Goldendoodle Generations Explained
F1, F1B, Better Back, and English Goldendoodle — what they mean, how they differ, and which might be right for your family.
The Short Version
A Goldendoodle's generation tells you how much Golden Retriever and how much Poodle it has, as well as what breeds or mixes the dog's parents were. More Poodle generally means less shedding. More Golden generally means a more variable coat that sheds more. No generation guarantees a coat, so we pair that information with DNA testing and our experience with each litter.
The Generations We Breed
F1 Goldendoodle
An F1 is the direct offspring of a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle. F1s typically shed low to moderate amounts, much less than a Golden Retriever. Coats are usually wavy and vary from puppy to puppy. This is the most popular mix for families who want the Golden's temperament with reduced shedding and can live with some variability.
The letter F stands for "filial," meaning offspring. The number tells you how many generations removed the dog is from its purebred ancestors. F1 is the first generation of two purebreds being crossed.
F1B Goldendoodle
An F1B is the offspring of an F1 Goldendoodle and a purebred Poodle. F1Bs shed very little to none and usually have curlier, more Poodle-like coats. They are a good choice for families with mild to moderate allergies or a strong preference for a non-shedding coat. Expect regular grooming with this mix.
The letter F stands for "filial," meaning offspring. The number tells you how many generations removed the dog is from its purebred ancestors. F1B is the first generation of the mixed breed (F1) being crossed back to one of the purebred breeds involved in the mix.
Better Back Goldendoodle
A Better Back, also called a Reverse F1B, is the offspring of an F1 Goldendoodle and a purebred Golden Retriever. Shedding is moderate to heavy and unpredictable. Some shed nearly as much as a Golden, while others shed surprisingly little, and you won't know until your puppy matures. Better Backs are best for families who aren't bothered by shedding and want more Golden Retriever traits.
The letter F stands for "filial," meaning offspring. The number tells you how many generations removed the dog is from its purebred ancestors. Better Back is the first generation of the mixed breed (F1) being crossed back to the other purebred breed involved in the mix.
Shedding at a Glance
| Type | Golden / Poodle | Typical Shedding |
|---|---|---|
| Purebred Golden Retriever | 100% / 0% | Heavy, with seasonal coat-blowing |
| Better Back | 75% / 25% | Moderate to heavy, variable |
| F1 | 50% / 50% | Low to moderate |
| F1B | 25% / 75% | Very low to none |
| Purebred Poodle | 0% / 100% | Virtually none |
No dog is truly hypoallergenic. If allergies matter in your home, spend time with a dog of the generation you're considering before you commit.
Goldendoodle Sizes
Size is separate from generation. Any generation — F1, F1B, or Better Back — can come in any of the sizes below. Size is determined by the Poodle parent: a Standard Poodle produces a Standard Goldendoodle, a Moyen (medium) Poodle produces a Medium Goldendoodle, and a Miniature Poodle produces a Miniature Goldendoodle.
How Size Is Determined
The Poodle parent sets the size. Golden Retrievers are a standard-sized breed, so the Poodle is the variable. Breeders who want smaller Goldendoodles use Miniature or Moyen Poodles. The Golden Retriever's size influences the final result too, but the Poodle parent is the primary driver.
- Standard:50 pounds and over
Bred from a Standard Poodle. The most common size for families wanting a larger, active companion.
- Medium:35 to 50 pounds
Bred from a Moyen (medium) Poodle. A popular middle ground — substantial enough to keep up with active families, manageable enough for smaller homes. An added bonus: they take up a lot less room on a road trip.
- Miniature:26 to 35 pounds
Bred from a Miniature Poodle. Well suited for apartment living or families who prefer a smaller dog.
English Goldendoodles
"English" describes the Golden Retriever side of the family, not the generation. An English Goldendoodle has English (also called European) Golden Retrievers in its ancestry. An English Goldendoodle can be an F1, F1B, Better Back, or any other generation — as long as the Golden Retriever parent is an English Golden.
What Makes an English Golden Different
English Golden Retrievers were developed from European lines and tend to differ from American Goldens in a few notable ways. They are often described as calmer and more laid-back in temperament. They typically have a blockier head, heavier bone structure, and a cream to pale gold coat rather than the deeper gold of American lines. Many breeders and families find them to be a slightly softer, more easygoing dog overall.
Why We Pay Attention to English Lines
Golden Retrievers as a breed have one of the highest cancer rates of any dog — studies suggest roughly 60% of Goldens will develop cancer in their lifetime. English Golden Retrievers are widely believed to have lower cancer rates than their American counterparts, though large-scale controlled studies are still limited. At Acadia, we select for English lines in part because of this. It is one of many factors we weigh when choosing breeding dogs, alongside health testing, temperament, and structure.
English Goldendoodles at Acadia
Several of our breeding dogs carry English Golden Retriever lines. When a litter includes English Golden ancestry, we note it on the litter page. If this is important to your family, mention it on your application and we will do our best to match you with a litter that fits.
Other Terms You May See
F2 usually means two F1 Goldendoodles bred together. Multigenerational (or "multigen") means Goldendoodles bred to Goldendoodles over several generations. Acadia Goldendoodles does not currently breed F2 or Multigenerational Goldendoodles.
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