Are Mini Goldendoodles Lapdogs?
Mini goldendoodles are known for making great family pets, but some may wonder whether they are good lapdogs. These dogs are the definition of man’s best friend due to their sweet, intelligent, loving, and loyal natures. Mini goldendoodles are social, eager to please, and even get along with other animal companions. Their temperament and small size combined will tempt just about any dog lover into holding them on their lap.
Are Mini Goldendoodles Lapdogs?
Yes, mini goldendoodles are excellent lapdogs. In the main photo you can see a photo of Lexie sitting in my lap. Even as I write this she is curled up cuddling against my legs sitting in the recliner. (I am typing on my laptop)
Lapdog is a general term for a type of dog that is small in size and has a friendly, people-oriented disposition. Mini goldendoodles fit these criteria very well as a rule, so if someone is looking for specifically for a lapdog, then this crossbreed is a good choice.
A lapdog is a dog that is considered small enough to be held in someone’s arms or lie comfortably in their lap.
In addition to being small in size, a lapdog describes a dog’s temperament or personality that is predisposed to be held in a person’s arms or lap. This means that they enjoy being held, cuddled, and want to be close to their owners much of the time—which is typically the nature of mini goldendoodles.
Mini Goldendoodles Are a Good Size for Lapdogs
A miniature goldendoodle is a cross breed between a miniature or toy poodle and a golden retriever. Mini goldendoodles are often compared to mini teddy bears in appearance with their soft and wavy coats. They are cousins to mini labradoodles and are considered a good option for families as well as those who live in smaller homes.
The term miniature, or “mini,” when used in reference to dogs, has two meanings. First, miniature can refer to the fact that the dog is a smaller version of a larger breed with the same name. Second, the term mini can refer to the fact that the dog is simply a small breed on its own. In the case of mini goldendoodles, the “mini” term indicates that it is a smaller version of the goldendoodle cross breed.
When looking for a mini goldendoodle, there are three different types:
- American—this type is more golden in color
- English—this type is lighter in color with bigger bone structure
- Australian—this type has labradoodle and spaniel lineage due to earlier generations of breeding
Most mini goldendoodles are tan or golden in color, but they can also feature fur that is white, black, silver, red, and brown, depending on the color of the poodle parent. Many of these dogs range in size from 13 to 20 inches in height and 15 to 35 pounds in weight.
Temperament of Mini Goldendoodles Make Them Ideal Lapdogs
Goldendoodles are very popular dogs with positive personality characteristics. They are considered friendly, intelligent, and accepting. In addition, goldendoodles have natures that are highly affectionate, gentle, and patient. This makes them excellent family dogs and good companions. Goldendoodles tend to be playful, loyal pets, and highly obedient with proper training.
It’s important to realize that, with any dog, temperament is determined and influenced by many factors. The primary factors that affect a dog’s temperament are:
- Heredity
- Socialization
- Training
When it comes to heredity, it can be difficult to know a dog’s parental history and background. However, as puppies, dogs indicate good temperaments if they are playful, curious, happy to approach people, and be held by them.
Puppies that show serious aggression or are reluctant to interact with anyone may have more problematic personalities.
Puppies need early socialization, and goldendoodles are no exception. Socialization is the exposure of puppies to different people, places, sights, sounds, and experiences while they are young so that they grow up to have a better understanding of the world. For goldendoodles, this enhances their positive temperament and reduces the likelihood of shyness or fearfulness in dogs.
Goldendoodles are considered easy to train, which often indicates an easy-going and positive temperament when it comes to dogs. In fact, they are often utilized as working dogs in various capacities. Some of the roles that goldendoodles serve as working dogs are:
- Guide dogs
- Service dogs
- Therapy dogs
- Sniffer dogs (for conditions such as peanut allergies)
Goldendoodles are generally agile, intelligent, and eager to please, allowing them to learn commands and desired behaviors quickly and with little training repetition.
Mini Goldendoodles as Lapdogs
Mini goldendoodles are typically very social and want to be in close proximity to the people they love. Therefore, if you are willing to hold them on your lap, they would likely be more than willing to settle there. Mini goldendoodles are not as small as some breeds, however, because of their friendly and gentle natures, they make very comfortable lapdogs.
In addition, the loyal, protective, and good-naturedness of mini goldendoodles make them an excellent partner for people with disabilities as service and/or therapy dogs. In particular, smaller dogs are well-suited as therapy dogs because they can be held easily. Also, therapy dogs are expected to have a friendly, gentle, and calm temperament as well as enjoy being pet and handled.
Therapy dogs generally provide comfort to those enduring physical and/or emotional difficulties. Therapy dogs differ from service dogs that directly assist people in that their purpose is more to soothe people who need it through petting, holding, and companionship. Mini goldendoodles have the temperament to not only be ideal lapdogs but therapy dogs as well.
Another reason mini goldendoodles are great lapdogs is due to the fact that they are low maintenance as far as grooming. Typically, miniature goldendoodles experience little to no shedding. For those dogs with more golden retriever in their genes, there would be some amount of shedding. However, for those with more miniature poodle in their genetic make-up, there would be almost no shedding.
Some people believe that mini goldendoodles are allergen-free, though no breed of dog is completely hypoallergenic. Yet mini goldendoodles are a low risk for allergic reactions in people. Therefore, as lapdogs, these dogs are ideal when it comes to not leaving fur or hair on your clothes and avoiding aggravating any allergies.
Reminders for Lapdogs and Their Owners
Most mini goldendoodle owners find out quickly that these dogs are extremely loyal and people-oriented to the point that they want to be with their owners all the time. There may be times when your lapdog wants to sit with you, but you don’t have the time or convenience.
Therefore, it’s important that owners give their goldendoodles positive attention in ways other than cuddling in a lap. This could mean talking to your pup while he’s next to you, playing with him off your lap, or giving him a treat.
This attachment can also cause some separation anxiety for goldendoodles when their owner is away. Separation anxiety can result in some behavioral issues such as barking or chewing. However, this anxiety can be prevented through excellent socialization and mental stimulation, such as toys to keep your goldendoodle occupied when alone.
In addition, though your mini goldendoodle will happily snuggle with you as a lapdog, they are still fairly active dogs that require daily exercise of about 20 to 30 minutes. These dogs will match your energy, so it’s beneficial to both you and your pet to take at least one good walk per day and have some other activity such as playtime to burn off some energy and calories.
Whether your mini goldendoodle is a genuine lapdog anytime
you are sitting or just a part-time lapdog, your friendship together is sure to
be loving and mutually rewarding.