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ToggleChocolate F1 Labradoodle Puppy Guide
An f1 Labradoodle has one pedigree Labrador Retriever parent, and one pedigree Poodle parent. Their looks, personality and health are a lottery of traits from each parent, but since their parents have a lot in common, the results aren’t too wildly unpredictable. F1 Labradoodle dogs are affectionate, intelligent, loyal and active. They weigh 40 to 80 lbs and live for around 13 years. Today we share a complete introduction to the F1 Labradoodle. We’ll unravel the language we use to describe different generations of mixed breed dogs, and find out what you can expect from an F1 cross between a Labrador and Poodle as a pet.
What is an F1 Labradoodle?
Genetically an F1 Labradoodle is 50% Labrador Retriever and 50% Poodle.
The letter “F” in F1 stands for filial. This comes from the Latin word filialis, which translates to “son.”
In dog breeding, the “F” essentially tells you that the dog is no longer purebred.
And the number after it tells you many generations a dog is removed from their closest purebred ancestor.
An F1 Labradoodle is one generation removed from their nearest purebred ancestors – their parents.
Predicting F1 Labradoodle Qualities
Whenever two different dog breeds are crossed, the genetic inheritance of their puppies can vary significantly.
So some puppies will look and act more like a Lab, while others will be the spitting image of the Poodle, or they could be a mix of both parents.
For example, most people associate the Labradoodle with the low-shedding, curly Poodle coat. But some F1 Labradoodles have straight fur that resembles the Lab’s.
You never know exactly what the puppies will grow up to be like. There can even be big differences between puppies from the same litter!
The good news is that both the Lab and the Poodle have a lot to recommend them.
Let’s take a closer look at these two very different purebreds.
Standard Poodles
The Poodle’s flamboyant coat and reputation for being standoffish has incorrectly stereotyped the breed as being fussy and high-maintenance.
In reality Poodles are elegant, smart, versatile and athletic.
Although they’re closely associated with France, Poodles actually originated as duck retrievers in Germany over 400 years ago.
While some Poodles can be a bit aloof with strangers, owners will tell you that they are very loyal, affection pets.
In addition to Standard Poodles who typically stand about 24 inches and can weigh from 40 to 70 pounds, there are two other types of Poodle.
The Miniature Poodle is under 15 inches, and the Toy Poodle under 10 inches.
These dogs are all famous for their curly, low-shedding coat that comes in a wide array of colors and markings.
Labrador Retriever
Friendly, lovable, affectionate, outgoing, gentle, and intelligent – it’s no wonder the Labrador Retriever consistently ranks as America’s favorite dog.
These sociable canines bond with everyone, including other pets.
Despite their easygoing personality, Labs are high-energy dogs that need lots of exercise.
They were originally bred as waterdogs, helping hunters catch and retrieve waterfowl.
Labradors have a short, dense double-coat that comes in black, yellow, or chocolate.
Adults will stand from 21.5 to 24.5 inches and weigh from 55 to 80 pounds.
F1 Labradoodle Temperament
Labradoodles are prized for their good-natured, playful temperaments.
These friendly dogs love to be around people and also take to other pets.
Ideally, they find a home with an active family, because this high-spirited canine needs regular walks and playtime.
However, any dog, mixed breed or purebred is an individual with their own unique character.
Some of this is due to parentage, but puppies also need to be properly trained and socialized from an early age.
This will ensure they know how to behave in any situation.
Luckily, Labradoodles inherit brains from both sides of the family tree and both parents share an enthusiasm and aptitude for training.
F1 Labradoodle Appearance
As we know, Labradoodles can inherit physical characteristics of either parent breed, or they can be a mix between the two.
Standard Labradoodles are usually medium to large dogs, standing from 21 to 24 inches and weighing in the 50 to 65 pound range. But some outliers may stay smaller, or grow even bigger. Especially if they had particularly small or large parents.
They commonly have that adorable “teddy bear” look with round expressive eyes and a soft curly coat that’s usually a solid color, such as golden, brown or eye-catching apricot.
There are 3 different coat texture possibilities. In addition to the sought after curly wool coat, their coat can be straight, or ‘fleecy’.
Are F1 Labradoodles Healthier than their Parents?
There’s a persistent controversy around crossbreeding.
On the one hand, inbreeding and overuse of popular sires has increased inherited defects in purebred dogs. And there is some evidence that mixed breed dogs can be healthier and longer lived than purebreds, due to the phenomenon of ‘hybrid vigor’.
