…and these are just a few! The information to consider can be mind-boggling!
And then someone mentions Aussiedoodle generations! If this is new to you, we bet you are wondering, “wait, what?” Terms like F1, F2BB, and Multigen may at first seem like nothing but a confusing alphabet soup. But we are here to spell it all out before you pick your puppy. Aussiedoodle generations can have an impact on whether a puppy matches your lifestyle and family.
Why Do Aussiedoodle Generations Matter?
Your Aussiedoodle’s ancestry, and therefore their generation, can make a significant difference in their physical characteristics, personality, and the potential Aussiedoodle health issues they may encounter.
While responsible breeding practices can help reduce the risk of some health issues, I strongly encourage all dog owners to invest in pet insurance to protect themselves from unexpected, costly veterinary care. I personally use Healthy Paws Pet Insurance to protect my dog, as they’re one of the most affordable, yet comprehensive options.
To better understand Aussiedoodle generations we must first define the terms used to label them. Don’t worry, this is much less complicated than it sounds!
What does the “F” mean?
This F stands for “Filial Hybrid.” Each Aussiedoodle generation begins with the letter F. This means that it is a hybrid dog, or a dog that came from two purebred dogs.
What does the number mean?
This is the easy part. The number refers to the generation. So, 1 means first generation, 2 means second generation, 3 means third generation, etc. More on this later.
What does the “B” mean?
And then there is the B. B refer to a backcross. Backcross means the current Aussiedoodle generation was bred back with a purebred Poodle. Rarely it may indicate breeding back to a purebred Australian Shepherd but since this is less common, this article will only refer to it as breeding back to a Poodle. Two B’s in the generation name means that generation of Aussiedoodle has been backcrossed twice with a Poodle.
Aussiedoodle Generations Chart
Here is a visual reference to help you as you read through this article. Please note that DNA percentages are theoretical estimates. No one can guarantee the amount of each parent’s DNA a puppy will receive.
What is an F1 Aussiedoodle?
What is an F1 Aussiedoodle? It is the basic cross between a purebred Australian Shepherd and a purebred Poodle. This is the first generation for the Aussiedoodle and the DNA is, in general, a 50/50 split between the two parent breeds.
In this first generation, there is a large wide range of genetic diversity. An F1 Aussiedoodle could have a straight coat like the Australian Shepherd, or it could be curly like the Poodle parent. Or it could be anywhere in between. And while an F1 Aussiedoodle will likely shed less than an Australian Shepherd, they are still likely to shed moderately and may trigger allergies. So if you have allergies, you might not want to consider an F1 Aussiedoodle puppy.
However, since this generation carries much more genetic diversity, they are at lower risk for inheriting the genetic issues that are common with purebred dogs. Mixed breeds in general have a lower risk for inheriting genetic issues, and the F1 Aussiedoodle generation is the least likely to develop these issues.
F1 Aussiedoodle Price
Prices vary widely and are far more dependent on other factors including location, breeder reputation, size, and color. But in general, Aussiedoodle puppies can range from $1,500 up to $5,000.
F1 Aussiedoodle Picture
Bowie is one example of an F1 Aussiedoodle. Photo courtesy of @thisismajorbowie on Instagram.
What is an F1B Aussiedoodle?
What is an F1B Aussiedoodle? Remember that B refers to a backcross breeding. So an F1B Aussiedoodle is the result of breeding an F1 Aussiedoodle with a Poodle. Rarely it could be the cross of an F1 with an Australian Shepherd, but this happens so seldomly, you can assume that the F1B Aussiedoodle is backcrossed with a Poodle, unless otherwise noted.
The F1B Aussiedoodle loses some genetic diversity by being bred back to the poodle. However this can help to predict that the coat will be lower-shedding and more likely to be a safer choice for people that suffer from allergies than the F1 Aussiedoodle generation.
F1B Aussiedoodle Price
Prices for F1B Aussiedoodles tend to be higher. Prices vary widely and are far more dependent on other factors including location, breeder reputation, size, and color. In general, F1B Aussiedoodles can range from $2,400 and up.
F1B Aussiedoodle Picture
Mocha is one example of an F1B Aussiedoodle. Photo courtesy of @aussiedoodlemocha on Instagram.
What is an F1BB Aussiedoodle?
What is an F1BB Aussiedoodle? It is the puppy of an F1B Aussiedoodle and a Poodle. So that means it has been backcrossed twice (once to create the F1B, and again for the F1BB generation.)
The F1BB Aussiedoodle was developed with allergy sufferers in mind. While there is no guarantee that a puppy will be non-shedding or hypoallergenic, the more Poodle DNA, the higher the chance it will be. So if you have allergies, it is likely you will have the best luck with an F1BB or F2BB Aussiedoodle.
