The Miniature golden retriever is a smaller version of the Golden Retriever that results from crossing a Golden Retriever with a smaller breed. This is done while still retaining 75% of the Golden Retriever’s qualities and traits.
These dogs weigh between 20 and 55 pounds and stand between 14 and 18 inches.
Mini Golden Retriever is also known as Comfort Retrievers and is a mix of the golden retriever and a Poodle or a Cocker Spaniel.
We all know golden retrievers have a great personality but have you ever wished he was smaller.
In this article, we are going to cover all that you need to know about the miniature Golden Retriever including personality, temperament, and care.
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So, let’s get right into it.
About the Miniature Golden Retriever
These dogs first appeared in the early 2000s.
It believed that they were first bred by a breeder known as Kathy Burgess in an attempt to create a more manageable Goldie size.
The breeder also aimed at creating a healthier Golden Retriever version
The mini golden retriever Is also known as;
- Little Golden Retriever
- Small Golden Retriever
- Petite Golden Retriever
- Comfort Retriever
Not just any Poodle is used but a Miniature or Toy Poodle with Cocker Spaniels being less preferred due to behavioral issues.
The ratio between the Golden Retriever and the other breed should be at least 70:30 respectively.
This is a loving, calm, and affectionate dog that is a great family addition.
You may also be interested in the Miniature German Shepherd.
Some “Mini Goldies” can be created by the introduction of the dwarfism gene. Let us take a look at how that is done.
Dwarf Golden Retrievers
Do not confuse a Dwarf Golden Retriever with the Mini Retriever. However, the Dwarf Goldie is a Mini Goldie, technically.
Achondroplasia is also known as dwarfism and is defined as the underdevelopment of bones.
The Dwarf Retriever’s bones do not grow to the expected size and the growth abnormality can occur in either the cartilage or the bones, and some instances, in both.
Dogs that suffer from this condition can experience pain depending on how severe the condition is.
In some cases, the golden retriever may be required to undergo surgery.
Several hereditary factors can cause dwarfism in Golden Retrievers and this can be passed from the parents to the offspring. It just takes one parent to pass the dwarfism gene to an offspring.
You should understand this before making a purchase.
Be careful when getting a Miniature Golden Retriever as some breeders may introduce the dwarfism gene in miniaturization efforts.
The intentional introduction of the dwarfism gene should not be done and it is highly discouraged.
Below are some signs of a dwarf Golden Retriever
- poor growth or stunted growth
- short legs with a long body
- abnormal shape of the bone
- enlarged joints
- a large and wide head
- because of the short jaw, the dog may have crooked teeth
- bowed legs
These signs can be visible on the dog at 2 to 3 months of age.
One way you can ensure that you don’t get a Dwarf Golden Retriever is by getting him from a reputable breeder.
A reputable breeder should be able to provide you with the necessary documentation to show that the parent has been cleared of this condition.
The difference between a Mini Retriever and a Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles are often confused for Mini Retrievers because they share the same parent breeds.
However, these are 2 different dogs.
The Goldendoodle has more poodle genes in them while the Miniature Golden Retriever has more Golden Retriever genes in him.
Comfort retrievers have sleeker and wavier coats while most Goldendoodles are curly.
They may be the same size but you can spot the difference between them.
To learn more about Goldendoodle visit this article.
Fun facts about the Confort Retriever
- This dog first appeared in the early 2000s.
- Mini Golden Retrievers are often confused for the Dwarf Golden Retrievers that are a result of a genetic mutation.
- Kathy Burgess trademarked the name Comfort Retriever but it means tha same thing as the Miniature Golden Retriever.
- During crossbreeding to create this mini Goldie version, the Golden Retriever gas to be the dam (mother).
- These dogs are active and great swimmers.
Pros and cons
Pros:
✓ Even-tempered.
✔ Playful.
✓ Adaptable.
✔ Great with children.
Cons:
✗ Prone to separation anxiety.
✘ Expensive.
✗ Sheds.
General Characteristics and appearance of the Mini Golden Retriever
Mini Golden Retriever summary table | |
---|---|
Height | 14 to 18 inches |
Weight | 20 to 55 pounds |
Lifespan | 10 to 12 years |
Breed Type | mixes and more |
Purpose | companion and therapy dog |
Suitable For | Families in general |
Grooming requirements | moderate to high |
Color Variations | Gold or cream(can have white chest markings) |
Health concerns | skin allergies, eye problems, and Joint Dysplasia |
Temperament | intelligent, affectionate, friendly, devoted, loving, and gentle |
Other Names | comfort retrievers, small Golden retrievers or petite Golden Retrievers |
Height and weight
These are small to medium-sized dogs but their size is mainly dependent on the breeds that are used in crossbreeding.
