F1, F1B, F2, multigen — every Goldendoodle listing uses these labels, and almost none of them explain what they mean. The short version: a generation tells you how much Poodle is in the puppy, which is the single best predictor of coat type and shedding.
Here's what each label actually means, what it can and can't tell you about your future dog, and why our three families at Purkey Puppies settled on one generation instead of breeding all of them.
What the “F” and the “B” Actually Stand For
The “F” is for filial — it just counts how many generations removed a puppy is from the original purebred cross. The number after it is the generation, and a “B” means backcross: one parent was bred back to a purebred Poodle. That's the whole code. Every label you see is some combination of those three pieces.
What matters to a family is what those percentages do to the coat. Golden Retrievers shed. Poodles don't, or barely. The more Poodle a puppy carries, the curlier and cleaner the coat tends to be.
F1: The First Cross
An F1 Goldendoodle is 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle — one purebred parent of each. F1s tend to have wavy, shaggy coats and the classic teddy-bear look a lot of people picture when they hear “Goldendoodle.” They shed lightly to moderately, and how much varies dog to dog even inside one litter.
F1s are wonderful dogs. The catch is predictability: a 50/50 cross can land anywhere on the spectrum, so an allergy-sensitive family taking an F1 is taking a genuine gamble.
F1B: The Backcross
An F1B is an F1 Goldendoodle bred back to a Poodle, which makes the puppy roughly 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever. That shift in genetics is what makes F1B coats reliably curlier and lower-shedding than F1 coats, while keeping the Golden Retriever temperament families come for.
This is the generation we raise. All of our F1B Goldendoodles are bred for that combination, in both Mini and Standard sizes. We'd rather tell a family what to expect and be right than hand them a coin flip.
F2, F2B, and Multigen
F2 means both parents were Goldendoodles. On paper that's still around 50% Poodle, but genetically it's the least predictable pairing there is — coat genes from both sides recombine, and a single F2 litter can produce flat-coated, wavy, and curly puppies side by side. F2B (an F2 bred back to a Poodle) and multigen (several generations of doodle-to-doodle breeding) push the Poodle percentage back up and can be very consistent, but only in the hands of a breeder tracking coat genetics across generations.
If a breeder is advertising multigen puppies, ask them to explain the coat genetics behind the pairing. A good answer exists. A vague one tells you the label is marketing.
What Generation Does Not Tell You
Generation says nothing about size, and nothing about health. Size comes from the parent dogs — you can meet ours on our parents page — and health comes from testing. Every one of our breeding dogs is genetically cleared at minimum, and most are OFA-certified for hips and elbows. An untested multigen is a worse bet than a well-tested F1, every time.
So use the generation label for what it's good for: predicting the coat. Then ask the harder questions about the parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does F1B mean in a Goldendoodle?
F1B means the puppy is 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever, produced by breeding an F1 Goldendoodle back to a Poodle. That extra Poodle genetics is what makes F1B coats curlier and lower-shedding than a first-cross F1, which is why it's the generation most breeders recommend to families who don't want hair on the furniture.
Which Goldendoodle generation is best for allergies?
F1B is the generation most often recommended for allergy-sensitive families because its higher Poodle percentage produces the curliest, lowest-shedding coats. No dog is truly hypoallergenic — reactions come from dander and saliva proteins, not hair itself — but a coat that holds onto what it drops means far less of it circulating through your house.
What is the difference between F1 and F1B Goldendoodles?
An F1 is a 50/50 first cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, while an F1B is 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever. F1 coats are usually wavy and shed lightly to moderately; F1B coats are usually curly and shed very little. Both make excellent family dogs — the F1B is simply the more predictable of the two.
What does F2 mean in a Goldendoodle?
F2 means both parents were Goldendoodles, making the puppy a second-generation cross. F2 litters are the least predictable of any generation, because coat genes from both sides can recombine in a wide range of ways within a single litter. Two puppies from the same F2 litter can shed very differently as adults.
Does generation determine how big a Goldendoodle will get?
No — generation affects coat and shedding, not size. Size comes from the parent dogs, which is why Mini Goldendoodles typically finish around 20–35 lbs and Standards around 40–70 lbs whether they're F1 or F1B. Ask about the sire and dam's adult weights, not the label.
Is a higher generation Goldendoodle healthier?
Generation has far less to do with health than health testing does. A well-tested F1 from genetically cleared, OFA-certified parents is a safer bet than an untested multigen, because generation labels say nothing about hips, elbows, or hereditary disease. Any breeder charging a premium for a generation should be able to show you clearances for both parents.
What generation of Goldendoodle does Purkey Puppies raise?
Purkey Puppies focuses on F1B Goldendoodles in Mini and Standard sizes from our Midland and Dallas/Red Oak, TX programs. We chose F1B because it gives our families the most consistent low-shedding coats and the fewest surprises. Each puppy is $1,700 — a $200 reservation fee holds your spot and the remaining $1,500 is due at pickup.
The Bottom Line on Generations
Generation is a coat prediction, not a quality grade. Use it to figure out what you'll be brushing and vacuuming for the next twelve to fifteen years, then judge the breeder on health testing, socialization, and how openly they answer questions. If you want to talk through which size and coat fits your household, get in touch — or call us at 432-770-6013. You can also see who's currently available and what upgrades we can complete before pickup.
Ready to Reserve Your Puppy?
Join the waitlist for an upcoming F1B litter from our Midland or Dallas, TX program. $200 reserves your spot.