F1 vs. F1B Goldendoodle: An In-Depth Side-by-Side Comparison

If you’re really interested in getting a Goldendoodle, you must have certainly seen dog breeders advertising with some kind of acronyms like F1 and F1B.

You must have also wondered what the F1 and F1B Goldendoodle actually mean. Well, these acronyms stand for the specific Goldendoodle generations.

Since the Goldendoodle is a crossbreed between the Poodle and Golden Retriever, the percentage of Golden Retriever and Poodle can differ between each generation.

Both F1 and F1B Goldendoodles are amazing and beautiful dogs. Still, there are some significant differences between them in terms of appearance, the amount of shedding, hypoallergenic-ness, ease of grooming, and more.

Knowing these differences will assist in deciding which one would be well-suited for you and your family.

This article will help decipher these acronyms’ meaning and explain the main differences between F1 and F1B Goldendoodle. So by the end of this article, you’ll be able to decide which one is right for you.

What Does F1 Stand for?

First of all, let’s break down the actual meaning of “F1” in the word “F1 Goldendoodle.” The letter “F” represents the word “Filial,” which basically means that the dog is not purebred but a crossbred dog.

Every Goldendoodle is a crossbred dog between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, so the letter “F” will be included in their generational name.

The number “1” refers to the first generation offspring between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. Simply put, F1 means the first filial generation of offspring of specifically different parental types.

What Is a F1 Goldendoodle?

The F1 Goldendoodle is a hybrid cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle, which creates a first-generation F1 Goldendoodle that is a 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle. In other words, an F1 Goldendoodle will be half Poodle and half Golden Retriever by genetics.

What Does F1B Stand for?

The meaning of F1B is similar to F1, except the letter “B,” which stands for “Backcross.” Backcross simply means that an F1 dog is a backcross bred with a 100% (purebred) parent breed.

The letter “F” still stands for “Filial,” which basically means it’s a crossbred canine, and the number “1” also means it’s the first generation offspring between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Therefore, F2 means the second filial generation of offspring of specifically different parental types.

What Is a F1B Goldendoodle?

The F1B Goldendoodle is produced by crossing a purebred Poodle with an F1 Goldendoodle, which creates a first-generation backcross F1B Goldendoodle that is a 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle. They’re more preferred by breeders and dog lovers due to their non-shedding and hypoallergenic coat.

You may be thinking, “How do breeders get exactly 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever.” Well, the answer is relatively straightforward. They breed an F1 Goldendoodle and backcross it with either 100% Golden Retriever or 100% Poodle.

A typical Goldendoodle breeder will always choose to breed an F1 Goldendoodle with a purebred 100% Poodle because of the hypoallergenic and non-shedding features they possess.

Breeding an F1 Goldendoodle (50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle) with a 100% Poole produces an F1B Goldendoodle, 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle.

Watch the video below to find out more about the differences between F1, F1B, and F2 Goldendoodles, explained by a Goldendoodle owner.

Difference between A F1, F1B & F2 Goldendoodle

Why Do Breeders Breed F1B Goldendoodle?

Breeders almost always breed the F1B Goldendoodle as they prefer their non-shedding and hypoallergenic coat. Not only that, but F1B Goldendoodles also have some health benefits of being hybrid vigor. This means that they will be stronger and healthier than their purebred parents.

Thus, F1B Goldendoodle’s curly coat and hypoallergenic nature make it an excellent choice for owners with moderate dog allergies.

Now, let’s consider the differences between the F1 Goldendoodle and F1B Goldendoodle in terms of genetics, appearance, health, shedding, hypoallergenic level, ease of grooming, and so on.

Let’s go!

Differences in Genetics

The genetics of Goldendoodles differs because of the variation of genes from generation to generation. Let’s compare the difference in the genetics of the F1 and F1B Goldendoodle.

F1 Goldendoodle

The genetic makeup of the F1 Goldendoodle is 50% from Poodle and another 50% from Golden Retriever. This is as a result of the cross between a 100% or purebred Poodle and 100% or purebred Golden Retriever.

Many breeders find it very easy to breed F1 mini Goldendoodles because they are relatively easy to breed between a toy Poodle and a smaller Golden Retriever.

F1B Goldendoodle

In contrast, the F1B Goldendoodle has a genetic makeup, which is 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle. It originates from the F1 Goldendoodle and a Poodle.

Differences in Appearance

Both F1 Goldendoodle and F1B Goldendoodle are almost similar in appearance but slightly differ in coat types and size. Let’s compare their coats and also consider their sizes.

F1 Goldendoodle

The coat type of the F1 Goldendoodle can be either straight, curly, or wavy. Due to the 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle genetic makeup, one can’t really predict what their coat will look like and how much they will shed.

The first Goldendoodle to be bred is the F1 standard size, and it’s a result of a Golden Retriever crossed with a Standard Poodle. Its typical mature weight is 50 – 70 pounds.

There’s also F1 mini or medium Goldendoodle, which is a Golden Retriever crossed with a Miniature Poodle or Toy Poodle. They mature to 25 – 45 pounds.

