F1B Goldendoodle: Facts, History & Pictures
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The Goldendoodle was officially first bred in 1989 when Australian Wally Conron attempted to breed a Golden Retriever with a Poodle. The cross aimed to create a service dog with the prowess of the Retriever but with a more hypoallergenic coat, from the Poodle.
The Poodle was chosen for its hypoallergenic coat but was considered a good option because it is an intelligent and level-headed dog. However, the resulting Labradoodle cross was unpredictable. Some had the hypoallergenic benefits of the Poodle parent, but others didn’t. This first hybrid generation is known as the F1 hybrid.
To further ensure a hypoallergenic coat, breeders cross the F1 Goldendoodle with a purebred Poodle parent, therefore creating the F1B Goldendoodle with a low-shedding coat that is less irritable for allergy sufferers. Although the dog is utilized as a service dog in some cases, it is also widely kept as a pet and combines some of the features of the Poodle and Golden Retriever parents.
| Height: | 16–25 inches |
| Weight: | 20–85 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
| Colors: | Gold, yellow, brown, apricot, black |
| Suitable for: | Active families that want a lively, intelligent dog with a hypoallergenic coat |
| Temperament: | Friendly, loving, playful, energetic, intelligent |
The F1B Goldendoodle is a mix of Poodle and Golden Retriever but because it is specifically a cross between an F1 Goldendoodle and a Poodle, it has more of the characteristics of the Poodle than the Retriever. Buyers should ensure that they see a full family tree of a puppy before buying because some breeders may try and pass off F1 Goldendoodles as F1B.
Although the breed can still cause some allergic reactions in allergy sufferers, its low shedding coat means that such reactions are less likely and tend to be less severe than from a purebred Golden Retriever.
F1B Goldendoodle Breed Characteristics
The Earliest Records of F1B Goldendoodles in History
Goldendoodles have likely been bred since the 1960s but were first intentionally bred in their current form in 1989 when Australian Wally Conron, of the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia, wanted to create a service dog that was as intelligent and empathetic as a Golden Retriever but had a hypoallergenic coat that meant it wouldn’t cause allergic reactions in handlers. Since the introduction, Mr. Conron has described his discovery as his life’s biggest regret, although this is seemingly because it encouraged unscrupulous breeders and not because of the properties of the resulting hybrid breed.
When a Poodle and Golden Retriever are bred, there is no guarantee that the resulting puppy will have the desirable traits of each breed. These direct descendants, which are known as f1 Labradoodles, may have the shedding coat of the Golden Retriever. To counteract this problem, f1 Labradoodles are bred back with Poodles, resulting in the F1B Labradoodle, which is effectively 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever, making it much more likely that the breed will have the hypoallergenic coat qualities of the Poodle parent.
How F1B Goldendoodles Gained Popularity
Goldendoodles, in general, gained popularity throughout the 1990s and continue to be a popular choice of dog today. They became popular because they combine the benefits of both parent breeds: two breeds that are very popular in their own rights. The Goldendoodle tends to have the intelligence of the Poodle, which is one of the most intelligent dog breeds, as well as the obedience and the energetic and loving nature of the Golden Retriever. It also, of course, benefits from the hypoallergenic properties of the Poodle.
Many celebrities have owned Goldendoodles, which did help their popularity grow initially. Barack Obama was said to be considering one before being gifted a Portuguese Water Dog. Jennifer Aniston has a Goldendoodle named Norman and Henry Winkler, who played the Fonz, has one named Sadie. Other celebrity owners include John Travolta, Usher, and Kenny Chesney.
Formal Recognition of F1B Goldendoodles
Even though it has its own name, a long list of celebrity fans, and Goldendoodle puppies can cost as much as their Retriever and Poodle parents, they are hybrid dogs. This means that the Goldendoodle hybrid is not recognized by the American Kennel Club or any other kennel clubs around the world. It may be possible in the future when enough generations of Goldendoodles are bred with other Goldendoodles, that kennel clubs will recognize the breed.
Top 3 Unique Facts About F1B Goldendoodles
1. They Come in Three Sizes
Like their Poodle parents, Goldendoodles come in three different sizes—Miniature, Small, and Standard, although some only consider two different sizes and there are no breed standards to determine which is correct. Small Doodles measure up to 20 inches and Standard or Large Doodles measure between 20 and 24 inches. Those that are less than 17 inches might be classified as Miniature Goldendoodles.
2. They Still Cause Allergic Reactions
Goldendoodles, Poodles, and various other breeds are described as being hypoallergenic. They are indeed less likely to cause allergic reactions in allergy sufferers, but these reactions are caused by several proteins that dogs have. Can f1 is the most common allergen and this can be found in dander, hair, saliva, and urine. Even though the Goldendoodle sheds less and therefore less Can f1 is spread through the local environment, the protein is still emitted, and sufferers may still endure allergic reactions.
3. They Make Great Family Pets
The Goldendoodle gained popularity after being bred for use as a hypoallergenic guide dog. While the resulting hybrid breed is sometimes used as a service dog and also finds use as a therapy dog and in other professional settings, it is most often found as a companion pet. The Goldendoodle is popular because it is intelligent and obedient as well as fun, lively, sociable, and friendly.
Does the F1B Goldendoodle Make a Good Pet?
The F1B Goldendoodle is said to be an excellent pet dog breed. It is good with children, as well as adults, and will usually get along with other pets. It also gets on with strangers, including visitors to the house, and it will form a close bond with all family members. The breed does need regular exercise, but that coat is not only less likely to cause allergic reactions, but it is also less challenging to groom and care for than the Poodle’s coat.
Whether for allergy sufferers, families of children, or any other potential owner, the breed makes a good companion.
Conclusion
The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, and the F1B Goldendoodle specifically contains around 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever genes. The result is a bright, intelligent dog that is obedient and listens to its owner. It also has a low-shedding coat that is less likely to cause allergic reactions.
As a hybrid breed, the F1B Goldendoodle is not recognized by kennel clubs, although this may change if efforts are made to continue a strict breeding program.
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Featured Image Credit: Marcello Sgarlato, Shutterstock
