MORE ABOUT DOODLES
COAT TYPES, GENERATIONS, SIZES & COMBINATIONS. IT CAN GET VERY CONFUSING!
THE TRUTH IS THAT THE DOODLE IS A DEVELOPING BREED, JUST LIKE THE HUNDREDS OF DOG BREEDS THAT HAVE COME BEFORE THEM. ITS EARLY DAYS IN THE GOLDENDOODLE BREED AND VARIATIONS OF COAT TYPES, GENERATIONS AND COMBINATIONS CAN SEEM ENDLESS.
Here’s a relatively simple explanation of the more common combinations, letters and coat types. At Ponsonby we specifically breed F1B generation puppies, however from time to time we offer F1 Generation puppies raised by partner breeders.
Miss Finley. A beautiful example of an F1 Generation Goldendoodle. Full sister to Ponsonby’s Lizzie.
f1 generation
The term F1 can be applied to Goldendoodles, Aussie Doodles, Irishdoodles, Bernedoodles, Labradoodles and practically any other kind of Doodle you can think of. It simply means that Golden Retreiver, Australian Shepherd, Irish Setter, Bernese Mountain Dog, Labrador Retriever or any other kind of purebred dog has been crossed to a Poodle. An F1 Doodle is a first generation Poodle cross. It could be a Standard Poodle, a miniature Poodle or the less common Moyen Poodle cross. Any way you slice it the combination makes an F1 Doodle. When counseling families about F1 Generation Doodles we always emphasize that an F1 doodle will shed at least a little bit. If a family member experiences severe to moderate pet allergies, an F1 Doodle may not be the best match. Then again, if allergies are mild and reduced shedding is adequate, an F1 Doodle may make a great match! They sure are cute with their teddybear fur and and big doe eyes!
This vidoe is a good quick-watch togive you a picture of an F1 Goldendoodle as it grows. Keep in mind that size and colour vary, and that haircut makes a big difference in the way a doodle will look.
This is Ollie. He’s an excellent example of the curlier coat often presented on F1B Goldendoodles. Great red colour Ollie!
f1b GENERATION
The term F1B is applied to doodles that are 75% one breed and 25% the other. This usually refers to a doodle being 75% Poodle. This generation is achieved by crossing and F1 Doodle (see above) back to a Poodle. The cross could be made to a Standard Poodle, a miniature Poodle or the less common Moyen Poodle cross. Any way you slice it the combination makes an F1B Doodle.
F1B Doodles usually have more of a curl to their coat and shed less. Usually they shed a whole lot less and are much better suited to families that experience pet related allergies. Often their build can be somewhat lighter and lankier as they may take on more of the poodle gene. Despite this, they still carry the hybrid vigour of the breed cross and the inherent good health of the poodle. Besides, who couldn’t adore the curly mop and oodles of love heaped on them by an F1B Doodle?
COAT QUALITY
Because of the way the breeds cross, Doodles can come in a variety of coat colours and textures. It all depends on what genes come together. Usually you can get a good idea of the way a puppy’s coat will finish by the time they are 6 weeks old.
DOODLE COATS CAN BE FLAT, STRAIGHT, WAVY, CURLY, OR TIGHTLY CURLED.
Miss Magic is a flat coated Doodle
Miss Finley shows off her straight Teddy Bear Doodle coat here.
Otis Doodle sports soft, loose curls.
Oliver Doodle shows off his tight curly coat.
An F1 Generation coat is usually straight to wavy and will shed a small amount. F1 Doodles can sometimes also be curly and no shed.
F1B Generation is usually curly, and can be tightly curled. Usually an F1B coat will shed little to none. Sometimes an F1B Doodle will have a wavy coat that sheds, but less often.
DOODLE SIZES
Here’s a great example of the difference between a 30lb mini doodle and a 55lb Standard or Large doodle. (photo courtesy of F1bdoodles.com)
DOODLES COME IN EVERY SIZE. THE MOST COMMON SIZE GROUPINGS FOR DOODLES ARE:
MINI: 18-35 lbs, Usually crossed with a Miniature poodle. Should stand under 18 inches at the shoulder.
SMALL/MEDIUM: 30-40 lbs Usually crossed with a Miniature or Moyen Poodle. Should stand Under 21 inches at the shoulder.
MEDIUM: 35-55lbs Usually crossed with a Standard Poodle. Should stand 21 -24 inches at the shoulder
LARGE OR STANDARD: Over 50 lbs Crossed with a large or King sized Standard Poodle. Stands over 24 inches at the shoulder.
IS A MINI-DOODLE TEMPERAMENT DIFFERENT THAN A MEDIUM OR STANDARD SIZE DOODLE?
When choosing a puppy based on size, temperament is not the only consideration. It is equally important to consider the cross-breed of Doodle you are choosing, and your lifestyle. A puppy’s personality is inherited from its parents. Both of them.
A well bred miniature poodle selected for breeding should not be yappy or hyper. Typically a miniature poodle temperament can be more dependent on its people, yet they are also smart as a whip, quick to be trained and excellent companions. (Not to mention, they fit more easily on a bed!) This means that if you choose a mini doodle, your puppy will also inherit the benefits of its smaller parent.
It is important to consider that Miniature doodles are not well suited to spending long hours alone, can be more prone to separation anxiety and often will bond more with one family member than others. In general we recommend that mini-doodles go to homes where there is a person in the home most of the time, or you have the ability to take your dog to work.
A STANDARD SIZED DOODLE MAY BE A BETTER FIT FOR YOUR FAMILY IF:
Your hope is to hike or jog with your dog, a mini doodle may not have the stamina.
If you are a family that is required to leave your dog for longer than 3 hours per day.
You are hoping for a very transferable family member to bond equally well with your children.
HOW WILL MY PUPPY GROW?
its important to have realistic expectations about the size that your Doodle puppy with grow to. Even if puppies are advertised as miniature, does not guarantee that your puppy will finish as a mini.
Because of larger genes that may be carried by the larger parent a puppy bred to be a mini may grow to be a medium sized Doodle. This also works in reverse. If a larger breeding pair retain smaller genes, some puppies that were bred to be large may end up growing only to the size of a small/medium doodle.
The most accurate way to predict the approximate finishing weight of your puppy, before you adopt is to weigh them using a weight charting tool. There are many resources available to predict weight. At Ponsonby we prefer to use : puppychart.com
ARE YOU READY TO BECOME A PUPPY PARENT? WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AND ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS.