Poodle

If you are looking to get a new pet or a companion for a dog that you already have, you may be considering a Labradoodle. Their affectionate temperament makes Labradoodles a favored choice amongst many, however, after conducting some research into the breed, you will soon discover that there are several types available. When faced with a choice of two (the F2 or F1 Labradoodle), you must make sure that you choose the best type for you. We have researched the different types of Labradoodles available and covered everything that you need to know in our guide below. When deciding between an F2 and F1 Labradoodle, an F1 is generally the preferred option because they are more predictable than F2 Labradoodles. As an F2 is a mix of two F1’s it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how an F2 will look and what characteristics it will have. For this reason, you will often find that breeders with experience are more reluctant to sell F2 Labradoodles due to the uncertainty of the traits that they are going to inherit. What Are The Different Generations of Labradoodles? When conducting your research into this breed, you will often stumble upon inconsistencies regarding the different generations. The following are accepted terms that are used to identify each generation of Labradoodle. The first is an F1 followed by an F2, F3, F1, and an F2b. F1 Labradoodle An F1 Labradoodle refers to the first generation of Labradoodles. The parent dogs are a Poodle and a Labrador. An F1b is the second generation also known as the back cross-generation. Then you have the F2 which is the third generation. Labradoodles beyond the third generation are known as the multi-generation with both parents being Labradoodles. The first generation, i.e. an F1 Labradoodle is an equal mix of a Poodle and a Labrador. As they are half Labrador, you will find that some F1 Labradoodles are prone to shedding, and because of this, they are best suited to individuals with mild, rather than severe allergies. F1b Labradoodle The parents of an F1b Labradoodle are an F1 Labradoodle and a Poodle. Typically, 25% of an F1b will be made up of a Labrador, whilst a much larger 75% will be made up of a Poodle. As they have a larger trace of a Poodle in their makeup, most F1b Labradoodles will have a poodle-like coat. F2 Labradoodle Next, we have an F2 Labradoodle. As the parents of this generation are both F1s, it is difficult to predict their genes and how much of their makeup will be a Labrador and how much will be a Poodle. Multi-generation Labradoodles From this point onwards, you then have the multi-generation Labradoodles which can be identified as the F2b and the F3. The aforementioned has an F1 and an F1b as parents, whilst the latter has two F2s as parents. An F2b is made up of just over 60% Poodle and just under 40% Labrador. The genes of an F3 are a little more difficult to determine. You will typically find that multi-gen Labradoodles shed less than the other generations. What Common Traits Are Displayed By All Generations? There are noticeable differences between each generation of labradoodle, however, they also share some common traits. We have listed these below. High energy Labradoodles can be high-energy dogs and this applies to each of the generations. If you are considering getting a Labradoodle, you must be willing to spend time playing with them, keeping them stimulated, and walking them regularly so that they can release their energy. Easy to train As a breed, Labradoodles are known to be easy to train. They will learn and process most commands well. For example, you can teach them to sit, lie down, give paw and stay. You will often find that once they have mastered the basics, you can start teaching them more advanced commands. Great temperament They make great family pets and their loving personalities mean that they bond well with children. After getting a Labradoodle, you will soon find that it becomes an important addition to your family. Although Labradoodles are an alert breed that are loyal to their owners, by nature, they are not protective. For this reason, you should not depend on them to act as a watchdog for your family. Labradoodles are known to make great guide dogs. Because they have loving and affectionate temperaments, you will often find that they are used as therapy dogs to aid those who are dealing with depression, etc. Hypoallergenic? You will not find a dog that is completely hypoallergenic, however, Labradoodles have low shedding coats (because of the Poodle in them, not the Labrador) that make them a better choice for individuals with allergies when compared to other breeds. It is worth noting that certain generations of Labradoodles will shed more or less than others. F1 Labradoodle - Deep Dive An F1 Labradoodle is made up of 50% Poodle and 50% Labrador. The parent Labrador Retriever is purebred (once size only), but the Poodle can be either standard or miniature. When fully grown, an F1 can be quite large, sometimes over 20 inches. Similar to a Golden Retriever, an F1 has a smooth coat that is slightly wavy. They are prone to shedding and because of this, this