F1, F1B, F2, F2B, Multi-Generation Goldendoodles Guide

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What’s a multigen Goldendoodle? That’s what many potential Goldendoodle parents want to know.

So, do Goldendoodle generations affect the dog’s personality and temperament? Can referencing a Doodle generation chart help you to choose the right dog for you and your family? And which multigenerational Goldendoodle sheds the least?

Read this guide to learn the facts about F1, F1BB, F2, F2B, F2BB, and other Multi-Generation Goldendoodles.

What Are Multigen Goldendoodles?

Cute goldendoodle puppy with tennis ball

First, let’s find out what’s meant by the term “multigen” or multigenerational.”

So, a multigen Goldendoodle is an offspring of two Goldendoodles beyond the F2 (second) generation. That means the puppy’s parents and grandparents are crossbreed Goldendoodles, not purebred Poodles or Golden Retrievers.

What’s So Good About Multigen Goldendoodles?

As you might already know, an F1 Goldendoodle is the offspring of a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle.

Further crossbreeding using F1 dogs can be used to reduce genetic health risks in the puppies and increase the puppy’s most appealing features, including coat color, type, and shedding.

What Do All the Letters and Numbers Mean?

Here’s an overview of what all those confusing letters and numbers mean.

Goldendoodle Generation

Parent Breeds

Goldendoodle Generation

Parent Breeds

Goldendoodle Generation

Parent Breeds

Goldendoodle Generation

Goldendoodle Generation

Goldendoodle Generation

Parent Breeds

Parent Breeds

Parent Breeds

F1

50% Golden Retriever x 50% Poodle

F1B

25% Golden Retriever x 75% Poodle

F1BB

12.5% Golden Retriever x 87.5% Poodle

F2

50% Golden Retriever x 50% Poodle

F2B

37.5% Golden Retriever x 62.5% Poodle

F2BB

8.75% Golden Retriever x 81.25% Poodle

Goldendoodles of the F3 generation are generally referred to as multigen dogs. Usually, breeders use several generations or backcrosses to a Standard Poodle to produce an F3 puppy.

Now, let’s look at those popular breeds in more detail!

F1 Goldendoodle

F1 Goldendoodle - Infographic

An F1 Goldendoodle is produced by crossing a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle. So, the F1 puppy will have half of each parent’s DNA.

What makes crossing breeds so interesting is that you never know quite what you’ll end up with!

For example, you could have an F1 Doodle with a curly, smooth, or wavy coat, depending on how much of each parent’s genetic material the puppy inherits.

Hybrid Vigor

Goldendoodles are described as having “Hybrid Vigor.” 

Extensive inbreeding between purebred dogs usually results in genetic defects, such as hip dysplasia, heart conditions, and skin conditions, becoming more likely. Hybrid Vigor simply means that a crossbreed dog will have less chance of inheriting health issues than a purebred breed.

However, subsequent generations of crossbreed dogs lose some of the Hybrid Vigor qualities of the original F1 animal. 

Coat Types

portrait of a F1 miniature golden doodle

F1 Goldendoodles can have curly, straight, or wavy coats. Depending on which parent the puppy takes after, he might shed a little bit.

F1B Goldendoodle/First Generation Backcross

F1B Goldendoodle - Infographic

As you know, the F1B Goldendoodle is 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle. That’s a hybrid dog created by crossing an F1 Goldendoodle with a purebred Poodle. The B refers to the backcross element of the breeding.

A Poodle is typically used in these crosses because Poodles have a single coat that doesn’t shed much. So, the puppies should be non-shedding or very light-shedding. Generally, F1B Goldendoodles tend to be very light shedders. These dogs inherit some degree of Hybrid Vigor, too.

My friend’s dog is an F1B Doodle and sheds very little. That’s great news for her husband, who has a slight pet allergy. Before they got Bruce, their dog was a mutt with a thick double coat that never stopped shedding!

