F1 vs. F1B vs. F2 vs. F1BB vs. Multi-Gen Goldendoodles: A Guide to Doodle Generations

Many Goldendoodle buyers pick a generation because a breeder website listed one, or a friend recommended one, without either of them explaining what the label actually means. The labels F1, F1b, F2, and Reverse F1b reflect specific genetic ratios that influence coat type, shedding, grooming demands, and temperament. Choosing a generation that does matches your household's lifestyle and needs can become frustrating if you don’t have grasp on the terminology and definitions, but the generation framework is meant to be helpful, not confusing.

Rover's 2025 breed data ranks the Goldendoodle as the fourth most popular dog breed in the United States, and the generation question comes up for nearly every buyer. Here is what you actually need to know before that conversation with a breeder begins.

5 Common Goldendoodle Generations You Might Find

These generations tend to be more popular because of the predictability of their genetics. This offers future Goldendoodle owners the chance to think and choose which type of Goldendoodle will work best for them. While genetics can still be random, the selective breeding for these genetics has become standard practice, with breeders typically gearing their program towards a certain generation.

F1 Goldendoodle (50% Golden Retriever, 50% Poodle) 

The F1 is the original cross. One purebred Golden Retriever parent and one purebred Poodle parent produce a balanced blend of both breeds. Coat outcomes are more variable than in later generations, with wavy coats most common, flat coats possible, and curly coats occasionally appearing. Shedding is moderate. The F1 tends to carry a strong Golden Retriever personality expression, which many families find to be exactly what they were hoping for. This is a good generation for buyers who want the classic Goldendoodle look and temperament without committing to the heaviest grooming routine.

F1b Goldendoodle (75% Poodle, 25% Golden Retriever)

The F1b is the most popular generation for buyers who prioritize a lower-shedding coat. Breeding an F1 back to a purebred Poodle shifts the genetic balance, making curly coats more likely and shedding less probable. The trade-off is real grooming work: curly coats need daily brushing and professional grooming appointments every 6 to 8 weeks to prevent matting. An F1b is a strong choice for households managing allergy sensitivity, though no generation is truly allergen-free.

F2 Goldendoodle (Two F1 parents, Mixed Percentages)

The F2 is the most genetically variable generation, produced when two F1 Goldendoodles are bred together. Because both parents are 50/50 hybrids rather than purebreds, puppies can range from curly and low-shedding to flat and higher-shedding within the same litter. F2 Goldendoodles are less common than F1b dogs today, but they appeal to buyers comfortable with some coat unpredictability who want a dog with balanced Golden Retriever and Poodle heritage.

Reverse F1b — also called a Better Back (75% Golden Retriever, 25% Poodle)

This is the generation most buyers have never heard of, and it deserves more attention. The term "Better Back" was coined by Acadia Goldendoodles to describe an F1 Goldendoodle bred back toward the Golden Retriever, the “better” of the two breeds according to breeder Megan Smith and her husband. The result is a dog whose personality and appearance lean towards the Golden Retriever’s beloved  loyalty, goofiness, and people-focused energy. Shedding is moderate, higher than an F1b and lower than a purebred Golden. For families who love the Golden Retriever above everything and want a modest shedding reduction without losing that classic character, the Better Back is worth specifically asking a breeder about.

F1bb Goldendoodle (87.5% Poodle, 12.5% Golden Retriever)

The F1bb Goldendoodle is the most Poodle-dominant generation, making it a top choice for families who want a Goldendoodle with more confidence that they'll have a low-shedding, allergy-friendly pup. Created by breeding an F1b Goldendoodle back to a purebred Poodle, this generation has a higher concentration of Poodle genetics, which typically results in tighter, curlier coats and minimal shedding. Because of this, F1bb Goldendoodles are often recommended for people with mild to moderate pet allergies, though it’s important to note that no dog is completely hypoallergenic.

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Goldendoodle Generation Percentages Chart

Here is an easy-to-understand chart outlining the generations of Goldendoodles (and really any doodle-mix):

Generation	Parentage Description	Percentage of Poodle	Percentage of Golden Retriever
F1	Golden Retriever x Poodle	50%	50%
F1B	F1 Goldendoodle x Poodle	75%	25%
F2	F1 Goldendoodle x F1 Goldendoodle	50%	50%
F2B	F1 Goldendoodle x F1B Goldendoodle	62.5%	37.5%
F1BB	F1B Goldendoodle x Poodle	87.5%	12.5%
Multigen	Varies	Varies	Varies

Which Generation Is Best for Allergies?

