You might think all Goldendoodles are the same, but there are differences depending on their lineage. If you’re looking for a specific type of Goldendoodle, it’s vital to understand what you’re paying for.
The one you choose will determine whether your dog has a curly coat, wavy coat, the potential for health problems, or even whether you’re getting a hypoallergenic dog.
There’s a reason why the Goldendoodle is a highly sought after family pet. No matter which generation you choose, you are guaranteed to get a loyal, smart, and loving dog
Goldendoodles – like their Poodle and Golden Retriever parent breeds – are the best of both breeds in one amazing package.
Ready to dive in?
This post will help you easily understand the differences between an F1 Goldendoodle all the way to an F2 Goldendoodle and everything in between.
Looking for a hypoallergenic dog?
You’re going to want to read this post to find out which generation of Goldendoodle is best for people with dog allergies.
It’s easy to get confused with the multigenerational Goldendoodles!
Hopefully, this post will help you figure out the generational differences. At the end of the day, it boils down to choosing the dog that’s right for you.
What Sizes do Goldendoodles Come In?
Offspring of the Standard Poodle and Golden Retrievers produce dogs that are anywhere from less than 10 pounds to well over 50 pounds.
Depending on the breeder, you may have your choice between a standard, medium, or small dog.
Standard Goldendoodle
The standard Goldendoodle will generally reach a height of 21 inches (53 cm to 63 cm) and can weight up to 51 pounds or more.
Medium Goldendoodle
The medium range of Goldendoodle will reach a height between 17 and 21 inches (43 cm to 52 cm) and will weight anywhere from 36 to 50 pounds.
Mini/Toy Goldendoodle
The mini or petite Goldendoodle are less than 14 inches high and weight less than 25 pounds.
What Colors Do Goldendoodles Come In?
The Golden Retriever ancestry delivers shades of cream, apricot, and red. The colors are determined by the gene pool and intensity is relative to the strength of those genes.
Poodles also deliver the same shades of cream, apricot, and red. However, only Poodles can bring the black, chocolate, silver and gray coloring to the Goldendoodle coat.
First Generation (F1) Goldendoodles and What It Means For Pet Parents
The Goldendoodle is a crossbreed between a Poodle and a purebred Golden Retriever. They are not purebred dogs. Instead, they are considered a crossbreed.
The letter “F” stands for the word “filial” which means: relating to. Ultimately, the breed ends up being half poodle and half golden retriever.
F1 Goldendoodle Characteristics
F1 doodles are a mix of standard purebred poodle and standard purebred golden retriever. They can reach a weight of anywhere between 50 and 85 pounds (female vs male).
Personality
They are lean and athletic with a wealth of personality and smarts. Goldendoodles always have that happy-go-lucky face that makes them particularly endearing.
F1 Goldendoodle Health
This first generation of dog has the best health because of what’s known as their hybrid vigor. Hybrid vigor means the puppies inherent the superior traits of the parent breeds. Keep reading for more details on the health of an F1 Goldendoodle.
Not Necessarily Hypoallergenic
Breeders are now able to produce litters with predictable coat types (wavy, curly, or even straight) and whether they will shed or not.
Goldendoodle Designer Dogs
Essentially, Goldendoodles are designer breeds (a hybrid dog) that first appeared in the United States somewhere around the 1990’s.
According to the Goldendoodle Association of North America, Goldendoodles were (and still are) very popular.
These dogs are very social, non-aggressive dogs that thrive on human companionship.
Their intelligence and eager-to-please personality makes them perfect for service work. Of course, pet parents know them as incredible family pets.
While all Goldendoodles are going to be smart, loyal, and charmingly fun, they’re not all the same.
Getting an F1 Goldendoodle means that you are getting a 50/50 mix of Golden Retriever and purebred Poodle. In other words, these are the first generation of the Goldendoodle breeds.
Whether or not the dog sheds will depend on whether he/she leans more on the Poodle side (no shed) or on the Golden Retriever side (some shed).
F1 Goldendoodle Health
Goldendoodles can inherent the same conditions that their parent breeds are prone to.
The best way to avoid this is to only go to reputable breeder who can show you proof of health in both parents.
The best breeders will have already tested the parent dogs to make sure their genetics are free from serious health concerns.
There’s no 100% guarantee that your doodle won’t have any health issues. However, a reputable breeder should be able to provide a certificate of health.
This means the breeder has done all of the necessary screening before actually breeding the dogs.
Do Your Own Testing
These days, it’s easy to buy kits that help you determine whether your dog has the potential for health problems down the road. One of the top selling kits on the market today is Embark Vet.
Save 15% on 3 Breed + Health kits with code MULTIPACK3 at checkout. Buy more, save more.
The following is a list of potential health problems in Goldendoodles.
This does not mean your dog will get all of these conditions. This list is just an idea of the kinds of health issues your dog may be susceptible to.
REMEMBER: The first-generation Goldendoodles tend to inherit great health from their parents.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition that happens when the hip socket doesn’t form properly.
Hypoadrenocorticism
An insufficient production of cortisol and aldosterone is the result of this hormonal condition.
Patellar Luxation
This is a condition that causes the knee to dislocate.
Cataracts
Cataracts and other eye conditions are common in aging dogs. However, some breeds are more prone to them than others.
