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Do Mini Goldendoodles Shed?

Do Mini Goldendoodles Shed?

The Miniature Goldendoodle, also known as the Mini Goldendoodle, is a hybrid resulting from a purebred miniature or toy Poodle and a purebred Golden Retriever. These adorable little pups are loving, playful, loyal, and non-aggressive, making them fantastic family pets.

Due to their low prey drive, mini Goldendoodles also tend to get along with other pets, including cats and other dogs. When shopping for a new puppy, shedding is a primary consideration for most people. In this article, I’ll explore the mini Goldendoodle’s shedding habits, how to combat excessive shedding, and whether they are truly hypoallergenic, so you are more prepared when your new canine friend moves in.

So, do Mini Goldendoodles shed? Yes, Mini Goldendoodles shed. These pups just tend to shed way less than the average dog. Mini Goldendoodles are classed as low shedders and, for that reason, are popular with people who suffer from allergies. Depending on coat type and generation, some Goldendoodles are more likely to drop hair than others.

Dealing with shedding is perhaps the only unpleasant part of owning a dog. So, naturally, you want a pup that doesn’t shed much, especially if you or any other household members suffer canine allergies. The Mini Goldendoodle is one of those low-shedding breeds that won’t leave a trail of fur all over your home.

A completely non-shedding pup would be ideal, but it doesn’t exist, so you’ll have to deal with some fur in your home. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce and manage their shedding to keep your home fur and dander-free. Read on to learn more about keeping your Mini Goldendoodle’s shedding under control.

How Much Do Mini Goldendoodles Shed?

As I said at the beginning of the article, Mini Goldendoodles are a cross between a purebred miniature or toy Poodle and a purebred Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers shed a significant amount while Poodles don’t shed much. The Mini Goldendoodle can inherit either of its parents’ traits.

So, how much they shed depends on which side of the family they get most of their fur traits from. In other words, the dominant gene that runs in your Mini Goldendoodle’s system will determine the type of fur they carry into adulthood and how much they shed. For instance, if your Mini Goldendoodle has more Poodle, they shouldn’t shed much. If they have Golden Retrievers in their genes, you should expect some shedding.

Why Do Mini Goldendoodles Shed?

Mini Goldendoodles will shed all year round. Like all dogs, their fur goes through different stages of growth and eventually fall out. They shed to get rid of old, dead hairs and regrow new, healthy ones. Additionally, your Mini Goldendoodle may go through a period of excessive shedding when they ‘blow’ their coats in preparation for a new season.

Coat blowing is normal; most double-coated breeds shed heavily twice a year, so you have nothing to worry about. Temperature changes trigger these periods of excessive shedding. The excessive seasonal shedding allows them to make room for a new layer of fur that’s more appropriate for the upcoming season. Again, shedding levels (seasonal shedding) will vary from one Mini Goldendoodle to the next because not all of them are affected the same way by temperature changes.

While shedding is a natural process in dogs, your Mini Goldendoodle could also be shedding due to an underlying issue such as stress, poor nutrition, lack of proper grooming, infection, etc.

Shedding Seasons and Frequency

When do Mini Goldendoodles shed? Shedding frequency is determined by which parent they inherit their coat from. Golden Retrievers blow their coats twice a year in the spring and fall. On the other hand, Poodles shed very minimally all year round, but there are times of the year when they can shed more. Mini Goldendoodles may shed more than usual once or twice per year as a hybrid of the two.

Depending on the dominant gene in their system, Mini Goldendoodles may shed more in the spring and fall as they prepare to grow a lighter summer fur layer and shed it for a thicker winter one.

Apart from their genetic makeup, other factors may impact your Mini Goldendoodle’s shedding seasons and frequency. For instance, if your mini Goldendoodle spends most of his time indoors, you can expect less shedding than you would from a pup that spends most of his time outside. For indoor dogs, constant exposure to light means less shedding.

Unhealthy Shedding

The Mini Goldendoodle is a low-shedding breed. However, as we’ve seen in the previous section, there are times of the year when your Mini Goldendoodle may shed more than usual. Other than changing seasons, other triggers may contribute to excessive shedding in your Mini Goldendoodle.

Here are some of the most common causes of unhealthy shedding in Mini Goldendoodles.

