Considering another Doodle - have an English F1 now

[Toby]

I have an F1 English Goldendoodle - he is 10 months old.  Though he is in the center of activity in our home, he seems really bored.  We are considering purchasing another one.  I wonder if anyone has insight on the difference between English and regular (or American, I suppose) Goldendoodles?  Also, other than shedding, I would appreciate insight in differences between F1 and F1Bs.  Thanks!

 

[Adina P]

In my opinion there are only possible differences between English and American goldendoodles.

Technically, in the world of golden retrievers, the term "English" is used interchangeably with "Show" so it's not so much that the goldens in England are vastly different but that they somehow are considered more like 'show goldens'.  Show goldens tend to have a blockier build, are lighter in color, and supposedly more 'mellow' in temperament than American or 'field' goldens.  Field goldens are supposed to be darker in color, lankier, and more high energy.

But in the world of goldendoodles, the terms are more marketing than anything.  Because here's the thing...you mix a blocky stocky golden retriever with a poodle (who is NOT blocky/stocky) and some of the puppies will be poodley in build, others more retriever-like, and others somewhere between the two.  There's no way to guarantee how many of each will be in a litter. 

 

So theoretically goldendoodles from English golden retriever lines would be more likely to resemble the blocky, stocky, mellow goldens...but that theory gets washed away when you add a different breed like a poodle that can influence the mix.    You always need to think of mixed breed pups as children of two different parents.  One kid might get the mom's hair and the dad's temperament or vice versa.  The other may be tall like the grandparents even if the dad is not tall.  Another kid may come out the spitting image of the mom and even have similar personality. And so on...seemingly endless possibilities depending on what parents are bred to make a litter of pups (or a bunch of kids).

 

As to the differences between F1 and F1b, I guess it's similar to the things I said above, except a higher chance of getting a doodle with more poodle influence (more poodle in the coat and/or personality).

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

If you'd like to take a look at my page I have an F1English (Rosie) and an F1B (Gaston-Cramer).  Physically, they are night and day.  Rosie is "blockier"(I gather from her english ) and favors the retriever side of her.  To watch her run is like watching a retriever run.  As far as temperament, I can only speak for what I know about Rosie and I will say that between the two of them (in our experience) she is by far the more mellow of the two.  That's not to say that Gaston is hyper...he truly isn't, but between the two a bomb could go off and Rosie wouldn't flinch.

Gaston,  favors the poodle in him.  He prances like a poodle and is built like a poodle.  He is lanky and can bend like a pretzel.  Though is mother was a black standard poodle he is a white as Rosie.  His coat is certainly curlier than hers....actually polar opposites but is changing now that he's older (he's 2) and is less curly and doesn't matt as much as it did when he was younger. 

 

Personality differences.....I'm not sure it has anything to do with F1 vs F1B english and /or american.  I would research breeders and find one you're comfortable with and express the traits/temperament you're looking for.  They would be the best guide :).  I good breeder is breeding for that and not marketing.

 

Having two is a blast!  Rosie joined our family when GC just about 18 months old.  He was never bored as we had other dogs in our family but as you'll see from my photos, the two of them have been inseparable ever since.  They are 3 months apart in age and you would think they were litter mates.  They have a wonderful bond.  I hope the same for you

[Sharon & Monty]

Once upon a time I had a standard golden retriever.  At two years old, I still could not give her enough exercise.  two miles per day sometimes four!  Not to mention playing ball in the yard as well.  She never seemed to slow down until she had aged quite a bit.  I went for the  English golden this time as European standards are quite different ours. I have an F1. I wanted the golden dog, but a little more relaxed.  I ended up getting Monty with championship lines with an English golden from across the pond.  I was expecting a more calmer demeanor and that is so very true for him.  He is extremely mellow. Americans have truly over bred the golden retriever, take a look at their cancer rates as an example.  Thats not to say there aren't wonderful american goldens, but this time around I didn't want to have such a high level dog.  Cant say about the shedding, but Monty sheds a little compared to a 100% golden, holy cow, what difference.