Mini Labradoodle
Canis lupus
Verified by: AZ Animals StaffThe first mini labradoodle was bred in the early 1990s - almost immediately after standard labradoodles became popular.
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Mini Labradoodle Facts
Mini Labradoodle Physical Characteristics
Mini Labradoodle as a Pet:
- General Health
- Energy Level
- Shedability
- Trainability
- Intelligence
- Tendency to Chew
- Size
- Family and kid friendliness
- Yappiness / Barking
- Moderate
- Hypoallergenic
- Yes
- Separation Anxiety
- High
- Preferred Temperature
- Average climate
- Exercise Needs
- High
- Friendly With Other Dogs
- Moderate
- Pure bred cost to own
- $2,000
- Dog group
- Toy
- Male weight
- 15-25 lbs
- Female weight
- 15-25 lbs
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Like their labrador retriever parents, mini labradoodles are known to be excellent swimmers. Try taking your pup out to a dog-friendly pool for a bit of fun on a hot summer day.
When you cross a labrador retriever with a standard poodle, you get the labradoodle. But when breeders cross a labradoodle with a miniature poodle, the result is the ever-charming mini labradoodle. These adorable little dogs have friendly faces, floppy hair, and great personalities. When you need all the love of a Doodle dog in a small package, the mini labradoodle is the way to go.
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Mini Labradoodles are popular designer dogs that can be found across the world. Whether you pay full price or get yours from a rescue, your mini labradoodle will quickly become the center of your lifestyle.
Evolution
A mini Labradoodle is one of many “designer dogs” that began appearing in the 1960s when breeders began mixing poodles – known for their intelligence and non-shedding coats – with other popular dog breeds. The results are “doodles” – dogs with qualities of both parents – including non-shedding, hypoallergenic coats. Mini labradoodles were developed in the 1990s after the Labradoodle became so popular.
What is a Mini Labradoodle?
Like most Doodle dogs, mini labradoodles are hypoallergenic. Expect only mild amounts of shedding and next to no dander.
©Unknown/Shutterstock.com
The mini labradoodle is a smaller version of the Labradoodle. The difference is that the labradoodle is mixed with a standard-sized poodle and not a mini one.
Health and Entertainment for your Mini Labradoodle
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A mini labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador retriever and a mini poodle. Most mini labradoodles are bred from two labradoodle parents, rather than directly from the parent breeds – resulting in a classic doodle appearance.
If you’re looking for the signature fluffiness of the mini labradoodle, then it may be best to look for a multi-generation mini labradoodle because they may have more distinctive features such as their ringlet coat which is soft and more ruglike.
Although the features of the mini labradoodle may vary, the options for colors are endless. They can come in two or three colors which are called “parti” or patched. Additionally, they can be “phantom” tones which means two shades.
With that said, let’s move on to some pros and cons of owning a mini labradoodle:
3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Mini Labradoodle
| Pros! | Cons! |
| Perfect size pup: They seldom weigh more than 20 pounds, making them the perfect choice for an on-the-go lifestyle. These dogs can fit on your lap, but they’re also just big enough to watch themselves for a few hours. | Separation anxiety: Like other Doodle dogs, mini labradoodles suffer heavily from separation anxiety. Luckily, your dog will be small enough to accompany you on errands or to the office. |
| Low shedding: Like most Doodle dogs, mini labradoodles are hypoallergenic. Expect only mild amounts of shedding and next to no dander. | Extra grooming: They have thick coats of adorable ringlets. To stay looking good, they need to be brushed multiple times a week and taken to the groomer at least once a month. |
| Playful and active: Owners know that their pups are some of the cutest on the market. Expect your dog to run around, play with toys, and get involved with every family activity. | Hard to find: Although labradoodles are quite common, mini labradoodles are less common because they must be bred from a miniature poodle. Only purchase dogs from breeders that can provide full documentation of the parent’s pedigree and genetics. |
Mini labradoodles are small dogs that usually weigh between 15 – 25 pounds.
