Mini Goldendoodles are becoming increasingly popular and for a good reason. Goldendoodles are smart, friendly, and may not shed much (depending on their coat type). And since they’re smaller than their standard-sized cousins, it’s easier to meet their exercise needs.
I did some research about Goldendoodles to see if they can live in apartments. Keep reading to see what I discovered.
Can Mini Goldendoodles Live in Apartments?
Can Mini Goldendoodles live in apartments? As long as you can commit to walking your Mini Goldendoodle for at least an hour a day, Mini Goldendoodles can live in apartments.
While it’s great to have a backyard, Mini Goldendoodles can have their exercise needs met playing at the dog park, going for long walks, and playing inside your home. They don’t need access to a fenced-in backyard to have a high quality of life.
Can Standard Goldendoodles Live in Apartments?
No, it’s too hard to meet a Standard Goldendoodle’s exercise requirements in an apartment. While a little indoor fetch and a couple of long walks may be enough exercise for a Mini Goldendoodle, that isn’t enough for a Standard Goldendoodle. They do best with a back yard to run around in.
Additionally, many apartments have weight limits on the dogs they allow: 75 pounds is typical. That means many apartments won’t allow an 80-pound Standard Goldendoodle.
What Are Mini Goldendoodles, and How Are They Different from Standard Goldendoodles?
Mini Goldendoodles are a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Standard Goldendoodles are a mix between Golden Retrievers and Standard Poodles. Mini Goldendoodles and Standard Goldendoodles are similar in terms of personality traits.
The primary difference between the two dogs is their size. Since they’re both hybrids, there is no official breed standard like there is for a purebred dog. However, Standard Goldendoodles generally weigh 50-90 pounds, while Mini Goldendoodles should weigh less than 50 pounds.
How Much Exercise Do Mini Goldendoodles Need?
Mini Goldendoodles need at least an hour of exercise every day. That hour can be any combination of running around the dog park, going on walks, and high-intensity play inside.
Keep in mind that an hour a day is just a general guideline. Your Mini Goldendoodle may need more exercise based on their size and personality. That’s because Golden Retrievers and Poodles were bred to work alongside hunters in the field. The American Kennel Club (AKC) calls the Poodle “an elegant athlete.”
Luckily, Mini Goldendoodles should weigh less than 50 pounds, which makes it easier to meet some of their exercise needs indoors. Make sure you have plenty of toys of every kind for your Mini Goldendoodle, including:
- Chew toys
- Puzzle toys
- Snuffle mat
- Rope toys
- Fetch toys
- Toys without stuffing
How Much Exercise Do Standard Goldendoodles Need?
Standard Goldendoodles need at least 1-2 hours of high-intensity exercise each day. It would be incredibly challenging to meet a Standard Goldendoodle’s exercise needs in an apartment.
Standard Goldendoodles are a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle. Both breeds were designed to work all day.
Even though Goldendoodles have cushy lives now, they have lots of energy they need to expend. They can also weigh up to 90 pounds or more, which is too big to be running around an apartment without potentially causing damage to your home (or themselves).
What Should I Know About Getting a Mini Goldendoodle if I Live in an Apartment?
Before you add a dog to your current apartment or move to a new one, you need to read your lease and check the rules. Every apartment complex has different rules about whether dogs are allowed, what breeds or sizes of dogs are excluded, and what fees are involved.
Some apartments forbid all dogs except service animals. Or, they may allow dogs, but only up to a certain weight (often 75 pounds, but the weight limit may be as low as 20 pounds). They might forbid Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed they perceive to be dangerous.
Luckily, Mini Goldendoodles are small enough to be allowed under most weight limits and generally aren’t affected by breed restrictions.
You should expect to pay additional fees if you want to have a Mini Goldendoodle in your apartment, including one or more of the following:
- Pet rent: An additional monthly fee on top of your standard rent cost.