Because of that, my friend’s hubby had to take antihistamine tablets every day to be around the dog without constantly sneezing! Now that they have an F1B hybrid with a curly coat, the allergy is under control, and the antihistamine tablets are hardly ever needed.

Coat Type

Female mini golden doodle F1B dog in outdoor environment

F1B Goldendoodles usually have curly or wavy coats that are usually non-shedding.

F1BB Goldendoodle

F1BB Goldendoodle - Infographic

An F1BB Goldendoodle is 12.5% Golden Retriever and 87.5% Poodle

To achieve this hybrid, breeders typically use a purebred Poodle and an F1B Goldendoodle, which reduces the puppies’ tendency to shed even further. In fact, F1BB dogs are the lightest shedders of all the first-generation Goldendoodles. 

Although you still need to brush the silky, curly coat daily to prevent matting, F1BB dogs are the best choice for allergy sufferers and those who hate vacuuming! 

Since the F1BB are a second backcross to a purebred Poodle, a second B is added to the breed’s name. Unfortunately, since F1BB Goldendoodles are technically third-generation dogs, they don’t have the same Hybrid Vigor qualities of an F1 or F1B pup.

Coat Types

F1BB Goldendoodles have curly coats and are very light shedders.

F2 Goldendoodle (Second Generation)

F2 Goldendoodle - Infographic

An F2 Goldendoodle is a cross between two F1 dogs. These crosses usually produce offspring similar to those of the F1 generation since their parentage is the same, being purebred Poodles and Golden Retrievers.

However, breeders don’t usually use F2 Goldendoodles for breeding, as that generation’s coat type and shedding are notoriously unpredictable. 

Coat Type

F2 Doodles have extremely variable, unpredictable coats that can be wavy, straight, or very curly.

F2 dogs with curly coats don’t shed as much as those with straighter fur, but their coat type is still something of a lottery!

F2B Goldendoodle (Second Generation Backcross)

F2B Goldendoodle - Infographic

F2B Goldendoodles are 37.5% Golden Retriever and 62.5% Poodle and are, therefore, a hybrid of an F1 Goldendoodle and an F1B Goldendoodle. Sometimes, breeders use a 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle mix to produce puppies with curlier coats.

These dogs are usually called multigen Goldendoodles since they are third-generation offspring.

Coat Type

F2B puppies usually inherit curly or wavy coats and are usually non-shedding, although there are exceptions to that.

F2BB Goldendoodle (Second Generation Backcross)

F2BB Goldendoodle - Infographic

An F2BB Goldendoodle is 18.75% Golden Retriever and 81.25% Poodle and is produced by breeding an F2 Goldendoodle to a purebred Poodle.

Because F2BB dogs have a high percentage of Poodle genes, they are the lightest shedders of all the Goldendoodles. However, although these dogs don’t shed much, their curly coats need a lot of brushing and regular grooming to keep them mat-free.

F2BB puppies are called multigeneration dogs because they are fourth-generation offspring. Usually, F2BB Goldendoodles are advertised as multigen pups. F2BB puppies should inherit a certain degree of Hybrid Vigor, but not as much as earlier generations.

Coat Type

If you want a pet to suit an allergy sufferer, an F2BB Doodle is probably the best choice since these are the lightest shedders.

F3 Goldendoodle or Multigeneration Goldendoodle

F3 Goldendoodles are usually called multigeneration Goldendoodles, being the third generation or greater.

Generally, F3 Goldendoodles are produced by crossing with an F1B dog and some other type of F1B Doodle. F3 Goldendoodles carry a large percentage of Poodle genes, making them very light shedders. 

Multigenerational is the term used to describe any dog whose breeding is beyond the second generation, including F1BB, F2B, and F2BB pups. If you decide to buy a multigen puppy, we recommend you ask the breeder what generation the pup is.

It’s worth noting that multigen puppies tend not to have as much Hybrid Vigor as later generations.