generation is not recommended for those who suffer from allergies as they aren’t the most hypoallergenic. Needless to say, you will find some F1 Labradoodles that don’t shed and are therefore suitable for those with allergies. As the F1 is a first-generation hybrid, they are thought to be healthier than their parents and this is due to heterosis, also known as hybrid vigor. Essentially, if the parents of an F1 are purebred, unrelated dogs the offspring is likely to be healthier. You will often find that they grow better than the parent dogs too. Hybrid vigor only tends to come into effect if both parent dogs have been tested for possible health problems and diseases. In regards to potential health problems, Poodles tend to suffer from eye problems and hip dysplasia. Likewise, Labradors also tend to experience problems with their hips. If you want to discover whether or not your dog has inherited any health issues from its parents, you may choose to conduct a dog DNA test. There are many options available, though you may find some to be more effective than others. What Is An F2 Labradoodle? An F2 Labradoodle is a cross between two different F1 Labradoodles. Whilst this generation is still made up of 50% Labrador and 50% Poodle their genes are slightly more mixed. It can be difficult to predict exactly how an F2 Labradoodle is going to be made up. Sometimes they may inherit more genes of one of their purebred parents than another. With F2 Labradoodles, you will find that they are available in different fur variations. Some will have thick, almost fleece-like coats whilst others will have fur that is a lot thinner. Aside from this, an F2 Labradoodle is available in an array of different colors. Although it can be a little difficult to predict the exact temperament of an F2, generally, they tend to be loving and kind. As we have mentioned, after the F2 Labradoodle you get what is known as a multi-generation Poodle. Again, their appearance and temperament as well as their tendency to shed can be a lot more difficult to predict. In comparison to an F1, you may find that an F2 and higher generations look distinctly more like a Labrador or a Poodle but this of course will depend on the parent that they have influenced the most genes from. Due to the inconsistency of the F2 generation, you will find that some breeders are less willing to sell them. In regards to allergies, an F2 Labradoodle is recommended for individuals who suffer from moderate or slightly severe allergies because you can get some with a fur type that does not shed as heavily. Which Labradoodle is right for you? Now that you have read through all of this information, you should be able to arrive at a decision regarding the Labradoodle that is right for you. If you are looking for a dog whose appearance and temperament are easier to predict, an F1 Labradoodle is going to be the preferred choice. You will find that an F1 displays all of the typical behaviors that many of us associate with this breed. If you are someone who suffers from an allergy you may benefit from getting an F1b Labradoodle because they are known to shed significantly less than the other breeds. For any further generations, you must be prepared for difficulties in predicting exactly how they are going to turn out. Making sure that you are familiar with the characteristics of each type of generation, will help you to make the best decision for you. Final Thoughts All generations of Labradoodles are fun-loving and affectionate. As a breed, they are commonly sought after as family pets. As with any dog, there are many factors to consider when contemplating whether a labradoodle is right for your requirements. You will need to determine whether the dog’s tendency to shed is going to be a concern to you. If you have quite severe allergies, you will need to carefully research the fur type of your potential future pet to ensure that it isn’t going to offset a reaction. Frequently Asked Questions Are F2 Labradoodles hypoallergenic? An F2 Labradoodle is bred from two F1 Labradoodles and because of this, you will typically find that they do not shed at all. For this reason, F2 Labradoodles tend to be commonly sought after by those who have allergies because you don’t need to worry as much about them triggering an unwanted allergic reaction. Which generation Labradoodle is better? F1B Labradoodles tend to be a popular option, closely followed by an F2b Labradoodle. To determine which is better for you, you will need to look at the expected temperament and genetic build-up of the dog. What is the difference between F1 and F2 Labradoodles? The difference can be identified by the parent breeds. Whilst an F1 is an equal mix of a Labrador and a Poodle, an F2 is a hybrid of two F1 Labradoodles. What color Labradoodle is the most popular? There are several different colored varieties of Labradoodles available. Some of the most popular include a black Labradoodle, a golden Labradoodle, a chocolate Labradoodle, or a white Labradoodle. If you want to know more about the Labrador site, we have articles about golden Labradors and white Labradors on this blog.