Doodle Types
First Generation Goldendoodles — F1
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A first-generation hybrid Goldendoodle is the product of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. As first-generation hybrids, these dogs have the added health benefits associated with heterosis. Heterosis, also known as hybrid vigor, is the improved genetics of an offspring born to two pure-bred parents. Enhanced genetic traits include size, growth rate, fertility, and athleticism.
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Coat Maintenance: Moderate to high care
Coat Description: The coat of an F1 Goldendoodle grows to a natural body length of 3-5 inches. Coats are usually wavy or curly and require combing and occasional grooming. Many Goldendoodle owners choose to have the fur cut back once every few months to keep the fur shorter and easier to maintain.
Shedding: Mostly very light to non-shedding
Allergy Friendliness: Usually successful in families with mild allergies. When a family has moderate to severe allergies, a backcross Doodle is recommended.
First Generation Backcross Goldendoodles — F1B
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A backcross puppy is the result of a hybrid bred back to one of its breeds of origin. For example, a Goldendoodle bred to a Poodle. The resulting dog is, on average, 1/4 Golden Retriever and 3/4 Poodle. Although there is less vigor in this crossing than in the original hybrid, the first-generation backcross still is close enough in the breeding tree to benefit from hybrid vigor. With each successive generation, vigor is lost.
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Coat Maintenance: Moderate to high care
Coat Description: Coat continues to grow in length although similar in appearance to a first generation Goldendoodle. Coats are wavy or curly.
Shedding: Very light to non-shedding
Allergy Friendliness: Recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies.
Second Generation Goldendoodles — F2
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A second generation Goldendoodle [F2] is the result of a Goldendoodle bred to a Goldendoodle — and there are very few of these actually bred, as the second-generation hybrid is genetically the most varied generation possible. When breeding on, most Goldendoodle breeders breed a backcross instead, as the pups are more predictable, and work well for people with allergies. First generation hybrids are all exactly 50% of each parent breed. Half their chromosomes from one parent, half from the other. Dogs have 78 chromosomes, so picture 39 white marbles and 39 black marbles, each color representing a parent breed, in a large bowl representing the chromosomes of each dog. When these hybrids reproduce, each sperm or egg will contain '39 marbles randomly picked from the large bowl'. Statistically the random mix will be somewhat evenly distributed, but it is theoretically possible though unlikely to 'pull out 39 black marbles' and also produce a purebred of either parent breed.
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Coat Maintenance: Varies on the coat type
Coat Description: The coat can be a hair coat, wavy coat, or curly coat.
Shedding: Varies greatly from shedders to non-shedders
Allergy Friendliness: Not recommended for families with allergies, due to the varying coat types.
Second Generation Backcross Goldendoodles — F2B
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A second-generation backcross pup [F2B] is the result of a Goldendoodle [F1] bred to a Goldendoodle backcross [F1B]. Although comprised of three generations in the making, F2Bs are technically second-generation dogs. First-generation puppy: Golden Retriever x Poodle = F1. First-generation puppy: Goldendoodle x Poodle = F1B. Second generation puppy: Goldendoodle backcross x Goldendoodle = F2B Although there is less vigor in this generation than in the first, the second-generation backcross still is close enough in the breeding tree to the original hybrid to benefit from hybrid vigor. With each successive generation vigor is lost.
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Coat Maintenance: Moderate to high care
Coat Description: Coat continues to grow in length, although similar in appearance to a first generation Goldendoodle. Coats are wavy or curly.
Shedding: Mostly non-shedding
Allergy Friendliness: Recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies.
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F2BB Goldendoodle
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This generation is produced by backcrossing an F2 Goldendoodle generation back to the Poodle twice. It is the result of breeding an F1B and a Poodle. It can also be referred to by many breeders as a Multigen Goldendoodle.
Due to how close in DNA it is to the Poodle, this is a great choice for severe allergy sufferers. While nothing is guaranteed, the F2BB Goldendoodle generation is one of the safest bets for being non-shedding and hypoallergenic.
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Coat Maintenance: Moderate to high care
Coat Description: Coat continues to grow in length, although similar in appearance to a first generation Goldendoodle. Coats are wavy or curly.
Shedding: Mostly non-shedding
Allergy Friendliness: Recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies.
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F3 MULTIGEN
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Multigenerational Goldendoodles, or Multigen Goldendoodles for short, are a common term used to refer to any Goldendoodle generation that is beyond an F2. This includes F2B, F2BB, F3, and beyond.
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Coat Maintenance: Moderate to high care
Coat Description: Coat continues to grow in length, although similar in appearance to a first generation Goldendoodle. Coats are wavy or curly.
Shedding: Mostly non-shedding
Allergy Friendliness: Recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies.
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