Million-dollar question: F1 or F1B? HELP!

[Amy N]

We are first-time Doodle buyers and we are torn between three pups (two different breeders).

One is an English Cream F1. From the other breeder there is an F1B petite and an F1 mini. I feel really good about both breeders but, in addition to the right disposition, having a non/low-shedder is important to us.

In your experience, are F1s more likely to shed than F1Bs or is it a crap shoot and totally based on a dog's genes? I've read a lot of conflicting information. All three are described by the breeders as having "wavy to curly" coats--with the English F1 looking the least curly. HELP! We hope to make our decision soon so we can reserve our pup.

Thanks, cannot wait to bring him home!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are no guarantees, but an F1B is the least likely to shed of any of the doodle generations, even the multigens. An F1 is the most likely to shed of any of the generations. If non-shedding is important to you, you should absolutely go with an F1B, IMO. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sounds right to me.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

What Karen said. But the key words are " least likely". Still a crapshoot.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Agree fully!

For us, less shedding was a "it would be nice" not a "must have".  

Luna is an F1 and sheds like crazy, her coat looks almost 100% golden retriever.  

The bonus is that I don't have to brush her at all and only some maintenance trimming every once in a while (which I do myself).

[Kris and Sawyer]

Agree with Karen... Sawyer is an English F1 and although he does not shed a lot, he does still shed a little bit. The good thing is he does not mat at all. I've never taken him to the groomer and his coat is just fine.

[Amy N]

Thanks, Kris. Assuming Sawyer (fab name!) has a non-curly coat? Sounds like non-curlies may shed more, but mat less? Thoughts?

[Kris and Sawyer]

That seems to be the trend. Sawyer has a very wavy coat, not tight curly. Nothing is a guarantee or an absolute, but it seems the F1b's have tighter curls, more likely to be non shedding and mat. The F1s are more likely to have wavy coats, less matting, and shed a bit.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD is also an F1 and he sheds like there is no tomorrow. Every day, year round. As much as any purebred Lab. I used to foster German Shepherds, and even they didn't shed as much as JD. 

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Meg F1 and biggest shedder I have ever had, we cheerfully clean up after her and trying still to change our wardrobe over to match ;-), Polly F1B and the only hair we find from her is when brushing.  Totally different coats on each of them.

[jenn D]

Hi Amy,
First, congrats on your upcoming doodle. I hope you enjoy him or her as we enjoy ours. To answer your question here is my perspective, we have 3 Labradoodles. Two are multigeneration (mom dad and grandparents all Labradoodles) and one is an F1b. None of mine shed. My F1b is much curlier than my multigenerations. It is a crapshoot on if you get a shedder or not. For us, our biggest matting dog is our oldest multigen. Even though he is less curly than our f1b, his coat has a lot of wavy wool hair and the strands are very fine. So I have to brush him daily. In fact all of mine get brushed often. I do think that the more non shedding they are the more likelihood for mats. Either way you have upkeep with a doodle. You either pick up its hair that shedded or you get to groom often. It's a personal choice which you would prefer to do. Good luck with your decision. :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

A note here  that serious grooming comes into play. If grooming and costs are important to you too, most f1bs need to be groomed more often and tend to only have much shorter hair.

If you want the shaggy long-haired look....  f1 but if shedding is important f1b. 

I just spent 20 hours cutting each and every curl by hand and I still have two back legs to go. 

The less shedding, the more grooming

[jenn D]

Yup, it's one or the other. I feel ya, Joanne. I groom my 3 and I am constantly snipping, clipping and trimming. Lol!