The Many Types Of Goldendoodle – F1, F1B, F2, F2B Doodles
Oh, my Goldendoodle! With so many unique types of Goldendoodles, who can keep track of it all? We’re here to help! If you’re doing your homework on different types of Goldendoodles, we’re glad you’re here.
Choosing a dog is an important decision and a big commitment. Getting all the information about Goldendoodles—including generations, sizes, and colors—is a logical step toward choosing a furry family member.
As the mom of a Goldendoodle dog named Chloe and a research hound, I’ve done my homework on these fun-loving, energetic canine companions, and I understand how important it is to find a furry family member that’s just right for your lifestyle.
By the end of this article, you’ll have the nitty-gritty on all the types of Goldendoodles.
Before you jump in…
It’s exciting to think about all the sizes, colors, generations, and types of Goldendoodles. And it’s easy to get wrapped up in the emotion of all those sweet puppy faces. However, if you’re considering adding a Goldendoodle to your family, the puppy’s health is job one.
Lay the groundwork by focusing on the health (both physical and behavioral) of the puppy and the puppy’s parents. Whether you’re adopting a well-bred Goldendoodle puppy from a reputable breeder or a reputable shelter/rescue group, make sure they put the dog’s needs first.
Here are just a few questions that will help you determine the credibility of a reputable breeder:
- Have the parents had health testing for conditions such as hip dysplasia?
- Does the breeder truly care about the home the puppy goes to? Is there an application process?
- Are the puppies getting lots of love and handling?
With that framework set, let’s dig into learning more about the Goldendoodle.
What is a Goldendoodle?
First, let’s start with the term “Goldendoodle.” The name Goldendoodle is derived from the two parent breeds: the Golden Retriever and the Poodle.
Essentially, a Goldendoodle is a mixed breed or hybrid dog breed. You may have seen them referred to as designer dogs. However, most Goldendoodle parents call them family members.
In the United States, we generally refer to these ragamuffin dogs as Goldendoodles. Our Australian friends call them Groodles.
It’s also worth pointing out that many dog parents use the nickname “Doodle” when talking about Goldendoodle dogs. “Doodle” is a broader umbrella term to include many types of Poodle mixes.
The difference between a Goldendoodle and other types of Doodles
While we’re on the subject of Doodles, let’s dispel a myth: All Doodle dogs are not Goldendoodles. The two breeds that comprise the Goldendoodle “breed” are specifically the Golden Retriever and the Poodle.
Different generations of Goldendoodles may have more Poodle ancestry or more Golden Retriever ancestry (I’ll explain that in a minute), but other breeds of dogs are not part of the Goldendoodle mix. For example, a Labradoodle is a Labradoodle. It is a Poodle mix and often referred to as a Doodle dog. However, it is not a type of Goldendoodle.
Types of Doodles
So what types of Poodle mixes fall under the broader umbrella term of Doodle dog? Some of the most popular include:
- Bernedoodle: Bernese Mountain Dog + Poodle
- Aussiedoodle: Australian Sheepdog + Poodle
- Labradoodle: Labrador Retriever + Poodle
- Sheepadoodle: Old English Sheepdog + Poodle
- And, of course, the Goldendoodle: Golden Retriever + Poodle
As you can see from the list above, the Poodle is the common link between all of these mixes. Because they are a combination of the Poodle and other dog breeds, Doodle dogs are not considered a breed.
Types of Goldendoodles
Now that we’ve established what a Goldendoodle is and how it is one of many types of Poodle mixes, let’s dive into the different types of Goldendoodles.
Goldendoodle generations
One way you can talk about the Goldendoodle is by generation. For example, a purebred Poodle crossed with a purebred Golden Retriever is referred to as an F1 (first generation cross) Goldendoodle.
Here’s an easy reference guide to Goldendoodle generations:
- F1 Goldendoodle: 100% Golden Retriever x 100% Poodle
The F1 Goldendoodles are the first generation dogs. F1 Goldendoodles are created by crossbreeding pureblooded (P) Golden Retrievers and Poodles. Their genetic material has a 50:50 split, and you can never be sure which part of the family will be dominant. While the genetic material might be 50:50, puppies still might be more or less like one parent or the other. That means F1 Goldendoodle puppies might be curlier coats, like their Poodle parent, or have straighter, heavily shedding coats, like their Golden parent.
- F1b Goldendoodle (first generation backcross): 100% Poodle x F1 Goldendoodle
To understand why F1b crosses happen, you need to know why Goldendoodles are crossbred specifically from Poodles and Golden Retrievers. Goldens are used for their exemplary character, and Poodles are bred for their low-shedding “hypoallergenic” characteristics.
When an F1 Goldendoodle is created, sometimes their coat doesn’t inherit the low-shedding characteristics. Instead, their coat is more like the Retriever’s and sheds – a lot. If that happens, breeders can make another cross. They will usually cross one of the parent breeds (usually the Poodle) to promote their characteristics. Let’s say they want a curlier coat in Goldendoodle puppies. In that case, they cross an F1 Goldendoodle with a (P) Poodle. The goal is to obtain a genetic split of 75:25 in favor of the Poodle.
- F2 Goldendoodle: F1 Goldendoodle x F1 Goldendoodle OR F2 Goldendoodle x Poodle
F2 Goldendoodles are created by crossbreeding two F1 Goldendoodles. If you want to create a new registered, recognized dog breed, you have to breed dogs whose puppies give consistent characteristics. F2 Goldendoodles still have the 50:50 genetic material, and puppies still might give unpredictable traits. However, this is the first step towards getting “pureblooded” crossbreeds. Of course, the process is not that simple, and creating a breed usually lasts several decades.
- F2b Goldendoodle: F1 Goldendoodle x F1B OR F2 x Poodle
The F2b Goldendoodle cross will follow the same pattern as the F1b generation. However, instead of using an F1 Goldendoodle, the breeder will use an F2 Goldendoodle. Keep in mind, F2 Goldendoodles are the generation whose parents are two Goldendoodles. So the genetic split would be 75:25 in favor of the breed that was backcrossed with the F2 Goldendoodle.
Teddy Bear Goldendoodles
You may have heard the phrase “teddy bear” to describe a type of Goldendoodle. From my research, “teddy bear Goldendoodle” (or English Goldendoodle) describes the English Golden Retriever crossed with the Standard Poodle.