The f1 vs. f2?? What's your opinion?

[Sarah]

Hi, I'm new to this doodle blog, but am hoping I can get a little help.

I've always wanted a goldendoodle. I've been doing some research on them and realized I know nothing about this type of dog and I thought I did!!
I've found a breeder online who is close to where I live. This breeder has goldendoodle's for sale ranging from $1,200 for the f1 and $900 for the f2.
I believe the goldendoodle that the majority of people have is the f1, correct?
It's difficult to find any real information on the f2 variety. I know to get an f2 goldendoodle a breeder has to mate two f1's together.

Some websites say the f2 sheds less and is good for people who suffer from allergy's, but yet it's the cheaper of the doodles and not many breeders have them for sale.

Also other blog sites that I've come across, describes the f2 as a "disaster" and a breeder who has these dogs for sale is not is a "reputable" breeder. I've found the majority of goldendoodle breeders don't have the f2 as an option, so I'm wondering if the "reputable" breeder thing is correct? Is there something wrong with the f2? Why wouldn't I want to go with the f2?

Here's my wish: I'd love a goldendoodle that has that shaggy, can't see its eyes, floppy teddybear look. What generation should I get? What are the pro's and con's? What do you guys recommend, I'm completely lost and I have an appointment with the breeder by end of week.

Thank you very much!!
S.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd add that if a breeder is advertising puppies for sale on ad sites like Puppy Find or Next Day Pets, it's a pretty safe bet you're not dealing with a reputable breeder. The good breeders rarely have to advertise, their litters are usually sold before they're born. 

[Kimberly and Mikey]

I would really question any doodle for $900. Our F2 is great. I really love no shedding at all! But it is a lot of maintenance. He mats very easy

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

That would be my only issue with none shedding. I have  one F1 that sheds very little, hardly at all actually, and when the mats start at a certain length, it's just a nightmare to keep ahead of until I groom him again, so I keep him from 3/4 to 1 1/2" in length year round.  It seems one day he's mat free and the next he has tight mats all over! I know the swimming doesnt help either. 

My light shedder can have 3-4" hair and I rarely find a mat. I groom her once for every 2 times I groom the first one.  So I guess if you can find a happy medium, as in my light shedder, it would be great, but there are no guarantees with any litter or with every dog in the same litter. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Kimberly, it says on your page that Mikey is an F2B. That's very different from an F2. An F2B is an F1 bred to an F1B. 

An F2 is an F1 + an F1. Big difference. :)

[Kimberly and Mikey]

He is an F2. I will have to look and change it. I am actually not sure why. Typo maybe

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And then you have the very shaggy, floppy hair in the eyes Disney dog like mine who sheds more than any dog I've ever known, including the German Shepherds I fostered. :) 

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Is JD an F1? I feel like you mentioned this multiple times and I'm drawing a blank. I think it's interesting that he has the complete teddy bear look but sheds as much as a dog without any genes to go in "camp no shedding". I curious what Moose will end up with coat wise because him and Loki are both F1's and Loki's cost looks just like Moose's when he was his age. I know that means next to nothing but you can't help but wonder!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, he's an F1 Labradoodle. His coat is pretty straight and very shaggy, and he sheds heavily year round. Never matts, and never needs a hair cut, grooming is a snap. But you can see the hair coming off him every time he moves, lol. I had Poodles all my life and it was really hard to get used to having hair all over every thing all the time. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

OK--read the responses and I agree with all of it--but want to add my two cents (as I often do!) I work for a doodle breeder and have raised several F2 litters-- we do thorough health testing and the price is quite a bit higher--but that is not the point I want to make. Here is the important part--not all F2s are created equal!!!

I just raised a litter of 11 F2 pups (YES! 11!) and there were three that were quite curly and non-shedders--they went to families with allergy issues and we have had no complaints--then there was a straighter coated pup who went to a family that did not care about shedding and loved the "scruffy" look--and then there were 7 pups with a lovely wavy fleece coat--the point is that you can get a VARIETY within any litter--even and F1B can shed just like a lab--they may be 75% poodle but that does not mean the 25% lab can't dominate! So, get educated and know what to look for--if the pup has straight hair now and some comes out when you pull gently on it, it will not be a curly non-shedding coat later!! :) 

Here are three from that litter--straight, curly and wavy fleece!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Even on the straighter coated puppy, you can clearly see the facial furnishings. This is a great example of what people should be looking at besides how much curl is in the coat. lately, we've had so many people with open-faced pups asking if their dogs is going to "doodle out". With that "chrysanthemum", no doubt whatsoever that this straighter coated pup is going to be very "doodle-y" looking! 

[Stella]

I'll take the one at the top!!!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Isn't he so handsome! They named him Capriccio or Capi after his dad. His eyes are hazel--such a love.