Australian Mini Goldendoodle: Pictures, Guide, Info, & Care

The Australian Mini Goldendoodle is a designer dog from designer dogs—the Australian Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle. Numerous dogs contribute genes to this mix, including the Golden Retriever and the Poodle for the Goldendoodle and the Labrador Retriever, Poodle, and a range of Spaniels for the Australian Mini Goldendoodle. The result is a versatile dog that varies from individual to individual.

Breed Overview

The Australian Mini Goldendoodle is a miniature version of a mix of the Australian Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle. Because the Poodle part of the breed is included in both breeds, these dogs can be Standard, Miniature, and Toy. Breeding them for the miniature size can be challenging, as they need to have the right genes to dominate the large Retriever breeds.

Australian Mini Goldendoodle Characteristics

Australian Mini Goldendoodle Puppies

Australian Mini Goldendoodles are growing in popularity for their unique combination of breeds—especially the popular Goldendoodle—and small size. There are plenty of breeders offering Australian Goldendoodle and Australian Mini Goldendoodle puppies, but that is a concern. Breeders that are trying to cash in on the popularity of these dogs are just producing litters, not worried about producing the best possible specimens of the breed.

Mixed breeds have the benefit of a more diverse gene pool and potentially better health overall, but puppies bred from just any pairing could end up with health or behavioral problems. This is especially true if the designer parents come from subpar breeding themselves. You can expect to pay a high price for a well-bred Australian Mini Goldendoodle—sometimes thousands of dollars.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Australian Mini Goldendoodle

Australian Mini Goldendoodles have the benefit of highly intelligent, easy-to-train, and hardworking parent breeds. Poodles are among the most intelligent dogs and excelled at hunting and other canine jobs throughout their history, while the Labrador and Golden Retriever are popular gundogs that are known for being smart and obedient.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Australian Mini Goldendoodles are excellent family dogs. Their parent breeds tend to do well with children, but it’s important to supervise play. Young children can be too rough and accidentally hurt a small dog like the Mini Goldendoodle. These dogs are also a good choice for a therapy dog because of their gentle, easygoing nature. Keep in mind, however, that the combination of multiple breeds can lead to temperament variations.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Despite being from hunting breeds, Australian Mini Goldendoodles generally get along with other pets, including cats and other dogs. They don’t have an exceptionally high prey drive or aggression in general, but it’s important to remember that every dog is different. The best results come from early socialization with the Mini puppy and other dogs and cats.

Things to Know When Owning an Australian Mini Goldendoodle

Australian Mini Goldendoodles are often healthier than the purebred breeds that form the mix, but it can vary by the individual. Veterinary care, a high-quality diet, and plenty of exercise and love can make a big difference in your dog’s health and wellbeing.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Australian Mini Goldendoodles are small dogs, often falling under 30 pounds. Most do well on small-breed puppy food with the appropriate nutrients and kibble size for their little mouths and developing bodies. Once your puppy reaches a year of age, you can introduce them to an adult formula for small breeds. The nutritional needs of each dog can vary, so be sure to speak to your vet about an appropriate diet for your dog’s size, health, and activity level.

Exercise 🐕

Australian Mini Goldendoodles are energetic dogs, just like Poodles and Retrievers, and do well with a few hours of play and exercise each day. With their small stature, it’s best to stick to short, vigorous walks or play sessions. These dogs are extremely intelligent, so incorporating trick training or interactive toys is important for keeping them mentally stimulated and building a strong bond.

Training 🎾

Australian Mini Goldendoodles come from highly trainable breeds, so it’s likely that the puppy will share these traits. The parent breeds are purpose-bred dogs that have been used for hunting and other work, including therapy work and canine sports, so your dog will enjoy having challenging training sessions with positive, aversion-free methods. Socialization is also important to keep your dog receptive to new people, animals, and situations and avoid separation anxiety.

Grooming ✂️

The Australian Mini Goldendoodle is a moderate- to high-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. They can have a variety of coat types, ranging from the thick woolen curls of the Poodle to a Golden’s luscious waves to fleece-like teddy coats. Whatever coat type your dog has, you can expect minimal shedding but regular grooming. It’s best to groom your Goldendoodle at least once a day to remove loose hair and prevent mats. If your dog lacks a thick undercoat, you may be able to brush a few times a week to keep your pup clean and comfortable.

In addition to brushing and occasional bathing, your dog will also need regular nail trimmings to keep their nails short and avoid joint issues. You should also clean your dog’s ears and brush their teeth regularly.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The genetic diversity in a designer dog can produce a healthier puppy, but not always. Poor breeding with parent breeds that are prone to certain conditions can mean puppies with health problems, so it’s important to work with a dedicated breeder that does the legwork to produce healthy puppies and improve the breed.

Male vs Female

Male Australian Mini Goldendoodles are often larger than females, but it depends on the size of the parent breeds and the genes. Some females may be larger than males, but in any case, the size difference is not usually drastic. Otherwise, there aren’t many differences between the male and female Australian Mini Goldendoodle, especially if they’re spayed or neutered. Fixing your dog at the appropriate time can prevent a lot of behavioral issues that arise from sex hormones, such as roaming and some types of aggression, and health conditions of the reproductive organs.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Australian Mini Goldendoodle

1. They Don’t Come From Australian Breeds.

With the Australian Mini Goldendoodle name, you may assume that these dogs include an Australian breed like the Australian Shepherd or Australian Cattle Dog. These breeds aren’t part of the many breeds that are combined to create the designer dog. Instead, the name comes from the fact that the Australian Labradoodle was created in Australia initially.

2. They’re Exceptional Therapy and Service Dogs.

Like Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, the Australian Mini Goldendoodle often has the ideal temperament for service work and therapy work. The former has much stricter guidelines to assist people with disabilities, so these dogs are often selected and started as puppies. Therapy dogs aren’t strictly regulated, however. These dogs just have to be friendly, gentle, and affectionate to soothe people in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and schools.

3. They’re Good for People With Allergies

Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and other Doodle designer dogs are often marketed as “hypoallergenic dogs.” There’s no such thing since dog allergies come from dander, saliva, and oil glands. A low-shedding dog like the Mini Goldendoodle can help people with allergies, however, because there’s less loose hair and dander ending up in the air.

Final Thoughts

The Australian Mini Goldendoodle is a popular designer dog breed that comes from a wide range of dog breeds, including the Australian Labradoodle (Labrador and Poodle), Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever and Poodle), English and Cocker Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels, and Curly Coated Retrievers.

This careful combination of breeding created a dog that combines the best of all these breeds, including the gentle temperament of the family-friendly Golden Retriever, the intelligence of the Poodle, and the hardworking attitude of the Spaniels. These dogs come in a range of colors and coat textures, some of which are good for allergy sufferers and fit into a variety of household environments.

Featured Image Credit: Left – Darcy Jardine, Shutterstock | Right – Reddog3, Shutterstock