Miniature doodles vs. standard doodles

[jzissler]

I have been considering getting a doodle for a while now. I have heard only wonderful things about them! But I am wondering if there are personality differences between a miniature and a standard. I really want the personality of the lab/goldens/standard poodles, but they are pretty big. I prefer the size of the miniatures (40-ish lbs) but I don't want to get into the "Little dog" personality - meaning I'm a big dog in a little dog's body. I had a terrier and I really want to get away from that. I also have two boys 5 and 8 and it needs to be good with kids. What do you think? Standard or miniature?

[momoftwo]

Welcome!

First off, be aware that is can be difficult to predict the size of a puppy and some have ended up with a much larger dog than they bargained for.

I have a 35 pound doodle but since he is 22 inches at the shoulder he is not what I would consider minature - maybe medium? Others have dogs that may actually be shorter but weigh a good 20lbs more. I know one of the littermates to my pup did reach 80lbs.

The best thing I can say is research research reasearch! Temperment was key for me (not only of the puppy but of both parents as well). I also wanted a dog that wasn't going to be 90lbs. Chosing a breeder that has done this for a while really helps as they know temperments as well as can help guess as to what size and coat will likely end up being.

Be upfront with the breeder about what you want and what you hope to do with the dog so they can help guide you to the best choice for your family.

My kids were 3 and 7 when we got the puppy and training was key. I really loved the book "Raising Puppies and Children Together".

Good luck in your search!

Heather

[Doodlesville]

DITTO what Heather said
on my site i have a whole page dedicated to sizes you may want to read it
hope it helps

[lmtoth2]

you would be surprised by how "big" a 40 lb doodle can be...Kirby was only 43 lbs when we got him (he's up to 48 now) and he definitely is not a mini (probably more medium).

It is tough to predict size...although you can look at past litters from a breeder to get an idea of a "typical" size (you can still have outliers and wind up with a larger or smaller dog than you expect).

Good luck with your search

[Calimom]

Okay, Cali is 75#, not the largest on the forum, but larger than many. The poodle in her makes her light on her feet instead of lumbering. It's pretty to watch. So while she may be large, she is graceful and seems to float along on her feet. That being said, I would still pay attention to temperament first. Good luck in your search!

[Kendra NVL]

you will find with more advanced generations size and coat becomes more predictable. The Australian Labradoodle is more advanced in generation, I have been able to produce 4 generations of consistent mediums and 2 generations of consistent minis. I have only recently purchased my mini lines, so my 2 consistent generations is because they are new lines to my programs, had I started with minis I would have had more.

I originally started with standards 24 to 26" tall and 69 to 73 lbs.

[dgeggis]

I prefer the size of the miniatures (40-ish lbs) but I don't want to get into the "Little dog" personality - meaning I'm a big dog in a little dog's body. I had a terrier and I really want to get away from that.

While each dog has their own temperment, I haven't seen the 'Little Dog" personality in the smaller doodles.

[jzissler]

Thank you very much everyone for your responses! I didn't realize that just because the breeder says it is a miniature or medium size that it could be bigger! But it makes sense. That was a good idea to look at the breeder history and dogs breeding history as well. I still have a lot of research to do before I buy a doodle! Thank you!

[BAD]

Our Abbey is called a mini-labradoodle. She is just over a year old and she is about 18 inches at her shoulder and weighs about 30 lbs. She is just the size we wanted. She is an F1. That is 50% lab and 50% miniature poodle.

Our past two dogs were labs. We loved our yellow labs and wanted the lab personality. And we wanted a dog that loves to hike, fetch and loves people and other dogs. Abbey is more that we hoped for. She has a wonderful disposition and is very athletic. She is very much a lap dog and loves to snuggle.

I've met quite a few full sized doodles and they have had loving personalities. So my feeling would be that the personalities of full and mini sized doodles is similar.

[PlainJane]

Research research is the answer. A GOOD breeder knows more than you can image - temperament, size, coat -- they know it all. A GOOD breeder is also happy to answer ALL your questions as they are just as interested in making a good "match" for their pup to assure it has a happy and forever home.

You've come to the right place to learn it all. Good luck on your journey -- it's seriously worth the painful wait to research it out.

Doodles are the best !!!

[cissy k]

I agree. We wanted a standard, so our search was a little easier, but the height is probably more important than the weight. I think Doodles can tend to be lighter than they appear as most are not bulky and heavily muscled.

So, Semi looks huge because of her hair, but she is only 33 pounds right now. So, when she is full grown (vet thinks about 60 pounds) she will probably look enormous.

Best of luck, this forum can really help you with your questions.

[Doodlesville]

Originally Posted by PlainJane

they know it all.

OMG I certainly do NOT know it all
Doodles are very unpredictable, especially as far as coat goes,, look, shedding or non, shedding depends on where the genes fall ,, and will only know for sure once adult coat come in

Temprament ,it really depends on the parents and how they are raised at the breeders and from time of pickup
ask any veteran breeder out there

[PlainJane]

Sorri..... Should have been more specific..... you do "know it all" about your own dogs.

[sdrudge]

I would have to say both are great. But it would depend on your family life. I don't mean that badly. But if you get a standard like our red goldendoodle-Beau you will need to have time to play with them. And time for them to run. Now Cacao is a mini and she gets tired faster and isn't like a little dog at all. She is like a medium dog. She will play and run but not as much as Beau. But both are GREAT dogs. I would say if you are thinking of one or the other see if you can find people that have one of each and spend some time with and see how you feel. I don't know if that is possible. GOOD LUCK!!