Goldendoodles are an extremely popular breed, but many pet parents don’t realize there are F1 Goldendoodles and F1B Goldendoodles. Goldendoodles in both classifications come in standard, toy, teacup, and medium sizes. They each have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years and are gentle, smart, affectionate, loyal, and playful.
There are many similarities between these two dogs, and there are a few differences as well. We’ll discuss each of these gorgeous breeds and tell you a bit about their personalities, exercise needs, and any health issues you need to watch out for in the guide below.
Visual Differences
At a Glance
F1 Goldendoodle Overview
The F1 Goldendoodle is a mix between a purebred Poodle and a Golden Retriever. The 1 in the F1 means the Goldendoodle is a first-generation dog. So, the F1 distinction is about the parents instead of the puppy bred from them, and the dog has to come from two purebred parents to receive this classification.
We’ll discuss the personality, exercise needs, and any health issues to watch out for when it comes to the F1 Goldendoodle in the next section.
Personality / Character
An F1 Goldendoodle pup is affectionate, loyal, and intelligent. These dogs are extremely friendly, almost to a fault, because they like everyone. They rarely bark and, therefore, would not make a good watch or guard dog. However, if you’re looking for a loving dog to keep you company and romp with you in the water or hike in the woods, the F1 is an excellent choice.
Exercise
An F1 Goldendoodle has an above-average energy level, so you’ll need to ensure it gets enough exercise. It requires a minimum of 1 hour of exercise a day, but it’s an intelligent dog that enjoys variation. You can divide its exercise schedule into two long walks and playing games like fetch in the backyard.
Since there are different sizes of F1 Goldendoodles, the exercise needs will vary, but generally, toy Poodle crossbreeds will not need as much exercise as standard Poodle mixes.
Health Issues
Goldendoodles are developed from two relatively healthy breeds, but there are some health issues they’re vulnerable to.
Suitable for:
F1 Goldendoodles are friendly and loving. They do well with children and families but need a family that enjoys being outdoors and plays games with them. They also do well with other dogs and cats, especially when introduced at a young age.
Although they’re excellent pets for single owners, they can be clingy and may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. However, having a pet sitter or a friend to look after them will keep them stimulated and happy. Small apartments are unsuitable for Goldendoodles because of their energy levels, and most will thrive in homes with large backyards.
F1B Goldendoodle Overview
The F1B Goldendoodle is considered to be a more hypoallergenic dog than the F1, though there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic pet. The F1B Goldendoodle is easier to groom as well. It is a 75% Poodle, 25% Golden Retriever mix, which gives it its B classification. If you’re a pet owner looking for a pet that doesn’t shed much, doesn’t need to be groomed as often, but is still friendly, loyal, loving, and energetic, the F1B might be the best choice for you.
The F1B is quite similar to the F1 Goldendoodle, so there are few differences.
Personality / Character
The F1B Goldendoodle is as loving, loyal, and energetic as the F1 is. It is an intelligent dog that loves to play. They are also easy to train, eager to please their pet parents, and may be less challenging to train than an F1. Most F1B Goldendoodles quickly establish bonds with their humans and prefer to be around them as much as possible.
Exercise
The F1B Goldendoodle is energetic and needs a place to run that energy off. Playing fetch, hiking, swimming, and walking are activities that Goldendoodles love. It’s recommended that your Goldendoodle get an hour or more of exercise a day and give the dog plenty of toys that will stimulate it mentally. Because of their Poodle heritage, most Goldendoodles love to play in the water and are better swimmers than some breeds.
Health Issues
F1B, just like F1 Goldendoodles, are pretty healthy. However, they do have certain issues that could be inherited from their parents. We’ll list a few of the most common issues below. Make sure that you take your pet to the vet for regular checkups to prevent and catch these illnesses.
Suitable for:
The F1B Goldendoodle is suitable for any active family and gets along great with children. They also get along well with most dogs and cats, though they are bred from two hunting dogs, so you have to be careful when they are around rabbits or smaller animals that could run, as the dog might chase them.
If you socialize your F1B Goldendoodle from a puppy to get along with these pets, that might solve the problem, but you’ll still want to keep a close eye on the animals when they are together.
Which Breed Is Right for You?
F1 Goldendoodles and F1B Goldendoodles are pretty similar in their temperament and exercise needs. The differences between the two mostly come down to slight variations. The F1B is more hypoallergenic and requires less grooming. However, the best way to determine which is the best pet for you is by doing your research, talking to breeders and other people you know who have one or the other, then deciding which is best for you and your family based on your needs.
Either dog will make a wonderful pet, as they are both friendly, loving, playful canines that love their pet parents unconditionally. If you give either of these dogs a forever home, you can be sure that they will return your love in spades, no matter which classification the dog falls under.
Featured Image Credit: (UP) matthew a. wilson, Shutterstock | (Down) Marcello Sgarlato, Shutterstock
The post F1 vs. F1B Goldendoodle: The Key Differences (With Pictures) appeared first on Pet Keen.