Have you ever wondered what does f1b Goldendoodle means and where that name comes from? Then you’ve come to the right place.
This breed has multiple names before the word Goldendoodle, which are known as generations and are usually identified by two letters with a number in the middle, or a letter and a number in front of it, but what exactly is the name of each generation?
This is exactly what we will see in this post, analyzing mainly the f1b Goldendoodle, with all its main characteristics and the exact meaning of its name, and also, a comparison with the other generations of this breed of dog.
Goldendoodle Generations (A Quick Overview – Updated in 2023)
As you may well know, there are multiple generations of Goldendoodles, specifically f1, f1b, f2, f2b, and multigene. All these generations get their name depending on crossbreeding, and they have various physical differences from generation to generation.
You must know that the higher the number or if there is a B in its name, the less “pure” the generation will be. For example, the f1 Goldendoodle is the purest of all, as it derives directly from the crossbreeding of a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, while the “less pure”, so to speak, will be multigene, which is derived from two f1b Goldendoodle or higher.
But what does explicitly the generation type affect? Primarily, the generation type will directly affect the dog’s physique, and even more focused on his hair because, in general, the higher the generation, the curlier his fur is, looking more like a Poodle than a Golden Retriever.
In addition, there will be a noticeable difference between the cost of the breed and its maintenance from generation to generation; the f1 Goldendoodle is the most expensive due to its purity and almost perfect and equal combination of Poodle and Golden Retriever features.
Generation | Meaning | In-depth information |
F1 | 50% Poodle & 50% Golden Retriever | The F1 doodle is sort of the classic and often the one that people think about when the word “Goldendoodle” is mentioned. |
F1B | 75% Poodle & 25% Golden Retriever | The F1B Goldendoodle is a cross between an F1 Goldendoodle and a 100% standard poodle from the original purebred line, which is where the B comes in. Technically the F1B can also be crossed between an F1 and 100% golden, but this is much less common among breeders. |
F1BB | 87.5% Poodle & 12.5% Golden Retriever | The F1BB generation is a cross between an F1B Goldendoodle and an original purebred poodle or golden. You can probably figure out by now that the second B indicates a second backcross, and because of how many poodles there are in this generation, this is the most hypoallergenic and non-shedding dog of the first generation. |
F2 | 50% Poodle & 50% Golden Retriever | The F2 Goldendoodle is not a very common generation of doodle to see, mostly due to how unpredictable it is to breed. |
F2B | 62.5% Poodle & 37.5% Golden Retriever | The F2B Goldendoodle is generally a cross between an F1 and F1B doodle, making it 62.5% poodle and 37.5% golden. However, some breeders will opt to cross two F1B doodles to create a doodle that is an even higher percentage of poodle, at 75% and 25% golden, respectively |
F2BB | 81.25% Poodle & 18.75% Golden Retriever | The F2BB Goldendoodle is a cross between an F2B doodle and an original purebred poodle. It is 81.25% poodle and 18.75% golden retriever, making it the most hypoallergenic breed of the F2. |
F3 or Multi-generation | Several generations of Goldendoodle breeding typically backcross breeding to the Standard Poodle. | F3 Goldendoodle, which is typically two F1B doodles bred together, but can also be two F2 doodles bred together to get the same result. These F3 doods contain a lot of poodle genes, and so are again great for those of us with allergies. |
What does F1b goldendoodle mean?
In the word f1b, the F stands for Filial, which means that it’s a mixed breed dog, the number 1 means that it’s the descendant of the first generation of the cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, and the letter B stands for Back Cross, i.e., it’s an f1 dog in backcross with a pure parent breed.
What is an F1b Goldendoodle?
The f1b Goldendoodle is 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever. This is the most popular Goldendoodle generation of all, as it has curly fur and is hypoallergenic, which are the main features desired when looking for a dog of this breed.
The main disadvantage we can find in this breed is that being technically a “second” generation, i.e., a descendant of the first cross, it loses some of its hybrid vigors and will continue to lose it as the generation increases.
Its fur is wavy or curly; it’s hypoallergenic, and, as we said, its hybrid vigor is high, although lower than that of an f1 Goldendoodle.
To obtain a dog of this generation, an f1 Goldendoodle must be bred and backcrossed with a 100% pure Poodle or Golden Retriever. Generally, breeders of these breeds usually cross the f1 Goldendoodles with Poodles since more hypoallergenic features are obtained.
Although we will see later, an f1 Goldendoodle is 50/50 Poodle and Golden Retriever, and, when crossed with a Poodle, the f1b Goldendoodle becomes 25% more Poodle than Golden Retriever.
What does F2b Goldendoodle mean?
