Petite Goldendoodle: Your Complete Guide

Goldendoodles are a hybrid between a golden retriever and a poodle. This designer dog breed has gained ever-growing popularity in recent years, appealing to many individuals and families looking for a furry companion. Like other doodles, there are varieties of goldendoodle. One popular among these is the petite goldendoodle.

As the name suggests, the petite goldendoodle looks like their goldendoodle cousins in a smaller frame. However, their size isn’t the only trait that makes the petite goldendoodle different. Petite goldendoodles have unique characteristics separate from other goldendoodles that everyone interested in this breed should know.

Our article will guide you through everything you need to know about the petite goldendoodle, including the breed’s physical features, temperament, care needs, and health. Read on to find out if the petite goldendoodle is the right dog breed for you and your family.

Quick Look at the Petite Goldendoodle

Below is a quick look at the petite goldendoodle covering the breed’s physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs. You’ll find a much more detailed description for each point covered in the later parts of the article.

What Is the History of Petite Goldendoodles?

Goldendoodles first appeared around the 1960s when breeders began crossbreeding the poodle with various other breeds to create hypoallergenic dogs. Although goldendoodles aren’t the first poodle hybrids, they became very popular in just a few decades.

The downsizing of the goldendoodle throughout the years eventually created varieties like the petite goldendoodle in the early 2000s. Breeders usually cross a golden retriever with a toy poodle or breed two smaller goldendoodles to create a petite goldendoodle.

One important thing about petite goldendoodles is their generation, which can tell you more about their size, coat type, and temperament. Here’s an overview of how the generational classification works for doodles.

When breeders cross a golden retriever and a toy poodle, the offspring is classified as an F1 petite goldendoodle. An F1 petite goldendoodle bred with another produces an F2 petite goldendoodle – and the offspring of two F2 goldendoodles are F3 goldendoodle.

From F2 on, the chance for a hypoallergenic coat diminishes. For this reason, breeders usually backcross an F1 petite goldendoodle with a toy poodle to downsize the breed and get a more hypoallergenic coat. These doodles are referred to as F1b petite goldendoodles.

There are also F1bb petite goldendoodles that are the offspring of an F1b petite goldendoodle and a poodle. These varieties aren’t as popular but have the most poodle-like, hypoallergenic coat. Understanding all these generations will ensure you get a puppy that matches your preferences.

What Do Petite Goldendoodles Look Like?

Thanks to poodle ancestry, petite goldendoodles come in numerous colors. Black, brown, cream, apricot, white, fawn, and red are common colors, while blue, silver, and gray are the rarest.

Petite goldendoodles typically have a solid-colored coat, but some feature markings around the chest and lower legs. Petite goldendoodles can also have merle coats. These doodles with such coats are usually the offspring of a merle poodle.

What Size Is a Petite Goldendoodle?

There isn’t an official standard size for the petite goldendoodle, as they aren’t purebred dogs. However, breeders often describe them as no taller than 15 inches and weighing less than 25 pounds. With this height and weight range, you can consider the petite goldendoodle a small-to-medium-sized dog breed.

What Is a Petite Goldendoodle’s Coat Type and Length?

Petite goldendoodles can have straight, wiry, wavy, or curly fur, depending on the dominant parent’s gene. Straight and wiry fur is more common in F1 petite goldendoodles, and F1b, F2b, and F3b petite goldendoodles almost always have a wavy or curly coat.

Petite goldendoodles have ever-growing growing fur that requires daily grooming. However, the wavy and curly coats that give them their teddy bear appearance are more demanding than a straight and wiry coat – more on a petite goldendoodle’s grooming needs down below.

What Is a Petite Goldendoodle’s Temperament?

Petite goldendoodles share a similar temperament with their larger siblings. They bond strongly with their owners and have a friendly personality that enjoys befriending everyone.

These dogs are incredibly playful and are almost always up for play with people and dogs. This may have some downsides, but it makes the petite goldendoodle an excellent addition to families with active children. It wouldn’t be uncommon for petite goldendoodle owners to spot their kids and dogs sleeping in a puppy pile after playtime. Overall, the petite goldendoodle is a friendly hybrid breed that enjoys the company of others.

Are Petite Goldendoodles Good With Kids?

Petite goldendoodles match great with children of all ages. Playful children, in particular, will find themselves with a petite furry friend who’s always up for playtime. Likewise, petite goldendoodles love playing with kids, and the breed’s small size makes them suitable for families with young children.

