Goldendoodles are a cross between Golden Retrievers and Poodles. The Goldendoodle is referred to by it’s generation or filial label.
What are Filial Labels?
The term ‘filial’ refers to a generation after the parent generation. Filial generations are the offspring resulting from a cross breeding of distinctly different parents. The first filial generation of a cross breeding, is called an F1, for first filial generation. Breeding an F1 to another F1 results in an F2 or second generation. Alternatively, back crossing an F1 with one of the breeds in which it originated is referred to as an F1b, or ‘backcross’. The filial generations and back crosses can continue as such down the line for many generations.
F1 Goldendoodles are a Poodle crossed with a Golden Retriever. This first generation is very predictable, and has the genetic advantage of heterosis, also called hybrid vigor, in which offspring tend to have improved fitness since they are heterozygous at each genetic loci. An F1b is a Goldendoodle backcrossed to either a Golden Retriever or a Poodle. And an F2 is the cross of two Goldendoodles. Crosses occurring after these generations are traditionally referred to as ‘Multigenerational Goldendoodles’.
While the earlier generations, such as F1, F1b, and F2, have meaning regarding the common physical traits you’ll see in Goldendoodles (i.e., coat texture, furnishings, etc.), the later generations have very little context. In fact, many breeders within GANA, after the first few generations, are labeling their dogs as ‘Multigenerational’. It is more accurate to describe these offspring by the physical traits they will exhibit. Doing so, informs consumers of the expectation for the puppies. We recommend consumers ask breeders about the specific qualities the puppies will exhibit (coat texture, shedding, etc.) to best understand what they can anticipate from the litter.
