If you’ve started researching Goldendoodles, you’ve probably run into a wall of letters and numbers (F1, F1B, F1BB, F2, F2B) with little explanation of what any of it actually means for the puppy you bring home. Generation shapes coat type, shedding, and how closely a dog resembles each parent breed, so it’s worth understanding before you commit to a litter.
Reviewed by Dr. Muhammad Usman, DVM.
Why Generation Matters
Every generation label describes the ratio of Golden Retriever to Poodle genetics in a given puppy, and that ratio is the single biggest predictor of coat type and shedding. Golden Retriever genetics bring a straighter coat and heavier, more seasonal shedding; Poodle genetics bring a curlier, lower-shedding coat. The more Poodle in the mix, the curlier and lower-shedding the puppy tends to be, though every litter still shows some natural variation.
F1 Goldendoodle (50% Golden Retriever / 50% Poodle)
The first-generation cross, produced by breeding a purebred Golden Retriever to a purebred Poodle. F1 puppies typically have a wavy coat that sheds somewhat less than a purebred Golden but isn’t considered low-shedding, and they get the most benefit from “hybrid vigor,” the added genetic diversity that comes from crossing two unrelated purebred lines.
F1B Goldendoodle (25% Golden Retriever / 75% Poodle)
An F1 Goldendoodle bred back to a purebred Poodle. This is the generation most often recommended for allergy-sensitive households, since the extra Poodle genetics typically produce a curlier, denser, lower-shedding coat. The tradeoff is somewhat less hybrid vigor than an F1.
Reverse F1B Goldendoodle (75% Golden Retriever / 25% Poodle)
A reverse F1B comes from breeding an F1 Goldendoodle back to a purebred Golden Retriever instead of a Poodle, producing roughly 75% Golden Retriever and 25% Poodle genetics. It typically has a looser, straighter coat and noticeably more shedding than a standard F1B, closer to the original F1 or even a purebred Golden Retriever in appearance and temperament.
Breeders typically produce reverse F1Bs for families who want more of the classic Golden Retriever look and personality with just a touch of Poodle influence. If low shedding or allergy management is your main reason for choosing a Goldendoodle, a reverse F1B is not the right fit; an F1B or higher generation will serve that goal far better.
F1BB Goldendoodle (12.5% Golden Retriever / 87.5% Poodle)
An F1B bred back to a Poodle again. These puppies land closest to a purebred Poodle in coat type and shedding while still keeping some Golden Retriever temperament and coloring, a solid option for households with more serious allergy concerns.
F2 Goldendoodle (Goldendoodle x Goldendoodle, Both F1)
Produced by breeding two F1 Goldendoodles together rather than breeding back to a purebred parent. F2 litters tend to show more coat-type variation from puppy to puppy than F1B litters, since the genetics aren’t being reinforced in one direction.
F2B Goldendoodle (25–37.5% Golden Retriever / 62.5–75% Poodle)
An F2 Goldendoodle bred back to a purebred Poodle. Because the starting F2 litter already shows coat-type variation, F2B puppies can land across a fairly wide range, but most end up with a low-shedding, moderately curly coat closer to an F1B than to an F2.
F2BB Goldendoodle (12.5–18.75% Golden Retriever / 81.25–87.5% Poodle)
An F2BB Goldendoodle is made by taking an F2B Goldendoodle and breeding it back to a Poodle again, which pushes the Poodle percentage up dramatically. This generation tends to produce some of the curliest, lowest-shedding coats available outside of a purebred Poodle, making it a common choice for households with more serious allergy concerns.
As with F2B and other generations beyond F2, labels like F2BB aren’t used consistently across the industry, so it’s worth asking any breeder to walk you through a specific puppy’s actual pedigree rather than relying on the label alone.
Multigenerational Goldendoodles
A multigenerational (multigen) Goldendoodle comes from breeding two Goldendoodles together across three or more documented generations, rather than crossing an F1 back to a purebred Golden Retriever or Poodle. As breeding programs stack up more generations of documented, health-tested Goldendoodle-to-Goldendoodle pairings, coat type and temperament get more predictable and consistent from litter to litter, which is why a number of established breeders now specialize in multigenerational lines specifically.
