Contact: Kim at PuppyInquiries@MABernedoodles.com or call/Text Kim at 774-452-5567. Click HERE for the adoption application.
What are the differences between F1’s and F2’s? What does it mean? Why is it so confusing to research on the internet? We are mostly concerned with the temperament of our puppy, which list is right for us? If you have any of these questions, please read on to find out!
Why is it so dang confusing to research Bernedoodles on the internet? Much of the information about doodles (of any kind) differs online because the AKC doesn’t recognize them as a breed yet. As a result, there are no “breed standards” like there are for every “pure bred” dog. For example, the AKC says a Labrador should be cream, black or brown and weight approximately 65lbs. That is the AKC “breed standard”. Doodles aren’t recognized by the AKC because they aren’t considered a “pure” breed, YET! This is why researching doodles can be so dang confusing! Every breeder has their own breeding program, philosophy and unique parent dogs. Further, not only is there variation when it comes to classifying the “breed standard” for any type of doodle, in addition, much of the information found on the internet which talks about F1’s vs. F2’s vs. F1b’s came out before genetic testing was available for doggo’s. Therefore, there is a lot of misinformation on the internet.
I can’t speak for any other breeders or their programs in terms of health and temperaments because they may not do things the way I do them. Temperament and health -it all comes back to nature and nurture which means the parents and the breeder. If the parents are “clear” of the most common heritable diseases by breed via PawPrint genetics or GenSol (so for bernedoodles it’s both poodles and BMD’s) then the puppies are clear by parentage. In my breeding program, the parents must test “clear” meaning they can’t be “carriers” or “affected” by the most common heritable diseases for poodles and BMD’s. They also must have “good” or “excellent” ratings by the OFA or PennHip for hips and elbows otherwise they don’t become parents in my program.
What’s the difference between F1 Bernedoodles and F2 Bernedoodles?
The main differences between F1’s and F2’s are:
F1 Bernedoodle Puppies
1. F2 Puppies are 50% Poodle and 50% Bernese Mountain Dog. F1 puppies are born from a BMD Mom and a Poodle dad.
2. F1 litters are more consistent in the colors and patterns with slight variations in markings. Ie; the white blaze between the eyes may be thicker on some and thinner on others but they all look similar.
3. F1 litters have a slightly higher chance of having a low shedding puppy or two in any given litter. However, I haven’t seen it yet so it’s more of a full disclosure statement
4. F1’s born from berner mom’s keep the berner pattern, are tricolored mostly and have wavy, non-shedding coats
5. F1’s born from poodle mom’s have a smaller frame like a poodle and curlier coats. They’re also usually bi colored black/white or brown/white with either a “tuxedo” pattern (white mittens, chest and tip of tail. Sometimes a white blaze) or “parti” which means half one color and half white (think Holstein cows).
F2 Puppies
1. F2 Puppies are 50% Poodle and 50% Bernese Mountain Dog. Both parents are Bernedoodles
2. There’s more variation in the coat colors because there were 2 poodle dad’s involved in the making of the bernedoodle parents. One for the mom and one for the dad. You’ll see phantoms, sables, traditional tricolored, parti tricolored and Sable tricolored, bicolored including apricot/white, black/white or brown/white and solid colored depending on what the bernedoodle parents look like. If both bernedoodle parents are tri colored however, then some of their pups will be too! If one parent is a Sable color, like Rocky then there will be some Sable puppies and some tricolored as well. More variation overall.
3. 88% of each puppy in an F2 litter are non shedding, Furnished Bernedoodles. Wavy or curly, non-shedding coats are believed to be the best option for people with allergies to shedding dogs.
12% of each F2 litter will be low shedding, Unfurnished Bernedoodles. Unfurnished Bernedoodles look more like a Bernese Mountain Dog than a Poodle. They are loved by Berner lovers who can’t stand the heart break of losing their berner at 7-8 years old (the average lifespan of a pure bred Bernese Mountain Dog). Adding the Poodle genetics leads to a longer, healthier life!
4. Each puppy is unique! More variation in coat colors and patterns. See my website under previous litters and “what does a bernedoodle look like” and look at grace, Suzy, Janis, Grace and Rosie’s past litters.
Above: F2 Bernedoodle, Furnished, Non-Shedding
F1b Puppies
1. F1b’s are 75% Poodle and 25% Bernese Mountain Dog (BMD). One parent is a Bernedoodle and the other is a Poodle.
2. They are thought to be the best option for people with allergies to shedding dogs because every puppy will be non-shedding.
3. These puppies typically have curlier hair when compared to any other generation. As such, they may require more brushing to prevent matting. However, the only Bernedoodle that doesn’t require more maintenance than a typical dog is the Unfurnished Bernedoodles which are not recommended for people with allergies.
In my program, there is no difference in health, regardless of generation. Why? Because all MBD parents have been genetically tested for the most common heritable diseases by breed and found to be “clear” (not carriers or affected). They have also had PennHip or OFA exams for their hips and elbows. In any doodle or pure bred breed, the puppies are only as healthy as the parents.
Temperament:
Temperament will always comes back to the parents and what the breeder does to socialize the pups from birth to 8 weeks old. I choose the parents on temperament and health. In my breeding program, there’s no difference in temperament between F1’s vs. F2’s. They’re all wonderful! We also do neuro stimulation exercises beginning on day 3 until week 8 as well as the Volhard Puppy Temperament Test at 6 Weeks Old. Please see the puppy pricing page for more information about temperaments!
How can I help you pick? There are no “bad” picks here..
On puppy pick/gotcha day, I help guide matching puppies to families based on lifestyle but ultimately it’s your decision. If a family has 2- 4 active kids in elementary or middle school, the quietest puppy wouldn’t be able to keep up with them! The quietest puppy would be a better match for a family with very young children who don’t understand puppies teeth or families who are past the hustle of young kids and want a dog to just chill out with them.
Make sense? If not, please contact me and we can discuss further
