F1 vs. F2 Goldendoodle: The Key Differences (with Pictures)

F1 and F2 Goldendoodles are both Goldendoodles. However, their ancestry is a bit different, which leads to some differing traits. An F1 Goldendoodle has a Golden Retriever parent and a Poodle parent. They are first-generation Goldendoodles. However, F2 Goldendoodles have two F1 Goldendoodle parents.

F1 Goldendoodles are generally easier to find but they have less predictable traits than a F2 Goldendoodle. Because F2 Goldendoodles are bred from more similar parents, they don’t have as many “random” traits.

However, these dogs are still very similar. At first glance, you likely wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. That doesn’t mean they don’t have differences, just that these differences are a bit more subtle. Let’s take a look at them.

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Visual Differences

At a Glance

F1 Goldendoodle Overview

An F1 Goldendoodle is a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle. They are the first generation of Goldendoodles, to put it simply. Because they are the first generation of hybrids, they vary widely. You never know exactly what you’re going to get with this breed.

Appearance

An F1 Goldendoodle can come in many different variations. Their size depends largely on the size of the Poodle used, as Poodles come in many different size variations. They can be any color, just about. However, apricot, red, chocolate, and black are the most common. Their fur is commonly depicted as curly, but it may also be straight or wavy.

Because these dogs vary so much, it is important the potential owners aren’t set on what their adult dog may look like.

Personality

F1 Goldendoodles have a very wide range of personality traits. Typically, these dogs are intelligent, which they inherit from their Poodle parent. They can also be very friendly and playful. They’re often people-oriented dogs, which means that they bond heavily with humans and prefer to spend much of their time with their owners.

While these traits are typically considered positive, they come with their downsides, too. For instance, F1 Goldendoodles may be prone to isolation anxiety. They often don’t like to be left alone. They also require a lot of mental stimulation and if they aren’t properly stimulated and challenged, they may become bored and destructive.

Health Problems

F1 Goldendoodles are very genetically diverse. Therefore, they aren’t prone to inheriting genetic issues from their parents. However, they can inherit certain health conditions from both Poodles and Golden Retrievers, such as hip dysplasia, eye disorders, and skin conditions.

To prevent or minimize these health issues, it is important to choose a reputable breeder who can provide health certificates and genetic testing for their dogs. It is also important to provide regular veterinary care, proper nutrition, exercise, grooming, and dental hygiene for your F1 Goldendoodle.

F2 Goldendoodle Overview

An F2 Goldendoodle is a cross between two F1 Goldendoodles. Therefore, they are very similar. However, depending on how they are bred, they may be more predictable than F1 Goldendoodles. Often, breeders choose dogs that have the traits they want to encourage in their puppies. In this way, F2 Goldendoodle breeding is often a bit more controlled.

Appearance

Goldendoodles vary a lot in appearance, and F2 Goldendoodles are no different. However, they do tend to be a bit more predictable, depending on how the breeder chose what dogs to breed. Many will have a better idea of how their F2 dogs will turn out.

For instance, F1 Goldendoodles are completely random. They can have straight fur or curly fur since they have a parent with each trait. However, two F2 Goldendoodles with curly hair could be bred together, resulting in puppies with almost exclusively curly hair.

However, it does depend a lot on how these dogs are bred and what traits the breeder chooses to focus on.

Personality

For the most part, these dogs will have the exact same personality as the F1 Goldendoodles. Personality traits are harder to predict, though breeders may try to make their dogs friendly or more intelligent through selective breeding. Because this process is harder, you’ll likely end up with as much randomness in this generation as you did in the previous one.

Furthermore, socialization and training can affect a dog’s personality. Therefore, how you raise your dog is just as important as the genes they inherited.

Health Problems

These dogs may be slightly less healthy than F1 Goldendoodles, as they are bred from more similar dogs. However, a careful breeder will be able to rule out many genetic conditions before breeding, allowing them to produce fairly healthy puppies. These canines may still be prone to things like hip dysplasia, though, which are common in larger, taller dogs.

As always, be sure to work with a qualified breeder to ensure that your canine is healthy.

Which One is More Hypoallergenic?

Neither of these dogs is hypoallergenic. While they are often marketed as such, these canines still produce the same number of allergens that other dogs do. They don’t shed as much, however, those with dog allergies are not allergic to dog hair. They are allergic to the proteins found in a dog’s skin, saliva, and urine.

Goldendoodles will still have these allergens. There are no scientific findings that support the theory of hypoallergenic dogs. Therefore, you should not adopt a Goldendoodle with the presumption that they won’t cause allergy symptoms.

Which Breed is Right for You?

If you want a dog with very specific traits, you may want to search for a breeder that produces F2 Goldendoodles with those traits. However, these dogs will be rarer and often more difficult to find. Therefore, you may end up paying more or even being unable to find what you’re looking for at all.

For those that aren’t as set on what they want, an F1 Goldendoodle is the better choice. These dogs are more common and less expensive.

At the end of the day, these breeds are extremely similar. Availability will be the biggest deciding factor for most people.

Related Reads:

• F2B Goldendoodle: Pictures, Facts & FAQ
• Multigen Goldendoodle: Pictures, History & Facts

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Featured Image Credit: (L) matthew a. wilson, Shutterstock | (R) cine-nomadic, Shutterstock