Mini vs. Medium vs. Standard Goldendoodle: Main Differences (With Pictures)

If you have been shopping for a Goldendoodle to add to your family, you will likely have come across the terms mini, medium, and standard. These are the different varieties of Goldendoodle that come from the different types of Poodles used in breeding. But what exactly do those terms mean? How small is a Miniature Goldendoodle versus a Standard Doodle? Do the different varieties have different personality traits? This brief guide will cover all of that and more as we dive deep into the key differences between Miniature, Medium, and Standard Goldendoodles.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Miniature Goldendoodle Overview

Miniature Goldendoodles or minis are a mixture of a Golden Retriever and a Toy Poodle. These dogs are very small, especially compared to Standard Poodles and Golden Retrievers. It can be very difficult to find a miniature since the size difference between a Toy Poodle and a Golden Retriever makes successful breeding difficult. Many times, a Mini Goldendoodle will be three-quarters poodle and one-quarter Golden Retriever because you need to breed in more Poodle to allow for the dogs to successfully breed.

Miniature Goldendoodles offer all of the same personality traits as other Goldendoodles, just in a smaller package. That makes them perfect for people who like small dogs but want to get the personality of a Golden Retriever and the intelligence of a Poodle.

Longevity

Miniature Goldendoodles have the best lifespan out of all of the Goldendoodle sizes. That is because small dogs tend to live longer than big dogs. If lifespan and longevity are important to you when it comes to your pets, you might want to consider getting a Miniature Goldendoodle over other sizes.

Breeding

As mentioned, Miniature Goldendoodles are harder to breed than other Goldendoodles. The size differences between a Toy Poodle and a Golden Retriever pose some unique challenges for breeders. If you want to breed Goldendoodles, you will also run into these challenges. This makes the number of available Miniature Goldendoodles smaller than other types of Goldendoodle, and that can raise the price and the time to find and buy one.

Suitable for:

These dogs are perfect for families looking for all of the great personality traits of a Goldendoodle in a smaller package. Miniature Goldendoodles eat less, require less grooming and are much smaller than the other Goldendoodle breeds. These dogs will make great companions for people who prefer small dogs over large dogs.

Medium Goldendoodle Overview

Medium Goldendoodles are a cross between a Miniature Poodle and a Golden Retriever. This creates a Goldendoodle that is an average size. Medium Goldendoodles are smaller than Standard Goldendoodles and larger than Miniature Goldendoodles. These dogs are full of energy without being so big that they are unmanageable. Medium Goldendoodles provide a good middle-of-the-road for Goldendoodles. They are big enough to be cuddly and active without being too big. Medium Goldendoodles also retain a good portion of the Miniature Goldendoodle’s lifespan, which is another plus.

Grooming

Miniature Goldendoodles are small enough that grooming is not a serious issue. Very small Goldendoodles can be groomed at home or can go to the groomer for a minimal cost. Medium Goldendoodles are larger and have more hair which makes grooming more of an issue for them. Goldendoodles need regular brushing to keep their hair free of tangles.

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Training/Exercise

Miniature Goldendoodles are small enough that they do not need a lot of exercise or intensive training. They are small enough to control and train. Medium Goldendoodles have more energy and are larger, so they will need more exercise and more training than a Miniature Goldendoodle. That is something to keep in mind before you buy any Goldendoodle. The same will be true of Standard Goldendoodles, which are the largest and, therefore, will have the most amount of energy, and training will be that much more important.

Suitable for:

Medium Goldendoodles are great for anyone looking for an all-around great Goldendoodle. Medium Goldendoodles have all of the personality of a Goldendoodle without being too large. They are big enough to be fun companions outdoors and for exercise without being too large to manage if they get a little too high on energy.

Standard Goldendoodle Overview

Standard Goldendoodles are the original Goldendoodles. Whenever people say Goldendoodle, they are usually talking about the Standard Doodle. Standard Goldendoodles are bred by crossing a Standard Poodle with a Golden Retriever. This results in the largest Goldendoodle and the most common type of Goldendoodle.

Size

Standard Goldendoodles are the largest Goldendoodles by far. At their largest male Goldendoodles can stand nearly 2 feet tall and weigh up to 80 pounds. Combined with their high energy levels and playful personalities, it can make the largest Goldendoodles hard to handle if they are not trained properly. These dogs are great for anyone who likes large dogs and is looking for the largest variety of Goldendoodle. However, the largest Goldendoodles also typically have the shortest lifespans, so keep that in mind.

Training/Exercise

Training and exercise are critical for Standard Goldendoodles. They have a lot of energy that needs to be released in order to make them calm when they are in the house. Standard Goldendoodles are very intelligent, loyal, and eager to please, so training them is not very difficult. However, if you do not manage their energy levels, they can get extremely energetic, and that can cause them to stop listening. That can be a problem if you have an 80-pound dog, so do not neglect their exercise and training requirements.

Suitable for:

These dogs are suitable for anyone looking for the typical Goldendoodle. These are the most common Goldendoodle and the largest. The Standard Goldendoodle is the colloquial breed standard. They are great for families, active people, people with allergies, and anyone who likes large friendly dogs.

Main Differences

The biggest difference between all of these different types of Goldendoodles is their size. All Goldendoodles should have very similar personalities, energy levels, and loyalty. That is because all Goldendoodles are a mixture of Poodle and Golden Retriever. The only question is what size Poodle was used for breeding the Goldendoodle.

Some Miniature Goldendoodles might have a personality that is closer to that of a Poodle than a Goldendoodle if they have more Poodle in them than Golden Retriever. The size will also affect the lifespan as smaller dogs live longer than larger dogs on average. However, all-in-all, these dogs will be extremely similar other than their size, exercise requirements, and grooming costs.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

The choice of which Goldendoodle is best for you will likely come down to what size dog you prefer. If you prefer small dogs, you will want to get a Miniature Goldendoodle. If you want an active dog that is not too large, you will want to consider a Medium Goldendoodle. If you like large dogs or a prototypical Goldendoodle, you will want to look at the Standard Goldendoodle. In the vast majority of cases, the size and breeding requirements for each Goldendoodle do little to affect their personalities. They will all act like Goldendoodles at the end of the day.

Featured Image Credit: Upper Left - SoySendra, Shutterstock | Upper Right - Matthew Yoder, Shutterstock | Under image - Eric Isselee, Shutterstock