Golden retrievers tend to suffer from cataracts more often. Cataracts causes poor vision and requires corrective surgery.
Cancer
Cancer can strike any dog. Unfortunately, cancer rates in Golden retrievers is well documented.
Bloat
Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus, is a medical emergency where the stomach fills with gasses and air.
Pressure builds and stops blood from flowing from the back end of the body to the heart. This will cause the dog to go into shock.
The engorged stomach will then twist on itself. As that happens, the spleen and pancreas are pulled along with it. This cuts off blood flow. Toxic hormones are released from the pancreas.
Bloat is a medical emergency.
F1B Goldendoodles – What They Are and Why People Want Them
People who want a Goldendoodle tend to search for the F1B variety. This is because the breed maintains its healthy vigor from the parents AND is considered good for people with allergies.
To get a truly hypoallergenic Goldendoodle, opt for the F1BB (see below).
An F1B Goldendoodle is obtained by breeding a purebred poodle and an F1 Goldendoodle. The letter “b” in this case stands for “backcross”.
The genetic makeup is 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle.1
Color, Coat, Health, Size of the F1B Goldendoodle
Because F1B Goldendoodles lean a little more toward the Poodle genetics, they tend to have curlier fur. Like the original Goldendoodles mentioned above, they can come in a variety of colors.
This low-shedding (non-shedding) dog is perfect for anyone with allergies to pets. Breeders typically breed the F1B Goldendoodle because of their non-shedding and hypoallergic coat.
The F1 Goldendoodle requires more grooming because it sheds more often. The F1B Goldendoodle has a curly coat and requires maintenance to avoid matting and tangling. In fact, an F1B Goldendoodle should be professionally groomed every 2 to 3 months.
F1B Goldendoodle Characteristics
It’s not easy to tell the difference between an F1 Golden Doodle and and F1B. They are very similar in appearance with only slight differences in coat types. Since the F1B Goldendoodle has higher Poodle genetics, they tend to have a tighter curl.
In terms of personality, all Goldendoodles are smart, kind, loving, and eager-to-please. The difference between an F1 Goldendoodle and an F1B is the non-shedding aspect and the fact that they retain the hybrid vigor.
Like the original Goldendoodle, people can choose between 3 sizes including the F1B Mini Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles by the Generation
There are a number of other Goldendoodle classifications, each with their own pros and cons. A multi-generational Goldendoodle (multigen) is the result of breeding two Goldendoodles beyond the second generation.
F1BB Goldendoodle
This is a mix between an original purebred poodle and an F1B Goldendoodle. This generation is considered the most hypoallergenic of the generations, resulting in a totally non-shedding dog.
At this point, you’re really getting into the generations. Essentially, the genetic makeup consists of 87.5% Poodle and 12.5% Golden Retriever.
F2 Goldendoodle
The F2 Goldendoodle is the second filial generation. To get this level of breed, breeders must take two F1 Goldendoodles and bred them together.
They’re very similar to the original Goldendoodle but because their genes are mixed together even further, it’s harder to predict coat color, texture, etc. You can’t be guaranteed of getting a hypoallergenic dog with this generation, however it is possible.
F2B Goldendoodle
This dog is a mix between an F1B and an F1 Goldendoodle. They tend to inherit their non-shedding properties and are considered a good dog for people with moderate allergies.
F2BB Goldendoodle
The F2BB is a mix between the 100% purebred Poodle and an F2B Goldendoodle. Keep in mind that back-crossed Goldendoodles lean more toward the Poodle genetics and tend to shed less.
F3 Generations of Goldendoodle
This third generation Goldendoodle is a cross between two F1B OR two F2 Goldendoodles.
This breed is more prone to shedding when they are puppies. As they grow, the shedding rate lessens. The appearance of F3 Goldendoodles leans more towards the Golden Retriever.
Professional Breeders For You
If you’re looking for a Goldendoodle, take your time and research some of the best breeders out there. Although it’s tempting to take up offers for “discount” dogs, the sad reality is that those dogs could be stolen, of poor health, or not even the breed you’re looking for.
The Goldendoodle Association of America should be your first stop. GANA offers insightful resources and tips on grooming, myths about the breed, tips on care, and much more.
Follow the link above to find a trustworthy breeder near you.
Other Ways to Ensure You’re Dealing with Professional Breeders
A professional Goldendoodle breeder will not shy away from questions. The more questions you have, the better. They should welcome a visit and be able to show you the parents of the puppy you are interested in.
Be wary of anybody who wants to sell you a Goldendoodle sight unseen. For more information on how to avoid scammers, check out this post by IPATA.org: Current Pet Scams
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Which Goldendoodle Will You Pick?
There’s no question that Goldendoodles are an amazing crossbreed.
There’s nothing like getting the best of both breeds in one adorable package. Many people looking for this breed opt for the F1B because of they shed less and are easier on people with allergies.
F1B Goldendoodles tend to retain a lot of the same health qualities (hybrid vigor) as the pure-breed parent.
They make excellent pets for families and have few genetic defects. They are pleasant, good with children, easy-to-train, and fun to be around.
Golden retrievers and Poodles make excellent therapy dogs. Put them together and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a loyal and sensitive new member of the family.