Supervision isn’t as much needed with older children, but petite goldendoodles can get agitated if children don’t know how to interact with dogs. Although these dogs are tolerable, they may snap if children pull on their tail, yell, or take their food.

That said, it’s more about the children’s behavior than the dog when it comes to petite goldendoodles. They will get along well with any child who recognizes boundaries and respects their space.

Are Petite Goldendoodles Good With Other Animals?

Petite goldendoodles can thrive in families with multiple pets. From the moment you bring home one of these dogs, you’ll realize how quick they are to befriend everyone and everything.

Petite goldendoodles don’t just get along with cats and other dogs. They also have a low prey drive, making them less susceptible to chasing prey animals like hamsters and rabbits. With all these, you can count on a petite goldendoodle to get along well with your other pets and make an excellent addition to your family of furry friends.

Are Petite Goldendoodles Aggressive?

Goldendoodles are one of the least aggressive dog breeds. They are love bugs that simply want to befriend anyone and everyone. During walks, they will greet strangers and dogs happily, play gently at dog parks, and have enough patience to back down when challenged by assertive dogs.

However, any dog with behavioral issues may exhibit aggression, and although petite goldendoodles aren’t inherently aggressive, a lack of socialization can create behavioral issues. This may lead to food aggression, resource guarding, and other problems.

As with every dog breed, early socialization is critical to ensure a petite goldendoodle puppy grows up to become a well-behaved member of society. Luckily for those interested in this breed, their friendly and affectionate personality makes socializing a petite goldendoodle effortless.

Do Petite Goldendoodles Bark?

Petite goldendoodles aren’t known to be barkers, but they aren’t the most silent dogs either. When these dogs bark, it’s often to get attention. They rarely bark to display dominance or aggression.

If a petite goldendoodle barks more than usual, they may not be getting enough exercise. You can curb excessive barking in most petite goldendoodles by providing enough physical activity and mental stimulation.

Additionally, petite goldendoodles are intelligent dogs that can learn to be quiet when asked. If you live in a noise-restricted apartment, teaching them to stop barking should be a priority to prevent conflict with neighbors.

Are Petite Goldendoodles Affectionate?

With everything mentioned so far, you can bet that petite goldendoodles are an incredibly affectionate dog breed. They love being pet and cuddling on the sofa after exercise and training. During these times, petite goldendoodles become lap dogs that never want to leave their owners’ warmth.

This affectionate nature isn’t reserved for their people. Petite goldendoodles accept anyone and everyone with open paws and warm up to new people and dogs rather quickly. These are excellent traits to have in a companion dog, but this affectionate personality puts them at risk of separation anxiety.

During puppyhood, it’s essential to make petite goldendoodles comfortable being left alone by isolating them and avoiding attention for parts of the day. Crate training is also an effective way to prevent separation anxiety in devoted dog breeds like the petite goldendoodle.

Are Petite Goldendoodles Intelligent?

Golden retrievers and poodles rank among some of the most intelligent dog breeds – the offspring of these breeds are no exception. Thanks to their parents, petite goldendoodles are also incredibly smart.

This intelligence gives petite goldendoodle owners the upper hand in training, but these dogs must use their brains to live a fulfilling life. Otherwise, behavioral issues, such as destructive acts and excessive barking, can quickly arise if a petite goldendoodle experiences boredom for too long. Solving puzzles, exposure to new sights and smells, meeting new dogs, and training are some of the best ways to keep them satisfied and occupied.

Are Petite Goldendoodles Energetic?

Although petite goldendoodles don’t have the boundless energy of their larger siblings, they are still high-energy dogs that require a lot of physical activity and playtime to stay healthy. Daily walks of at least an hour are recommended to meet their exercise needs.

However, petite goldendoodles are also nimble dogs that can do more than walk around the neighborhood. Swimming, hiking, running, and dog agility sports are great ways to keep them healthy and fit. They excel in agility training, in particular, and this can provide them with the physical activity and mental stimulation they need.

Are Petite Goldendoodles Easy to Train?

Petite goldendoodles are easy to train. Unlike stubborn breeds, these dogs want to please their owners. Coupled with their fierce intelligence, teaching a petite goldendoodle some simple tricks can take only a few days.

As for advanced training, learning complex tricks won’t be a challenge for a petite goldendoodle. You can finish basic obedience in just a few weeks and move on to more complicated commands like using hand signals and off-leash training.