©KariDesign/Shutterstock.com
Size and Weight
Mini labradoodles are small dogs with floppy ears and curly coats of hair. Much smaller than the average labradoodle, a mini labradoodle will usually only weigh between 15 to 25 pounds. Both male and female mini labradoodles are around the same height; expect them to stand at around 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder.
| Height (Male): | 13 to 15 inches |
| Height (Female): | 13 to 15 inches |
| Weight (Male): | 15 to 25 pounds |
| Weight (Female): | 15 to 25 pounds |
Common Health Issues
Mini labradoodles are fairly healthy dogs that do not have their own unique health problems. However, like all designer dogs, they may occasionally develop the health problems associated with either of their parent breeds. Potential issues include joint dysplasia, eye problems, epilepsy, and von Willebrand’s disease. When you buy a mini labradoodle puppy, make sure to take them to the vet immediately for a checkup.
Mini labradoodles are fairly healthy but may develop the health problems of their parent breeds.
©gorillaimages/Shutterstock.com
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Retinal atrophy
- Epilepsy
- von Willebrand’s disease
Temperament
Mini labradoodles have sweet and gregarious personalities. These dogs are known for being active, intelligent, playful, and friendly. Expect your mini labradoodle to be constantly involved in family activities; whether they’re running around underneath the dinner table or playing with the children, these pups always seem to be on the move. Many of the traits that are valued in labrador retrievers are present in mini labradoodles, including a calm attitude and a strong attachment to their family.
These dogs have a higher social tolerance than other Doodle dogs, but they still get tired fairly easily. When you’re introducing your labradoodle to new people and situations, keep an eye on your dog’s mood. Once they start to get tired, end the interaction before your pup starts to snap or growl. By paying attention to your dog’s emotional needs, you can cut down on negative behaviors and help your pet have plenty of positive social interactions.
How to Take Care of a Mini Labradoodle
One of the reasons that mini labradoodles are so beloved is that they’re incredibly easy to take care of. Aside from extra trips to the vet and the groomer, you should have no problem adding one of these pups to your lifestyle.
The Best Dog Food for a Mini Labradoodle
These dogs don’t have room for a lot of calories, so make sure that every bite of food counts. Choose a high-quality kibble intended for small dogs, and check the ingredients to ensure that it’s full of healthy proteins and fats. Consult with your vet to make sure you’re feeding portions appropriate to your dog’s size.
At A-Z Animals, our pick of the best dog food for your Mini Labradoodle is Wellness CORE RawRev Wholesome Grains Small Breed Original Recipe.
This raw boost kibble is made from chicken and turkey, both natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin. It also contains taurine, which is good for the heart and eyes, and carrots for additional eye support.
Consider adding Wellness CORE RawRev Wholesome Grains Small Breed dog food to your Chewy or Amazon cart.
- Nutrient packed kibble plus100% raw freeze-dried turkey pieces
- Contains glucosamine for strong joints, probiotics for digestive health, omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and taurine for a healthy heart
- No legumes, potatoes, fillers, or artificial flavors
Maintenance and Grooming
All labradoodles need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep their coats from matting. You should also expect to take your pup in for grooming at least once a month; if you don’t, their coat may become overgrown and difficult to take care of. Remember to trim your dog’s nails, clean their ears, and brush their teeth to prevent cavities.
Mini labradoodles are playful and easy to train.
©Lynxs Photography/Shutterstock.com
Training
Mini labradoodles are playful dogs that are easy to train, especially if you’re only interested in basic commands. Full-grown dogs will have an attention span based on how they were treated as puppies. Because of this, you should start training early and work with your dog regularly throughout its lifetime.
Exercise
These are active dogs, but they’re also fairly small. Take your dog for at least one 40-minute walk every day. You should also give your mini labradoodle space to run around; if you don’t have a yard, consider clearing out space in your front room.
Mini Labradoodle Puppies
Mini labradoodle puppies are incredibly small and rather delicate. Although your pup will want to play, you should make sure to supervise all activities to keep them from getting hurt. Take your dog to a safe, grassy area to let them get all of its energy out. As they get older, you’ll be able to give them a free run of your house with next to no problems.
Mini Labradoodle puppies are small, friendly, and playful – yet delicate – and require supervision around children until they get older.
©gatien.a/Shutterstock.com
Children and Mini Labradoodles
Out of all of the Doodle dog breeds, the mini labradoodle is one of the best choices for families with children. These pups are small, friendly, and playful, so they’ll love to spend time with any kids who are old enough to throw a ball.
