All the things you love about Golden Retrievers – their friendliness, loyalty and loving playfulness – but in a smaller package. It sounds pretty great, right?
What is a Miniature Golden Retriever?
Miniature Golden Retrievers, despite their name, are not just pedigree Golden Retrievers that have been selectively bred to be small. They are not a variation of the breed standard, but a mix of several dogs.
This is different from the Mini Husky, just a smaller version.
Mini Golden Retrievers are often bred from a Golden Retriever, Poodle, or a Golden Retriever with a Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever/Poodle mix).
Although some breeders mix Cocker Spaniels with their dogs, this can lead to undesirable characteristics that we will discuss later.
This is specialist breeding. It’s meant to produce a dog that matches as closely as possible with a standard Golden. Usually between a 50% and 75% genetic match. It is a way to produce puppies with the same amazing temperament and character as a normal Golden but in a smaller size.
Miniature Golden Retrievers can also be called Petite Golden Retrievers or Comfort Retrievers. This is the trademarked name of the puppies that Kathy Burgess bred, who claims to be the creator of the first Miniature Golden Retriever.
Burgess’ Mini Golden Retrievers have become so well-known and loved that their trademarked name is now synonymous with the breed.
Is the Mini Golden Retriever Officially Recognized
Miniature Golden Retrievers do not belong to the American Kennel Club, but they are recognized by the Developer Dogs’ Kennel Club as the Golden Retriever and Goldendoodle.
Responsive breeders are committed to ensuring that Mini Goldens/small golden retrievers are recognized and promoted by the best breeders. This means that puppies are sold with an ID tag and health certificate.
It is important that you buy your puppy from a reliable breeder.
What is the Difference Between Miniature Golden Retrievers and Standard Goldens?
Miniature Goldens was created to be a companion-sized version of the standard Golden. However, there are many similarities and differences between them. You should expect this if you consider the Mini’s Poodle traits.
Mini Golden Retrievers don’t have a breed standard, but there is enough breeding activity to be able to estimate an average.
Mini Golden Retriever Size
Standard Goldens typically weigh between 55-75 lbs (with males at the lighter end and females at that of the heavier) and are between 20 and 24 inches tall.
Miniatures are usually between 20 to 45 pounds and 14 to 20 inches tall.
The genetic material they inherited from their parents will affect the size of their dogs. Dogs with more Golden genes will be larger than dogs with fewer Poodle genes.
A Mini Golden Retriever’s life expectancy
Miniature Golden Retrievers are expected to live between 10-15 years, while standard Goldens will expect to live between 10-12 years.
Because larger dogs have a shorter life expectancy than smaller dogs, it is believed that they age quicker.
Both Miniature and standard Goldens are at risk of inheriting genetic diseases like eye problems and joint dysplasia.
Before you purchase a puppy, make sure that the breeder can show proof of good health.
Miniature goldens’ hair and shedding
Miniature Golden Retrievers are able to show off their Poodle genes by their hair. It can be anywhere between the straight, sandy, short hair of a Standard Golden Retriever and the curly, curly, and soft-textured hair inherited from their Poodle parent.
Breeders claim that Miniature Goldens shed less than standard Goldens due to the use of Poodle genetics.
Mini Golden Retrievers are known for being heavy shedders. They require daily brushing.
It’s difficult to predict how much your Mini Golden Retrievers will shed, as each dog inherits different traits.
Miniatures who inherit the shedding gene from their Poodle parent will shed less than Miniatures who inherit it from their Golden parents. Before you bring your dog home, most breeders will be able to estimate the amount of shedding they have done.
Exercise and training
Dogs are a commitment that must be made over a long period of time. Dog owners have to ensure they are well-fed, watered, and protected all year. They also need to make sure that their dogs get enough mental stimulation and exercise to be happy and healthy.
Miniature Golden Retrievers need to exercise and train regularly. Without them, they will start to have behavioral problems, increase weight and eventually become unhealthy. Mini Goldens are intelligent and require daily mental and physical stimulation.
Your Mini will need to be exercised for 30 to 60 minutes per day. Make sure you have plenty of time for music, playtime, and attention.
Training should be done every day to ensure that they are able to adapt to a family’s needs.
Before you purchase a Miniature Golden Retriever (or any other Golden Retriever), ensure that you have enough time and energy for their exercise and training.
What about feeding Miniature Golden Retrievers?