In f2b, the letter F applies to the word Filial, which means that we are talking about a mixed breed dog; the number 2 means that it’s the descendant of the second generation of the cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, in other words, it’s derived from the cross between an f1 Goldendoodle and an f1b Goldendoodle. The letter B stands for Back Cross, which means that we are talking about an f1 dog in crossbreeding with an f1b, as we have already mentioned.
What is an F2b Goldendoodle?
An f2b Goldendoodle is a 62.5% Poodle and 37.5% Golden Retriever dog, which is obtained by crossing an f1 Goldendoodle (50% Poodle and 50% Golden Retriever) and an f1b Goldendoodle (75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever). Despite this, many breeders also opt for an alternative version, crossing two f1b Goldendoodles, although this is commonly known as a multigene Goldendoodle, which we will see below.
Unlike the f1b Goldendoodle, the f2b is much more similar to the Golden Retriever, having 12.5% more Golden Retriever genes, although it’s still more similar to the Poodle.
Its fur is curly, pretty hypoallergenic, and it doesn’t shed so constantly, although there are always exceptions, and its hybrid vigor is low; although it’s present, it’s much less than that of f1, f1b, and f2.
In terms of behavior, it’s a highly intelligent dog, like the Poodle, but with more energy and Golden Retriever attitude than the f1b, thanks to the fact that the Golden genes are stronger in this case.
What does F1 Goldendoodle mean?
F1 Goldendoodle separates at the F, which indicates that we are dealing with a mixed breed dog, i.e., a crossbreed, and the number 1 shows that this is the first dog obtained from this cross. In this case, the cross is a Poodle and a Golden Retriever; with this, we know that, although it’s a non-purebred dog, we consider it the purest Goldendoodle of all.
What is an F1 Goldendoodle?
An f1 Goldendoodle is the purest dog of this breed since it’s derived directly from a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, which ensures that it will have 50% of genes from each of the breeds.
This is one of the most popular generations of all Goldendoodles because they can be obtained very easily, as both Poodles and Golden Retrievers are common dogs to breed. Despite this, we can consider that this is not the best generation of Goldendoodles, as it’s not known precisely how hypoallergenic it will be or how much of a breed it will yield since it has equal genetics between the two main breeds.
It can have wavy or curly fur like a Poodle and develop a smooth and soft coat like that of a Golden Retriever; its personality can also be intelligent like the one of a Poodle but also affectionate and loyal like the one that usually characterizes a Golden Retriever.
Generally, the f1 Goldendoodle is noted for having the highest possible percentage of hybrid vigor, which means that this mixed-breed dog will be much healthier than its purebred parents. As mentioned above, the higher the generation, i.e., the number in the generation name, the lower the level of hybrid vigor.
What does F2 Goldendoodle mean?
The word f2, like f1, is separated by the F, which stands for Filial, i.e., a mixed-breed dog, and by the number 2, which indicates that it’s the second generation of a Goldendoodle, although, theoretically, we are talking about the third one. It’s obtained from crossing two f1 Goldendoodles, which is why it doesn’t get the letter B since it’s the descendant of the crossing of two “pure” Goldendoodles.
What is an F2 Goldendoodle?
The f2 Goldendoodles are 50/50 poodle and golden retriever dogs, as they’re derived directly from the cross between two f1 Goldendoodles; however, breeders don’t usually make this cross, as they consider the genetics to be even more unpredictable than f1 Goldendoodles, especially in terms of their fur and shedding.
As also happens with the f1 Goldedoodles, they’re common dogs to obtain and breed since they’re derived from these dogs, which, as we have already mentioned, come from pure Poodles and Golden Retrievers.
Physically, they can vary in size and have curly or wavy fur, just like a Poodle, and completely smooth fur, as is the case with the Golden Retriever. This also happens with their shedding, which can be really high and not exist at all, but this is very unpredictable, thus becoming a game of chance.
Its hybrid vigor is relatively low, although not the lowest of all. Its behavior is also unpredictable, although we can know that it will be an intelligent dog, like any Poodle, or very cheerful, playful, and loyal, like the Golden Retriever.
What is a multigene Goldendoodle?
The multigene Goldendoodle is a Goldendoodle breed dog obtained by crossing two f1b Goldendoodles or higher generations, i.e., two f2 or two f2b. Alternatively, they’re also known as f3 Goldendoodles.
Physically, they have the curiosity of being very similar to Poodles, containing a majority of Poodle genes, which is excellent for people who are allergic to canine hair, as they have heavy curly fur, which prevents constant shedding.
Despite being called multigene Goldendoodle, this name describes all dogs beyond the second generation, including f1bb, f2b, f2bb, etc. However, to not extend the spectrum of generations too much, all of them are usually enclosed in a single one since they don’t have notable differences either.
