Labradoodle

Is The F1 or F2 Labradoodle Better? – A Simplified Guide

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Labradoodles are a mix of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. They are one of the most sought mixed breeds in the world. But many owners wonder if an F1 or F2 Labradoodle is better.

F1 Labradoodles come from purebred Poodles and Labradors, while F2 Labradoodles come from two Labradoodles. Choosing an F1 over an F2 is recommended as the traits of the puppy are more predictable. Yet, there are people who choose F2 for other reasons.

What Is A Labradoodle?

The Labradoodle is a “designer breed” made by breeding a Poodle with a Labrador Retriever. It was designed to have the friendliness and affection of Labrador Retrievers while having the hypoallergenic coat and high intelligence of the Poodle. It ended up being such a good hybrid breed that many people choose it over its parent breeds.

Types Of Labradoodle Generations

There are a few types, or generations of Labradoodles you need to know. Usually, we speak about the F1, F1b, F2, and multi-generation Labradoodles. The “F” that goes before the Labradoodle means Familial hybrid and means that the breed is mixed.

  • The F1 is a first generation Labradoodle. This means that the puppy was made by breeding a purebred Labrador with a purebred Poodle. It has 50% Labrador Retriever genes and 50% Poodle genes.
  • The “b” in F1b stands for “backcross”. It means that the puppy was made by breeding a purebred Poodle with an F1 Labradoodle.  That makes it have 75% Poodle, and only 25% Labrador genes.
  • The F2 is a second generation Labradoodle. This means that the puppy was made by breeding an F1 Labradoodle with an F1 Labradoodle. Its genes are unpredictable, but it can be calculated as 50% Poodle and 50% Labrador genes.
  • Multi-generation Labradoodles are a mix of different generations of Poodle that is difficult to determine.

Common Traits Of All Labradoodles

Before we tell you how two different generations of Labradoodles differentiate, we need to tell you what similarities they have. 

Both generations of Labradoodles make for great family dogs due to their loving personality. They are great with kids and loyal to their owners. Poodles tend to pick a favorite person in the family, so its Labradoodle puppy might do this too. Because of these qualities, Labradoodles can be used as guide dogs and therapy dogs.

All Labradoodles are high-energy dogs because both of the parent breeds are high-energy breeds. Labradoodles are also eager to please and easy to train. Both generations are also hypoallergenic, with the F1 Standard Labradoodle shedding less than the F2 in some cases. Also, Poodles bite a lot as a habit, which can be transferred to their offspring.

What Is Better F1 Or F1B Labradoodle?

If you are someone looking for a puppy that sheds very little, the F1b Labradoodle is the best option. This doodle has 75% Poodle genes, making its coat more similar to the Poodle’s hypoallergenic coat. That said, the F1 Labradoodle also has some desirable traits.

F1 Labradoodles

These Labradoodles have an equal mix of both the purebred Poodle and the purebred Labrador. They are 50% Poodle, and 50% Labrador Retriever.

Their coat will look like a mix of their parent’s coats. It can look smooth or wavy, depending on the genes. If the puppy inherits more genes from the Labrador, the fur will have an undercoat and shed more. If it inherits more Poodle genes, it won’t have an undercoat, which results in less shedding.

Because this is a first gen Labradoodle, it tends to be healthier than the other generations. It has the benefit of having hybrid vigor, or heterosis. This means that its parents are purebred and unrelated. That makes it healthier and grows better than its parent breeds. Its parent breeds will need to go through a DNA test to check for any genetic diseases.

F1B Labradoodles

These Labradoodles have a higher genetic composition coming from the Poodle compared to the Labrador. They are 75% Poodle, and 25% Labrador Retriever. It is made by mixing a Poodle and a Labradoodle with the thought of producing a mix closer to the Poodle.

The coat of the F1b is designed to be more similar to the Poodle. It is curlier than the F1 and doesn’t have an undercoat. There are some of the F1b generation Labradoodles that do end up shedding a bit more, but they aren’t common. This makes the F1b a very desirable breed for people with severe allergies.