- Pet deposit: A refundable fee you pay when you first sign a lease or bring a pet home. As long as there isn’t any pet-related damage to your apartment when you move out, you’ll get this money back.
- Pet fee: A nonrefundable fee you must pay for your pet when you sign a lease or bring home a pet.
You MUST pay all the fees and follow all the rules when having a pet in an apartment. Failing to do so can result in eviction for you and your dog.
Do Mini Goldendoodles Bark A Lot?
Mini Goldendoodles are not known for excessive barking. However, they are prone to separation anxiety and may whine or bark when left alone. That could cause a problem for your neighbors if you just ignore it.
Separation anxiety is a condition where a dog becomes too emotionally dependent on their people and gets anxious when left alone. Mild separation anxiety may cause symptoms like whining, barking, or pacing when left alone.
Dogs with severe separation anxiety may do everything they can to try to escape, including chewing around doors and windows.
One thing that helps prevent separation anxiety is to give your Mini Goldendoodle a special treat they only get when you leave. Peanut butter inside a Kong toy, then put in the freezer overnight, is a great option.
The trick is to find a high-value, long-lasting treat that you can trust your dog with when they’re alone. Some dogs swallow large pieces of bully sticks or destroyed toys if they’re alone, which can cause intestinal blockages.
Another excellent solution for dogs that struggle with separation anxiety is doggy daycare. Since Mini Goldendoodles tend to be social animals, doggy daycare serves multiple purposes. Benefits of doggy daycare can include:
- More exercise
- Improved socialization
- Reduced separation anxiety
- Less worry for you about what your dog does all day
- No complaints from the neighbors about your dog barking all day
- Less likelihood of your Mini Goldendoodle destroying your apartment
If your Mini Goldendoodle has severe separation anxiety or doesn’t do well in doggy daycare, you may need to talk to a vet or dog trainer to help your dog.
What if My Mini Goldendoodle Is Afraid of the Elevator in My Apartment Building?
The movement of an elevator seems unnatural to a dog. They don’t understand what’s happening, and it’s natural for them to be nervous.
If your Mini Goldendoodle is afraid of the elevator, follow these steps to help them overcome their fear:
- Stand with your dog outside the elevator, push the button, and reward your dog when the elevator arrives and dings. Treats and verbal praise are great, but don’t go overboard on baby talk because it sounds to your dog like you’re confirming that they have something to be afraid of.
- Walk calmly onto the elevator with your Mini Goldendoodle, giving a gentle tug on the leash if necessary. Hold the door open, stay in the elevator for a couple of seconds, then exit the elevator. Time for more praise and another treat!
- Repeat these steps a few times until your dog is calmer entering and exiting the elevator before moving into the next step.
- Gradually increase the length of time you stay in the elevator before leaving again. Then, try closing the door and reward your dog if they stay calm. Repeat this sequence until you can get into the elevator and close the door without your dog getting upset.
- Next, take the elevator up or down a floor and praise your dog if they stay calm.
With time, practice, and lots of treats and praise, your dog will eventually learn that the elevator is a good thing and not something to fear.
If you know somebody who has a dog that does well in elevators, have them join your training sessions so your dog can watch the other dog and see there’s no reason to panic.
Why Do Mini Goldendoodles Make Good Pets?
Mini Goldendoodles make great pets for a lot of reasons. In addition to the fact that they can do OK living in an apartment, Goldendoodles:
- Don’t drool
- Are very friendly and love most people and other animals
- May not shed much (depending on coat type)
- Are intelligent and easy to train
- Are prone to fewer genetic health problems since they’re a hybrid of two breeds
- Are extremely playful
Closing Thoughts
Unlike Standard Goldendoodles, Mini Goldendoodles can live in apartments if you give them enough exercise. You must follow the apartment rules and pay their fees, too.
Also, be mindful of your neighbors and try to make sure your Mini Goldendoodle doesn’t develop separation anxiety and bark all day while you’re gone.