If you’re adopting a multigene Goldendoodle, it’s best to consult with a specialist or a veterinarian you trust about which Goldendoodle it’s to have more details about the generation of your pet and whether it has any particular care or not.
Differences between F1b Goldendoodle and F1 Goldendoodle
Both the f1b Goldendoodle and the f1 Goldendoodle are very popular dogs within the breed due to the fact that they belong to the first generation of the breed, although, in theory, the f1b is derived from the crossbreeding of an f1 Goldendoodle with a Poodle so that it would be a second generation, it’s not considered as such.
The f1 Goldendoodle is a much more unpredictable dog in terms of physical features and behavior, being 50/50 Poodle and Golden retriever, being able to have curly or straight hair, and being more calm and intelligent or much more playful and energetic. On the other hand, the f1b Goldendoodle is much more similar to a Poodle, having the most genes possible, at 75%, with much curlier fur and a poodle-like attitude.
Differences between F1b Goldendoodle and F2b Goldendoodle
The f1b Goldendoodle and the f2b Goldendoodle differ significantly, even though they’re both Back cross. The first one is much more similar to a Poodle, with 75% of genes being present and being one of the parents in the cross to obtain an f2b Goldendoodle, who is 62.5% Poodle, making him more similar to a Golden Retriever.
The f2b Goldendoodle is much less popular, as it has fewer Poodle genes, which is exactly what we are looking for, making its behavior more energetic and playful, very similar to the Golden Retriever. Its fur is straighter, less curly, it’s less hypoallergenic, and its hybrid vigor is very low, although it does exist.
Differences between F1b Goldendoodle and F2 Goldendoodle
The differences between the f1b Goldendoodle and the f2 Goldendoodle are pretty similar to the f1 Goldendoodle, as the f2 has genes equally divided between Poodle and Golden Retriever, being a descendant of the cross between two f1 Goldendoodles.
It’s a truly unpredictable dog, even more so than the f1 Goldendoodle, with fur that can be either curly and short or straight and long. It can be a calm, relaxed, intelligent, rougher, more playful, and obedient dog.
Compared to the f1b Goldendoodle, the f2 is much less hypoallergenic since this depends exclusively on the type of coat that this dog obtains, and also has a low level of hybrid vigor, although it’s higher than the f2b Goldendoodle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which Goldendoodle Is Better?
Although the f1 Goldendoodle is the purest of all, most breeders consider the best is the f1b Goldendoodle. This is mainly because it’s a Goldendoodle that uses an f1 Goldendoodle as a father or mother and, usually, a Poodle as a second parent, thus adopting 75% of the poodle genes, which is precisely what breeders are looking for.
This is because small dogs are much more sought after and easier to care for than Golden Retrievers; they also have much shorter fur, making them extremely hypoallergenic and with a very low amount of fur loss.
Despite being the best, consequently, the f1b Goldendoodle is much more expensive in procurement and care; they’ll need constant brushing and special treatment to prevent their fur from tangling, as well as a more focused food for Poodles, which have sensitive stomachs.
When do Goldendoodles stop growing?
A Goldendoodle will stop growing once it reaches adulthood, usually by one year of age. This depends almost exclusively on his parents and the size of the dog; if we are talking about a large f1 Goldendoodle, he will probably stop growing when he reaches one year of age, but, on the other hand, if we are talking about a small f2b Goldendoodle, it will probably reach the maximum age size before the age of one year.
Generally, people prefer a small Goldendoodle for their home, as they’re easier to care for, don’t require as much growing space, and can sleep in smaller areas. If this is your plan, then, as we said, you should know that they’ll stop growing after approximately 10 months.
If you want to know more, we have written an article on this topic.
Are Goldendoodles hyperactive?
Of course, they are! Poodles and Golden Retrievers are both highly hyperactive dog breeds, so combining the two results in a really active and energetic dog.
To avoid stressing him out by not being able to expend his energy, it’s recommended that we play with our Goldendoodle for a large number of hours a day, either with walks in the park, running with him, throwing him a ball or a stick, or even letting him play alone with a canine toy.
Although energy levels and hyperactivity tend to vary with age, most Goldendoodles are energetic, especially when younger.
If you plan to adopt a dog of this breed, you need to be willing to spend several hours with him; in fact, if there are any children in your home, they’ll get along wonderfully since both will spend their energy playing together.
Are Goldendoodles Easy to Train?
Goldendoodles are easy to train since they’re naturally docile and obedient. This is one of the easiest mixed breeds to train, as it has a large percentage of Golden Retriever genes, which, without a doubt, is a highly obedient dog.
