Because Miniature Goldendoodles are a relatively new breed, you may find yourself having a lot of questions about them. I compiled a list of a few common questions and answers that I hope will give you a better understanding of these amazing dogs!
Q: What does F1 and F1b mean?
A: Many times, Goldendoodles (Miniature and Standard) are listed as F1 or F1b. This simply is to show what generation the dog or puppy is. An F1 is a first generation cross of a Golden Retriever and Poodle. An F1b is a first generation Goldendoodle back-crossed with another Poodle. For more information regarding the differences between the generations, click here.
Q: How big will my Mini Goldendoodle puppy be as an adult?
A: This is a difficult question to answer. Unlike pure bred dogs that have an expected adult weight range, Miniature Goldendoodles tend to surprise. The important thing to understand is that there is no way to guarantee what combination of Retriever/Poodle genes a puppy will get. There can be a lot of variation of looks, size, and color even in one litter! The best way to estimate adult size is to look at the weights of the parents. Most likely, the puppy’s size will fall somewhere in between their parents’ sizes. Also, the puppy’s overall looks can give you a hint of which parent breed genes are more dominant.
For example, these two siblings are very different. Their mama is 18 inches tall at the shoulder and 30 pounds. Their dad is about 12 inches tall and 11 pounds.
The female puppy has much curlier hair and is quite a bit smaller than the male. She definitely carries stronger Miniature Poodle genes. I would estimate her adult size to be around 14-15 inches and 15-20 pounds.
The male has the broader head and snout of a Golden Retriever and is stockier than the female. He will most likely be much closer to or even the same size as his mother, because he seems to carry more dominant Golden Retriever genes. My guess is he will grow to be 16-18 inches tall and 20-25 pounds.
Q. Will my Miniature Goldendoodle shed?
A. The best way to tell if a Goldendoodle will shed is by looking at their hair. If they have curly hair like a Poodle, they will not shed. If their hair is wavy or only loosely curled, then they will probably shed a little. Most Goldendoodles are much lighter shedders than Golden Retrievers, but they are not all guaranteed to be shed-free.
Q. What will my Miniature Goldendoodle’s temperament be like?
A. Both Golden Retrievers and Miniature Poodles are friendly and intelligent dogs. They are both very social and easy to train. Golden Retrievers tend to be more gentle than the high-strung Poodles, so Miniature Goldendoodles can have either or both of those traits. Whatever combination of genes a puppy gets, Miniature Goldendoodles are adaptable to nearly any kind of family. They are great with children and other animals, but they can also be happy in a quieter home.
Q. What are the grooming requirements for this breed?
A. These dogs do require quite a bit of grooming and maintenance. Frequent brushing is necessary to keep their fur clean and free from mats and tangles. They will need regular trimming around their ears and paws and haircuts to keep their overall look at whatever length you desire.
Q. What is a Miniature Goldendoodle’s energy level?
A. These are active and excitable dogs, but their energy needs are not as intense as some breeds. They will need regular play time and walks, and they enjoy spending time outdoors swimming and exploring. As long as they are given time to run and play, they can also be well-suited to apartment life.
If you have any other questions, leave a comment, and I will do my best to answer!
Kristen's Happy Tails 
What are your thoughts on how some F1 mini’s Look really long and short. Is that something that is just common or does breeding with a smaller less long legged golden retriever have a lot to do with how disproportional the puppies will look?
I am new to the mini world, but I would love to breed mini’s that aren’t disproportioned but that look just like a smaller version of a standard.
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Hi, Elizabeth! I can’t say I ever thought about it! Im not not entirely sure I understand what you mean by disproportional. Are you thinking that their legs look too short compared to the length of heir body? A lot of how they look as adults is how they are groomed. We tend to trim ours short, which makes their legs look longer. If their hair is allowed to get long and fluffy, it gives the impression that their legs are short.
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Yes, that’s what I mean. 🙂
I just got a female F1 mini who is about 30 lbs and 2 years old. She had a short hair cut and she just Lois very short and long.
We are going to start breeding F1 mini’s soon so II really wanted to know more about if this is normal, since others I have seen don’t look quite this short and long.
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My guess is, her proportions are simply the genetics of the parents. The breed standard for Golden Retrievers is to be slightly longer than tall, with a well-balanced looking frame. I think Poodles are to have more of a square, sturdy build, being as tall as they are long. So it’s probably going to depend if the dog has the overall frame of the poodle or golden. Our F1 is longer than she is tall, though I would say she still looks proportionally balanced. I have noticed her offspring have long legs, which may be the result of more poodle genetics. What I’m learning is that getting the genetics you want with mixed breeds takes a little bit of trial and error!
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That makes total sense! I really appreciate your help!
I’m excited to see what our F1 abs F1b Mini Goldendoodles will look like!
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You’re welcome, and good luck! They are such a fun breed!
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Hello. Just a well meant thought. Your section on shedding is inaccurate. The curl copies are on a completely different gene than the Furnishings gene. And a fully furnished doodle can still shed if it carries the right mutation. To claim non shedding, a dog needs to be tested for furnishings as well as the shedding mutation. Curl has nothing to do with it. A dog can have wavy hair and be completely non shedding. 🤷♀️
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Thank you for the input! I do believe you are right on this! I would be very interested to know if there is a genetic correlation, though, with those two genes. Almost without fail, that’s what we have seen with our puppies. Our curly-haired puppies don’t shed, but our wavy-haired ones do. Perhaps it is simply the genetic mix we have. From my understanding, the “hypoallergenic” gene is also not related to curly/wavy/shedding/non-shedding. (I don’t like the term hypoallergenic, because people can have allergies to “hypoallergenic” breeds.) I find the dynamics of all these genetic interactions very fascinating!
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