Mini Goldens are their own special breed. People love so many things about them. I hear all the time that my puppy families are stopped for people to ask about their pups. What would you tell someone that stopped you?
Well they were first created and registered as Comfort Retrievers. That is right, they were created as therapy and service dogs. They are so willing to please and honestly, who can't help but love a Golden Retriever in a smaller package? There can be a wide variety of looks from different breeders as well as different breeds used to continue to build this breed.
Some breeders prefer the Golden and Cocker combination, sometimes called the Golden Cocker Retriever or just the Golden Cocker. This makes a breed that does look very much like the Retriever, just smaller. It is very important the the Cocker side comes from a great temperment, as Cockers have been known to be overbred in years past and potentially not have the easygoing temperment that we love in Goldens.
Other breeders prefer the Golden and Cavalier influence. I tend to lean this way as the Cavaliers and the Goldens share a love for people and a beautiful resilience. This combination is a very happy dog. These are often called Golden Cavaliers. Cavaliers can err on the side of being needy and cling to people. This can be tempered by the Retriever's happy-go-lucky side. In my opinion, these make the best therapy dogs for their love of people. They desire to be right with their person, but don't demand being held all the time. Of course, they will take lap snuggle time as much as you want. They also are just as happy to go explore, hike, walk, or run. In general, they want to be with you and are game to do whatever you want.
Finally, breeders often do like a little poodle influence in both of the combinations above or even just Poodle and Retriever. This combination has been well-recieved in the world with the Goldendoodles. The poodle is so incredibly smart and resilient. They still desire to be with their owner and please their owner. The Golden helps to temper the stubborn side that Poodles can develop later in life and certainly encourage the drive to please. The difference in this combination and a Goldendoodle, would be the coat type, long or short. This is generally influenced by how much poodle is in the bloodlines...usually 50% or less makes a good Mini Golden. Of course it all depends on genetics, but I prefer a Mini Golden to have 25% poodle to ensure a short coat.
In my philosophy, I believe each breed has their place of influence and can contribute honorable traits into the bloodlines. We breeders, as a whole, are establishing the base of the breed. You will see each of the above breeds bred in to contribute to the traits and look we are establishing.
I personally like my lines from established mini golden retrievers that several generations back. (Not a Golden Retriever parent with another breed.) I will occasionally breed in a little cavalier to soften the line. This gives a soft puppy face, a gentle temperment that wants to please...one that is still adventurous and loves to play, go for walks, and runs, but also loves to snuggle on the couch next to a fire. In my humble opinion, this is where the magic happens with a pet or a therapy or service dog. Written by Jennifer Simpson, MBA