With all this trainability, petite goldendoodle owners can consider participating in dog sports, which can give their doodle a sense of purpose. You can enroll in AKC’s Canine Partner Program to compete in dog sports like Rally and Obedience in your area.

Are Petite Goldendoodles Good Watchdogs?

Whether petite goldendoodles make good watchdogs or not depends on individual temperament. Some petite goldendoodles may bark at anything out of the ordinary, while others stay put without making a single noise.

However, we wouldn’t recommend bringing home a petite goldendoodle to take on the duties of a watchdog. These dogs may bark at strangers, but it wouldn’t be to protect their territory or to alert their owners. They are more likely to bark to get the attention of strangers and unfamiliar dogs for play and curiosity.

Are Petite Goldendoodles Good Service Dogs?

The highly trainable nature of the petite goldendoodle makes the breed suitable for learning a variety of complicated tasks, including those useful for service dog work. In particular, petite goldendoodles can become excelling psychiatric service dogs, hearing assistance dogs, and allergy detection dogs.

Due to their small size, however, they aren’t suitable for guiding or mobility assistance work. That said, petite goldendoodles can become good service dogs as long as their size is appropriate for the tasks you expect them to perform.

How to Care for a Petite Goldendoodle?

Like every breed, petite goldendoodles need their owner’s attention to live a healthy, happy life. However, some of these care needs may be more demanding than expected.

Here’s how to care for a petite goldendoodle, including their grooming needs, shedding, health, and feeding.

Do You Need to Groom a Petite Goldendoodle?

Petite goldendoodles with a wavy or curly coat require daily grooming. Brushing the coat to prevent matting and tangling is a must to maintain the petite goldendoodle’s natural look. This is particularly important if the coat is kept long to achieve the teddy bear appearance everyone adores.

If the petite goldendoodle has straight or wiry fur, the most common in F1 petite goldendoodles, grooming should be done at least three times a week. A slicker brush is the most appropriate tool to maintain their cuddly coats.

Since the fur of the petite goldendoodle grows continuously, they require haircuts every six to eight weeks. This means taking them to a professional groomer regularly, which can add up over time. Not to worry though; you can learn how to cut your petite goldendoodle’s hair at home if a regular visit to the groomers is too costly.

Do Petite Goldendoodles Shed?

Petite goldendoodles don’t shed, but how hypoallergenic their coat is depends on the generation and individual dogs. Even dogs from the same litter may have coats that produce varying amounts of allergens.

If you have pet allergies, consider buying or adopting an F1b petite goldendoodle or even an F1bb petite goldendoodle to ensure they are gentler on your allergies.

What Health Problems Do Petite Goldendoodles Have?

Petite goldendoodles are generally healthy dogs. However, like other doodles, they are still prone to developing certain canine diseases. These include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, sebaceous adenitis, and heart conditions like subvalvular aortic stenosis.

Any petite goldendoodle can develop these conditions at one point in their life, but getting a puppy from a reputable breeder can ensure your petite goldendoodle isn’t at risk due to genetics.

How Long Do Petite Goldendoodles Live?

Petite goldendoodles have a life expectancy of between 13 and 17 years. Although they have a relatively long lifespan, being small-sized dogs, petite goldendoodles grow up fast with a shorter puppyhood and teenage phase.

What Should a Petite Goldendoodle Eat?

The best diet for a petite goldendoodle is what your veterinarian recommends. By observing their health and knowing a few things about their lifestyle, your vet can make an informed recommendation for what to feed your petite goldendoodle.

Still, most high-quality commercial dog food is appropriate for petite goldendoodles. As for how much to feed, a petite goldendoodle should eat between one and two cups of dog food per day, depending on their weight.

You can also consider a homemade diet, but get your vet’s approval first to verify that your petite goldendoodle will get all the nutrients they need to live a healthy life.

Is a Petite Goldendoodle the Right Dog for Me?

The petite goldendoodle is an affectionate dog breed that’s just as friendly. They are well-suited for first-time dog owners and can thrive in different home arrangements, from apartments to houses with a spacious backyard.

These are excellent traits in any companion dog, but petite goldendoodles require an owner who looks after them closely. They aren’t a good fit for those looking for a lazy dog to keep them company at home. Petite goldendoodles are active dogs that match the best with active owners.

Overall, if you’re up for taking them out every day, grooming regularly, and providing mentally enriching activities, a petite goldendoodle will pay back with their undying affection.