The Ultimate Guide to the Different Types of Goldendoodles
If you think all Goldendoodles are the same, think again. We have two F1B Goldendoodles, and they have very specific differences from F1 Goldendoodles, F2 Goldendoodles, and Multigens. Understanding the different types of Goldendoodles can make a big difference in deciding what type of dog is best for your family.
We had heard that Goldendoodles were a great non-shedding dog if you have allergies, and we thought they were all the same. We learned that there are different generations of Goldendoodles, depending on the mix. As a matter of fact, many people don't realize that some Goldendoodles may shed in varying amounts.
Goldendoodles Have Different Types of Coats
Each type has some important characteristics. Especially when it comes to the type of coat.
There can be major differences between the different Goldendoodle variations. If you're looking for a nonshedding or hypoallergenic dog, then it's very important to understand the different types of Goldendoodles.
Our Goldendoodles, Kai and Byrdie are F1b Goldendoodles. That means they are 75 percent Poodle and 25 percent Golden Retriever. Kai has a curly coat like a Poodle, and Byrdie has a wavy coat that is extremely soft and fluffy. Neither of them shed at all. They both go to the groomer every six weeks.
In all honesty, Goldendoodles require alot of grooming. If we don't properly brush our Goldendoodles between grooming appointments they will get tangled and matted, especially around the ears and on their tails. In this article, I write about how I take care of them in between grooming apointments. I also talk more about at home trims here on this video.
When it comes to the Goldendoodle personality, the one thing all Goldendoodles seem to have in common is their sweet disposition. Our daughter’s F1b Goldendoodle, Zuma, is calm and very quiet. She’s smart and responds well to training. Kai and Byrdie are both intelligent but have higher energy, and they bark more. They’re all very receptive to training.
F1B Goldendoodle vs F1 Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles are a Hybrid Breed
Goldendoodles originated in 1969 as guide dogs. A hybrid breed, they are a cross between a Golden Retriever and Poodle. The Poodle’s intelligence and non-shedding coat combined with the Golden Retriever’s even-tempered personality have made Goldendoodles popular dogs.
They're also a popular choice for guide dogs and therapy dogs. In addition, they are kid-friendly, smart, athletic and affectionate dogs, with the best qualities of both breeds.
As a rule, hybrid breeds have added health benefits because they are a cross of two unrelated purebred lines. When unrelated breeds are mated, the first generation offspring are more healthy both physically and mentally than the parent breeds. This is known as “hybrid vigor.”
Goldendoodles often have this improved health, if their parents are responsibly bred with no hereditary problems. But, hybrid vigor is reduced with each generation.
The Best of the Poodle and the Best of the Golden Retriever
Because they have purebred parents of two different breeds, there is no guarantee that Goldendoodles will be the same size, or have the same coat texture, color or temperament every time.
For the most part, it's the Poodle gene that causes Goldendoodles to come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Poodles come in several colors and three different sizes: Standard (22-27 inches tall), Miniature (13 to 15 inches tall) and Toy (10 inches and under).
As a result, Standard size Goldendoodles usually weigh between 45 to 100 pounds, Medium Goldendoodles are 30-45 pounds, and Miniature Goldendoodles weigh between 15 to 30 pounds. They can be cream, red, black, chocolate brown, white, gold, gray, or a combination with spotted markings.
Goldendoodles can have tight curly hair like their Poodle relatives (like Kai), soft waves (like Zuma), or flatter and straight fur similar to Golden Retrievers. Although they usually don’t shed excessively, they need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting. In addition, they usually need regular trimming because their hair can grow over the eyes, around the tail, and between the toes.
Goldendoodle Generations
Usually, the type of coat a Goldendoodle puppy has will depend on the variations of the parents, known as “generations.”
The different types of Goldendoodles are classified into these generations:
F1 Goldendoodles
Golden Retriever + Poodle
The foundation of the different types of Goldendoodles is known as "F1," which stands for first-generation. It’s the original cross between a purebred Standard Poodle and purebred Golden Retriever.
