Premier Pups > Breed Insights > Standard, Toy & Mini: Goldendoodle Difference
Published Friday, February 25, 2022 by Elena R.
Goldendoodles are one of the most popular doodle breeds in the world, charming pet owners with their fashionable looks, friendly personalities, and agile minds. They are the latest trend in Hollywood and one of the go-to dogs for families with children. But did you know that there currently are over 20 types of Goldendoodles in the world? Goldendoodles quite literally come in all shapes and sizes, each one more remarkable than the others.
Read on to learn about their differences and find out which type of Goldendoodle is right for you.
Table of Contents
Standard Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a doodle breed mix of a Standard Poodle crossed with a Golden Retriever, both purebreds. The Golden Retriever Poodle mix originated in the United States in 1969 and was the first crossbreed to be created for a specific purpose – to be a hypoallergenic guide dog. When Golden Retrievers are crossed with Poodles, the offspring they create inherits some of the Poodle’s hypoallergenic qualities, thus making this mix a desirable choice for allergy sufferers. Standard Goldendoodles are often referred to as hypoallergenic Golden Retrievers because they appear very similar to their Golden Retriever parent but also have their Poodle parent’s hypoallergenic coat. Other names you might have heard but didn’t know belong to this breed include Groodle dog, Goldiepoo, and Goldenpoo.
The Goldendoodle breed is also known for its multiple generations: F1, F1B, F1BB, F2, F2B, F2BB, and F3. To break this down in easier terms:
- An F1 Goldendoodle is a 50-50 mix of a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. The F stands for Filial and the 1 for first-generation. This mix in particular benefits from a trait called Hybrid Vigor which ensures better health for the mixed breed puppies.
- An F1B is born out of backcrossing an F1 with a Poodle or a Golden Retriever. For this mix, Goldendoodle breeders generally opt for backcrossing an f1 with a Poodle to create a dog with better hypoallergenic qualities. In this case, an F1b is 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever.
- An F1BB is the puppy of an F1b backcrossed again with either a Poodle or a Golden Retriever. Like F1b’s, the chosen breed for the backcross is the Poodle. The F1bb in this case, is 87.5% Poodle and 12.5% Golden Retriever.
- An F2 is the result of crossing two F1’s together. Although not very common, some breeders may breed two very similar looking F1’s together in an effort to create a dog of the same colors and size as its parents.
- An F2B Goldendoodle is obtained from backcrossing an F2 with a Poodle or a Golden retriever. This backcrossing is done to achieve desirable appearance traits.
- F2BB is a very rare generation of Goldendoodle. This is achieved by backcrossing an F2b with a Poodle or a Golden Retriever.
- The F3 is called a multi-generation Goldendoodle. F3s are generally bred by crossing two Goldendoodle generations. For example, an F3 can be the result of crossing two F2s or two F1Bs.
The same generations apply to Toy and Mini Goldendoodles who are also bred as F1, F1b, F2, etc.
You can learn more about the differences between breed generations from our breed generation comparison.
Goldendoodle Size
How big do Goldendoodles get? The Standard Goldendoodle (large standard goldendoodle) is the largest size that Goldendoodles come in. These dogs can weigh as much as 90 pounds (for a Goldendoodle adult) and reach as much as 25 inches at the shoulder when fully grown. They can also weigh less than 40 pounds. Typically, full gown adult Goldendoodle weight is around 50-60 pounds with an average height of 20-22 inches.
Goldendoodle Temperament
Golden Retrievers and Poodles are renowned for their skills in various canine jobs, and like them, the Goldendoodle impresses with an abundance of qualities. Thanks to their well-balanced temperaments, these dogs can be trained to assist, guide, protect, serve as therapy dogs, and participate in various sporting competitions. For all intents and purposes, a dog that can be trained for several assisting jobs, is a dog with an excellent temperament.
Impressive CV aside, Goldendoodles are adventurous dogs that make friends wherever they go. They are fantastic with children and an excellent fit for outdoorsy people. They are calm, gentle, and happy, and they never seem to run out of energy when it comes to fun activities. Hiking, playing fetch for hours, swimming, and jogging alongside their owners, are their favorite things to do.
RELATED: 7 Things you didn't Know about Poodles & 7 Reasons why you should get a Doodle
Miniature Goldendoodle
Miniature Goldendoodles are the second variety of Goldendoodles to appear. They were first bred soon after their standard counterparts appeared. The difference between standards and mini doodles is that a different-sized Poodle is used in each mix. For Mini Goldendoodles, the Golden Retriever is crossed with a Miniature Poodle. The Golden Retriever in the mix may also be of a smaller size. Mini Goldendoodles were created for companionship, although they are just as skilled at jobs as their larger counterparts. These dogs are famous for their truffle-hunting skills, small build, and low-maintenance grooming requirements.
Learn everything there is to know about Mini Goldendoodles.