  • When it comes to unusual shedding in dogs, stress and anxiety are some of the most common triggers. Enduringly loyal and people-oriented, Mini Goldendoodles may become attached to their owners. They want to be with you all the time, and long periods of separation can lead to anxiety. Stress and anxiety can lead to hair loss.
  • Poor nutrition is another common culprit for unusual shedding in dogs. If your pup is not getting the nutrients needed to maintain healthy skin and fur, they may start to lose more hair than usual. This usually happens when their diet doesn’t contain enough protein and healthy fats.
  • Parasites such as mites, ticks, and fleas may cause your Mini Goldendoodle to shed excessively. A parasitic infestation causes inflammation and redness, leading to excessive scratching, licking, and biting of the affected area.
  • Like people, canines can develop allergic reactions to various irritants. Dogs with allergies may shed more than others. For instance, your Mini Goldendoodle’s shedding may be in response to medication that doesn’t agree with them. Pups may also have allergic reactions to certain ingredients in their food, causing them to lose more hair.
  • Underlying health issues: Aside from allergies and parasitic infestations, other health issues may contribute to unhealthy shedding. Some serious health issues, such as cancers, adrenal problems, and liver diseases, may cause your dog to drop more fur than usual.

Schedule a veterinary appointment to rule out a medical issue if you suspect that your pup’s shedding is not normal. If there’s an underlying medical condition, your vet will help you come up with an effective treatment. Otherwise, you might want to consider good shedding management practices such as a healthy diet, proper grooming habits, and avoiding known triggers to curb your pup’s excessive shedding.

What Type of Coat Does the Mini Goldendoodle Have?

The mini Goldendoodle comes in three distinct fur types: wavy, curly, or straight. Your Mini Goldendoodle’s shedding habits are primarily determined by the type of fur they have. The wavy fur is the most common and gives the Mini Goldendoodle the teddy bear look.

The curly coat is the second most common and least shedding of all Mini Goldendoodle hair types. The straight coat resembles the Golden Retriever and tends to produce moderate to high shedding. Mini Goldendoodles are double-coated, meaning that they have two layers of fur, comprising of a short, soft undercoat and a longer, rougher topcoat.

How to Manage and Reduce Mini Goldendoodle Shedding?

While Mini Goldendoodles are typically low shedding, some may exhibit moderate to high shedding, especially those with more Golden Retriever genes. If your Mini Goldendoodle tends to shed more than normal, do not despair. You can take some steps to manage their shedding and considerably reduce the amount of fur in your home.

Mini Goldendoodle Grooming

As you already know, Mini Goldendoodles are double-coated and hence highly susceptible to matting. It would help if you kept up with your grooming habits to prevent this from happening. Regular brushing is recommended. Brushing removes the falling hair trapped in your pup’s fur and those that are just about to shed. The type of brush you use to comb your puppy is critical.

Use a slicker brush to remove any knots and tangles on your Goldendoodle’s fur and keep the fur soft and fluffy. For most Mini Goldendoodles, weekly brushings with a quality brush should be enough.

Mini Goldendoodle Diet

Even for dogs, the skin is the largest organ of the body. For most canines, the skin is covered with fur almost in its entirety. Your Mini Goldendoodle needs a healthy diet with high-quality proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals to maintain healthy skin and fur.

A poor diet often leads to dull, dry fur that sheds excessively. Healthy coats are smooth and shiny, not coarse or brittle. A well-balanced diet influences the shine and texture of your dog’s fur from the inside. Feed your Goldendoodle a healthy diet with an abundance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids and other nutrients to limit shedding.

Baths, Supplements…

Bathe your dog every once in a while, to remove loose hairs before they fall off and minimize shedding. To avoid depleting natural oils in their fur, you should bathe your Mini Goldendoodle not more than once per month. If you cannot incorporate enough Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids into your pup’s diet, you may want to consider supplements.

There’s a wide range of supplements that blend Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and other nutrients to promote skin health and improve the texture of your Goldendoodle’s coat. These kibbles may be available as chewable, meaning you can also use them as a training tool. 

Are Mini Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?

After understanding when and how do Mini Goldendoodles shed, the next logical question is whether or not they are hypoallergenic. It’s one of the most important things you need to know before bringing a pup into your home, especially if you or your family members have allergen sensitivities.

Hypoallergenic dog breeds are those that are very unlikely to trigger an allergic reaction in people with pet allergies. Note that I said less likely, meaning these dogs can still trigger an allergic reaction though less than other breeds.

The truth is no dog is truly hypoallergenic, and the Mini Goldendoodle is one of the best options you can get. Because canine allergies are triggered mainly by shedding and dander, dogs that shed less are extremely popular with allergy sufferers. A Mini Goldendoodle with a curly coat — least prone to shedding due to Poodle genes— is the perfect pup for easy clean-up and avoiding allergic reactions.