Mini golden retrievers have an average height of 14 to 18 inches and weigh about 20 to 25 pounds.
This dog may be small in size but he has lots of love to give to every family member and has a huge personality.
The physical appearance
Below are some of the features that the mini golden retriever can inherit from the parent breeds;
- A broad skull with the straight muzzle just like the golden retriever.
- Brown eyes are slightly slanted and have a friendly and intelligent expression.
- They can also inherit the round and expressive eyes of the Cocker Spaniel
- In rare cases, they may inherit the amber Blue eyes of the Poodle.
- Most of the crossbreeds have long and floppy ears just the parent breeds
- They usually have a well-balanced and compact body with their shoulders being study and muscular.
The ears from Miniature Golden Retrievers from the Spaniel line are usually longer than the ones from the Poodle lines.
The coat appearance and shedding
Genes inherited from the parent breed will affect the Comfort Retriever’s coat appearance.
Miniature Golden Retrievers have a double coat that can be slightly wavy to curly retaining the Poodle’s coat appearance with varying lengths. The upper coat should be firm with a dense and softer undercoat.
Coat colors are mostly golden or cream but some may have white markings on their chests.
And thanks do the poodle genes these dogs shed less than the standard golden retriever. They are also known to trigger fewer allergies.
Temperament and personality of the Mini Golden retriever
The Mini Golden Retriever is a friendly, happy, and easy-going pooch.
He is an excellent family dog that thrives on human affection and attention taking every opportunity to ensure that he puts a smile on everyone’s face.
Mini Golden Retrievers are known to be playful and are gentle with kids forming a strong attachment to them.
These dogs love everyone and will tolerate other pets and humans alike, provided you socialize them from an early age.
With that said, this Petite Goldie may suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods.
These are very energetic dogs.
Overall the temperament and personality of these dogs will depend on each specific dog. You could end up getting a pooch that has less favorable traits of the parent breeds.
An overview of the Golden retriever
The Golden Retriever was bred to be a gun dog in the 19th century. Breeders not only wanted a hunting dog but also a dog that enjoyed running and swimming. Golden Retrievers were perfect at this, as they would get the bird without harming them.
Today the Golden Retriever is not only one of the most popular dogs in the US but also the world.
A fully grown golden retriever could weigh 75 pounds and stand at about 24 inches.
This is a large dog that might be too much for some people and it may not come as a surprise that some people prefer a smaller version.
An overview of the Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel was developed in the 14th century as a hunting dog.
Both the American and English Cocker Spaniels are known for their happy and playful nature and also their beautiful appearance.
They rose to fame after the Disney movie Lady and Tramp come out in the 1950s.
A fully grown Cocker Spaniel could weigh up to 30 pounds and measure about 13 inches. This is about half the size of the Golden Retriever.
Their manageable size and temperament make them an ideal breed for the creation of the mini golden retriever.
A Golden Cocker Retriever is a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Golden Retriever. Learn more by clicking the link.
The charming Poodle
Poodles are dogs of German descent and were originally bred about 400 years ago to hunt waterfowls.
The Poodle comes in three sizes:
- Toy poodle
- Miniature Poodle
- Standard Poodle
They are talented and charismatic dogs that make elegant and friendly family dogs and are ranked as the 2nd most intelligent dogs.
These are great therapy dogs and are also used in dog competitions.
What sets the Poodle from other breeds is that he is considered to be hypoallergenic.
With all these qualities it is no wonder that Poodles’ popularity continues to grow by the day.
Other Golden Retriever mixes
- Golden Retriever Corgi mix is a good-natured pup with the genes of both the Golden retriever and a Corgi.
- Combining a Poodle and a Golden Retriever gives you a Golden Poodle.
- Beagle Golden Retriever Mix is also called Golden Beagle
- American Bulldog Golden Retriever Mix is also called Golden American Bulldog
- Shar-Pei Golden Retriever Mix is also called Golden Shar Pei
How much do mini Golden Retrievers puppies cost?