Interestingly, the genetics of F1 Goldendoodles are not as predictable as you might think. They don’t necessarily inherit 50 percent Golden Retriever traits and 50 percent Poodle traits. For example, they don’t always end up with a poodle coat, and their temperaments can vary between the even-keeled Golden and the high-strung poodle.
For this reason, F1 Goldendoodles are not always non-shedding dogs.
Grooming: Moderate to High; Coat grows to 3-5 inches and needs brushing and occasional grooming
Coat Type: Wavy or Curly
Shedding: Light shedding to nonshedding
F1b Goldendoodles
F1 Goldendoodle + Poodle
Whenever you see the letter "b" in the different types of Goldendoodles, it stands for “backcross.” The mixture of an F1 Goldendoodle and Poodle, “F1b” Goldendoodles means they're 75 percent Poodle and 25 percent Golden Retriever.
Generally speaking, the backcross makes it much more likely that the offspring will have the nonshedding Poodle coat. As a result, F1b Goldendoodles are usually more curly and require more grooming. They may also tend to have more of the Poodle’s personality traits.
Grooming: Moderate to High; Coat continues to grow long and requires regular grooming
Coat Type: Wavy or Curly
Shedding: Very light shedding to nonshedding
F2 Goldendoodles
F1 Goldendoodle + F1 Goldendoodle
“F2” stands for second-generation, which means both parents are F1 Goldendoodles. Since they are a mixture of two hybrids instead of two purebreds, their appearance can vary widely. Therefore, some dogs may look more like Golden Retrievers while others may look more like Poodles.
Coat Type: Shedding
Grooming: Varies depending on the type of coat
Coat Type: Can resemble a Golden Retriever, or be wavy or curly
Shedding: Varies greatly from shedding to nonshedding; not recommended for families with allergies.
F2b Goldendoodles
F1 Goldendoodle + F1b Goldendoodle
F2b Goldendoodles are a second generation backcross. They are a cross of an F1 Goldendoodle and an F1b Goldendoodle. Generally speaking, they tend to have more Poodle genes, with wavy or curly coats and less shedding. As a result, they have a higher chance of being more high-strung like the Poodle and may need more grooming.
Coat Type: Shedding
Grooming: Moderate to High; Coat continues to grow long and requires regular grooming
Coat Type: Wavy or Curly
Shedding: Mostly nonshedding
F3 Multi-Generation Goldendoodles
F1b Goldendoodle + F1b Goldendoodle
F2 Goldendoodle + F2 Goldendoodle
F1b Goldendoodle + F2b Goldendoodle
Also known as F3, Multigeneration Goldendoodles are a cross between two second-generation Goldendoodles. Because they're 3rd generation, they may have less “hybrid vigor.” This is a natural result with more generations.
Grooming: Varies depending on coat type.
Coat Type: Some will have straighter coats similar to a Retriever, while others will have soft wavy or curly coats.
Shedding: Straighter coats tend to shed more, while curlier coats shed less.
When thinking about getting a Goldendoodle, it's important to learn as much possible about this hybrid breed before you take on the responsibility. I recommend getting a book like this one first. I own this book, and it will help you make sure this is the right type of dog for you. Plus, if you decide to become a Goldendoodle owner, you will refer to it frequently as your dog grows.
To summarize, when you're deciding between the different types of Goldendoodles, it’s important to beware of unethical breeders no matter what type you choose. You want to check the lineage of their puppies to ensure they are not breeding dogs who may be closely related.
As Goldendoodles become more popular, puppy mills and the risk of inbreeding goes up. Look for ethical breeders who create distant “lines” and don’t repeatedly breed generations of related dogs. Above all, it’s important to find a responsible breeder who is committed to breeding healthy dogs.
To find a professional breeder, visit the Goldendoodle Association of North America.
If you're planning on bringing a new Goldendoodle puppy home soon, you'll want to read my list of must-have puppy supplies here. It's everything I used when I brought my own fur babies home!