Micro mini labradoodles are slowly gaining popularity. And there are a lot of reasons why. These cute little furballs are what you get when you combine Labradors and toy poodles. And you get the best of both breeds. Here’s everything you need to know about micro mini labradoodles.
Micro mini labradoodles are just like regular labradoodles – only smaller. You may see them being advertised under many names. Mini labradoodles, miniature labradoodles, toy labradoodles – you name it. They are all essentially the same. Their only difference is their slight variation in sizes. Generally, labradoodles can be called micro minis when they are about 14 inches to the shoulder.
If you are looking for new crossbreed dogs that can light up your home, micro mini labradoodles should definitely be among your choices. I am very interested in crossbreeds as well, being the owner of 2 chiweenies. I have done some considerable research online regarding micro mini labradoodles. Here’s everything I have found out.
Physical characteristics of micro mini labradoodles
Labradoodles can vary in size, weight, and other physical characteristics. But here are the typical physical characteristics of labradoodles you can classify as micro minis.
Size
Breeding labradoodles can be tricky. Labradors are not small dogs while toy poodles definitely are. You just don’t know if the resulting labradoodles will inherit the size of the Labradors or the toy poodles. For this reason, labradoodles are classified according to their size.
A regular labradoodle can be about 21 to 24 inches to the shoulder. A medium one can be about 17 to 20 inches. And a micro mini is anything below those ranges, typically about 14 to 16 inches.
If you want to breed micro mini labradoodles, it’s best to mate 2 mini labradoodles. That will increase the chances of the resulting mini labradoodles to retain its smallness.
Weight
Of course, the weight of labradoodles will also depend on their size. Gender plays a factor too. Females tend to weigh less than their male counterparts.
A regular labradoodle can weigh about 50 to 65 pounds. A medium one can be about 30 to 45 pounds. And a micro mini can be about 15 to 25 pounds, even when it’s fully grown.
Because labradoodles have different sizes and weights, they can have different roles in your home too. Regular labradoodles function more like regular dogs. Medium ones can be companion dogs. And micro minis are the perfect lap dogs, especially for those who live in small living spaces like apartments.
Coat and color
The coat and color of micro mini labradoodles will depend on their parents. So, if you want to find out the possible coat and color of the resulting labradoodles, just look at the Labrador and toy poodle you want to let mate.
Micro mini labradoodles can have coats that are curly and thick like their toy poodle parents. But they can also have coats that are straight and dense like their Labrador parents. It’s basically a gene lottery. And you won’t be able to find out their real coat characteristics until they become a few months old. If you are looking for specific coat characteristics, young micro mini labradoodles can give you a hard time.
Micro mini labradoodles can sport the following colors:
- Apricot
- Black
- Caramel
- Chocolate
- Cream
- Gold
- Red
- Silver
- White
Of course, this is just a general palette list. But most micro mini labradoodles you will find sport these colors.
Special physical traits
Poodles are hypoallergenic dogs. So, it’s not surprising that they can pass this trait to their micro mini labradoodle children. But what is a hypoallergenic dog exactly and why should you care?
Basically, a dog can be considered hypoallergenic if it doesn’t shed or shed very little. Because of its minimal shedding, it has less chances to spread dander that can cause allergies around it. Take note that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. But if you suffer from allergies, especially pet-related ones, micro mini labradoodles will be great for you.
Temperament of micro mini labradoodles
Sometime in the 1990’s, Dr. Kate Schoeffel bred the very first small variation of the labradoodle crossbreed. There was a demand for a smaller and more manageable dog that will fit the more urban lifestyle of the people.
Micro mini labradoodles have family-friendly temperaments, thanks to the desirable temperaments of their Labrador and toy poodle parents. They are affectionate, friendly, intelligent, loyal, and social. But remember that the temperament of your micro mini labradoodle will still depend on its personality and upbringing. Temperament can be very unpredictable. But with the proper attention and care, you will not have any temperament issues with micro mini labradoodles.
They are friendly and social
Both Labradors and toy poodles are friendly and happy-go-lucky dogs. It’s no surprise that their micro mini labradoodle children also have such positive temperaments. They are friendly not just to you and your loved ones, but also to strangers. But as said earlier, temperament can be unpredictable. They can be wary of strangers too, especially if they inherit more of their Labrador parents.
