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The family or primary dogs that bred a doodle tend to influence the subsequent generations. Labradoodles are not left out because they are one of the doodle breeds that have multiple generations.
This article aims to help you understand the different generations of a Labradoodle so you will be better informed on what to look for when you want to pay for the doodle.
Strange Letters with Meanings
You must have come across some ‘’strange’’ letters associated with some doodles. For example, you have seen letters like:
- F1
- F1B
- F2 and
- F3
You are wondering what they mean. Well, those depict the different generations of Labradoodles, and they are common with many other doodles.
These supposed ‘’strange’’ letters. So, the next time you see a Labradoodle labeled with F1 or F2, you already know that the letters signify the generation of the doodle.
That said, we will now look at some of the popular Labradoodle generations so you wouldn’t be taken by surprise the next time you come across them.
1. F1 Labradoodle
Doodles are categorized by generations, and an F1 Labradoodle is the first generation of a Labradoodle.
An F1 Labradoodle is a cross between a 100% purebred Standard Poodle and a 100% Labrador Retriever. The idea is that after breeding the aforementioned parent dogs, an F1 Labradoodle would have both traits and genes of the parent dogs in equal proportions.
To that end, you rest assured that your F1 Labradoodle will be 50% Poodle and 50% Labrador Retriever.
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Ask a Vet Live NowHow Do I Identify an F1 Labradoodle?
Because Labradoodles have many generations, you are wondering if there is a way that you can identify an F1 (first generation) Labradoodle.
Indeed, there are several ways that you can spot an F1 Labradoodle out of other doodles. The features to look for include but are not limited to:
Coat Type
The first trait of an F1 Labradoodle is the variety of coat types. Some of the coat types include:
- Curly
- Straight
- wavy
Non-Dominant Genes
It is common to find doodles that have more domineering genes. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case with an F1 Labradoodle because it is quite difficult to specify the genes that dominate.
That is partly because the doodle shares the genes of both parents (Poodle and a Labrador Retriever) in equal portions, and mainly because of the occasional shifting of the hereditary qualities.
In light of that, you will not always find it easy to determine whether the doodle has a recessive gene or a dominant gene.
Hybrid Vigor
The health of your doodle matters a lot because you do not want to breed a pooch that will fall ill at intervals.
Labradoodle lovers want to pay for an F1 Labradoodle because of the advantageous Hybrid Vigor that makes the dog healthier than any purebred.
2. F1B Labradoodle
This is another generation of a Labradoodle that is categorized under the first generation (F1) because it is a cross between an F1 Labradoodle and a purebred Poodle.
The F1B Labradoodle is bred by crossing a purebred (usually a 100% Poodle or a 100% Labrador Retriever) with an F1 Labradoodle.
The outcome is the F1B Labradoodle that has 75% traits of a Poodle and 25% of the genes of a Labrador Retriever.
How to Identify an F1B Labradoodle
You don’t need to be a trained breeder before you can spot an F1B Labradoodle out of other doodles.
The features you must look for include:
- Curly or wavy coat/hair
- An F1B Labradoodle has more medical advantages than the parent dogs.
- These doodles (F1B Labradoodles) are mostly hypoallergenic.
3. F1BB Labradoodle
An F1BB Labradoodle is a cross between a 100% Labrador Retriever or 100% Poodle and an F1B Labradoodle.
By that composition, an F1BB Labradoodle leans more to the side of a Poodle because it has 87.5% Poodle genes and 12.5% Labrador Retriever genes.
Features of an F1BB Labradoodle
You can identify an F1BB Labradoodle because of the following characteristics that are exclusive to the doodle:
- Less Hybrid Vigor characteristics because the doodle is below the F1 Labradoodle generation.
- Curly hair/coat type
- An F1BB Labradoodle doesn’t shed as much as the other first-generation Labradoodles does.
- An F1BB Labradoodle has more hypoallergenic features because it has more Poodle genes of up to 87.5%.
4. F2 Labradoodles
Here is the second generation of Labradoodles. This generation is formed by or crossing an F1 Labradoodle with another F1 Labradoodle.
In such a case, the likely genetics of an F2 Labradoodle will be:
- 50% Poodle and
- 50% Labrador Retriever
The characteristics of an F2 Labradoodle include, but are not limited to:
- Unpredictable shedding
- Varied coat/hair types, such as curly, straight, and wavy
5. F2B Labradoodle
This is often called a Multi-Generational Labradoodle because of the intricate mixing. Ideally, breeders breed an F2B Labradoodle by crossing an F1B Labradoodle and an F1 Labradoodle.
Worthy of mention is that an F2B Labradoodle has more Poodle characteristics, especially in terms of the curly and wavy hair types.
Aside from the standard method of breeding the dog, it is also possible to breed the doodle by breeding two F1B Labradoodles.
6. F2BB Labradoodle
This is a backcross of an F2 Labradoodle because it involves crossing or breeding a 100% Poodle and an F2B Labradoodle.
An F2BB Labradoodle is identified by the following characteristics:
- The doodle has up to 81.25% Poodle traits, and that makes it one of the most non-shedding second-generation Labradoodle.
- The doodle has a curly coat.
7. F3 Labradoodle
This is the third and least of all the Labradoodle generations. Breeding this third-generation Labradoodle is done by crossing two F1B Labradoodles.
It is also possible to breed an F3 Labradoodle by crossing or breeding two F2 Labradoodles.
The characteristics and traits of an F3 Labradoodle include:
- Non-shedding
- An F3 Labradoodle is ideal for people with pet allergies.
- The doodle has more characteristics and genes of a Poodle.
All Labradoodles are not Created Equal
Not all doodles are created equal. So, it all boils down to the features you are looking for in a Labradoodle.
If you are looking for one that doesn’t shed much, an F1BB or an F2BB Labradoodle is the best. But if you are considering the coat type, the first-generation (F1) and second-generation (F2) Labradoodles are the ones you are looking for.
However, if you want to pay for a Labradoodle that has more Poodle genes, we recommend that you invest in an F1BB, F2B, F2BB, and F3 Labradoodle.
Which Labradoodle generation do you like the most and why?
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Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
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