Meet the F1B Goldendoodle
F1B Goldendoodle. F1 Goldendoodle. What do all the letters and numbers mean? What’s the difference?
As the mom of an F1B red Goldendoodle, aunt to two F1 Goldendoodles, and a research hound who’s spent the last 10 years learning about Goldendoodles, I have acquired both real life experience and expertise about Doodle dogs.
That’s why I want to help you discover the facts about F1B Goldendoodles and what makes these lovable dogs so special.
By the end of this article you’ll have a Goldendoodle mom’s answers to:
- What is an F1B Goldendoodle?
- What’s the difference between the F1 and F1B?
- What are the F1B Goldendoodle’s traits, characteristics, personality, coat colors, and grooming requirements?
We’re happy you’re here!
Before we get into the nitty gritty on the F1B Goldendoodle, let’s define the Goldendoodle.
What is a Goldendoodle?
The Goldendoodle is a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and Poodle. The term “Goldendoodle” is the name given to these fluffy hybrid dogs.
You may also have heard the name “Groodle,” which is the term more commonly used in Australia.
Related: What is a Goldendoodle? 100 Dog Owners Describe the Heart and Soul Behind These Loveable Doods
What does F1 mean?
Next, let’s break down the meaning of “F1.”
Since Goldendoodle dogs are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, they are referred to as a hybrid.
Of course, the term “hybrid” isn’t limited to Goldendoodles or even dogs. Here’s a definition of the term “F1 Hybrid”…
An F1 Hybrid (also known as filial 1 hybrid) is the first filial generation of offspring of distinctly different parental types.
So “F1 hybrid” is a term used in genetics and may also appear as “F1 crossbreed.”
What is an F1 Goldendoodle?
When a Poodle is crossed with a Golden Retriever, the Goldendoodle puppy is 50% Poodle and 50% Golden Retriever. This is called an F1 Goldendoodle.
The F1 Goldendoodle is a first-generation cross between a purebred Poodle and a purebred Golden Retriever.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, please check out our chart below that visually illustrates the meaning of F1 Goldendoodle…
Now that you have the meaning of F1 Goldendoodle down, it becomes easier to define the F1B Goldendoodle.
Let’s break it down next.
What is the meaning of F1B Goldendoodle?
An F1B Goldendoodle is the offspring from a purebred Poodle and an F1 Goldendoodle.
The “B” in “F1B” stands for “backcross.” In general terms, the F1B Goldendoodle is 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle.
However, just like in a family, some offspring may carry more dominant traits of one parent or even a grandparent.
So for example, when it comes to appearance, some Goldendoodles will have a more “Poodley” look, some more “Retrievery,” and still others somewhere in between.
Basically, a Goldendoodle could get any combination of the parent characteristics.
In my opinion, that’s part of the fun of having a Goldendoodle as part of your family pack.
The chart below visually explains the meaning of F1B Goldendoodle…
With the terms “filial” and “backcross” used to describe the F1B Goldendoodle, you may think this is starting to sound like a high school science class. So let’s lighten things up a bit.
If you’ve ever met a Goldendoodle, you may have noticed their comical personalities, energetic nature, and abundance of enthusiasm.
That’s why our Goldendoodle dogs would probably describe themselves as “F1B” where the “F” and “B”
stand for Funny Business!
The F1B Goldendoodle parent breeds
Before we can dive into all the characteristics of the F1B Goldendoodle, it’s helpful to understand a little more about the parent breeds—the standard Poodle and the Golden Retriever. The two breeds bring a wide combination of characteristics to the Goldendoodle heritage.
You can find any combination of these characteristics in the Goldendoodle offspring.
According to the American Kennel Club, the Poodle is described as:
- Eager
- Athletic
- Extremely intelligent
- Ready to please
- Friendly
The AKC describes the Golden Retriever as:
- Friendly
- Intelligent
- Devoted
- An eager-to-please family dog
(For more information, please refer to the AKC’s breed standards on the Golden Retriever and the Poodle.)
So, by understanding the parent breeds, it’s likely that an F1B Goldendoodle will have some combination of the traits above.
For example, the characteristics of the parent breeds shine through in my bestie —Happy-Go-Doodle Chloe.
She is an F1B Goldendoodle who:
- Is extremely smart.
- Was easily trained as a puppy and is still easily trained as an adult.
- Is very active and requires daily walks and games of fetch.
- Is an incredibly devoted family dog.
In addition to personality, you may be wondering about the physical characteristics of F1B Goldendoodles.
Let’s look at sizes, grooming needs, and coat colors next.
F1B Goldendoodle sizes
F1B Goldendoodles, like all types of Goldendoodles, can range in size from about 25 pounds to well over 50+ pounds.
The reason for such a range of sizes can largely be attributed to the variation the Poodle parent breed brings to the party. Since the Poodle breed standard includes three official sizes—toy, miniature, and standard—the Goldendoodle gets the benefit of a wide variation in size too.
According to the Goldendoodle Association of America, Goldendoodle sizes are:
Petite ~ From shoulder to paw, petite Goldendoodles stand below 14 inches. They weigh about 25 pounds.
Mini ~ From shoulder to paw, mini Goldendoodles stand over 14 inches but under 17 inches. They weigh 26 to 35 pounds.
Medium ~ From shoulder to paw, medium Goldendoodles stand over 17 inches but under 21 inches. They weigh 36 to 50 pounds.
Standard ~ From shoulder to paw, standard Goldendoodles measure over 21 inches. They weigh 51 pounds and up.
Grooming an F1B Goldendoodle
Since the Golden Retriever has a high shedding coat and the Poodle has a low shedding coat, a Goldendoodle’s coat type will fall somewhere in between.
However, don’t be deceived. F1B Goldendoodles will require regular brushing and grooming.
For more about shedding, please read my companion article: Do Goldendoodles Shed? Separating the Facts from the Fluff.
Also, for more about Goldendoodle grooming, please read my article: How to Groom a Goldendoodle’s Face: What I Learned from a Wahl® Grooming Pro.
F1B Goldendoodle coat colors
Based on the variety of coat colors of the Poodle (black, white, cream, apricot, to name a few) and the range of shades of golden the Golden Retriever heritage brings to the mix (golden, light golden, and dark golden), the F1B Goldendoodle can sport a rainbow of colors.
An F1B Goldendoodle’s coat color may be:
- Cream (learn more about the cream Goldendoodle)
- Apricot
- Red
- Black (learn more about the black Goldendoodle)
- Chocolate (brown)
- Parti
- Merle (some of the coat color looks naturally faded)
F1B Goldendoodles: Exercise and training
Well-bred Goldendoodles are quick to learn, energetic, and ready to please. They require energy burns and mental stimulation. (This makes sense since both of the parent breeds are smart and active.)
They need attention and like to be part of the pack. Goldendoodles are eager to fit in with the entire family and adapt to life with you. They are often recommended for families and make wonderful companions.
However, they are not some sort of wonder dog, either. Like all dogs, if they don’t get enough mental stimulation or physical activity, they may find their own outlets for their excess energy (i.e. stick chewing, digging).
Also, Goldendoodles are social dogs and may show anxiety or boredom if left alone for long periods of time. As puppies, they may be pushy or mouthy (want to chew on everything) or zoomy.
However, with proper care, socialization, love, attention, training, and exercise, an F1B Goldendoodle is more love than you could ever imagine.
That why, you could also say F1B stands for…
#1 Forever Bestie…for ever and always by your side.
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What questions do you have about the F1b Goldendoodle?
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Editor’s note: This article was originally published September 20, 2019. It has been updated to include more information on the F1B Goldendoodle along with additional pictures.