You’ve always wanted to own the intelligent, friendly and adorable Golden Retriever but you wished it could be smaller.

When they created the hybrid, Miniature Golden Retriever breeders had this in mind. They wanted to create a smaller, healthier, and more compact copy of the popular purebred.

This article will cover everything you need to know about the Mini Retriever, including its origin and pros and cons.

Mini Golden Retrievers are a crossbreed of a Golden Retriever (Golden), a Cocker Spaniel, or a Golden Retriever.

These dogs can also be called Petite Golden Retrievers or Small Golden Retrievers.

Mini Goldens are only bred from Golden Retrievers or Poodles, and the name Comfort Retriever is trademarked.

Mini Retriever breeders ensure that each Mini Retriever puppy inherits 50%-75% of the Golden Retriever genes, so the pup is more likely than others to inherit the purebred’s temperament and traits.

This crossbreed is relatively new. Kathy Burgess was the breeder of the first Comfort Retriever.

To create a miniature dog, a Standard Golden Retriever and a Cocker Spaniel were crossed.

Designer dogs: The controversy

Why is so much attention being paid to hybrids such as the Mini Golden Retriever?

We need to quickly define crossbreeds and designer dogs in order to understand the controversy surrounding these canines.

Designer dogs come from two purebreds. These hybrids were popularized in the 1980s. They are still highly sought-after today because they combine the best qualities of both their parents.

The Sheepadoodle and the Pocket Pitbull are two examples of highly-respected designer dogs.

Purebreds, like the Shih Tzu or the Weimaraner, have a documented pedigree. To ensure that dogs have the same temperament, breeding is carefully done over many generations.

Purebreds can be registered with breed clubs such as the AKC or the United Kennel Club.

Many dog lovers warn against breeders who only care about making a profit, and not the overall health and well-being of their dogs. These breeders are more concerned about creating cute dogs than crossbreeding healthy dogs.

Designer dog advocates argue that crossbreeding can improve health and promote hybrid vigor.

Crossbreeding can reduce the chance of pups inheriting genes that are harmful to a particular breed.

The Mini Golden Retriever is a miniature version of the Golden Retriever. A breeder often wants to make a smaller Golden Retriever with less (hence the use of the Poodle).

These Petite Retrievers are raised by reputable breeders who ensure their puppies are healthy and are tested for genetic conditions.

Despite being adorable, the Mini Golden Retriever was not registered with AKC.

The AKC supports the Golden Retriever’s breed standards and doesn’t support breeders who deviate from them.

How does a Miniature Golden Retriever get its name?

What makes a Miniature Golden Retriever puppy a Miniature Golden Retriever? This tiny crossbreed is made popular by the cocker Spaniel or the Poodle.

Let’s first get to the bottom of this mini hybrid, the Golden Retriever.

The Golden Retriever

In Scotland, the first breeding of Golden Retrievers was done in the mid-19th century, when hunting birds were still a popular pastime for the wealthy.

The nobility desired a dog that could run and swim, as well as be a great hunting companion. This dog was able to “retrieve”, and shot birds without causing damage.

Golden Retrievers are a well-known breed. These friendly, calm canines are ranked 3rd on the AKC’s Top Dog Breeds List 2017.

A fully grown Golden Retriever can eat up to 75 lbs (34 kg) and stand approximately 24.5 inches (62.5 cm) tall.

This dog is definitely large and can be difficult to handle.

It’s easy to see why Golden Retriever breeders sought these great qualities in a smaller package.

The playful, sweet Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels were first bred in 14th-century hunting dogs. Breeders wanted to create a smaller version the Golden Retriever.

This is not surprising considering the many similarities between a Golden Retriever, and a Cocker Spaniel.

The Cocker Spaniel is either an English Cocker Spaniel or an American Cocker Spaniel. It has a playful, happy nature, and is well-known for its ‘pretty appearance’.

The popularity of the breed soared after the Disney movie Lady & the Tramp was released in the 1950s. Today, the Cocker Spaniel still enjoys the same recognition.

A Cocker Spaniel is half the size of a Golden. It weighs between 25 and 30 pounds (11 to13 kg) and measures 13 to 15.5 inches (33.3 to 39 cm).

Cocker Spaniels’ smaller and their temperament made them ideal mates for the Golden Retriever when they were bred to Mini Golden Retrievers.

Intelligent, loyal Poodle

The second choice for the Mini Golden Retriever was the Poodle. Due to the Spaniel’s propensity to bite or nip, some breeders decided not to choose the Cocker Spaniel.

