Temperament Testing for Mini and Standard Goldendoodle Puppies
Imagine this situation. A family comes to our facility and falls in love with the puppy with the cutest color combination. They plan to take that puppy home today. But after spending some time with us and getting to know each puppy’s individual personality, they leave with a completely different dog. One who is so perfectly suited to their lifestyle that six months later, they send us pictures and thank us for showing them the way to their ideal match.
This is a scenario that plays out more often than you might think. We are drawn to appearances, of course. But is it the color, the pattern, or the cuteness of the puppy that tells you whether or not he or she will truly be the right dog for your family? A beautiful puppy whose energy is far too much for your family or home to handle will be a frustrating dog for everyone. A gorgeous coat color means little if the temperament does not match your lifestyle or family dynamic. At Blue Diamond Goldendoodles, we have learned that successful puppy placements come down to taking the time to understand each puppy as an individual, just as we work to understand each family.
Mini Goldendoodles or Standard Goldendoodles?
Whether you are drawn to our Mini Goldendoodles or our Standard Goldendoodles, the personality-matching process is essential either way. Both Mini and Standard Goldendoodles can make wonderful companions for the right families, but each size does come with different considerations. And within each size category, the range of personalities is so varied from puppy to puppy. We want to walk you through how we evaluate our Goldendoodles, temperamentally speaking, and why this process works so well to create such successful matches between dogs and families.
The Main Differences Between Mini and Standard Goldendoodles
Before we get into individual temperaments, it helps to understand the general differences between Mini and Standard Goldendoodles. The biggest and most obvious distinction is size. Mini Goldendoodles typically weigh 15 to 35 pounds when fully grown and stand 13 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder. Standard Goldendoodles are substantially larger; while they vary widely, they generally reach 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown and are 20 to 24 inches or taller at the shoulder. This size difference will impact everything from how much room they need to how much they eat to how easy or difficult it is to travel with them.
Mini Goldendoodles are popular with families in apartments or smaller homes, with families who travel frequently and want a dog that fits easily under an airplane seat, or with those who simply prefer a more portable dog. They can also be easier to handle physically, which can make a difference if you have young children or elderly family members who will be interacting with the dog. Their smaller size means lower food expenses and often lower grooming costs, since there is simply less dog to groom and maintain.
Standard Goldendoodles fit families looking for a more substantial dog, those with larger homes and yards, and active families who love hiking, running, or other outdoor pursuits. Their size makes them great choices for families with older children who want a dog that can take a tumble or keep up with active play. Some families simply love having a larger dog and the sense of having a big companion with them on life’s adventures.
Energy Level Isn’t Always About Size
Energy levels do not always correlate with size the way many people expect, though. Mini Goldendoodles can be absolute firecrackers with endless amounts of energy, while Standard Goldendoodles can be the most mellow, easygoing dogs from the time they are puppies. This is exactly why we take the time to evaluate each puppy individually, rather than making assumptions based solely on their size. Your family lifestyle and your personal preferences are far more important than checking a box for size preference.
What We Learn By Observing Goldendoodle Puppies Day to Day
We begin developing our understanding of each puppy well before any formal temperament testing. From the moment our puppies are born, we are watching and making mental notes about the emerging little personalities in our whelping box. Even while their eyes are still shut, and their ears remain closed, we can learn so much about who each puppy is going to become as they mature.
We pay attention to which puppies fight their way to the front during feedings and which ones are happy to wait until the last pup is fed before receiving their turn. We notice which puppies actively seek out human contact when we handle the litter and which remain content where they are. As they become more active and mobile, we watch how they play with one another. Some puppies will be the ring leaders, the ones always starting wrestling matches and chase games, while others are far more reserved, preferring to watch and then decide whether to join in.
These daily observations provide a baseline of knowledge about each puppy that becomes invaluable when the time comes for formal temperament testing. By then, we will already have several weeks of observations for each puppy to compare with the more structured assessment data we receive from the trainer who evaluates them all. Sometimes, a puppy who was feisty from the beginning will appear more cautious during their formal testing session, or a quieter puppy will surprise us all with hidden confidence. Both our early observations and our structured testing together provide the basis for our full picture of each puppy’s temperament.
Professional Temperament Testing at 8 Weeks
Once our puppies are around eight weeks old, we bring in our professional dog trainer to conduct temperament evaluations on each and every Goldendoodle puppy in the litter. We take this process seriously, which is why we do not do it ourselves or on an informal basis. We have found that having an experienced, outside professional evaluate our puppies provides the best, most objective information we can use for the matching process.
