What are the different Goldendoodle sizes?

Goldendoodle sizes range from Petite, standing 12 to 15 inches at the withers and weighing up to 25 pounds, to Standard, standing 21 to 24 or more inches and weighing 51 to 90 pounds. Mini and Medium Goldendoodles fall in between. The size your puppy grows into depends almost entirely on the size of the Poodle or Goldendoodle parents used in the breeding.

Understanding Goldendoodle Sizes

I’m Amy Lane, founder of Fox Creek Farm, and Goldendoodle sizes are one of the questions I field more than almost any other from families reaching out about a puppy. It makes sense. Whether a puppy grows into a 20-pound lap dog or a 75-pound adventure companion changes everything about how it fits into your home, so getting a clear, accurate picture of Goldendoodle sizes before you bring a puppy home matters.

I’ve been breeding Goldendoodles since 1999, and I actually created the first Mini Goldendoodle and later founded the Goldendoodle Association of North America, GANA, in part to bring some consistency to how breeders talk about Goldendoodle sizes. Before GANA, “mini” could mean wildly different things depending on which breeder you asked. Below, I’ll walk through the four recognized Goldendoodle sizes, what determines where your puppy lands, and how to know which size is the right fit for your family.

Goldendoodle Size Chart

Here is the full breakdown of Goldendoodle sizes, measured at the withers, which is the highest point of a dog’s shoulders and the standard place breeders and veterinarians measure height. This chart reflects the GANA size standard and other current breed references, so you’re seeing consistent, cross-checked numbers rather than one breeder’s guess.

Petite Goldendoodle

Petite Goldendoodles, sometimes called Toy Goldendoodles, stand 12 to 15 inches at the withers and weigh up to 25 pounds full grown. This size comes from crossing a Golden Retriever line with a mini or Toy Poodle as the first step in downsizing. Petite Goldendoodles are a popular choice for apartment living and for families who want a lap-sized companion.

Mini Goldendoodle

Mini Goldendoodles stand 15 to 19 inches at the withers and weigh between 26 and 35 pounds. This is the size I first developed here at Fox Creek Farm, bred using a Miniature Poodle parent. Mini Goldendoodles are compact enough for smaller homes but sturdy enough to keep up with an active family.

Medium Goldendoodle

Medium Goldendoodles stand 19 to 21 inches at the withers and weigh 36 to 50 pounds. This size, bred from a Mini, Moyen, or Klein Poodle parent, sits right between Mini and Standard, and many families find it the easiest all-around fit since it avoids the trade-offs at either extreme.

Standard Goldendoodle

Standard Goldendoodles stand 21 to 24 inches or more at the withers and weigh 51 to 90 pounds full grown, according to the GANA standard. This size comes from a Standard Poodle parent and tends to be the most commonly recognized Goldendoodle size, closely resembling the size of a Golden Retriever.

What Determines Goldendoodle Sizes

The single biggest factor behind Goldendoodle sizes is genetics, specifically the size of the Poodle parent used in the F1 cross or the Goldendoodle used in a multigen cross. A Golden Retriever’s size is fairly consistent across the breed, so it’s the Poodle side of the pedigree, whether Toy, Miniature, Moyen, or Standard, that drives most of the size variation you see across Goldendoodle sizes in the F1 generation.

That said, a handful of other factors influence where a puppy lands within its expected range:

• Diet: a well-balanced, age-appropriate diet during the first year supports healthy growth. Overfeeding or underfeeding a growing puppy can push their adult size and body condition off from what their genetics would otherwise predict.
• Exercise: regular, appropriate exercise supports healthy muscle and bone development. Over-exercising a growing puppy, particularly a Medium or Standard-sized pup with more growing to do, can actually stress developing joints, so exercise should increase gradually rather than all at once.
• Generation: F1, F1b, F2, and multigenerational Goldendoodles can show slightly more size variation than a first-generation cross, since later generations carry a more complex mix of genetics from both breeds. I cover generational differences in more depth in my guide to Goldendoodle generations.
• Health: hormonal or metabolic conditions can occasionally affect growth, which is one reason every Fox Creek Farm puppy comes from parents who are fully health tested before breeding.

Goldendoodle Growth Timeline

Goldendoodles grow quickly in their first six months, then their growth rate slows considerably. Here’s a general timeline for Mini and Medium Goldendoodle sizes:

At two months old, a puppy typically weighs 6 to 10 pounds and stands about 6 to 9 inches tall. By four months, many puppies have roughly doubled, reaching 15 to 30 pounds and 9 to 12 inches. At six months, expect somewhere between 25 and 45 pounds and 12 to 18 inches.

Most Goldendoodles reach their full height by around 12 to 14 months old, though they may continue filling out with muscle and body weight until closer to 18 to 24 months, especially in Standard-sized dogs. I track growth closely for every litter here, and you can see what that early development looks like on our puppy care and training page.

How Goldendoodle Sizes Compare to Other Breeds

It helps to picture Goldendoodle sizes next to breeds you may already know. A Standard Goldendoodle, at 51 to 90 pounds, is close in size to its own parent breeds, the Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle, and comparable to a Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd. A Petite Goldendoodle, at up to 25 pounds, is closer in scale to a Miniature Schnauzer or Cocker Spaniel. Medium Goldendoodle sizes land somewhere near a Bulldog or American Staffordshire Terrier in overall weight, though with a very different build and temperament.

Choosing the Right Size for Your Family

With four Goldendoodle sizes to choose from, the right one comes down to your living space, activity level, and household. A Petite or Mini Goldendoodle tends to suit apartments, smaller homes, and families who travel often, since they’re easier to bring along and typically need less food and space. A Medium or Standard Goldendoodle fits well in homes with more room to roam and families who want an active outdoor companion for hiking, running, or long walks.

Goldendoodles across all sizes are known for being intelligent, affectionate, and eager to please, which is part of why they’ve become such popular family dogs and even service and therapy dogs. Size doesn’t change their trainability or temperament nearly as much as it changes how they’ll fit into your daily routine.

If you’re weighing which size makes sense, our team is always happy to talk through your specific situation. You can see which sizes we currently have available on our available puppies page, review our pricing, or read more about the standard of quality every Fox Creek Farm litter is held to, regardless of size.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smallest Goldendoodle size?

The Petite Goldendoodle, sometimes called a Toy Goldendoodle, is the smallest size, standing 12 to 15 inches at the withers and weighing up to 25 pounds.

What is the largest Goldendoodle size?

The Standard Goldendoodle is the largest size, standing 21 to 24 inches or more at the withers and weighing between 51 and 90 pounds full grown.

When do Goldendoodles stop growing?

Most Goldendoodles reach full height by 12 to 14 months old, though Standard-sized dogs may continue filling out in weight and muscle until 18 to 24 months.

Does the Poodle parent determine Goldendoodle size?

Yes, the size of the Poodle parent is the primary factor behind Goldendoodle sizes, since Golden Retriever size is fairly consistent across the breed.

Are Mini Goldendoodles good for apartments?

Yes, Mini and Petite Goldendoodle sizes are generally well suited to apartment living thanks to their smaller space and exercise needs.

I’m Amy Lane, founder of Fox Creek Farm Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles in Berkeley Springs, WV. I created the first Mini Goldendoodle and founded the Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA), and I’ve been breeding and health testing Goldendoodles since 1999.