Miniature Golden Retriever A.K.A. Comfort Retriever

Despite their name, the Miniature Golden Retriever is actually a mix between three different breeds: the Golden Retriever, the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. The main reason behind creating this hybrid was to make a smaller version of one of the most loved dogs in the world, and so breeders ensure that these dogs are normally genetically made up of about 50 – 70% of the Golden Retriever. They are a relatively new breed, so they are not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), but there popularity continues to soar as they have become the ideal choice for many celebrities.

The Comfort Retriever is another variation of the Miniature Golden Retriever, made by just crossing the Golden Retriever and the Cocker Spaniel. It is also fairly new, and has its most well known origins in 2003, when it was bred by Kathy Burgess. The Mini Golden Retriever displays most, if not all the characteristics that a regular Golden Retriever possesses, which is one of the reasons why it is ideal for many families. Many people tend to confuse the mini Golden Retrievers with Dwarf Golden Retriever, but there is a significant difference.

The Difference Between the Dwarf Golden Retriever and the Mini Golden Retriever

The major difference between these two breds is that the miniature Golden Retriever was intentionally bred as a designer dog, while the Dwarf Golden Retriever suffers from a medical condition that causes them to be smaller. This condition is called achondroplasia, and causes an abnormal development of the cartilage in the body resulting in dwarfism. This condition is not only found in Golden Retrievers, but a lot of other dog breeds, but it does come with other medical complications such as spinal problems and trouble breathing. Miniature Golden Retrievers however do not have these medical issues, causing them to be healthier and more desirable than their counterparts with dwarfism.

5 Major Features of the Miniature Golden Retriever

Many people tend to take one look at the Miniature Golden Retriever and decide they want one, but there are many other circumstances that need to be considered before deciding if these dogs are ideal for you. Here are 5 major features about the Miniature Golden Retriever that will help you decide whether this dog is convenient to your lifestyle.

1. They bare a striking resemblance to the GoldenDoodle – The truth is that these two dogs do have some relation to each other, but the main difference is that the GoldenDoodle is only a combination of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, while most Comfort Retrievers also contain the genetic makeup of Cocker Spaniels. Furthermore, GoldenDoodles have a majority of Poodle genetics, resulting in the predominant curly hair that covers their fur, while Comfort Retrievers were designed to look more like a Golden Retriever. Both dogs acre similar in appearance and size, but there are slight difference in genetics and temperament that make them significantly different.
2. How small are they ? – The truth is that the Comfort Retriever will vary in size depending on the breeder, but most have an expected size. Currently, many Golden Retrievers stand about 12 to 15 inches, (30 cm to 38 cm) tall when fully grown. They also normally weigh anywhere from 20 pounds to 55 pounds, (9 kg to 25kg). Ideally, they are very small but at a comfortable weight and height for their owners comfort.
3. They require an awful lot of grooming – While many fall in love with the appearance of the Comfort Retriever, they are not up for the grooming. Golden Retrievers are known in the dog world for their excessive shedding, which causes both grooming and cleaning up after them a chore. Fortunately, the Comfort Retriever is a hybrid, which reduces the amount of shedding because of the other mixed breeds present, but it does have a doublecoat much like the Golden Retriever, and its undercoat tends to shed seasonally.
   Once you understand the grooming process and keep it under control, then grooming will be less laborious, but it will take some time to get to this point. In order to keep the fur under control however, daily brushing of the fur is required, so that the hair of the dog doesn’t become matted and tangled. For more convenience in grooming, you can find a dog groomers in your area, and take your pup for biweekly grooming sessions.
4. They are very active pups – Though they may not need as much exercise as your regular Golden Retriever, Comfort Retrievers are still very playful and active, and require  daily walks and play sessions to keep them happy and healthy. Many people believe that because this dog is small, it is more of a lap dog than a ball of fun, but that could not be further from the truth. The Comfort Retriever is a ball of energy, and they love to play with their owners. They enjoy both physically and mentally stimulating and challenging activities, and do well in training because of their eager to please demeanour.
5. There are Health Issues associated with the Comfort Retriever – With an estimated life expectancy of about 10 to 15 years, the Comfort Retriever tend to live a long and blissful life, but there are health issues that must be looked out for with this pup. The most common issues to look  out for are dependent on the genetic makeup of the dog, as different dog breeds suffer from different problems. Golden Retrievers are at risk for Hip Dysplasia and Lymphoma, while Cocker Spaniels suffer from urinary stones, allergic reactions and cardiomyopathy, and Poodles are at risk for epilepsy, and progressive retinal atrophy. Any or all of these issues must be looked for when you have a Comfort Retriever.

The decision to adopt a Comfort Retriever depends on you, but it is important that you make an informed decision. If the Comfort Retriever is ideal for your lifestyle, then it will add joy and lots of fun to your life.