Poodles are a long-lived pet in Europe. They were popular even at the court of King Louis XVI.

They are well-known for their intelligence and alertness. In fact, Poodles were ranked second in smartest dog breed behind the Border Collie.

The low-shedding coats of Poodles are what makes them so popular for crossbreeding.

A Standard Poodle is approximately 40 to 70 pounds (18. to 31. kilograms) when fully grown and about 15 inches (38. cm) tall.

What size is a Mini Golden Retriever?

Mini Golden Retrievers are ideal in weight 20 lbs to 56 lbs (9 to 25kg) and height 12-15 inches (30 cm to 38 cm).

They can be small or medium-sized dogs. Their exact size depends on the parent breeds.

Teacup or Toy Golden Retrievers

Many times, the question of whether a teacup golden retriever is needed has been raised due to the popularity of teacup breeds such as Teacup Chihuahua and Teacup Maltese.

Can you imagine a Teacup Golden Retriever, though? We can’t either.

Some breeders claim this would be unethical breeding since Golden Retrievers are medium-sized dogs that are active companions.

Toy Golden Retrievers or teacups would be too small to be considered the original Golden Retriever size. This could have health consequences that could potentially affect the dog’s life.

It is not a good idea to breed a medium-sized dog down to a teacup size. You should not purchase a puppy simply because you like the look of it.

You must be a responsible dog owner and consider the quality of your pet’s life.

Dwarf Golden Retrievers

Dwarf Golden Retrievers can be called Goldens with dwarfism. Dwarfism, also known as achondroplasia, is a condition where the bones are underdeveloped. This is when the bones don’t grow to the desired size.

A dwarfism is a form of ‘osteochondrodysplasia’ or an abnormality in the growth and development of either the bone or cartilage or both.

Dogs who have osteochondrodysplasia can suffer from pain and discomfort depending on the severity of the condition. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary.

Dwarfism can be caused by a variety of factors. Dwarfism is highly inheritable and can be passed from one gender to the other. To have a child affected by dwarfism, one parent must be able to pass the genes on to their offspring.

Some backyard breeders will even go so far as to introduce the dwarfism gene to create miniature Golden Retrievers.

This kind of breeding should not be done as it can cause health problems in the offspring.

Here are some signs your dog may have dwarfism

• A short body with long legs
• Legs bent
• Large and large head
• A shorter jaw can cause crooked teeth
• Atypical bone shape
• Expanded joints
• Low growth or no growth

These signs will appear in dogs between 2 and 3 months old . A puppy from a trusted breeder is a sure way to have a healthy dog. Trustworthy breeders will be able provide a detailed medical history and health clearances for your dog.

What is a Miniature Golden Retriever?

Like any hybrid, the appearance of your Mini Retriever puppy is dependent upon its genetic makeup. Their Golden Retriever parent may look more like a Cocker Spaniel or Poodle than their Mini Retriever.

Let’s look at their parents to get a better understanding of the appearance of crossbreeds.

The features that the Mini Golden Retriever might inherit from its parents

AKC’s breed standards for Golden Retrievers have a better description. A Golden’s offspring might inherit some of these physical traits.

The wide skull of the Golden Retriever is complemented by a straight muzzle. Their bright brown eyes show intelligence and friendliness. Petite Golden Retrievers could be bred after the Cocker Spaniel and may have round expressive eyes.

Many of these small crossbreeds are short, floppy ears like the Golden, Cocker Spaniel and Poodle.

These hybrids are smaller than their Golden parents, but they may still have the well-balanced and compact bodies of their Golden parents and strong and muscular shoulders.

Mini Golden Retrievers most often inherit the proud appearance of the Poodle, temperated by the friendly appearance of the Golden Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel.

These dogs have long, thick fur similar to their parents. Many have golden-hued hair that has a curly, straight, or wavy texture.

Their Poodle parents make them less likely to cause allergies. Mini Golden Retrievers can sometimes be considered a crossbreed that is hypoallergenic.

The Golden Cocker Retriever

Cocker Spaniels come in a variety of colors. However, Cocker Spaniels with gold coats can be used to create the Mini Golden Retriever look.

The Dakota Sport Retriever is also known as the Cocker Spaniel Mix. It has expressive eyes, long golden hair, and floppy ears.

The Comfort Retriever

These dogs are known as Comfort Retrievers when they are bred from Golden Retrievers or Poodles.