To be clear, no Goldendoodle type eliminates allergen exposure completely because dog allergens are found in dander, saliva, and urine. But for households managing dog allergies, the F1b or F1BB generation offers the highest probability of a low-shedding coat, making it the most allergy-friendly choice among common Goldendoodle generations. Lower shedding reduces one major route of allergen exposure, and families with significant sensitivities should consult an allergist in addition to a breeder before making any final decision.

Goldendoodle Coat Predictability

The Goldendoodle Association of North America's official breed standard recognizes three approved coat types for the breed: curly, wavy, and straight. Remember, the coat a puppy has at 6 to 8 weeks, when most buyers meet them, is also puppy coat, not the adult coat. The adult coat, which fully develops around 12 to 18 months, can be curlier, wavier, or differently textured than what the early weeks suggested. A generation label predicts coat probability, not coat certainty.

The most useful information a buyer can gather is not the generation label alone. It is a combination of both parents' coat types, the breeder's experience with that specific pairing, and any early coat assessment the breeder performs before placement. A breeding program like Posh Puppies Indiana, with over 20 years of experience, can tell you far more about a specific puppy's likely adult coat than a letter and a number on a listing ever will. That hands-on knowledge is one of the things that makes the difference between a breeder and a puppy marketplace.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Goldendoodle Generations

What is the difference between an F1 and an F1b Goldendoodle? An F1 Goldendoodle is 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle, the direct offspring of two purebred parents. An F1b is 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever, produced by breeding an F1 back to a purebred Poodle. The F1b's higher Poodle percentage generally results in a curlier, lower-shedding coat, but it also demands daily brushing and professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the coat from matting.

Is an F1b Goldendoodle hypoallergenic? F1b Goldendoodles are considered hypoallergenic, but may still cause allergic reactions depending on someone’s sensitivity. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology confirms that all dogs produce allergens through dander, saliva, and urine regardless of breed or coat type. What an F1b offers is a higher probability of a low-shedding coat compared to an F1, which reduces one significant route of allergen exposure in the home. For households managing mild to moderate sensitivities, this reduction is often meaningful in daily life. For more significant allergies, consulting an allergist before committing to any breed is the right first step.

What is a reverse F1b Goldendoodle? A reverse F1b Goldendoodle, often called a Better Back Goldendoodle, is an F1 Goldendoodle bred back to a purebred Golden Retriever rather than a Poodle. The result is a dog that is approximately 75% Golden Retriever and 25% Poodle. The reverse F1b has a wavy to straight coat with moderate shedding and a temperament that leans strongly toward the lovable Golden Retriever traits: loyal, patient, sociable, and deeply family-oriented. It is a good fit for families who love the Golden Retriever above all and want a modest shedding reduction without sacrificing that personality.

Which Goldendoodle generation sheds the least? The F1BB generation has the lowest amount of shedding because it is approximately 87.5% Poodle, giving the Poodle's low-shedding genetics the strongest possible expression. The F1b is a close second, with most F1b puppies producing low-shedding curly or wavy coats. Individual variation within any generation means shedding cannot be fully predicted by label alone. Meeting the specific puppy and understanding the parent coat types will give you better information than the generation letter.

Can a reputable breeder guarantee coat type by generation? A responsible breeder can describe the probability of a puppy's coat outcome based on both parents' genetics and their own experience with specific pairings. They cannot guarantee which coat type any individual puppy will develop because genetics do not work with that level of precision in hybrid dogs. What a breeder can offer instead is honest probability guidance, health-tested parentage, experience with the specific line, and early coat assessments that help buyers understand what to expect before placement. Ask about both parents' coat types, the breeder's history with similar pairings, and whether they do any coat evaluation in the first weeks of life.

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Goldendoodle generation labels are not code words made up by breeders. They carry real genetic information that affects the dog's coat, grooming needs, shedding level, and personality in ways that matter every day. Understanding what F1, F1b, F2, and Reverse F1b actually mean puts you in a much stronger position when you sit down with a breeder and start asking the right questions. The generation you choose matters as much as the breeder you choose from.

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This article was written by Peter Corso, and reviewed and edited by Ashlee Ryman.