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F1 vs F1B Goldendoodle: Key Differences (With Pictures)

Ashley Bates

By Ashley Bates

F1 Goldendoodle vs F1B Goldendoodle - Featured Image

The Goldendoodle has quickly become one of the most popular designer dogs–and it’s really no wonder. You take the grace and intelligence of the Poodle and mix it with the loving, athletic nature of the Golden Retriever, and you have the best of both worlds!

If you’re shopping around, you might have seen specific Goldendoodles listed as F1 or F1B. So, what in the world is the difference? Here we will give you a side-by-side comparison to see the differences between the two.

Ultimately the differences are few, and you’ll love either one. However, there are a few things to consider. Let’s dig in.

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Visual Differences

F1 Goldendoodle vs F1B Goldendoodle - Visual Differences
Image Credit: Left – F1 Goldendoodle (matthew a. wilson, Shutterstock) | Right – F1B Goldendoodle (Marcello Sgarlato, Shutterstock)

At a Glance

F1 Goldendoodle
  • Average height (adult): 13–24 inches
  • Average weight (adult): 15–90 pounds
  • Lifespan: 10–15 years
  • Exercise: 2+ hours a day
  • Grooming needs: Advanced
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Other pet-friendly: Yes
  • Trainability: Intelligent, good-natured, eager to please, social
F1B Goldendoodle
  • Average height (adult): 13–24 inches
  • Average weight (adult): 15–90 pounds
  • Lifespan: 10–15 years
  • Exercise: 2+ hours a day
  • Grooming needs: Advanced
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Other pet-friendly: Yes
  • Trainability: Intelligent, stranger-friendly, energetic, excitable

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F1 Goldendoodle Overview

F1 goldendoodle puppy lying on purple blanket
Image Credit: Cavan-Images, Shutterstock

The F1 Goldendoodle means the “First Generation Goldendoodle.” That means each parent is a purebred breed—one parent is a Golden Retriever, and the other is a Poodle. This cross preserves so many wonderful traits of the Golden Retriever.

So, if you’re a fan of all things Golden and want to savor as many of those natural characteristics as possible, it might be a good choice for you. However, remember that they are less hypoallergenic than other generations of Goldendoodle.

Personality / Character

The F1 Goldendoodle will have all the characteristics that make the breed so special. They will be extremely friendly and attentive towards their people and love meeting strangers and other animals. They require exercise, play, and socialization to thrive.

However, unlike some of the future generations of Goldendoodles, these tend to carry more of a characteristic of the Golden Retriever parent. Many would describe a Golden Retriever’s personality as very welcoming, attached, and family oriented.

Physical Characteristics

F1 Goldendoodles can come in standard, miniature, and petite. Because they have half of the genetics from each parent breed, they have many more traits of Goldens—which means they have more shedding potential, too.

F1 Goldendoodles tend to resemble a Golden’s bodily structure with a coat that’s somewhere in between. Puppies have a varying range of coat length and texture potential, ranging from flat, straight, wavy, or curly. Flat coats are thought of as improper coats, and they happen more often in the F1 generation.

Colors for the F1 Goldendoodle include:
  • Apricot
  • Blue
  • Champagne
  • Red
  • Tan
  • Merle
  • White
  • Tricolor

This combination is more likely to have an “improper coat,” meaning they favor the Golden parent and lack facial furnishings.

Suitable For:

The F1 variety is perfect for someone who loves the attributes of the Golden Retriever—and doesn’t want them too watered down with Poodle qualities. These dogs make incredible family companions or service animals, permitting you have the time to exercise and train them.

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F1B Goldendoodle Overview

F1b mini goldendoodle puppy in a wooden bucket
Image Credit: Marcello Sgarlato, Shutterstock

So, what exactly is an F1B Goldendoodle, and how do they differ from the first generation? Rather than having a Golden Retriever and Poodle parent, one parent is a Goldendoodle, and the other is a Poodle. This gives the dog even more Poodle characteristics.

Personality / Character

Poodles are incredibly smart dogs and need lots of mental and physical stimulation. That means, with the F1B, you need to be a person who likes to be on the go—because you’ll be busy! Like the F1 Goldendoodle, these dogs are extremely friendly with an active streak.

Even though many Goldendoodles have similar temperaments, they take after the Poodle parent and have an extreme desire to learn. To top it off, they are people pleasers who love the affection and acceptance of their families. This makes the F1B highly trainable and more temperamentally predictable.

Physical Characteristics

Because the F1B Goldendoodle has more potential influence, they will take after that breed more physically. You’ll notice a lot of curlier hair, a lanky, graceful stance, and a pointed snout.

Some puppies might share the Golden Retrievers’ characteristics, but it’s not as expected with this particular genetic combination. Pups tend to develop more of the curly or wavy coat standards. These coats trigger less allergic reactions in many cases due to their being linked to the Poodle parent.

You can have many coat possibilities for the F1B Goldendoodle.

Colors might include:
  • Cream
  • Apricot
  • Red
  • Black
  • Chocolate
  • Parti
  • Merle

Many F1B Goldendoodles will exhibit facial furnishings, as this is the breed goal standard.

Suitable For:

The F1B Goldendoodle is more suitable for allergy sufferers than the F1 variety. They have been more influenced by the Poodle parent and therefore take on more of their coat characteristics. F1B Goldendoodles can still favor the Golden side, but it is less likely to have an improper coat.