Micro mini labradoodles are also very social dogs. They are especially great for households with children. They are so friendly and social that they can sometimes be too energetic and overwhelming, especially for children on the younger side.
They are affectionate and loyal
When I said micro mini labradoodles get the best of both Labrador and mini poodle breeds, I wasn’t kidding. And this is particularly obvious in their temperament. Micro mini labradoodles are loyal like their Labrador parents and affectionate like their mini poodle parents.
Labradors are loyal dogs. They will stay true to you at all costs. They are also very playful. Mini poodles are affectionate dogs. They find it easy to bond with you, your family, and your other dogs. This is part of the reason why they are also sociable.
Labradoodles, micro mini or otherwise, are some of the most affectionate and loyal dogs you can get. You can even consistently see them on most loving dog breeds lists online.
They are intelligent
Poodles, including their toy variants, are considered intelligent dogs. Their micro mini labradoodle children are just as intelligent. These crossbreeds are intelligent in the sense that they are very trainable. With the proper discipline and guidance, you can make them do anything you want them to. In fact, they are so trainable that they are good candidates for guide and therapy dogs.
They are great for those with autism, depression, or physical limitations such as blindness. So, if you are in a household with these limitations, you should definitely consider these crossbreeds. It also helps that these dogs have very good intuition.
They are prone to separation anxiety
Some dogs are just more prone to separation anxiety than others. Unfortunately for micro mini labradoodles, they are more on the prone side of the spectrum. This is mostly because of their affectionate, friendly, and social nature. Companion and people-pleasing dogs are just more prone to separation anxiety.
It also doesn’t help that they are small dogs. When you are that small, it’s easy to feel vulnerable, especially when you are alone. To prevent separation anxiety, make sure your micro mini labradoodles are in a safe space, like a big enough playpen. You can leave them with distractions too, such as toys.
Dogs suffering from separation anxiety can be very problematic. They can chew on your personal belongings, dig soil in your yard, or urinate in your living room.
Grooming requirements you should know
Micro mini labradoodles are not the most high-maintenance dogs. But this doesn’t mean you can slack around and leave them alone on their own. Here are some grooming requirements you should know about these crossbreeds.
Their grooming requirements will depend on their coat
There are a lot of factors that could influence the grooming requirements of micro mini labradoodles. For example, if they are highly energetic and like to roll around your yard, you may want to bathe them more often.
But generally speaking, the biggest factor of all is the kind of coat they have. If they have a curlier coat, they may require more grooming to avoid matting. But regardless of the kind of coat they have, you have to brush your micro mini labradoodles once or twice a week, especially those that shed a lot.
They need a healthy diet
Micro mini labradoodles are small dogs. It’s easy to overwhelm them with food. If you feed them too often and with too big proportions, they can get obese. They are not the most active breed so they don’t need a lot of calories anyway.
For the best food products and proportions, it’s best to consult a veterinarian. But small dogs in general are better off with frequent eating and very small proportions. Serving them a few big meals a day is not the most ideal way of feeding them.
They need exercise
These Labrador and toy poodle crossbreeds are not the most active dogs in the world. Sure, they can be extremely playful to the point that it becomes overwhelming for small kids, but there are more energetic dogs out there.
But this doesn’t mean that you won’t let them get exercise. Let them burn their excess energy. It’s not a bad idea to play with them or walk them a few minutes a day. This will also help them to be more sociable. Yes, they are already naturally sociable. But there are cases where micro mini labradoodles become socially awkward if they are not properly and regularly exposed to other people and dogs.
They need regular care
You need to brush their teeth, check their ears, and clip their nails. You need to brush their teeth because small dogs are more prone to dental problems compared to bigger dogs. Their small mouths are more susceptible to plaque and tartar.
You need to check their ears because they are prone to ear infections. Labrador owners and toy poodle owners can attest to the proneness of their dogs to such infections. As the children of breeds prone to ear infections, it’s not surprising that they have inherited the proneness.
