Goldendoodles grow extremely quickly during the first 11 months of their life. And new dog owners often tend to panic, wondering if their fur baby is going to be much bigger than they expected.
Your mini Goldendoodle may grow quickly, but it will never grow too much bigger than the breed standard. It is normal for a mini Goldendoodle to be a bit bigger than expected, but if it happens to be getting way too big, then you may not have a mini.
These dogs follow a pretty standard growth curve – they should always be smaller than a Standard Goldendoodle. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about mini Goldendoodles and their growth!
(Even if your Goldendoodle is huge, it just means that there is more Doodle cuteness to love!)
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Why Your Mini Goldendoodle is Bigger Than You Thought
It is normal for mini Goldendoodles to come in various sizes based on the way they were bred, their parents, and their age. But we understand that it may come as a bit of a shock to you if your dog is getting bigger than you thought it would.
The following factors have an effect on how big your pup can get:
Generation
There are various Goldendoodle generations, and their generation has an effect on everything from their temperament to appearance and even their size.
First, the F1 Goldendoodle. These dogs are produced by breeding two purebred dogs – it’s a first generation Goldendoodle. For example, a purebred Miniature Poodle crossed with a purebred Golden Retriever results in an F1 Mini Goldendoodle.
If two F1 Mini Doodles are bred together, it results in an F2 dog. The chances of having a very small Doodle are much higher if the parent dogs are F1, F2, or higher compared to the original crossing between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. It helps to find out what your pup’s history is if you want a better idea of their size.
Parents
One easy way to determine the adult size of your dog is to look at its parents. The size of any dog is never guaranteed, but their parents are a good enough indicator.
If you got your pup from a responsible and reputable breeder then they will likely have photos of the parents up on their website, or you could request some pictures. If you can see that both the mom and dad are in the Mini Goldendoodle range, then your little fur baby will most likely follow and remain a small dog.
How Big Can A Mini Goldendoodle Get?
In adulthood, the Miniature Goldendoodle weighs between 15 and 30 pounds and is between 13 and 17 inches tall at the shoulders.
Standard Goldendoodles weigh around 45 to 90 pounds when they reach adulthood and stand at approximately 20 to 24 inches, so Mini Doodles are (or should be) a good bit smaller. Remeber, it’s normal for your dog to be slightly smaller or bigger. If they’re much heavier though, they could be overweight.
It’s always best to talk with your veterinarian about your doggo’s growth to ensure they are healthy and to make sure that they don’t have a condition that may be affecting their growth.
Remember, there are also Toy, Teacup, and Medium Goldendoodles – if your dog’s size and weight don’t match the above, you might have one of these other types on your hands instead!
Check out a Goldendoodle growth chart for more information on how big your dog might be when it’s full-grown.
When Do Mini Goldendoodles Stop Growing?
Mini Goldendoodle puppies go through several growth spurts in the first year of their lives, much like any other dog breed. Mini Doodles generally stop growing when they are between the age of 1 to 2 years old.
Some dogs will reach their maximum height when they are about one year old, then for the next few months, they will continue to fill out a bit more. Others hit a sudden growth spurt when they turn one. Your dog won’t get much taller after the age of one, but you can expect them to gain a bit more weight.
Your pet should be around 97% of its adult body weight and be regarded as fully developed when they are 12 months old.
All dogs are unique, and some grow faster than others, which is perfectly normal. Your Mini Doodle should, however, still be relatively small when they reach two years old and stop growing.
While your Mini Goldendoodle puppy is growing, be sure to feed them a healthy diet with all the nutrition they need to grow properly. You want to avoid any growth stunts, so choose a high-quality food designed for puppies (adult food doesn’t contain the right nutrition for growing pups).
How To Estimate How Big Your Mini Goldendoodle Will Be
You can work out your puppy’s estimated adult weight when they are about eight weeks old. You can do this by taking their weight and then multiplying it by 4.3. This will give you a rough estimate.
For example:
A Mini Goldendoodle that weighs 4.5 pounds when it is eight weeks old will likely have an adult weight of around 19.4 pounds.
You could get a DNA test done if you would like a more precise estimate of how big they will get. This test can also tell you more about their breeding and health risks, and you can learn more about their relatives.
Embark is one of the more popular tests, and it tends to be pretty accurate. You can order the test online, swab your dog’s cheek and send it back to Embark. They will then get back to you with your pup’s results.
Remember, both the Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle are fairly large breeds. If you want a small Doodle, make sure it has a Toy Poodle or Miniature Poodle as one of its parents.
Is Your Mini Goldendoodle Puppy Growing Normally?
As a proud pet parent, you want to make sure that your Miniature Goldendoodle puppy is growing at a steady and healthy rate. There are a few things you can look out for to ensure they are on the right track.
Signs your Doodle is growing too fast
Your pup’s paws can tell you a lot about their size. Their paws should always be in proportion to the rest of their body. If their paws are out of proportion with the rest of their body, it could mean that they will be bigger than you thought they would be when they reach their full adult size.
By 14 to 16 weeks, their bodily proportions settle, so make sure that their paws match the rest of their body!
Another thing to look for is loose skin. You can use their skin to predict their size. If their skin feels loose when you touch it, it could mean that your pup will grow fairly big as they still have a fair amount of skin that they need to fill out.
The risks of accelerated growth in Goldendoodles
It is mostly larger breeds that are susceptible to rapid growth. Accelerated growth usually occurs when you feed your puppy too many calories and give them food that is high in calcium. This will cause their joints and bones to develop at a faster rate.
This accelerated growth puts a lot of strain on your pup’s joints and bones and can, unfortunately lead to various problems like:
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Bowed legs
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Hip dysplasia
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Cervical spondylopathy
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Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
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Elbow dysplasia
FAQs
What do mini Goldendoodles look like as adults?
The fluffy coats that Miniature Goldendoodles often have as puppies change as they become older. An adult dog’s coat might be straight like a Golden Retriever’s or curly like the Poodle’s. In either case, they should be smaller than Medium Goldendoodles and Standard Goldendoodles (but just as cute!).
The team here at Barks in the Park loves all types of Doodles, no matter what coat type they have!
What is the biggest a mini Goldendoodle can get?
This breed grows to a height of 13 to 17 inches at the shoulder and weighs 15 to 30 pounds. If your dog is much bigger than this, you might find you have a standard-sized Goldendoodle instead. Remember, Golden Retrievers are big dogs, so Goldendoodles are never going to be as tiny as Chihuahuas!
How big do F1b mini Goldendoodles get?
F1b Mini Doodles are generally very tiny and usually stay quite small, about 13 to 17 inches. The smaller the parents are, the smaller the puppy usually is – they rarely get bigger than their parents. Pet owners generally opt for F1b Goldendoodles due to their teeny-tiny size – you get all the fun of standard or medium-sized Goldendoodles but in a smaller package!