F1B Goldendoodle

F1B Goldendoodles typically have a curly or wavy coat. It has a lot more curls, and they are tighter curls, similar to a Poodle. Its similarity is mainly due to the 75% Poodle gene it has.

The size of an F1B Goldendoodle is much more predictable if its parents are similar sizes. For instance, a 19 pounds F1 Goldendoodle and 24 pounds Poodle will yield F1B mini Goldendoodle pups, which weigh between 15 and 30 pounds as adults.

In general, Goldendoodles’ coat color can be black, white, copper, gray, golden, red, or apricot. But golden is probably the most popular coat color. Oftentimes, white color can be seen on the Goldendoodle’s feathering, and the coat color has a tendency to lighten as they age.

Differences in Health Issues

The first generation of Goldendoodles certainly has the best health traits because they have the highest hybrid vigor. Now, let’s compare both the F1 and F1B and see which one has the better health advantage.

F1 Goldendoodle

One of the best things about the F1 Goldendoodle is they have a health benefit known as Hybrid Vigor. Hybrid vigor simply means that a hybrid dog will be healthier and more robust than its purebred parent dogs.

This is because the inbreeding of purebred dogs allows the same genetic defects to be transferred to each successive generation continually.

The F1 Goldendoodle is excluded from this because it is a crossbred dog. So it will only inherit genetic disorders that are common to both parents, the Poodle and the Golden Retriever.

F1B Goldendoodle

Conversely, the F1B Goldendoodle has less hybrid vigor trait than the F1 Goldendoodle. This is because the F1B Goldendoodle is practically a “2nd generation crossbred,” so they will definitely inherit less of the hybrid vigor trait.

The hybrid vigor rule goes like this, “As the Goldendoodle’s generation increases, the hybrid vigor trait they inherit decreases.”

Differences in Shedding

Goldendoodle are popularly known for their little to no shedding nature. The question is, “What’s the shedding differences between the F1 and F1B Goldendoodle?” Let’s find out!

F1 Goldendoodle

Shedding for these dogs can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some F1 Goldendoodles shed a little, and others do not shed at all. Their shedding is further complicated by the fact that you can’t tell for sure if an F1 Goldendoodle will actually shed until it gets its “adult coat” at 12 to 18 months old.

F1B Goldendoodle

On the other hand, F1B Goldendoodle is a typical non-shedding dog. If at all these dog sheds, you’ll only observe it on rare occasions. Therefore, the F1 Goldendoodle clearly sheds more than the F1B Goldendoodle.

Differences in Hypoallergenic Level

Goldendoodles are generally known to be very hypoallergenic. Now, let’s compare the hypoallergenic level of the two generations.

F1 Goldendoodle

F1 Goldendoodle is less hypoallergenic than the F1B Goldendoodle. This is because the F1 Goldendoodle is 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle and often shed like its parent – Golden Retriever. Thus, suitable for people with mild allergies.

F1B Goldendoodle

The F1B Goldendoodle is more hypoallergenic than the F1 Goldendoodle because F1B Goldendoodle has a higher percentage of genetic makeup from Poodle which is 75% compared to 50% for F1 Goldendoodle.

Its 75% Poodle genetic percentage makes it more hypoallergenic and less shedding like Poodles. Thus, suitable for people having moderate to severe allergies.

Differences in Ease of Grooming

Goldendoodles generally do not shed, so they require grooming at regular intervals. The ease of grooming between the F1 and F1B, however, differs due to their different shedding levels. Let’s see their difference.

F1 Goldendoodle

Because the F1 Goldendoodle sheds more often, their coat will require more grooming than the average dog.

F1B Goldendoodle

F1B Goldendoodle’s coat also requires significant grooming but far more than the F1 Goldendoodle.

Since they are Goldendoodles with curly coats, they require a considerable amount of grooming in order to avoid matting and tangling of the fur. Hence, F1B Goldendoodle’s hair needs to be cut regularly every 2 – 3 months.

Differences in Price & Expenses

The price and expenses of both F1 Goldendoodle and F1B Goldendoodle vary because of the variation in their traits and temperament. Now, let’s discuss the difference in their price and expenses.

F1 Goldendoodle

The price of F1 Goldendoodles can rise to $2,000, depending on the size. They’re cheaper because they’re easy to breed than other generations of Goldendoodles.

Like any other dog, you’ll incur expenses on dog accessories such as dog harness, dog house, collar, toys, etc. Besides dog accessories, you’ll also spend on food, grooming, training, healthcare, and other essential dog needs.

F1B Goldendoodle

In contrast, F1B Goldendoodles are available for sale starting from $2,500. They are more expensive because of their non-shedding and increased hypoallergenic features.

You’ll spend more on grooming expenses on this dog than an F1 Goldendoodle. Apart from this, all other expenses are similar.

F1 Goldendoodle vs. F1B Goldendoodle: Which One to Choose?

In general, both F1 Goldendoodle and F1B Goldendoodle are very adorable and excellent family dogs. However, a specific generation between these two generations of Goldendoodle can perfect for your family depending on certain factors such as allergy, dog’s health, lifestyle, and environment.