You need to clip their nails about once a month. If you can’t do this on your own, consider taking them to professional groomers. Long nails are dangerous not just for themselves, but also for you and your loved ones. This is especially true if you intend to let your micro mini labradoodles play with small kids.
Complications you should look out for
Micro mini labradoodles are generally healthy dogs. They are not as prone to complications as sensitive dog breeds. But they are prone to a number of complications, mostly inherited from their Labrador and toy poodle parents.
Life expectancy
The life expectancy of these micro minis is just the same as their regular and medium counterparts. They can live up to 12 to 15 years. Their lifespan is a little higher than their full bred parents. The only downside is that they inherit some complications from Labradors and toy poodles.
These dogs will surely light up your home for a long time. And to maximize their lifespan, make sure to groom them properly and be wary of the complications that they may have inherited from their parents.
Allergies
Micro mini labradoodles are prone to all kinds of allergies, but food allergies in particular seem to occur more often. Be mindful of the most common signs of food allergies in dogs, such as diarrhea, intense itching, lethargy, and vomiting. You may need to consult a veterinarian to diagnose the allergies and make some diet restrictions.
Eye problems
They are prone to a specific eye problem called progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a complication that may eventually lead to blindness. They may inherit this disease from their toy poodle parent. So, it’s actually recommended to DNA-test a toy poodle before mating it to get micro mini labradoodles.
Skin problems
Toy poodles in particular are susceptible to skin problems. That’s why their micro mini labradoodle children are just as susceptible. They are particularly at risk of sebaceous adenitis, a complication that may inflame and destroy their sebaceous glands.
And because they are susceptible to allergies as well, skin allergies that can cause intense itching are also not out of the question.
Joint problems
Elbow and hip dysplasia are common dog complications. And unfortunately for micro mini labradoodles, they are prone to these complications as well. An elbow dysplasia occurs when there is an abnormality in the development of the dogs’ elbow joints. Usually, the abnormality comes from the cartilage or its surrounding area. This can malform and weaken the dogs’ elbows.
A hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and the socket in their pelvis don’t grow proportionally. They won’t fit each other properly and may end up giving your dogs arthritis and lameness. This is a more common problem among bigger labradoodles, but you can never be too sure.
These joint problems are directly inherited from their parents. So, it’s best to check the Labradors and toy poodles for these problems before you mate them.
Some questions you can ask yourself before buying micro mini labradoodles
Micro mini labradoodles give you the best of both worlds – the loyalty and playfulness of Labradors and the composure and intelligence of toy poodles. They are indeed popular crossbreeds. But this doesn’t mean that they are the perfect fit for every home.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to see if these little fur balls are the right dogs for your household.
Do I have the money to buy and provide for micro mini labradoodles?
As popular crossbreeds, many breeders (and business owners) have an incentive to breed a lot of micro mini labradoodles. They can increase prices and practice unethical breeding techniques for maximum yield. If you are buying micro mini labradoodles, they may cost you a few hundred dollars.
There is also the issue of providing for these dogs. Can you give them the proper care they need? Are you ready to fulfill their grooming requirements? If your answer to these questions is a resounding yes, these dogs are for you. But if you are doubtful, you are probably better off with lower maintenance dogs.
Do I really like to have a small and friendly dog?
Micro mini labradoodles are both small and friendly. If you are looking for a dog that can guard your home and protect your kids, they are not the most ideal candidates for the job. Because of their size, they can easily be overpowered. They may be the ones who need protecting. Because of their friendliness, they don’t work as great watch dogs either.
These dogs are companions and people-pleasers. If you are looking for an affectionate dog, this crossbreed is definitely for you.
Do I have enough time to take care of this pet?
Remember that these dogs are prone to separation anxiety. If you are a terribly busy person who is often out of the house, these dogs are not for you. If you leave these dogs too often and too long, they may become stressed and end up destroying your stuff. That will not be a healthy relationship.
If you plan to get a micro mini labradoodle, make sure you have the time to take care of it.
Micro mini labradoodles are great
Micro mini labradoodles are great dogs. They are affectionate, friendly, intelligent, loyal, and social. They are the perfect dogs for those who are looking for small and loving dogs. But they are not the most ideal for those looking for watch dogs.
These crossbreeds definitely deserve their rising popularity.