We get asked about this one all the time. “What does F1b mean?” It’s on our site, it’s in every Goldendoodle listing, and most people have no idea what they’re looking at. Here’s what it actually means.
What’s an F1?
An F1 Goldendoodle is a first-generation cross. Mom is a Golden Retriever, dad is a Poodle (or the other way around). Straight 50/50 mix.
F1s are great dogs, but the coats can be unpredictable. Some pups come out more Golden Retriever, with a flatter coat and some shedding. Others lean Poodle, with a curlier coat and very little shedding. You really can’t tell which way it’ll go until they’re older.
So what’s the “b”?
The b stands for backcross. An F1b Goldendoodle has one F1 Goldendoodle parent and one Poodle parent. That puts them at roughly 75% Poodle genetics.
The result? Wavier or curlier coats, much less shedding, and a more consistent look from puppy to puppy.
Why do we breed F1b?
Honestly, it comes down to families and allergies. We get so many calls from people who love Goldendoodles but have someone at home who reacts to dogs. F1b gives us a much better chance of placing a puppy that actually works for those families.
A quick note though: no dog is truly hypoallergenic. The reaction most people have is to proteins in dander and saliva, not just loose fur. But lower-shedding coats do make a real difference for a lot of families, and that’s something we’ve seen firsthand over the years.
Does it change the personality?
Not in our experience. The Goldendoodle sweetness comes through at every generation. Our puppies from Luna and Macie are consistently friendly, curious, and quick to bond with their families. That Golden Retriever warmth is still there, even at 25%.
What about F2 or F2b?
They exist, but we don’t breed them. F2 (two F1 parents together) reintroduces coat unpredictability, which is the whole thing we’re trying to avoid. Most breeders focused on low-shedding, consistent coats stick with F1b. So do we.
So now when you see F1b in a listing, you’ll know exactly what it means: a puppy with strong Poodle coat genetics and all the warmth of a Golden Retriever still shining through.
Questions about our upcoming litters or our specific dogs? We’d love to hear from you.
Puppy Pals Team