The hybrid might look different than the Golden Retriever because Poodles and Golden Retrievers are different in their head shapes.

Their coats will be curlier and have a wavy texture.

What is the difference between a Mini Golden Retriever or a Goldendoodle, and how can you tell?

The Mini Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles share the same parents but they are different crossbreeds.

Both dogs share a lot of similarities in temperament, grooming, and exercise requirements.

There is a major difference between them. A Mini Golden Retriever contains more Golden Retriever genes while Goldendoodles contain more Poodle genes.

What is the temperament like of the Miniature Golden Retrievers?

However, like its appearance, the personality and nature of Mini Golden Retriever puppies are influenced by their parents.

Goldens are gentle and calm around children, making them great family pets. They love attention and will do anything to please their families.

The Cocker Spaniel, on the other hand, matches the affectionate temperament of the Golden Retriever.

Poodles are friendly and loyal like Golden Retrievers. However, Poodles are more cautious around strangers.

Miniature Golden Retrievers certainly inherited the same friendly and even-tempered temperament as their parents.

According to the AKC both Goldens, as well as Cocker Spaniels, can be considered sporting dogs. This breed is known for being well-rounded pets. These friendly canines are naturally alert.

Poodles, Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers are great pets for first-time dog owners. They are known for being gentle and easy-going.

These positive traits are not surprising in Mini Golden Retrievers. They make great companions for active owners and have an outgoing, playful nature.

Is the Miniature Golden Retriever healthy?

The average life expectancy of a Miniature Golden Retriever is between 10 and 15. Although hybrid vigor can make crossbreeds more healthy, they still have the same health problems as their parent breeds.

It is a good idea to examine the health conditions that their parents may be suffering from.

Golden Retrievers’ most common health problems

• Hypothyroidism
• Subaortic Stenosis
• Eye disorders
• Elbow dysplasia
• Mast cell tumors

Cocker Spaniels’ health

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).
• Cataracts
• Patellar luxation
• Glaucoma

Common health conditions in Poodles

• Hip dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Addison’s Disease

Care for your Miniature Golden Retriever.

It might take longer and more effort to care for a Little Golden Retriever than you think.

These dogs will make up for it by showing affection and companionship.

Grooming requirements for the Mini Golden Retriever

The Mini Golden Retriever is hypoallergenic but you can still expect to need to groom this hybrid, as all of its parents have long-lasting coats.

Brushing your small golden retriever’s coat every day should be part of your daily routine.

Regular brushing is essential to ensure that your dog’s hair remains neat and tidy. This ensures that your dog’s hair doesn’t get tangled up, which can be very painful.

Regular grooming will prevent excessive shedding from affecting your home. A professional groomer may be needed to trim the dog’s hair and keep it manageable.

How much exercise does the Mini Golden Retriever require?

These dogs haven’t couched potatoes so expect them to spend lots of time at home.

Mini Golden Retrievers are just like the standard Golden Retriever. They love the outdoors and will be very energetic dogs.

To use all their stored energy, expect to spend at most 30 minutes active play.

Mini Golden Retrievers will enjoy spending time with their owners on walks and runs.

Swimming This pooch will also enjoy it, especially since its parents were both bred to water sports.

Training your Petite Golden Retriever

Because its parents are intelligent and have an eager-to-please personality, the Miniature Golden Retriever can be easy to train.

Positive reinforcement is the best way for your dog to learn and keep good behavior.

Comfort Retrievers will likely inherit the intelligence of their parents, who are two of today’s most intelligent dog breeds.

The Golden Retriever is highly trained and makes an excellent working dog. They are often used as hunting companions and therapy dogs.

We also mentioned that Poodles are known for their intelligence, as well.

No matter which Mini Golden Retriever breed you choose, you will have a well-behaved dog at home.

Is there a Mini Golden Retriever breeder near me?

Dog ownership is a commitment. It starts by finding a reliable breeder who will ensure that your dog has been tested for genetic conditions.

Mini Golden Retriever puppies can be purchased at $1500 each. However, some Comfort Retriever pups may cost up to 5000.

Do you want a Miniature Golden Retriever to help with your daily life?

You can’t go wrong when choosing small dogs such as the Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and Poodle. They all have good temperaments and great looks.

A smaller version of the Golden Retriever is a great thing!

These cute canines are friendly, and smart, and make great family dogs. They are ideal for people who enjoy being active and love spending time with their pets. These dogs require a lot of grooming due to their thick hair.