Doodle Types & Coats

To fully understand the delightful world of doodles, including Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles, one must delve into the details of their types and coat variations. This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive guide to this fascinating topic, starting with a definition of furnished and unfurnished coats, then moving on to the intriguing subject of F1, F1b, and F2 doodle types.

Furnished vs. Unfurnished Coats

One key aspect of doodle breeds like Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles is their distinctive coats. These coats fall into two primary categories: furnished and unfurnished.

Furnished Doodle Coats

Furnished coats feature longer hairs on the face, legs, and tail, giving doodles their signature shaggy appearance. This is the most common type of coat among doodles, often perceived as more visually appealing. Despite the warmth and protection furnished coats provide, they can demand more grooming effort due to their susceptibility to matting.

Unfurnished Doodle Coats

On the other hand, unfurnished coats are shorter, lacking the longer hairs on the face, legs, and tail. These coats require less grooming, are less prone to matting, and easier to clean. However, they might not provide as much warmth or protection from dirt and debris as furnished coats. They are also likely to shed a little more since their coats are less curly. Although it should still be much less than a standard straight coated dog.

Your lifestyle, the climate you live in, and your personal preferences all play a role when deciding between a furnished or unfurnished doodle. If you lean towards minimal grooming, an unfurnished doodle might be a perfect fit. However, for colder climates, a furnished doodle could provide the necessary warmth.

After considering coat types, it's important to understand the differences between F1, F2, and F1b doodle generations.

F1 | First Generation

F1 doodles are first-generation hybrids, a direct result of breeding a purebred Poodle with a purebred non-Poodle dog. For instance, an F1 Goldendoodle is a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle. And an F1 Bernedoodle is a cross between a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog and a purebred Poodle. Their coat can be a toss-up between furnished and unfurnished, often mirroring the parent breeds' coats.

F1b | First Gen Backcross

Also known as "backcross" doodles, F1b doodles come from breeding an F1 doodle (either Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle) with a purebred Poodle. Predictability increases with this generation, as these doodles are more likely to have a furnished coat due to the increased Poodle DNA. This results in a pup with a curlier, more hypoallergenic coat, making them an excellent choice for those with allergies.

F2 | Second Generation

F2 Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles are second-generation hybrids, produced by breeding two F1 Goldendoodles or Bernedoodles together. Their coat can range from wavy to curly, but in general they are more predictable thna F1 doodles in terms of their coat type. Although, they do have a higher likelihood of being furnished, their shedding tendencies can still vary, making each F2 pup wonderfully unique.