Miniature Goldendoodle Size
How big do Mini Goldendoodles get? Mini Goldendoodles are much smaller than their standard cousins. Adult Mini Goldendoodles usually reach no more than 20 inches in height and 40 pounds in weight, although some can be smaller than this depending on their breed generation. F1b Mini Goldendoodles that are the puppies of an F1 backcrossed with a Miniature Poodle will likely be the same size as a full-grown Miniature Poodle. The most common size for a Miniature Goldendoodle is 16 inches at the shoulder and around 25 pounds. Miniature Goldendoodles are sometimes referred to as Medium Goldendoodles, as they are in between the other two sizes of the breed. They are also known as Mini Groodle dogs, Mini Goldenpoos, and Mini Goldiepoos.
Miniature Goldendoodle Temperament
Miniature Goldendoodles have a very similar temperament compared to the standard-size breed, though they can be a bit calmer. They are moderately energetic, eager to learn and be trained for various purposes, and even more eager to have a job. Thanks to their smaller size and fewer exercise needs, they are a better fit for semi-active owners that live in the city and enjoy weekend hikes and other adventures. This mini doodle is curious, playful, cuddly, and very affectionate, attributes which make it one of the best dogs for a family with kids.
Toy Goldendoodle
Toy Goldendoodles are the most recent variety of Goldendoodles to be born. They are created by crossing a small Golden Retriever with a Toy Poodle. In some cases, these dogs are referred to as Teacup Goldendoodles, Micro Goldendoodles, or Petite Goldendoodles (or Petite F1b Mini Goldendoodles). Toy Goldendoodles are strictly bred as lapdogs, although they too impress with their keen intelligence and agility. Compared to their Mini and Standard cousins, Toy Goldendoodles are less active and a much better fit for city life and apartment living.
Toy Goldendoodle Size
How big do Toy Goldendoodles get? Toy Goldendoodles are the smallest variety of Goldendoodle there is. They are very petite and sometimes as small as a Toy Poodle. A full-grown Toy Goldendoodle typically weighs less than 15 pounds and stands 10-15 inches tall at the shoulder. Like with all Goldendoodle dogs, the breed’s generation can also have a say in the size of a Toy Goldendoodle. F1b and F2 Toy Goldendoodles can weigh as little as 10 pounds or less.
Toy Goldendoodle Temperament
Toy Goldendoodles are lovey-dovey toy dogs with a cuddly disposition and enough love to go around in a family of 10. They are gentle, docile, and very social dogs that thrive on attention and doting. They also come with less energy than their standard and mini Goldendoodle cousins, being a better fit for more laid-back owners. Being of a smaller size also means that they are easier to handle, travel with, and groom.
Scroll down to see FAQs about different goldendoodle sizes!
Elena R.
About The Author
Elena is a leading expert in the field of dog behavior, care, and training, with over a decade of experience in writing about dogs. As a published writer and lifelong dog enthusiast, Elena currently shares her home with three beloved canine companions. She is dedicated to staying up to date on the latest advancements in dog care and training, ensuring that her articles provide readers with accurate and valuable insights. With her extensive knowledge and passion for all things canine, Elena's contributions to the Premier Pups community offer both expertise and authority on a wide range of dog-related topics.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between Standard, Toy, and Mini Goldendoodles? Standard, Toy, and Mini Goldendoodles are all breeds of dogs that are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, but they vary in size due to the size of the Poodle parent. Standard Goldendoodles are the largest and typically weigh between 40 to 90 pounds, standing about 20 to 22 inches tall. Mini Goldendoodles are smaller, typically weighing between 15 to 40 pounds and standing 16 to 20 inches tall. Toy Goldendoodles are the smallest, usually weighing less than 15 pounds and standing less than 16 inches tall.
Are there personality differences between Standard, Toy, and Mini Goldendoodles? Generally, all Goldendoodles share a common temperament, being friendly, intelligent, and highly trainable dogs. They are known for their gentle nature and their compatibility with children and other pets. However, individual personalities can vary, and they are also influenced by training, socialization, and the dog's individual experiences.
Do Toy and Mini Goldendoodles require less exercise than Standard Goldendoodles? All Goldendoodles require regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy, but the amount might vary slightly based on their size. Standard Goldendoodles typically require more physical activity due to their larger size. Toy and Mini Goldendoodles, while still active and playful, might require slightly less. However, all Goldendoodles are energetic and thrive on activities like walks, playtime, and mental stimulation.
Is there a difference in lifespan between Standard, Toy, and Mini Goldendoodles? On average, Goldendoodles have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. There's no significant difference in lifespan between Standard, Toy, and Mini Goldendoodles. However, like all breeds, individual lifespans can vary and are influenced by factors like genetics, diet, exercise, and access to veterinary care.
Are there grooming differences between Standard, Toy, and Mini Goldendoodles? All Goldendoodles require regular grooming due to their curly, Poodle-like coats. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and occasional baths. However, smaller Goldendoodles might be a little easier to manage simply because there's less of them to groom. Regardless of size, all Goldendoodles can benefit from regular professional grooming sessions.