F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle: Find the Right Puppy for You

This F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle guide will help you discover something unique about the Goldendoodle dogs. While they have a cute teddy bear-like appearance, they do not all come from a single generation. 

The F (filial) and numbers indicate a specific Goldendoodle’s generation. This guide discusses the F1 and F2 Goldendoodle generations. Before you purchase puppies from any of these generations, first learn what they are and the unique characteristics that distinguish them. 

Overview of f1 goldendoodle

You need to know the meaning of each dog generation before discussing the F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle differences. The F1 refers to the very first Goldendoodle generation made by crossing a Poodle with a Golden Retriever. 

An F1 Goldendoodle gets 50% genes from each parent.  It is physically attractive, friendly, intelligent, happy, and loyal. The F1s inherit a curly hair gene from their Poodle parent and a straight hair gene from the Golden Retriever. 

That is why their coats are wavy. The family-friendly F1 doodle sheds less hair than the Golden Retriever parent, making it a reliable option for allergic people. 

Overview of F2 Goldendoodle

Our F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle comparison guide describes the F2 doodle generation to ease your understanding.  The F2 is a 2nd generation Goldendoodle resulting from breeding two first-generation Goldendoodles.  

Each F2 puppy can inherit 0, 1, or 2 furnishing and curl genes. Puppies that are lucky to inherit two furnishing genes will have the non-shedding coat of the Poodle. Like the F1 Goldendoodle, some F2 puppies might inherit a single furnishing gene. 

This will make their coats less shedding.  The puppies that get zero furnishing genes will have the shedding coat of a Golden Retriever.  These dogs have little to no hybrid vigor evident in F1 generation doodles.

Comparison Table

Comparison Between f1 and f2 Goldendoodle 

Now you understand the background of each Goldendoodle generation. The next thing to learn is how the two doodle generations differ. Discover each dog generation’s physical appearance, trainability, intelligence levels, personality, grooming needs, exercise and energy levels, etc. Here is our thorough F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle comparison:

Physical Appearance 

The First-generation Goldendoodles inherit equal genes from their pure-bred parents. Therefore, the puppies receive a hybrid vigor that their purebred parents lack. The vigor comes from crossing two dogs of different breeds. 

This hybrid vigor allows these dogs to live longer, healthier lives than their pure-breed parents. On the other hand, the F2 puppies enjoy a little less hybrid vigor than their F1 counterparts. Coat type is a major distinguishing factor between F1 and F2 puppies. 

The FI puppies may inherit one furnishing gene from their Poodle parent and experience reduced hair shedding and a curly or wavy coat. Additionally, puppies of the same litter can inherit the straight coat of the Golden retriever. These can shed hair just as their Golden Retriever parent. 

The F2 generation puppies are different in that their coats can be non-shedding, low-shedding, or heavy-shedding. The hair shedding rate depends on whether they get zero, one, or two furnishing genes from their F1 Goldendoodle parents. 

These dogs also get smooth faces.  Regarding size, the F1 puppies differ based on the Poodle type used for breeding. The Poodle appears in various sizes, including toy, miniature, medium, and standard. 

Golden Retrievers are relatively tall and heavy dogs.  Likewise, the F2 puppies vary in size based on how big or small the Poodle grandparent is. They can be larger than F1s when the grandparent is a standard Poodle.

Training and Intelligence

Intelligence and trainability are valid points to consider when comparing F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle dogs. Since the F1 generation puppies have purebred parents, they are likely to be more intelligent but harder to train. 

First-time owners might experience difficulty while training F1 puppies and may need to apply positive reinforcement to succeed.  On the other hand, the F2 puppies are a crossbreed of two F1 Goldendoodles. 

Thus, individual puppies’ intelligence levels and trainability are more predictable. If the parent F1 dog they resemble more has the intelligence of a Poodle, the F2 puppies will likely be clever and easier to train.

Temperament and Personality Comparison

The F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle temperaments and personalities differ. First, the F1 doodles receive equal genetic traits from both parents. Therefore, their temperaments can vary so much that it would be impossible to predict their actual disposition. 

Conversely, the F2 Goldendoodles tend to have more balanced temperaments because they receive traits from F1 parents. Regarding personalities, the F1 Goldendoodles inherit personality traits from the Golden Retriever and Poodle. The personalities of these two different dog breeds vary widely. 

Usually, the F1s are friendly, playful, clever, and clingy. On the contrary, the F2 puppies boast the same personalities as their F1 Goldendoodle parents. However, breeders can choose specific F1 dogs to bring out the personality traits they expect to see in the F2 offspring.

