f1B vs multigen goldendoodle - which has the potential to shed less?

[Julie K]

We are trying to narrow what type of puppy to get.  I have read conflicting information about the potential to shed.  Are we better off with an f1B or a multi-gen golden doodle if my family has some allergy issues.  Thanks for your input!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'll be very honest. There is absolutely no guarantee that any doodle puppy of any generation or type will not shed, or that he/she will be allergy friendly. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. And even if a puppy doesn't shed or affect your allergies, that doesn't mean it will still be the case when he gets his adult coat. If this is a concern, you really should only consider purebred dogs who are guaranteed not to shed, (Poodles, Bichons, Wheaten Terriers, Schnauzers, etc) or an adult doodle, where what you see is what you get. It is really not fair to any puppy to take a chance that he/she will have to go through the trauma of being rehomed after a year because someone in the family is allergic to him. 

Here is some information; this is applies to Goldendoodles as well as Labradoodles: http://doodlerescue.org/group/isadoodleforyou/forum/topics/the-alle...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Since this is to be your first family pet, it would probably also be a great idea to read this DK discussion, which was put together by the members of this site to help inform prospective doodle puppy buyers and answer some common questions before they get a doodle: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/considering-a-doodle-crowd...

Since you are on the verge of making a 12-15+ year commitment, it's well worth reading. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Personally, I would opt for an multi-generational Australian labradoodle.  I have not heard of any one that has one that sheds - but I suppose there many be some out there.  If you find a good breeder your chances are good. A standard poodle might be a better option if you have allergy issues.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are some multi-gen ALDs that shed right here in the Shedding Doodles Group. 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/roll-calllets-try-to-get-a...

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Yes, but in looking at that group very few are ALDs, most multi gen GDs.

[Jennifer Tramell]

I agree that if allergy is a concern, a purebred non-shedding dog is your best bet.  I used to be somewhat anti-poodle but as I have fallen in love with goldendoodles I have also come to admire a nice poodle.  I have seen many standard poodles who I would be proud to own.  The interesting thing is that poodles don't have to look like the show poodles that everyone is familiar with, they can look a lot like a curly doodle - it's all in the grooming.

If you are set on a doodle, my suggestion would be the f1b.  Without getting too complicated, a goldendoodle's coat is influenced by a curl gene and a furnishings gene (as well as some others).  They are starting to test for a shedding gene but most people find that a goldendoodle with both the curl and furnishings gene has least chance of shedding.  A pup gets one copy of each parent's gene, so an f1b with 75% poodle will get at least 1 curl and 1 furnishing gene from a poodle parent.  It is possible for an f1b to receive only 1 copy of each, 2 copies of one and 1 copy of the other, or 2 copies of both.  Unless the parents of the multigens are tested for those genes, you may end up with a variety of coat possibilities.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And the Where's the Poodle in my Doodle Group has a number of F1Bs who are open-faced and shed:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/wheresthepoodleinmydoodle

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

To complicate things further.... I have two F1 doodles who look identical as far as coat texture and wavy/curly-ness goes but one is a non shedder and one sheds a lot. But if you didn't look really closely at them, you probably couldn't tell the difference.

Both of my guys have the exactly same parents (Bernese Mountian dog X standard poodle) just separate litters and as puppies they looked the same as far and coat and even now they do! I attached a picture of the two of them today on a walk, the dog on the left (2years) does not shed, and the dog on the right (1year) leaves tumble weeds of fur in his wake.

I think most people would not be able to see differences in their coat types and they certainly do not have a open face lol! If allergies are an issue I would be very careful because with mixed breeds your almost playing the lottery with what you will get. Good luck with your choice!

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

And here's another picture of them that shows their faces better... The dog on the left is the shedder and the one on the right is the non shedder. Literally the only difference I can find in the way they look is that Moose, the shedder, has a slightly more straight beard where as Loki, the non shedder, has a more wavy beard. But even so I think most people would never notice that and certainly not when you're picki out a little puppy.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thismight be a helpful video to watch

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/video/hypoallergenic-dogs

[Lynda Kamrath]

We have had several doodles and there is no guarantee that they will not shed.  We have also had poodles and they did not shed.  Our labradoodle shed a little, the F1b goldendoodle was a non-shedder, and our ALD and Jackapoo that we have now do not shed.  Actually, the labradoodle is the only dog we have had in over thirty years that did shed.  Our son had a shepherd that did shed and that was rather unpleasant for us but she was basically an outdoor dog.  If this is an important issue for you, you might try a non-shedding breed.  Our F1b phantom goldendoodle had the most fantastic coat and very easy care for him.  He would be my recommendation for coat.

[Nancy & Echo]

According to what I've read, allergies are more from the saliva, dander and urine than the dog hair. Here's a recent thread. http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/interesting-observation-on...