These pups can be harder to manage as pups, as they are full of energy and require extra stimulation. However, they make excellent additions to active families.

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Goldendoodles in a Nutshell

Now that you know the difference between F1 and F1B Goldendoodles, you can see that they’re only slightly different from one another. When you buy a Goldendoodle, the general experience is relatively the same no matter what generation you purchase.

Just to get a better idea about the breed itself, here are some positives and negatives of having a Goldendoodle so you can be prepared for anything.

Sizes of Goldendoodles

Golden Retrievers are the same relative size. These medium to large-size dogs are pretty standard, with no miniature or giant variations. Conversely, Poodles come in three different sizes: standard, miniature, and petite.

What is very unique about the Goldendoodle is that it can also come in all three of these size variations. So, what is the difference between them? We’re glad you asked. Here is a breakdown just for you.

Standard Goldendoodle Miniature Goldendoodle Petite (Toy) Goldendoodle
50–60 pounds 45–50 pounds 20–35 pounds
Low shedding Low shedding Low shedding
Energetic, amiable Chipper, friendly Peppy, feisty
For larger homes, fenced-in yards For most living situations, might not work for all weight restrictions Works for almost all apartment restrictions
Very receptive to training Can be a bit stubborn, eager to please Potty training can be difficult

Positives of Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles, in any variation, make excellent family pets! With their spunky personalities, they will never meet a stranger. This dog is perfect for social folks who love trips to dog parks and local cafes. You can take them virtually anywhere, and they will happily accompany you.

Low-Shedding

These dogs have a very low shed level, particularly the F1B variety. They are ideal choices for people with mild to moderate allergies. However, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. So, don’t get the pup on the gamble that you won’t be bothered if you have pretty severe dog allergies.

red goldendoodle puppy in a person's arms
Image Credit: SignalMountain, Shutterstock

Great Service Animals

Many Goldendoodles make terrific therapy and service dogs because they have the brains for it. They are hyper-intuitive to emotions and their surroundings, making them very receptive to training. These can make great companion animals for children with disabilities like autism.

They can also undergo specialized training to fulfill roles for those with diabetes and other health issues that require monitoring.

Intelligence and Activity Level

While Goldendoodles can make wonderful first dogs for families, folks should understand their exercise needs. These dogs often work best for younger families rather than for older adults. However, they can learn how to curb unwanted behaviors with proper or professional training.

One thing about any Doodle of any size is their keen intelligence. They will be very receptive to emotions, mood changes, and overall household energy. So, they tend to acclimate well and respond accordingly, making them very compatible with various lifestyles and personalities.

happy mini goldendoodle at the park
Image Credit: SoySendra, Shutterstock

Negatives of Goldendoodles

People rave about Goldendoodles and how spectacular they are, and we agree entirely. But with every dog breed, there are downsides. Because the Goldendoodle is a combination breed, it can take on the negatives of both of its parents.

Intelligence and Activity Levels

One major downside of a Goldendoodle is their keen intelligence and desire for exercise.  Wait, didn’t we just say that was a positive? This might not always be a downfall, but it can be if you don’t have a particular lifestyle.

Poodles are notoriously intelligent dogs, arguably the most brilliant of all breeds. Because of their high intelligence, they require mental and physical stimulation. Poodles that aren’t adequately trained or lack an outlet can become very destructive, overly vocal, or suffer from things like separation anxiety.

Golden Retrievers are also incredibly smart. That is why they’re often chosen for service and emotional support animals. These dogs have hunting roots, which make them more active than some. Golden Retrievers also thrive on being with their people. If any of these categories are lacking, they can develop behavioral problems too.

The Goldendoodle, in any form, is not a dog that should ever be in a crate or enclosure all day.

goldendoodle in bed
Image Credit: Brooke Cagle, Unsplash

Proper Training and Exercise

Because both parent breeds are very dependent on people and energetic, it can cause all kinds of negative behaviors if they aren’t properly trained and exercised. This might be problematic for people who work a lot, have disabilities, or lack the space to let them explore.

If you want a Goldendoodle as a service dog, the pup will often have the advanced training necessary to do so before coming home to the new owner.

Grooming Needs

To top off the negatives, they need constant grooming to manage their coats. All Goldendoodles should have a daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats. They will require regular trims every eight weeks and full grooming every four to six.

For some people, it is a lot to manage, as it requires a commitment to a schedule.

Buying Designer Dogs

Whenever you choose a designer dog—such as a Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Schnoodle, and all in between—reputable breeding is absolutely critical. Many breeders that aren’t so ethical will mix the two without proper genetic testing or vetting.

Improper breeding practices can lead to various behavioral and health concerns. So, when you search, choose a breeder with a sterling reputation and proof of excellent quality pups. All litters should be in clean living conditions, and all vetting documentation should be available to you.

Buying Goldendoodle pups costs between $2,000 and $4,000, so it is a pricey breed. Beware of low costs, as it suggests the potential for unethical breeding practices.

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Which Breed Is Right for You?

You will love your Goldendoodle no matter their generation. Breeding differs only slightly, giving slightly different outcomes.

If you or anyone in your home is an allergy sufferer, getting an F1B Goldendoodle might be more suitable because they are more hypoallergenic. However, if you love those Golden Retriever qualities, an F1 might be what you’re looking for.


Featured Image Credit: Left – Cavan-Images, Shutterstock | Right – Miniature Goldendoodle (Mjposner, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0)

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