Our dog trainer uses a series of standardized tests that are designed to reveal each puppy’s core personality. Social attraction testing measures how quickly and eagerly a puppy approaches an unfamiliar person. We document whether the puppy runs quickly over to the trainer or takes a moment to assess the situation before approaching more slowly. Maybe they retreat from the person completely or just watch from a distance. Each reaction to this can tell us something about that puppy’s social personality and level of confidence.
The trainer also tests the puppies’ reactions to novel stimuli. They will introduce unexpected sounds and unfamiliar objects and then watch how the puppy responds. A more confident puppy might jump at the sudden noise, but will quickly recover and come to explore the new thing with curiosity and interest. A more sensitive puppy may need more time and reassurance before they feel safe enough to investigate something new. Observing how they respond to the unknown helps us gauge how they will likely respond to the unpredictable aspects of everyday life in a family home.
Handling exercises are designed to see how puppies respond to physical touch and light restraint. The trainer will manipulate their paws, ears, and other body parts, holding them in a variety of positions, noting how each puppy reacts. A puppy who quickly relaxes while being handled is likely to have a more submissive, easygoing temperament that often does very well in homes with children. A puppy who struggles and wriggles their way out of restraint tends to be more independent and determined, which will endear them to some people but could be a challenge for others.
Finally, the trainer evaluates each puppy for prey drive, retrieve instinct, problem-solving ability, and many other areas. All of these assessments help us identify puppies who may excel at certain activities and those that will have particular needs for mental engagement and stimulation. A puppy with a strong retrieve instinct will love hours of fetch, while a puppy who has a serious problem-solving drive will need puzzle toys and training games to be content.
Creating Successful Matches Between Puppies and Families
At this point, we have a complete understanding of each puppy’s temperament, personality, and strengths. But that is only half of the equation. We work just as hard to understand each family we work with, learning as much as we can about their lifestyle, household composition, previous dog experience, and what they hope to gain from their new companion.
We want to know about the practical details. Do you live in an apartment or a house with a yard? How many hours a day will the puppy be alone? Do you have children? If so, what ages? Are there other pets? We also want to know your personal preferences and what you are hoping for in a new dog. Do you want a jogging partner or a couch potato? Do you want a dog that will bark at the mailman or a dog that is friendly to everyone? Are you looking for independent thinkers or dogs who look to you for guidance?
With a full understanding of your family and all our puppy information at hand, we can start the real work of matching puppies with families. We look for the common threads that indicate a perfect pairing. The active family with a large fenced yard is matched with the bold, high-energy puppy with super-high retrieve drive scores. First-time dog owners in an apartment get matched with the laid-back puppy who has excellent handling scores and moderate energy. The experienced owners who want a therapy dog prospect will get matched with the puppy who scored off the charts on social attraction and remained calm and responsive throughout the testing session.
If the right temperament does not match your family’s needs in a particular litter, we sometimes recommend waiting for a future litter rather than choosing a puppy who will create challenges down the road. Our clients who are willing to wait for their ideal match consistently report the highest levels of satisfaction once their puppies arrive. This is because those dogs have natural tendencies that align with their owners’ lifestyles rather than clash with them.
Contact Us for Your Ideal Goldendoodle Puppy Match
Deciding to get a Mini or Standard Goldendoodle is only the start of your journey. Both sizes have such a range of wonderful personalities in each litter. The bold, confident puppy that will flourish in your active household. The sweet-natured soul who will be your calm companion. The playful youngster who will entertain your kids for hours on end. The velcro pup who will be glued to your side, happy to follow you from room to room.
Temperament testing is why we can provide successful matches between Goldendoodles and families. The combination of our daily observation from birth to eight weeks, along with professional temperament testing using a standardized approach, provides insights that no one else can. You are not just getting a dog, you are adding a family member who will share your home, your life, and your heart for the next 12+ years. We want those years to be filled with joy and the special bond that can develop when a dog and their family are truly a good match.
When you contact us, be prepared to tell us about your life and what you are looking for in a canine companion. Be open to our guidance, even if it points you toward a different puppy than the one you first saw. Trust the process, and trust that we want you to be successful just as much as you do. The right Goldendoodle for your family is out there, and we cannot wait to help you find it!