Questions

[karen k]

Can anyone answer any or all of the questions listed below:

Besides the shedding and the size issue, does the F1 and F1B display significant differences? Typically do mini doodles have short squat legs?

Is there a difference in the english or american doodle? 

Thanks 

[Adina P]

Besides the shedding and the size issue, does the F1 and F1B display significant differences?

---They really shouldn't.  I mean, statistically, they might on the whole...but even within an F1b litter and within an F1 litter there will be shedding and other differences.  Fewer F1 GD's shed than F1 LD's.

Typically do mini doodles have short squat legs?

--They shouldn't (as in that is NOT a goal) but occasionally some come out that way.  But usually it's not a whole litter or even half of them.  F1b's are probably less likely to due to more poodle influence, but with any mix there is the chance of a throw back coat or throw back body parts. Throw back referring to resembling early ancestors and in this case the retriever.

Is there a difference in the english or american doodle?

--They are all American doodles more or less.  But some goldendoodle breeders use an English golden retriever or show golden retriever which are typically lighter colored, mellower, and have heavier boning.  However, remember you are mixing with an energetic, small boned poodle...so there is no guarantee that you'll get lucky and get the RETRIEVER BONES but the POODLE HAIR--you can't dial the switch on which retriever and which poodle characteristics you get.  It is random chance and then picking the right puppy.

[karen k]

Thank you so much. As I said before my head is spinning!!!! Just want to make the best decision!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is TOTALLY my opinion only, so take it for what it's worth, but I personally have a mini f1 - she sheds very lightly, usually only during the summer (it is hardly worth noting) and I LOVE the look of her and would actually prefer an f1 to an f1b or multigen because they DO retain more of the retriever look.

Here's a pic of my girl (and she is not squatty - neither are the siblings - have seen pics of most of them) - she will be 3 in April:

Pic of Peri with her sis Bella

[Ginny Nightingale]

I agree with all that Adina said and would add that all the research in the world will not guarantee that you will be able to "order" what you want. Litters of F1s or F1bs are often a mixed bag of different traits. (See my blogs about my Australian Labradoodle's litters and you will see what I mean!) It is best to look at the parents and the pups to see if they have the traits that you want even if they do not fit the "order" you would place.

[karen k]

I certainly value all of your advice. One of my concerns is can you really see these traits when looking at such a young puppy? All puppies are soooooo cute !

[Adina P]

Which traits are deal breakers?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

No.  But I will tell you that I was kind of at the bottom of the waitlist and told my breeder I didn't care much about looks, just wanted a dood that would mesh well with my chihuahua.  Breeder thought originally that Peri would shed - she is the one on the right in the pic above. Her sis Bella was much curlier as a puppy and given to a family with allergies (in hopes she would not shed).  Don't they look the same now?

 

But I agree, what are deal breakers?  If Peri would have turned out to be a shedder or darker or shorter, I would not have cared in the least. I fell in love at hello - with ALL of the puppies.

 

The MOST important item is to pick a breeder that you can trust (see that Recommended Breeder group on here)

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

In an F1 you would (most likely) get a more retriever-ish body type than in an F1B.

Luna is an F1 mini GD and is one of the rarer "retriever lookalike" doodles. When we picked herout she had very little "fluff" (if any) between her eyes. Her coat was also pin-straight and thick. Basically she now looks like a pint-sized golden ;)

If you want a curlier doodle then an F1B is probably a safer bet, but looking at the puppy is the best way. This site is a wealth of information, and might I suggest the "Puppy to adult" group where you can see a puppy's growth all the way through to adulthood to give you an idea of what to look for.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Yeah it's really a toss-up, I don't know how you'd tell the body type in a pup, but the coat is a little more reliable.

Luna has the body type of a poodle too despite her retriever-ish fur.