If you’re a type of person with mild allergies and can tolerate light shedding, then the F1 Goldendoodle is the best dog for you.

But if you or your family members have moderate-to-severe allergies and do not even like vacuum up the hair your dog leaves, the F1B Goldendoodle will be much better for you.

Due to the F1 Goldendoodle’s high hybrid vigor, they tend to have more health benefits than the F1B Goldendoodle. So you may want to choose the F1 Goldendoodle based on its health advantage.

While some like Goldendoodles with curly or wavy coats, others like those with straight coats. If you’d love your dog to wear a curly or wavy coat, then you should look out for an F1B Goldendoodle; they often produce a curly coat.

Although they’re excellent for people with moderate dog allergies, these dogs usually require a significant amount of grooming to prevent their fur from matting and tangling. But if you like straight coats, then the F1 Goldendoodle is your pick.

Are you worried about introducing a Goldendoodle to your kids and toddlers? You are good to go because Goldendoodles generally gets along well with children, including the F1 and F1B Goldendoodles.

Both Goldendoodles also thrive and adapt very well to all living environments. However, they do better with the space provided by a fenced yard, and they also hate living outside or in a kennel.

What Are the Other Types of Goldendoodle?

Apart from the F1 Goldendoodle and F1B Goldendoodle, we also have other types or generations of Goldendoodles. They include:

F1BB Goldendoodle

This is a mix between an original purebred 100% Poodle and an F1B Goldendoodle, which is 87.5% Poodle and 12.5% Golden Retriever. Of all the first generation Goldendoodles, the F1BB Goldendoodle is the most hypoallergenic and they shed the least.

This is mainly due to the abundance of Poodle genetics. As a third-generation offspring, the F1BB Goldendoodle would have far fewer hybrid vigor traits than the F1B or F1 Goldendoodle.

F2 Goldendoodle

This is Goldendoodles’ second filial generation (half Golden Retriever and half Poodle). It is produced from the mix between two F1 Goldendoodle.

This generation is somewhat similar to the F1 generation due to the fact that they have the same percentage of Golden Retriever and Poodle.

This generation is deemed the most unpredictable generation of genetics, so most breeders do not breed them.

F2B Goldendoodle

F2B Goldendoodle is a mix between an F1B Goldendoodle and an F1 Goldendoodle. This Goldendoodle generation is 37.5% Golden Retriever and 62.5% Poodle. Alternatively, the F2B Goldendoodle can be bred from two F1B Goldendoodle.

This will yield the F2B Goldendoodle being 25% and 75% Poodle. Because the F2B Goldendoodle is the third generation of offspring, they’re often referred to as multi-generation Goldendoodle.

Multi-generation Goldendoodles is a term used to describe any Goldendoodle generation beyond the second generation, such as F2BB, F2B, and F1BB.

F2BB Goldendoodle

F2BB Goldendoodle is a mix between an original purebred 100% Poodle and an F2B Goldendoodle. This generation will produce 18.75% Golden Retriever and 81.25% Poodle.

Due to the abundance of Poodle genetics, they have the highest hypoallergenic and non-shedding traits among the entire second generation Goldendoodles.

F3 Goldendoodle

This is the third generation of Goldendoodles. It is also called the Multi-generation Goldendoodle. They’re produced from a cross between two F1B Goldendoodle.

Alternatively, they can also be bred from two different F2 Goldendoodle. These generation dogs contain a significant percentage of Poodle genetics, so it is excellent for owners with pet allergies.

Goldendoodle Breeders and Rescues: Places to Find F1 or F1B Goldendoodle Puppies for Sale and Adoption

To save you the hassle of finding places where you can get an F1 or F1B Goldendoodle, I’ve come up with some reputable sources where you can easily find them:

• Goldendoodle Association of North America
• American Goldendoodle
• Platinum Goldendoodles
• Harmony Doodles
• Quartz Mountain Doodles
• Buckeye Puppies
• Lancaster Puppies
• Infinity Pups

Both the F1 and F1B Goldendoodles are available for adoption at rescue centers, pet shops, or breeders. They should be inspected before adoption, especially when adopted from any place other than rescue centers.

This is because Goldendoodles puppies adopted from rescues are already trained well enough to walk and sit properly.

If you’re looking to adopt an F1 or F1B Goldendoodle, check the following sources:

• Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue
• IDOG Rescue for Goldendoodles
• Doodle Dandy Rescue
• Norcal Poodle Adoption Rescue
• Doodle Rescue Collective
• SD Doodle Pups

RELATED: How Much Does a Goldendoodle Puppy Cost? A Price Breakdown

Final Thoughts

Both the F1 and F1B Goldendoodles have a number of variations in physical and personality features. With the F1 Goldendoodle being half Golden Retriever, they are very unpredictable due to their varying genes.

Conversely, the F1B Goldendoodle is 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle, increasing its hypoallergenic and non-shedding features.

So if you’re looking to get one of these Goldendoodles, you should consider the one with the more beneficial characteristics, which will be the best fit for your family.