However, this is a statistical average, meaning some Labradoodles still inherit the genetic conditions of their parents.
The role of breeders
As one of the first designer dogs, Labradoodles have played a starring role in the surge of enthusiasm for mixed breeding.
Purebred enthusiasts argue that crossbreeding promotes unethical breeding practices.
And they’re partly right.
Because Labradoodles are popular, they are vulnerable to being exploited by puppy farmers and bad breeders. But the same is equally true of popular pedigree dogs.
Unscrupulous breeders care nothing for the welfare of animals, and breed without regard to health or welfare, creating dogs that have terrible temperaments and an overabundance of health problems.
So it’s vital to research breeders carefully, before committing to buying a puppy.
F1 Labradoodle Health
Just like everything else, first generation Labradoodle health is a mixed inheritance from both of their parents. Labradors and Poodles share a genetic predisposition to some health problems, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. But they also both carry some recessive genetic conditions that the other does not. This is significant to Labradoodles because recessive diseases only affect puppies who inherit the faulty genes that cause them from both parents. So mixed breed dogs tend to be protected, if only one parent breed carries the faulty gene. Examples of recessive genetic diseases in Labs and Poodles that f1 Labradoodles are usually protected from include exercise induced collapse, and sebaceous adenitis.
F1 Labradoodles are also susceptible to the acquired (i.e. not genetic) health problems of Labs and Poodles, including obesity and ear infections. You can protect your dog from these by making smart lifestyle choices, such as measuring food out accurately, and drying their ears after they go swimming.
Labradors and Standard Poodles typically live for approximately 12 years, so a standard F1 Labradoodle will be about the same. On average, mixed breed dogs live for 2 years longer than pedigree dogs, thanks to factors like the protection from some hereditary diseases described above. But, this extra lifespan is a population average – it’s impossible to say whether it will definitely apply to any single individual. Miniature Poodles live nearly 14 years on average, so this extra life expectancy might also be seen in mini f1 and mini f1b Labradoodle dogs.
What is an F1b Labradoodle?
The F1b Labradoodle is a cross between an F1 Labradoodle and a purebred Poodle or Labrador. Usually a Poodle, since the goal is typically to increase the odds of a non-shedding coat.
This means they’re about 75% Poodle and 25% Labrador Retriever.
The “b” in F1b stands for backcross, which means crossing a hybrid with a purebred that is the same as one of the parents.
Since they have consistently more Poodle DNA than F1 or F2 crosses, F1b Labradoodles are more consistent in looks and temperament. In a Poodle-ish way!
What is an F2 Labradoodle?
Since F1 signifies a first generation Labradoodle, you’d be correct in thinking that an F2 is a second generation dog.
It means both parents were F1 Labradoodles.
Their closest purebred parent is two generations removed, i.e. a grandparent.
The exact genetic inheritance of F2 Labradoodles is even harder to predict.
F1 Labradoodles are 50% Lab and 50% Poodle, and when they become parents they pass on 50% of their DNA to their offspring.
Exactly which 50% they pass on to each pup is down to chance. So it’s possible to have puppies with mostly Labrador genes and puppies with mostly Poodle genes in the same F2 litter.
In fact it’s common for F2 litters to be more diverse in terms of looks and temperament than F1 litters.
So you may be wondering just how breeders can create more consistent litters.
Is an F1 Labradoodle Right for Me?
Labradoodles have taken the world by storm, because they have the potential to be fantastic pets in the right households. Whilst they’re not hypoallergenic after all, they do usually shed less than a Lab, which means less vacuuming and removing hair from clothes and furniture. Labs and Poodles are both affectionate with their human family, and patient with younger family members. However, the Poodle tends to be less interested in unfamiliar people and dogs than the Labrador, and an f1 Labradoodle could go one way or the other. Careful socialization as a puppy can help make sure that disinterest doesn’t turn into fear. But, if you’re relying on your dog having lots of social confidence in new situations, then a purebred Lab might be a more suitable, reliable choice.
Labradoodles are best suited to active households, with plenty of time for exercise and training. Dog owners are more likely to be dissatisfied with their dog, or regret bringing them home, if their dog is aggressive or misbehaved, or they underestimated how much they were going to cost to keep. Proper, careful socializing before 12 weeks old, consistent daily commitment to obedience training, and being realistic about the ongoing costs of looking after your dog will help you avoid these pitfalls.
