Petite Goldendoodle Care

The Petite Goldendoodle (PG), also called the Mini Goldendoodle, is a hybrid of three popular breeds: the Miniature Poodle, the Golden Retriever, and the Cocker Spaniel. With three fantastic breeds in its lineage, the PG is a special crossbreed for sure! They're known for being smart and affectionate--but they can also be quite mischievous if allowed.

Below you'll find plenty of details on Mini Goldendoodle care: puppy development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more are covered here. For answers to your questions about caring for a Petite Goldendoodle, read on!

Though active and energetic, this hybrid is fairly small, so Mini Goldendoodle exercise needs aren't too extensive. With their mischievous personalities, these dogs will need a variety of activities that condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports)--all of which help keep them out of trouble!

Specifically how much exercise does a Mini Goldendoodle need each day? Adults will do well with about 45 minutes of proper exercise on a daily basis. You can start exercising your Goldendoodle puppy at 2-3 months old by taking it on short (5-minute) walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

A few things to consider with Petite Goldendoodle exercise: first, puppies younger than eight months old shouldn't do too much jumping, running on hard surfaces, or navigating of stairs, as these can injure their still-developing joints and bones. And all PGs, regardless of age, will need to be leashed when in public. These crossbreeds have both strong prey drives and curious demeanors, which means they'll run off after interesting critters or other stimulating objects unless controlled by a leash. Even when exercising in your own yard, the area will need to be securely fenced to keep the dog from running away.

Precautions aside, it's recommended that you exercise your Mini Goldendoodle every single day. These dogs are active and playful, and without consistent exercise they'll make up their own "activities"--namely, getting into any- and everything they shouldn't! Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind. A few exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 20-minute walks per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: A PG will chase a ball, stick, or Frisbee for hours
• Hide-and-Seek: Good indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Canine Sports: These dogs can excel in obedience and agility trials, flyball, and other events
• Laser Pointer: Your PG will go nuts chasing that "little red dot"

When indoors, it's good to give your PG access to balls or toys that will help the dog burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.

In terms of shedding and drooling, these dogs don't need very much care. Mini Goldendoodle shedding is minimal, and drooling isn't an issue.

This hybrid usually has a thick, dense, wavy to curly coat. Because its coat is more like the Poodle's, Miniature Goldendoodle shedding isn't a problem. Hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will rarely be necessary, but frequent brushing with a slicker brush will be required to minimize mats and tangles.

A PG almost never drools, though. If your Mini Goldendoodle is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

This crossbreed will need balanced portions of animal proteins and carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and omega fatty acids--ingredients necessary for these dogs to maintain their health in the long term. This means the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles is premium dry kibble, particularly the kind formulated for small breeds. This high-quality food has proper amounts of the above-listed ingredients--while cheap, generic food does not. Cheap dog food is not recommended for this hybrid because it contains mostly empty "filler" ingredients that are unhealthy, are harder for the dog to digest, and may even shorten its lifespan if eaten on a consistent basis.

Blue Buffalo, Taste of the Wild, and Hill's Science Diet are three recommended brands that carry excellent lines of dry food for small breeds.

No known climate issues exist for this breed, so it will be comfortable in a variety of temperatures.