The average cost of a Mini Golden Retriever is around $700 but this price could go as high as $6000 for puppies bred from superior lines and pedigrees.
However, you must make sure you get the puppy from a reputable breeder.
Ask a groomer, veterinarian, and other dog lovers that own this dog to direct you to reputable breeders that they may know.
Get to know about the breeder’s history and experience breeding the same dog.
Ask about the history of the parent breeds that he/she is going to use to breed the puppies. It is important that you know whether the parents have been screened for diseases that are associated with them.
The breeder should be able to answer questions concerning the temperament of both parent breeds.
Reputable breeders should be able to do the following;
A reputable breeder should also ask questions about you and your lifestyle. He may also ask to visit your family if you are okay.
The same breeder should follow up on the puppy even after you take the pup home.
You should allow your breeder to keep the Mini Retriever puppies until they are about 6 to 8 weeks old.
The breeder should also provide information on how you can raise the puppy, train him, and even feed him.
How to groom a Mini Golden Retriever
The dog’s coat should be brushed 2 to 3 times a week to keep in great condition and keep it free of mats and tangles. and bath the dog once a month.
Apart from taking care of the coat, you might also need to check and clean the ears. Dip a cotton bud into an ear cleaning solution which you should use the ear canals.
Make sure that you are cleaning the outer area to avoid doing any damage. You should let a professional groomer if you are not comfortable doing this by yourself.
Clipping the nails is also an important part of grooming.
Start gradually when your pooch is a small pup. Make an effort to calm your dog when you are clipping his nails and reward him for every time he stays calm and relaxed.
By doing this you help him get used to his nails being clipped when they get long.
You should also brush their teeth regularly as you check for any signs of dental illnesses.
Remember to check out our Golden Retriever grooming guide for more information on the same.
Feeding requirements
The recommended amount of food that you can give to your dog is about 25 calories per pound of the dog’s weight.
Taking into account the average dog weight, this canine will require about 900 calories a day.
Mini Golden Retriever Daily Food Consumption | |
---|---|
Calories | 500-900 |
Cups of Kibble | 2 to 3 |
Ensure that you meet your dog’s nutrient requirements by feeding him on a high-quality and well-balanced diet.
Once you have taken your Mini Golden Retriever from your breeder make sure that you stick on the same diet that was being given to the dog to prevent his stomach from getting upset.
You can then gradually change the dog’s diet.
Water is also an essential part of the diet, as dehydration can be a very serious issue, especially in hot areas.
Exercise requirements
These dogs may be small but they are energetic and love to play and exercise. This helps to provide them with physical and mental stimulation.
Ideally, 30 to 45 minutes of exercise should be enough for the dog.
Take your dog for a walk or a jog in the local park. It is also a great way to make sure that your dog does not get bored and destructive.
Golden retrievers love to play fetch, after all, they are retrievers.
This is a great way to provide them with both mental and physical stimulation that they need to stay healthy.
Number of walks | 2(20 minutes each) |
Exercise needs | 30 to 45 minutes |
Training a Miniature Golden Retriever
This is an intelligent and very trainable dog but training should start the moment the pooch gets home.
Positive reinforcement is the best way to get around training.
Give them a treat and praise them if they follow your command and just ignore them if they don’t.
You should never punish your dog as it has been proven to do more harm than good, affecting the bond between you and your furry friend.
Punishment has also been found to increase stress and anxiety levels in dogs.
Socialization is also an important part of training focusing on other people, pets, and environmental changes. Everything that the present-day world has to offer.
The more exposure your dog gets the more he will learn not to be wary about them.
Their brains are wired to learn from positive and negative experiences.
Miniature Golden Retriever health concerns
Despite hybrid dogs being generally healthier, you will notice that the Mini Golden Retriever may inherit some of the health issues from the parent breeds.
The dog may inherit issues like
- hip dysplasia
- sebaceous adenitis
- luxating patellas
- sebaceous adenitis
- juvenile cataracts
- progressive retinal atrophy
- addison’s disease
What is the lifespan of a small Golden Retriever?
The Miniature Golden Retriever has an average life expectancy of between 10 and 15 years.
Breed Summary
The Mini Golden retriever is a lovable, easy to train, and friendly dog.
This is a perfect addition for your family if you cannot cope with the large size of the Golden Retriever.
The whole family will love to be involved in taking care of this dog.
Give us your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
There you go WOOF!!!!
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