Coat Type

Usually, F3 multigen Goldendoodles have a curly coat.

What Generation Should I Choose?

Benefits of Adopting Rescued Goldendoodles

Before you search for your new furry friend, you need to be clear about exactly what you want from your dog.

All Goldendoodles tend to have the same friendly, tail-wagging good nature as Golden Retrievers combined with the intelligence and trainability of Poodles. However, as you’ve learned, every generation is different regarding coat type and Hybrid Vigor.

Most potential Goldendoodle owners want a dog that sheds minimally and has some Hybrid Vigor qualities. If that’s the kind of canine companion you’re looking for, we recommend choosing one of the following generations:

  • F1B Goldendoodle: 25% Golden Retriever x 75% Poodle
  • F2B Goldendoodle: 37.5% Golden Retriever x 62.5% Poodle
  • F1BB Goldendoodle: 12.5% Golden Retriever x 87.5% Poodle

However, if you don’t mind whether your pup sheds or not, you’ll probably look for the puppy’s color and coat type. You must also remember that a puppy’s coat types and color typically change as the dog matures.

Usually, the more Poodle genes the puppy carries, the curlier his coat will be, whereas a straighter-coated puppy has more Golden Retriever genes and will shed more.

How Much Are Multigen Goldendoodles?

In recent years, Doodles of all types have become incredibly popular family pets and saw a massive uptick in demand for these dogs during the recent Covid-19 lockdown. Consequently, prices for these crossbreed dogs went sky-high!

During the peak of the lockdown, puppy prices for well-bred multigen Goldendoodles were between $2,500 and $4,000! 

You can expect to pay more for the Mini and Petite varieties of Doodle since they are the most popular, with unusual colors fetching an even higher price!

But …

Since the lockdown ended and more people have returned to work, many dogs have been handed into rescue centers for rehoming. Now that the demand for Goldendoodles has slackened, their prices have dropped quite a lot, and waiting lists are pretty much a thing of the past.

You can even find “sales” at many ethical breeding kennels!

FAQs

In this part of our guide, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about multigen Goldendoodles.

Q: What does F1, F1B, F2, and F2B mean?

F1B Labradoodle e1653492294599

A: The letter “F” stands for “filial.” That means the dog is a hybrid dog breed rather than purebred. 

The numbers after the letter F refer to the dog’s generation. Finally, the letters “B” and “BB” refer to what’s called backcross and double backcross multigen dogs.

For example, an F1B Goldendoodle is a first-generation backcross multigen hybrid.

Q: Which is better, F1B or F2B Goldendoodle?

A: An F1B Goldendoodle will tend to shed less than an F2B Goldendoodle, making the F1B dog a better choice for people with pet allergies or householders who don’t enjoy vacuuming their home every day!

Q: Which generation of Goldendoodle is best?

A: The best hybrid breed for you depends on what you want from your dog. If you want a pet that doesn’t shed much, you’re best to pick an F1B, F2B, or F1BB Goldendoodle. 

However, if shedding isn’t essential to you, an F1 Doodle is an excellent choice. Alternatively, simply choose a generation with the coat you want your furry friend to have.

Q: Are F1B Goldendoodles more expensive?

A: F1B Goldendoodles are usually more expensive than the other generations. That’s because both the puppy’s parents are purebred.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed our guide to multigeneration Goldendoodles. If you found the information we provided interesting and helpful, please share the article.

Goldendoodles generally have the same outgoing, friendly temperament as their Golden Retriever and Poodle parents, but their coat type and Hybrid Vigor vary. If you pick a multigen Goldendoodle, your puppy should be a light shedder and won’t inherit many of the health conditions that can affect the purebred parent breeds. 

What Goldendoodle generation do you have, and why did you choose him? Tell us about your pet in the comments box below.

F1, F1B, F2, F2B, Multi-Generation Goldendoodles Guide - Infographic

Meet our writer

Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish.

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