With that said, it’s never a good idea to leave a dog alone with unsupervised children. Kids like to pull on the floppy ears that Doodle dogs are known for, and testing your pup’s patience is never a good idea. If you notice that your dog is getting tired, try to rescue them from the situation before it goes south.
Dogs Similar to Mini Labradoodles
If the mini labradoodle isn’t quite your style, you might fall in love with one of the other Doodle breeds. Doodles with similar personality traits include the standard labradoodle, the goldendoodle, and the havapoo.
Goldendoodles are great dogs for active families.
©cine-nomadic/Shutterstock.com
- Labradoodle: Standard labradoodles are twice the size of minis and have even more love to offer. Get one of these dogs for a friendly family companion that will be around for years.
- Goldendoodle: Crossed with a golden retriever, goldendoodles are a unique and adorable Doodle breed. These dogs have sweet but shy personalities and are good choices for active families.
- Havapoo: Havapoos are one of the smallest and most popular types of Doodle dogs. If you need a toy Doodle that’s even smaller than a mini labradoodle, the havapoo is an excellent choice.
Popular Names for Mini Labradoodles
Mini labradoodles usually have cute or playful names that reflect their charming personalities. Popular names for mini labradoodles include:
- Teddy
- Daisy
- Marley
- Bentley
- Sunny
- Lulu
- Oakley
- Buster
- Harper
- Watson
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Mini Labradoodle FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is a mini labradoodle?
A mini labradoodle is a designer dog breed created by crossing a standard labrador retriever with a miniature poodle. Although labradoodles can come in many sizes, mini labradoodles are popular because of their small size and sweet demeanor. A full-grown mini labradoodle generally weighs no more than 20 pounds.
How much do mini labradoodles cost to own?
The price of a mini labradoodle is usually around $2,000. Different breeders may charge more depending on the pedigree of the labrador and miniature poodle that were used as parents. Mini labradoodles are also commonly found at animal rescues, so don’t be afraid to add yourself to a waiting list to get one of these designer dogs at a lower price.
Are mini labradoodles good with kids?
Mini labradoodles are sweet and playful pups that get along well with all members of your family. Although Doodle dogs often have a hard time interacting with children, mini labradoodles are small enough to get along well even with smaller members of the family. As always, remember that you shouldn’t leave a tired dog around unsupervised children of any age.
How long do mini labradoodles live?
Mini labradoodles tend to have a lifespan of around 10 to 14 years. Because they are small dogs, these pups may live longer than their standard-sized labradoodle counterparts. You can also improve your pet’s lifespan with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.
How big is a mini labradoodle?
Mini labradoodles are small dogs that usually weigh between 15 to 25 pounds. Even a full-grown mini labradoodle is small enough to carry around, making them a good choice for mobile or apartment lifestyles.
Are mini labradoodles good pets?
Mini labradoodles are sweet, fun, and social dogs. Although they are quite active, they don’t need a lot of space to feel comfortable, which means that they fit well into most lifestyles. Although they require a little extra grooming, these dogs are hypoallergenic, making them a good choice for many families.
Do mini labradoodles bark a lot?
Mini labradoodles bark a moderate amount. You can expect them to sound the alarm whenever someone knocks on the door; however, with a little training, your mini labradoodle isn’t likely to make a constant stream of noise. All Doodle dogs have separation anxiety, so don’t leave your mini labradoodle home for more than an hour or two.
Do mini labradoodles have health problems?
When bred from healthy parents, mini labradoodles rarely have outstanding health issues. As with all dogs, you should take your pet to the veterinarian regularly to get checked for problems like joint dysplasia, eye problems, and other genetic conditions that are common in both labs and poodles. With proper care, your labradoodle will have a long lifespan and be part of your family for many years to come.
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Sources
- animalso.com, Available here: https://animalso.com/breeds/mini-labradoodle/
- crockettdoodles.com, Available here: https://www.crockettdoodles.com/labradoodles
- dogtime.com, Available here: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/labradoodle#/slide/1
- allthingsdogs.com, Available here: https://www.allthingsdogs.com/mini-labradoodle/
- doodledoods.com, Available here: https://doodledoods.com/labradoodle-size-chart/
- embracepetinsurance.com, Available here: https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/dog-breeds/labradoodle