The difference is not significant compared to regular golden retrievers. Miniature golden retrievers require high-protein food to maintain their bones and joints. It is important to remember that these dogs are very active and need to be fed accordingly. A good meal is 2.5 cups of dog food per day, with two meals spread out over the course of the day. The digestive problems that small golden retrievers can have are also reported.
How about the temperament of mini Goldens?
Golden Retrievers are well-known for their love, loyalty, friendliness, and calm temperaments. Miniature Golden Retrievers can also be created by the best breeders.
Miniatures are just like regular Goldens and can be a great pet for the whole family. They also get along well with kids. They are just like all dogs and love attention in any form, be it playing fetch, scratching behind the ears, or taking a long walk.
Minis need to be exercised regularly to maintain their weight and mental stimulation. If you are willing to put in the effort, minis can be trained and socialized easily.
Miniature Goldens can bark, just like their larger cousins, to alert their families of new sounds or situations. If there is a Mini inside the house, you will know it when the doorbell rings. They make excellent guard dogs.
Mini Goldens are temperamentally similar to a regular Golden Retriever.
Miniature Golden Retriever breeders who use Cocker Spaniels for their breeding purposes run the risk of producing undesirable traits that aren’t found in normal Goldens.
Mini Goldens that have Cocker Spaniel parents may be more inclined to bite and nip. This can make your dog less friendly with family members and less comfortable around children. Avoid breeders who use Cocker Spaniels for their Minis.
Miniature Goldens are bad for the Golden Retriever breed?
Some are concerned that Miniature Golden Retrievers, which are designed dogs, could be detrimental to the Golden Retriever breed.
This argument may have some merit, but it doesn’t apply to Mini Golden retrievers. They aren’t a smaller version of the breed; they are a distinct breed that is related to it.
Miniature Goldens can be bad for the breed if they suffer from ‘dwarfism’ or are small pedigree Goldens. This would indicate that breeders used small Golden Retrievers to produce such small pups.
This would lead to the passing on of defective genes, an unethical move that could result in a reduction in the size of the dog’s body.
Miniature Golden Retrievers can be a great breed if they are bred responsibly. They offer a smaller version of the Golden Retriever breed and are a good choice for dog owners.
Is it possible to breed miniature goldens?
There will always be questions about the ethics of breeding dogs selectively to have certain traits that we prefer over those that are essential for the breed.
Breeders have done an extensive research to develop Miniature Golden Retrievers that can be used by people who want smaller dogs.
Miniature Goldens have a longer life expectancy than the breed standard and are easier to take care of.
Some dogs will shed less hair, and (provided care has been taken when selecting sire/dam) should avoid inheritable diseases that could affect Golden Retrievers.
Are Miniature golden retrievers just a gimmick?
Designer dogs that are small have been on the rise in recent years. Whether it’s social media celebrities toting around their exotic Pomeranian mixes or the rise of can’t-believe-it’s-not-a-teddy-bear Goldendoodles and Mini Huskies popping up in families across the US.
Are Miniature Golden Retrievers just another trend? We don’t believe so. The Miniature Golden Retriever has a utilitarian purpose. This is in addition to the fact that they are cute. ).
Miniature Goldens were specifically designed to be smaller and easier to care for than standard Goldens. Miniatures require more care and love than regular Goldens, but they are more like a companion breed.
Miniatures can live in apartments as long as they get enough exercise. Standard Goldens should have enough space for exercise and roaming. Miniatures also need less food and shed less hair.
Miniatures retain the same great temperament as the standard Golden but in a smaller size. This appealing package is hard to imagine going out of fashion anytime soon.
Do I need a Miniature Golden Retriever to help me?
If you are interested in these puppies and have the financial means to properly care for, train, love, and support them, you might consider purchasing a Miniature Golden.
Always do your research about breeders. Only buy from registered breeders who breed responsible dogs and give you all the necessary papers.
We mentioned it earlier that Cocker Spaniel mixes should be avoided as they can be more likely to bite and nip.
What is the cost of Miniature Goldens?
Miniature Goldens are expensive, as you would expect from a specially bred dog like this. New puppies are usually priced between $700 to $6,000. Many reputable breeders will charge more for their pups.
You should also consider the costs of vet visits as well as any other expenses (such food, flea treatment, etc.) to determine if you can afford to purchase and maintain a Miniature Golden Retriever.
Conclusion
Miniature Golden Retrievers have become so beloved that it’s not surprising. Miniature Golden Retrievers have the same classic Golden temperament as their larger counterparts, making them great family pets.
Do your research about your breeder before buying and you will be able to enjoy a lot of joy, energy, love, and fun.