F2 Labradoodle Guide
- This complete guide to the f2 Labradoodle unravels the terminology used to describe mixed breed dogs, and explains why it’s relevant to choosing your next pet.
- An f2 Labradoodle has two first generation Labradoodle parents, and a Lab and a Poodle grandparent on each side. There are pros and cons to buying or adopting an f2 Labradoodle puppy, but they have the potential to be great pets in the right homes.
- A Labradoodle can be the best of a Labrador and a Poodle. But there’s nothing to stop them inheriting the traits you’d rather they didn’t have too. Let’s see how that can play out in the f2 generation.
What Is An F2 Labradoodle?
- An F2 Labradoodle is a cross between two different F1 Labradoodles. Whilst this generation is still made up of 50% Labrador and 50% Poodle their genes are slightly more mixed.
- It can be difficult to predict exactly how an F2 Labradoodle is going to be made up. Sometimes they may inherit more genes of one of their purebred parents than another.
- With F2 Labradoodles, you will find that they are available in different fur variations. Some will have thick, almost fleece-like coats whilst others will have fur that is a lot thinner. Aside from this, an F2 Labradoodle is available in an array of different colors.
- Although it can be a little difficult to predict the exact temperament of an F2, generally, they tend to be loving and kind.
- As we have mentioned, after the F2 Labradoodle you get what is known as a multi-generation Poodle. Again, their appearance and temperament as well as their tendency to shed can be a lot more difficult to predict.
- In comparison to an F1, you may find that an F2 and higher generations look distinctly more like a Labrador or a Poodle but this of course will depend on the parent that they have influenced the most genes from.
- Due to the inconsistency of the F2 generation, you will find that some breeders are less willing to sell them.
- In regards to allergies, an F2 Labradoodle is recommended for individuals who suffer from moderate or slightly severe allergies because you can get some with a fur type that does not shed as heavily.
F2 Labradoodle Characteristics
- Hypoallergenic: Unpredictable.
- Coat Type: Highly variable. Straight, wavy, or curly.
- Non-shedding: Unpredictable.
- Hybrid Vigor: Yes, however less so than the F1 Labradoodle..
What do f2 Labradoodles look like?
F2 Poodles can pretty much look like a Lab, a Poodle or anything in between! Some of the possibilities to look out for are:
- Build: Poodles are relatively tall for their size, with long, graceful legs. Working Labs are shorter and stockier, and show Labs are even shorter and stockier still! F2 Labs will be somewhere in between, but you won’t find out exactly where until they grow up.
- Size: Standard Poodles weigh 40-70lbs, and Labradors weigh 55-80lbs. Both breeds are sexually dimorphic, so females mostly occupy the bottom of their weight range, whilst males mostly occupy the top. But there’s potential for f2 dogs to be surprisingly large, or pretty small, depending on which side of the family they most take after.
- Coat: A huge part of the Labradoodle’s appeal has been the potential for a Lab’s winning personality combined with a Poodle’s non-shedding coat. However, an f2 Labradoodle’s coat could easily turn out short and shedding rather than long and curly. This is an important possibility to bear in mind if you specifically want to avoid the shed hair that comes from living with a Labrador!
- Color: Labradors come in just three standard colors. But, several recessive possibilities (such as dilute coats) are thought to be present in the Labrador population at very low frequencies. Poodles meanwhile can be registered with the AKC in a huge variety of colors. This means f2 Labradoodle litters can include some surprising outcomes.
Health profile
Overall, F2 Labradoodle health possibilities to be aware of include:
- Allergies: Labs and Poodles are both prone to allergies which can appear as digestive problems, hayfever symptoms, or itchy skin.
- Elbow dysplasia: Likewise elbow dysplasia exist in both breeds, and and f2 litters should only be bred from health tested parents.
- Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a common problem for Labs and Poodles, affecting around 1 in 8 dogs in both breeds. All dogs (including f1 Labradoodles from health tested parents) should be screened for symptoms before they are used in breeding plans.
- Exercise induced collapse: F2 Labradoodles can inherit the faulty gene which causes exercise induced collapse through their Labrador ancestors on both sides. F1 dogs are usually protected, but they should be DNA tested before breeding, to make sure two carriers aren’t mated together.
- Ear infections: Labradoodles’ warm closed ears are an easy breeding ground for fungi and bacteria. Always rinse and dry them carefully after swimming!
- Sebaceous adenitis: Sebaceous adenitis in an uncomfortable and unattractive autoimmune skin condition in Poodles. F1 Labradoodles are generally protected, but they can be carriers of the faulty gene that causes it. Since the location of the gene hasn’t been found yet, there is no way to identify which dogs are carriers.
Like Labradors and Poodles, Labradoodles can expect to live for 12 to 13 years on average. On average they might even experience a little lifespan boost thanks to their mixed breed ancestry. But it’s impossible to predict or confirm this at an individual level.
Labradoodle F2 generation temperament
Labradoodles are popular because people love the idea of a non-shedding dog with a Lab’s temperament. But do you know what? Poodles have great personalities too! In fact it’s not even that dissimilar to a Labrador’s. Both dogs were originally bred to retrieve game for duck hunters. They are energetic, intelligent, relatively easy to train, and very people-focussed. An f2 Labradoodle is certain to be all of these things as well.
Where Labs and Poodles differ is that Poodles tend to be less interested in socializing with other dogs. They might also take a little longer to warm up to new people. And they are more likely to display watchdog behaviors, such as barking at people who approach their home. An f2 Labradoodle could also inherit these qualities. To make sure your puppy is a good match for you, it’s a good idea to have a proper chat with an f2 Labradoodle breeder. Ask about the temperament of their puppies’ parents and grandparents, so you know exactly what kind of traits could be in the mix.
Beside genetics, factors which will affect your f2 Labradoodle’s temperament include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is F1 or F2 Labradoodle better?
If your dog’s health is important to you, then an F1 labradoodle is the better choice. F1 Labradoodles have higher hybrid vigor, meaning they are healthier and less likely to encounter any health complications down the line.
Although you get a 50/50 split with F1 Labradoodles, making it challenging to determine what their coat and shedding levels will be, they are far more predictable than F2 Labradoodles. An F2 Labradoodle is the result of two F1 Labradoodles being bred, and it’s difficult to say which genes will be dominant or not.
It makes it incredibly hard to determine the coat type, hair, and shedding of the dog. Those with allergies should steer clear and opt for a more predictable dog to avoid bringing home a tiny sneezing machine! When it comes to F2 Labradoodles, we cannot guarantee if they are hypoallergenic or not.