How Each Generation Is Bred
| Generation | Parent 1 | Parent 2 |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Purebred Golden Retriever | Purebred Poodle |
| F1B | F1 Goldendoodle | Purebred Poodle |
| Reverse F1B | F1 Goldendoodle | Purebred Golden Retriever |
| F1BB | F1B Goldendoodle | Purebred Poodle |
| F2 | F1 Goldendoodle | F1 Goldendoodle |
| F2B | F2 Goldendoodle | Purebred Poodle |
| F2BB | F2B Goldendoodle | Purebred Poodle |
| Multigen | Goldendoodle | Goldendoodle (3+ generations) |
Generation Comparison at a Glance
| Generation | Golden Retriever % | Poodle % | Typical Shedding |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 50% | 50% | Moderate |
| F1B | 25% | 75% | Low |
| Reverse F1B | 75% | 25% | Moderate-high |
| F1BB | 12.5% | 87.5% | Very low |
| F2 | 50% | 50% | Moderate, variable |
| F2B | 25–37.5% | 62.5–75% | Low |
| F2BB | 12.5–18.75% | 81.25–87.5% | Very low |
| Multigen | Varies | Varies | Low, more predictable |
Vet’s note: Reviewed by Dr. Muhammad Usman, DVM. Generation is genetics shorthand, not a health guarantee. Whatever generation you choose, ask the breeder for OFA hip/elbow results and a genetic panel on both parents. Those tests matter more to your puppy’s long-term health than which generation label is on the paperwork.
Can You Tell Generation Just by Looking at a Puppy?
Not reliably. Coat texture is a useful clue, but generation comes down to pedigree, not appearance; an F1 puppy can occasionally look curlier than an F1B littermate, since each puppy inherits a random mix of genes from both parents rather than an exact average. That’s especially true at 8–10 weeks old, before the adult coat texture has fully come in.
The only reliable way to know a puppy’s generation is the breeder’s documented pedigree showing both parents’ generations, ideally backed by a registry record or the breeder’s own breeding records. If a breeder can’t tell you the generation of both parents specifically, not just “it’s a doodle mix,” that’s worth pressing on before you commit.
What GANA Says About Generation Labels
The Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) is the closest thing the breed has to an official authority on generation terminology, and its position is worth knowing before you get attached to a specific label. GANA confirms that F1, F1B, and F2 have consistent, agreed-upon meanings across the industry because each describes a specific, verifiable cross.
Labels beyond that point, including F2B, F2BB, and F3, carry very little standardized meaning, since breeders apply them inconsistently. A label can still be useful shorthand for the general direction of a breeding program, but it’s not a substitute for asking the breeder directly about a specific puppy’s documented pedigree, coat texture, and health testing.
Which Generation Should You Choose?
If shedding and allergies aren’t a major concern, an F1 gets you the strongest hybrid vigor and the classic wavy Goldendoodle coat. If you or someone in your family has mild pet allergies, look for an F1B or later generation with more Poodle influence. If litter-to-litter predictability matters most, a multigenerational line from an established breeder will typically give the most consistent result.
For everything else on sizing, colors, temperament, and cost, see our complete Goldendoodle breed guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Goldendoodle generation is best for allergies?
F1B and F1BB generations, which carry 75% or more Poodle genetics, are generally the better choice for allergy-sensitive households thanks to their tighter, lower-shedding coats. No generation is guaranteed allergen-free, so spending time with an adult dog from the same line beforehand is always worth it if allergies are a serious concern.
What does F3 mean for a Goldendoodle?
F3, or later, generally refers to a multigenerational Goldendoodle at least three generations removed from the original Golden Retriever/Poodle cross—essentially a well-established Goldendoodle-to-Goldendoodle line. Breeders often use “multigen” interchangeably with F3+ once a program has bred several generations deep.
Can two F1 Goldendoodles be bred to produce an F1B?
No. An F1B specifically comes from breeding an F1 Goldendoodle back to a purebred Poodle. Breeding two F1 Goldendoodles together produces an F2 instead, which has a different, and generally less predictable, genetic ratio than an F1B.
Do all F1B Goldendoodles have curly coats?
Most do, but not universally; coat outcome is still probabilistic, not guaranteed, even with 75% Poodle genetics. A reputable breeder with a well-documented line can usually give you good odds based on past litters, but no generation label is a 100% guarantee of a specific coat type.
Is a higher generation always the better choice?
Not necessarily. Higher generations (F1B, F1BB, multigen) trade some hybrid vigor for a more predictable, lower-shedding coat. If allergy management isn’t a priority for your household, an F1 with strong hybrid vigor and a well-documented health history from both purebred parents can be just as good a choice, or better.
What is a reverse F1B Goldendoodle?
A reverse F1B Goldendoodle is created when an F1 Goldendoodle is bred back to a Golden Retriever instead of a Poodle, producing roughly 75% Golden Retriever and 25% Poodle genetics. It typically has a looser, straighter coat and more shedding than a standard F1B.
Are generation labels beyond F2 standardized across breeders?
Not really. The Goldendoodle Association of North America notes that F1, F1B, and F2 have consistent meaning, but later labels like F2B, F2BB, and F3 are used inconsistently from breeder to breeder, so it’s worth asking any breeder to explain a specific puppy’s pedigree rather than relying on the label alone.
