething stage. I started in-home training when he was 12 wks old. In-home because our vet didn't want him out with other dogs until he had all his vaccinations. He was a much quicker learner than me!! Maybe those high strung labs didn't have enough training and exercise.
I was just looking at the goldendoodle website under breeders and noticed some breeders breed both labradoodles and goldendoodles. I would contact them with your questions and concerns and ask the breeders here on doodlekisses.
Good luck in your search.

[HrseMom]

Appreciate all of the feedback! Tying to find the right fit for our family :-)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned is 1" over mini at 17" tall. He weighs about 28 pounds. He is a great size but I wouldn't mind if he got a couple of inches bigger. He is active in the way puppies are active; gets into things he shouldn't etc. Compared to our Springer's puppy antics, Ned is a slug. As he approaches his first birthday I see him maturing quite a bit. The only thing Ned does that shocked me is counter surf. We have never had a dog do that before except the whippet - and we were prepared for that trait from him.

[Mindy]

My Paddy is an 8 month old "mini"....he is really the size of a small medium already at 18 inches to the withers and 22.5lbs. In my early reading, I came across a few articles that indicated size was the most difficult thing to determine in minis as they have not been around that long? Anyhow, my Paddy had a min for a father and what I believe to be a small medium for a mother. From my understanding the entire litter already surpassed "mini"....My Paddy is wonderful and I got him from a registered Australian Labradoodle Breeder in maine. He has had a couple of issues with back legs already, once his rear left leg and about a month ago his rear right leg. He does however attend day camp and he runs and runs and runs....he if totally full of energy, I think he may remain puppylike for a while yet, and his attention span remains short. Even the camp staff notice his energy level....he is keeping me active, for sure!