If we compare the F1 vs F1b Labradoodle health-wise, we can say that the F1b has fewer of the advantages of the Hybrid Vigor. Since this is a “second generation” that is not made by two purebred dogs, it doesn’t have the same genetic qualities as the F1.

Are F2 Labradoodles Good?

The F2 Labradoodles are a mix of two F1 Labradoodles. This gives them the same intelligence, playfulness, and high energy as their parent breeds. But these puppies inherit unpredictable traits and can sometimes end up with serious health problems.

The coat of the F2 Labradoodle can be noticeably different between two siblings in the same litter. One pup can end up with a full fleece coat like a Poodle. The other will have a thick double coat that helps the Labrador withstand cold temperatures. Their coat color will also be very varied. Both puppies might end up looking completely different from each other.

Health-wise, the 2nd generation Labradoodle is much more possible to develop a genetic disease. One of these conditions is sebaceous adenitis, a skin condition causing skin inflammation. The worst health problem could probably be lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system.

How Much Do These Puppies Cost?

If you like this puppy and want to get one for yourself, you can contact a breeder or a rescue shelter. If you are certain about the generation of puppy you want, the best choice would be to contact a reputable breeder.

Buying a Labradoodle

The prices of these puppies vary according to their generation. It will also depend on the size of the puppy, and its location. Smaller Labradoodles usually cost more. Getting a puppy from a Moyen Poodle compared to a Standard Poodle will be more expensive. The breeder should give you all information you need to know about your new puppy. Usually, the breeders only breed F1 or F1b puppies, because F2’s are less consistent in their traits.

  • F1 generation puppies will usually go for $1200-$3000.
  • F1b generation puppies are more expensive, costing around $1500-$5000.
  • F2 generation puppies also cost around $1200-$3000, even though they are more unpredictable.

Some Labradoodle breeders include Midwest Labradoodle and ForeverGreen Farm Labradoodle.

Adopting a Labradoodle

Adopting an F1 vs F2 Labradoodle will be much different than buying one. The dogs in the rescue shelters are not always purebred and have mixed genes. This means that you might end up with a multi-generational Labradoodle rather than an F1 or F2. 

If you are content with that, you will get to give a home to a puppy that really needs one. Sometimes, you might end up adopting an older dog that also needs a home.

Some Labradoodle rescue shelters include IDOG Rescue, Doodle Rescue Collective Inc., and Doodle Rock Rescue.

A Labradoodle puppy

Did You Like The F1 Or F2 Labradoodle More?

Labradoodles are one of the best hybrid dogs in the world. They are created by breeding a Poodle with a Labrador Retriever. But there is a big difference between the F1 and F2 versions of the Labradoodle.

F1 Labradoodles are made by mixing a purebred Poodle and Labrador. They are a perfect mix of the two parent breeds, which benefits from hybrid vigor. The F1b genetic variation is a mix of a purebred Poodle and a Labradoodle, made for its allergy-friendly coat. F2 generation Labradoodles are more unpredictable as they are a mix of two Labradoodles. They are much more susceptible to genetic diseases.

If you like one of these pups, you can get one for yourself by buying it from a breeder or adopting it from a rescue shelter.

FAQ

What color Labradoodle is the most popular?

The most common Labradoodle colors are cream, gold, and black. That said, other color variations are also possible. White, chocolate, brown, parchment, parti-color, phantom, abstract, and red Labradoodles also exist. 

What generation of Labradoodle is best for allergies?

The best option for people with allergies is the F1b generation Labradoodle. This doodle is made by breeding a purebred Poodle with a Labradoodle specifically to create a hypoallergenic breed.

Is F1 breed better than F2?

If you are choosing between an F1 or F2 Labradoodle, choose the F1. Generally, an F1 Labradoodle is more predictable compared to an F2. F1 dogs benefit from having hybrid vigor, while F2 dogs are exposed to some inheritable diseases.

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