Suitability as a Family Pet

The F1 vs F2 Goldendoodles comparison also includes their suitability. The F1 puppies would make an excellent choice for anyone looking for an active, kind, intelligent, and loving Goldendoodle. It can fit in small and large family setups and serve as a therapy dog. 

However, the members need not suffer from severe allergic reactions as F1s can still shed hair. On the other hand, the F2 puppies are suitable for singles, couples, or any other family setups. These dogs can suit homes with allergic individuals because they are somehow hypoallergenic. 

Exercise and Activity Needs

Which one between the F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle is more active? The F1 is an energetic canine requiring regular exercise to stay healthy. You should give it more than thirty minutes of exercise each day. Equally, an F2 puppy loves to get active daily to lead a healthier and longer life. You should walk or play with your dog for thirty to sixty minutes.

Grooming and Maintenance

The F1 dogs have wavy, curly, or straight coats. The wavy and curly coats require regular brushing and professional haircuts. The pet might also require nail clipping, dental checkups, and ear cleaning services. On the contrary, the F2 puppies boast varying coats requiring frequent brushing, trimming, and cleaning. 

Health Considerations

How do F1 vs F2 Goldendoodles compare in terms of susceptibility to health issues? Since the F1 pets have hybrid vigor, their odds of inheriting dangerous diseases and conditions from their parents are lower. However, they might catch diseases that commonly affect their dominant parent lineage. Conversely, the F2 puppies might be prone to more predictable health issues. 

Cost and Availability

The costs and availability of F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle dogs often vary. If you want to adopt the high-value hybrid F1 pet, you will part with around $1500 to $3000. Conversely, you will pay much less for the highly available second-generation Goldendoodle. The estimated adoption cost is about $1000 to $2500. 

Things to consider while choosing F1 and f2 Goldendoodle 

Now, to select between F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle pets, you should consider certain factors. Here are the top ones:

• Cost – You noted above that the F1 and F2 pets have unique adoption costs. Focus on the pet you can effortlessly afford.
• Allergy Prevention – If you need a hypoallergenic dog to protect your family from allergies, choosing an F2 Pet is more sensible. 
• Grooming Needs – When picking between an F1 and an F2 puppy, always evaluate its grooming needs and costs. The F1 pets’ grooming needs are high while the F2’s are slightly lower. If you need an F1, make sure you have the time to see a professional for ear and dental cleaning.
• Coat Colors and Patterns – Goldendoodles like F1 and F2 come in several colors and patterns. Thus, you can choose a dog that suits your tastes and preferences. The coats also exhibit solid and more intricate patterns. From parti to phantom to abstract coats, you can choose the most attractive option.
• Size – When comparing the F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle, focus on the best size. Whether you prefer a toy, miniature, medium, or standard, you can easily find it online.
• Breeder – Always focus on responsible F1 and F2 dog breeders to get healthy puppies.

Conclusion 

When comparing and contrasting the F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle puppies, it is easy to see that each pet has unique features, qualities, and pros and cons. The F1 Goldendoodle generation offers a diversity of personalities, temperaments, and physical appearances. 

On the other hand, the F2 offers predictability and consistency. When selecting between the F1 and F2 generation doodles, focus on your personal tastes and needs. 

Opt for a pet you can comfortably keep based on time availability and where you live.  Remember to get your hybrid Goldendoodles from the most responsible breeder to ensure no genetic deformities.

FAQ

1. Are F1 or F2 Goldendoodles more expensive?

The F1 hybrid Goldendoodles are more expensive than F2s. This is so in most places in the U.S. However, the real F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle prices will vary based on your location. Since the F1s can resist genetic issues better than their purebred parents, they have a higher demand and cost.

2. Which generation is better for first-time dog owners?

The best generation between F1 vs F2 Goldendoodle depends on your preferences. If you do not feel confident about training your first doodle, try an F2 generation. This dog is calmer because it enjoys a more consistent temperament and personality. 

On the other hand, avoid an F1 puppy because it is hard to train as a first-timer. If you like your Goldendoodle small and intelligent, go for the F1. On the other hand, choose the larger F2 doodle if you want a big pet. 

3. How much do F1 and F2 Goldendoodles shed?

The F1 Goldendoodle takes after its Poodle and Golden Retriever parents. Thus, it may shed more if it inherits the Golden Retriever coat and less if it gets the Poodle’s coat. The F2 Goldendoodle has varying shedding abilities. It may shed more hair if it has no furnishing genes and less if it is lucky to inherit two furnishing genes.