Goldendoodle Generations Explained: F1, F1B, Reverse F1B & F1BB

Simple visual guide showing a Golden Retriever and Poodle producing an F1 Goldendoodle with a straight, wavy, or curly coat range.

Goldendoodle Generations Made Simple: F1, F1B, Reverse F1B, and F1BB Explained

When families start researching Goldendoodles, one of the first things they see is a lot of labels: F1, F1B, Reverse F1B, F1BB, and sometimes even more. At first, it can feel confusing, but the idea is actually pretty simple.

These generation labels help explain the family tree behind the puppy. They can give you a general idea of how much Golden Retriever or Poodle influence is in the background, but they do not guarantee the exact coat, curl, shedding level, or final look of every puppy.

A puppy’s coat is shaped by genetics, not just percentages. Coat traits such as curl, furnishings, and shedding are influenced by genes including KRT71, RSPO2, and MC5R, which is why puppies from the same type of pairing can still look different from one another. UC Davis notes that KRT71 is associated with curly or wavy coats, RSPO2 is associated with furnishings, and shedding is influenced by multiple genes including MC5R and RSPO2.   

What Is an F1 Goldendoodle?

An F1 Goldendoodle is the first-generation cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle.

That means an F1 Goldendoodle is typically described as:

50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle

This is usually the easiest generation to understand because it starts with one parent from each breed.

However, F1 puppies can have the widest coat variety. Some may look more retriever-like, some may have a soft wavy doodle coat, and some may lean curlier depending on the genes they inherit.

With F1 Goldendoodles, families may see:

Straight coatsWavy coatsCurly coatsLow to moderate sheddingA wide range of teddy bear looks

This is why F1 Goldendoodles can be beautiful and loved by many families, but they are not always the most predictable option for coat type or shedding.

Educational Goldendoodle generation chart showing how backcrossing to a Poodle creates an F1B while backcrossing to a Golden Retriever creates a Reverse F1B.

What Is an F1B Goldendoodle?

An F1B Goldendoodle usually means an F1 Goldendoodle has been bred back to a Poodle.

That pairing is commonly described as:

25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle

Because there is more Poodle influence, F1B Goldendoodles are often known for curlier coats and are commonly chosen by families hoping for a lower-shedding dog.

In general, an F1B Goldendoodle may be more likely to have:

A curlier or wavier coatMore Poodle influenceLower shedding potentialA more doodle-like appearance

This does not mean every F1B puppy will be exactly the same. Some may still be loose wavy, while others may be curlier. Genetics still matter.

What Is a Reverse F1B Goldendoodle?

A Reverse F1B Goldendoodle is when an F1 Goldendoodle is bred back to a Golden Retriever instead of a Poodle.

That pairing is commonly described as:

75% Golden Retriever and 25% Poodle

This is still a backcross, but it goes in the opposite direction.

A Reverse F1B Goldendoodle may have:

More Golden Retriever influenceA looser or straighter coatA more retriever-like lookMore shedding potential

This type of pairing may be appealing to families who love the Golden Retriever look and personality but still want some doodle influence. However, if a family’s top priority is a very low-shedding coat, a Reverse F1B may not be the best match.

Why the “B” Matters

The “B” in F1B stands for backcross.

That simply means the dog was bred back to one of the original breeds.

So an F1 Goldendoodle can be bred back to:

A Poodle, creating a traditional F1B GoldendoodleA Golden Retriever, creating a Reverse F1B Goldendoodle

Both start with an F1 Goldendoodle, but the direction of the backcross changes the typical coat outcome.

This is one of the most important things for families to understand. Two dogs can both be “backcrosses,” but they may have very different coat expectations depending on whether the backcross was to a Poodle or a Golden Retriever.

What Is an F1BB Goldendoodle?

An F1BB Goldendoodle usually means an F1B Goldendoodle has been bred back to a Poodle again.

That pairing is commonly described as:

12.5% Golden Retriever and 87.5% Poodle

Because this generation has even more Poodle influence, F1BB Goldendoodles are often chosen by families who are hoping for the curliest coats and the lowest shedding potential.

An F1BB Goldendoodle may be more likely to have:

Strong Poodle influenceVery curly coatsLower shedding potentialA more consistent doodle coat

Again, this is not a 100% guarantee. Even with higher Poodle percentages, coat genetics still matter.

Side-by-side coat expectation chart comparing F1 Goldendoodle, F1B Goldendoodle, Reverse F1B, and F1BB Goldendoodle generations.

Coat Expectations at a Glance

Here is a simple way to think about the different Goldendoodle generations:

F1 Goldendoodle — 50% Golden Retriever / 50% PoodleThis generation usually has the most variety. Puppies may be straight, wavy, or curly. Shedding can range from lower to moderate depending on the puppy.

F1B Goldendoodle — 25% Golden Retriever / 75% PoodleThis generation usually has more Poodle influence. Coats are often curlier or wavier, and many families choose this generation when hoping for lower shedding.

Reverse F1B — 75% Golden Retriever / 25% PoodleThis generation usually has more Golden Retriever influence. Coats may be looser or straighter, and more shedding is possible.

F1BB Goldendoodle — 12.5% Golden Retriever / 87.5% PoodleThis generation usually has the strongest Poodle influence. Coats are often very curly and may be chosen by families hoping for very low shedding.

Percentages Explain Ancestry, Not a Coat Guarantee

One of the biggest misunderstandings about doodle generations is thinking that the percentage tells the whole story.

It does not.

The percentage gives you a helpful estimate of the puppy’s ancestry, but it does not tell you exactly which genes each puppy inherited. Puppies from the same litter can vary in coat texture, curl, shedding, and overall appearance.

That is why responsible breeders look at more than just the generation label. They also consider the parents, coat testing when available, previous litters, structure, temperament, health, and the needs of each family.

The best wording is:

Percentages describe ancestry, not an exact coat guarantee.

Which Goldendoodle Generation Is Best?

There is no one perfect generation for every family. The best choice depends on what matters most to you.

If you love variety and are open to different coat types, an F1 Goldendoodle may be a wonderful fit.

If you want more Poodle influence and are hoping for a lower-shedding coat, an F1B or F1BB may be a better option.

If you love the Golden Retriever look and want a looser coat, a Reverse F1B may be appealing.

The most important thing is to understand what each generation means, ask questions, and work with a breeder who is honest about coat expectations instead of promising that every puppy will look or shed the same.

Final Thoughts

Goldendoodle generation labels can be helpful, but they are only one part of the story. F1, F1B, Reverse F1B, and F1BB explain the family tree, but genetics still shape the final coat, shedding level, and look of each puppy.

A good breeder should help you understand the difference between ancestry percentages and real-life coat expectations so you can choose the puppy that best fits your family.

At the end of the day, every puppy is unique. The generation label gives you a starting point, but the puppy’s individual genetics, temperament, and personality matter just as much.