If you want to know how to train your Goldendoodle, you can visit this post!
But basically, you should start when he is a puppy by introducing him to other animals, dogs, and people he is not used to seeing. This will help him to be kind to all other living beings and not develop a violent, fearful and distrustful attitude. We will also take advantage of this age to teach him to urinate and do all his needs outside the house or, in the case of living in an apartment, to teach him to ask to go outside.
Once our Goldendoodle reaches a young age, we will teach him to obey some basic commands, such as to sit, go outside, get ready for the bathroom, etc. We can also take advantage of the opportunity to develop their sense of smell, as this is one of the most important aspects of the breed.
Remember to reward your Goldendoodle when he has done things right, but don’t overdo it; otherwise, he will learn to do things just to get a reward.
How Much do Goldendoodles Shed?
Goldendoodles shed relatively little compared to other breeds, although it depends on the generation type. For example, if we are talking about an f1 Goldendoodle, we can be confident that we have a dog with almost no shedding, although if we adopt an f2b Goldendoodle, it may shed a lot of hair per day.
To avoid this, it’s necessary to brush our dog several times a day to help him shed all the fur that’s already loose, and that it will not only be uncomfortable for us, as he will throw it all over the home, but it will also be uncomfortable for him.
Keep in mind that the shorter our Goldendoodle’s fur is, the less hair he will shed; constant brushing will help achieve this.
Best Goldendoodle Puppy Food
At this stage of his life, when his teeth are just developing, it’s important not to give him hard food, as he won’t be able to chew it and will end up swallowing it directly.
The best food for Goldendoodle puppies will undoubtedly be wet food.
Wet food will be excellent for Goldendoodle puppies, not only because it’s easy to ingest but also because it has a large number of nutrients that are essential at this stage of the dog’s development, containing fiber, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Most of these foods come with a sauce that they’ll love, so you can choose different brands to see which one they like the best, either Pedigree, Blue Wilderness (made with 100% natural meat ingredients, such as turkey, salmon, or chicken) or Nutry Puppy.
You can also choose some type of food that, in addition to meat, contains carefully shredded vegetables and rice.
Are Goldendoodles Good Dogs?
Goldendoodles are not just good dogs; they’re excellent! They’re one of the best breeds you can adopt, especially when it comes to f1 Goldendoodles and f1b Goldendoodles; they’ll have a good amount of Poodle and Golden Retriever genes, combining them to perfection.
Goldendoodles are highly intelligent dogs, besides being affectionate as any Golden Retriever; they’re perfect to be in the family, thanks to their friendly qualities, especially if you train them from an early age to socialize with other people and animals.
They’re very playful, and you’ll need to spend a few hours a day with your dog, as they’ll need to use up all the stored energy they have, either with walks in the park or playing with different toys.
In general, we believe that all dogs are good dogs, but we also consider the Goldendoodle to be one of the best breeds to be with family, to go for walks, to go on vacation, and to see new places because, by their very nature, they’ll have an instinct that will lead them to try to discover new places.
Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?
The answer is yes; Goldendoodles are usually hypoallergenic, although not all generations. Keep in mind that the longer the fur is, the greater the shedding will be; therefore, he will lose a large amount of hair, something you should avoid at all costs if you’re a person who suffers from allergies to canine fur.
We have published an article about this.
The f1b Goldendoodles, like an f1 Goldendoodle, tend to have a fairly short coat, and their shedding is almost imperceptible, so you probably won’t suffer from any allergies.
On the other hand, if we are talking about an f2 Goldendoodle or a multigene Goldendoodle, likely, some dogs may not be hypoallergenic; these generations, as we commented in this post, are quite unpredictable as far as fur is concerned, being either short, being more hypoallergenic, or longer, i.e., less hypoallergenic.
You must find out what type of Goldendoodle you’re adopting, especially if you’re allergic to dogs or if someone in your household is.
Are Goldendoodles Healthy?
Of course, Goldendoodles are highly healthy dogs; that’s, they don’t have any hereditary disease, as can happen with other breeds.
It’s worth clarifying that this will depend a lot on the life quality we give to our dog, how much physical activity we give him, his feeding, baths, fur care, etc.
You should also consider that, especially, the f1 Goldendoodle and the f1b Goldendoodle, i.e., those of the “first generation”, have a very high hybrid vigor value, which means that they have better health traits than their parents.
Conclusion
In general, we would say the best Goldendoodle Generation are the ones that are the most hypoallergenic, nonshedding, and have some hybrid vigor qualities. Our top pick for the Goldendoodle Generations is: F1B Goldendoodle (75% Poodle & 25% Golden Retriever)