The Mini Retriever Project
- Miniature Cottage Retriever - Cavador - Golden Cavalier - Spanador - LabraSpeagle - Comfort Retriever -
Australia's trusted and proven breeder, of the ever adorable Mini Retriever!
Carefully developed over 10+ years
Extensive Health Testing:
Hip & Elbow Scoring
DNA Testing
Cardiologist Heart Certification
Ophthalmologist Eye Certification
Focus on temperament and socialisation
Designed for real families
Multigenerational breeding program
Smaller size, without losing breed character
Selectively bred to achieve the beloved Retriever traits, in a smaller and completely adorable package!
Australia's trusted and proven breeder, of the ever adorable Mini Retriever!
Carefully developed over 10+ years
Extensive Health Testing:
Hip & Elbow Scoring
DNA Testing
Cardiologist Heart Certification
Ophthalmologist Eye Certification
Focus on temperament and socialisation
Designed for real families
Multigenerational breeding program
Smaller size, without losing breed character
Selectively bred to achieve the beloved Retriever traits, in a smaller and completely adorable package!
Meet Our Girls
Lily
Cavador 50% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 50% Labrador Retriever Parents: Jacqui x Zephyr |
Matilda
Miniature Cottage Retriever 25% Labrador Retriever 25% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 37.5% Cocker Spaniel 12.% Beagle Parents: Lily x Waldo |
Miley
Golden Cavalier 50% Golden Retriever 50% Cavalier Parents: Honey x Merlin |
These planned pairings represent the direction of our program.
Not all litters will proceed or be immediately successful, and timing may vary depending on suitability, waitlists, and breeding outcomes.
Each of our girls contributes carefully to our planned pairings, designed to further refine type, temperament, and consistency.
Not all litters will proceed or be immediately successful, and timing may vary depending on suitability, waitlists, and breeding outcomes.
Each of our girls contributes carefully to our planned pairings, designed to further refine type, temperament, and consistency.
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Lily's Puppies
Lily x Waldo 25% Labrador Retriever 25% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 37.5% Cocker Spaniel 12.5% Beagle Coats: Long Haired & Short Haired Colours Expected: Cream, Gold, Yellow, Ruby, Fox Red - some with small white markings. Timeline: End of 2026 
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Matilda's Puppies
Matilda x Merlin 12.5% Labrador Retriever 62.5% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 18.75% Cocker Spaniel 6.25% Beagle Coats: Long Haired (Feathered Coats) Colours Expected: Blenheim, Cream, Gold, Yellow, Ruby, Fox Red - some with small white markings. Timeline: Mid 2026 
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Miley's Puppies
Miley x Zephyr 25% Golden Retriever 75% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Coats: Long Haired (Feathered Coats) Colours Expected: Gold, Ruby, Red, Blenheim Timeline: Mid - Late 2026 
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The Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever - have long been an Aussie family favourite!
Nowadays, many families still love these breeds - but are unable to accommodate such a large breed dog, pairing what is often such a high energy level and exceptional strength - these big dogs can be a hazard for some homes.
Here at Cottage Canines - we have spent over a decade working on a smaller version of both the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever.
It has been proven that the First Generation Retriever crosses - will often inherit the large breed traits, which have been bigger in size and often equivalent to a pure bred Lab or Goldie.
As such, we have begun working on multigenerational crosses, to taper down the sizing - and further refine the features we are looking for.
Our breed in development "The Miniature Cottage Retriever" has been a great success, and example of everything we are striving for and working towards.
Colours: cream, caramel, gold, yellow, tan, fox red, ruby - where white markings may be exhibited.
Size: 10-20kg (average ~15kg)
Coat Types: Long/Feathered (Golden style)
Shot Haired (Lab influence)
Extensive health testing has been carried out on our breeding dogs, that have contributed to this gene pool.
Hip & Elbow Scoring
DNA Testing
Cardiologist Heart Certification
Ophthalmologist Eye Certification
Annual Veterinary Assessments
Nowadays, many families still love these breeds - but are unable to accommodate such a large breed dog, pairing what is often such a high energy level and exceptional strength - these big dogs can be a hazard for some homes.
Here at Cottage Canines - we have spent over a decade working on a smaller version of both the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever.
It has been proven that the First Generation Retriever crosses - will often inherit the large breed traits, which have been bigger in size and often equivalent to a pure bred Lab or Goldie.
As such, we have begun working on multigenerational crosses, to taper down the sizing - and further refine the features we are looking for.
Our breed in development "The Miniature Cottage Retriever" has been a great success, and example of everything we are striving for and working towards.
Colours: cream, caramel, gold, yellow, tan, fox red, ruby - where white markings may be exhibited.
Size: 10-20kg (average ~15kg)
Coat Types: Long/Feathered (Golden style)
Shot Haired (Lab influence)
Extensive health testing has been carried out on our breeding dogs, that have contributed to this gene pool.
Hip & Elbow Scoring
DNA Testing
Cardiologist Heart Certification
Ophthalmologist Eye Certification
Annual Veterinary Assessments
We take great care in selecting and matching homes for our puppies.
This application allows us to learn more about you and your home, helps us to understand what is is you're looking for - and ensure the best possible fit for both you - and your future puppy.
As this is a carefully developed and ongoing breeding program, not all applicants will be suited to every puppy - and not all litters will proceed.
This application allows us to learn more about you and your home, helps us to understand what is is you're looking for - and ensure the best possible fit for both you - and your future puppy.
As this is a carefully developed and ongoing breeding program, not all applicants will be suited to every puppy - and not all litters will proceed.