Please note that since the F1BB Aussiedoodle has a higher percentage of Poodle DNA, there will be less genetic diversity. You will likely have many traits typical to Poodles. This will affect both appearance and personality. While the coat may not shed, it is likely to have the very curly coat of the Poodle which can be higher maintenance when it comes to grooming needs.
F1BB Aussiedoodle are harder to locate than their F1 or even F1B counterparts. Please keep in mind that prices vary widely and depend on a number of factors including location, breeder reputation, size, and color. In general, F1BB Aussiedoodles can range from $2,400 and up.
F1BB Aussiedoodle Picture
Blu is one example of an F1BB Aussiedoodle. Photo courtesy of McKinley Erin Lee on Facebook.
What is an F2 Aussiedoodle?
What is an F2 Aussiedoodle? This is where it might get confusing! There are many different combinations that can go into creating the F2 Aussiedoodle. The most common pairing is an F1 with an F1 to create a 2nd generation Aussiedoodle. But, an F2 Aussidoodle can also be produced by breeding an F1 with an F1B, or an F1 with an F2, etc.
As it is more difficult to predict the traits that these breedings will produce, F2 Aussiedoodles are not very common. This can result in puppies that are closer to Australian Shepherds in temperament and/or appearance. So if you would prefer that your Aussiedoodle have more Australian Shepherd traits, and you aren’t concerned about allergies or shedding, an F2 could be the dog for you.
F2 Aussiedoodle Price
Because it is more difficult to predict the traits in F2 Aussiedoodles, they generally cost less than the backcrosses. While there are many variants that affect price such as location, breeder reputation, size, and color, the cost will generally range from $1,500 to $5,000.
F2 Aussiedoodle Picture
Luna Lovegood is one example of an F2 Aussiedoodle. Photo courtesy of @lunalovegood_theaussiedoodle on Instagram.
What is an F2B Aussiedoodle?
What is an F2B Aussiedoodle? This is a 2nd generation backcrossed Aussiedoodle. To break it down, an F2 Aussiedoodle is bred with a Poodle. This will bring back more of the Poodle traits into the more random DNA of the F2 Aussiedoodle. Adding the Poodle parent will increase the odds of the offspring being non-shedding and hypoallergenic. But that also means the coat is likely to be the higher maintenance curly coat. So like the F1B, the F2B Aussiedoodle would be a good choice for mild allergy sufferers.
Breeders sometimes refer to an F2B Aussiedoodle as a Muligen Aussiedoodle. This “multigen” label can be applied to any generation of Aussiedoodle that is beyond an F2.
F2B Aussiedoodle Price
Prices for F2B Aussiedoodles are usually higher than the F2 Aussiedoodles. However, prices vary widely and are far more dependent on other factors including location, breeder reputation, size, and color. Aussiedoodle prices usually range from $1,500-$5,000.
F2B Aussiedoodle Picture
Paisley is one example of an F2B Aussiedoodle. Photo courtesy of Dawn Keltner Schuessler on Facebook.
What is an F2BB Aussiedoodle?
What is an F2BB Aussiedoodle? The F2BB is produced by backcrossing an F2 Aussiedoodle generation back to the Poodle twice. It is the result of breeding an F1B (which has already been backcrossed with a Poodle) and a Poodle. It can also be referred to by many breeders as a Multigen Aussiedoodle.
Since the F2BB has both a parent and grandparent that is purebred Poodle, they are more likely to be non-shedding. So while there is never a guarantee that a puppy won’t shed, this generation is a good choice for those needing a non-shedding, hypoallergenic dog.
F2BB Aussiedoodle Price
As the F2BB Aussiedoodle is one of the less common of the Aussiedoodle generations, they will trend on being more highly priced. Of course pricing varies depending on location, breeder reputation, size and color, the F2BB can range from $1,500 – $5,000.
F2BB Aussiedoodle Picture
Ben is one example of an F2BB Aussiedoodle. Photo courtesy of Devon DeVries on Facebook.
What is an F3 Aussiedoodle?
What is an F3 Aussiedoodle? Much like the F2 generation, the F3 Aussiedoodles are not great for achieving consistent and predictable puppies. For this reason they are rarely bred. F3 Aussiedoodles are usually referred to as Multigen or Multigenerational Aussiedoodles.
F3 Aussiedoodle Price
Prices vary widely and depend on a number of factors including location, breeder reputation, size, and color. In general, Aussiedoodles can range from $1,500 up to $5,000.
F3 Aussiedoodle Picture
Naia is one example of an F3 Aussiedoodle. Photo courtesy of Lindsay Stevens on Facebook.
What is a Multigen Aussiedoodle?
What is a Multigen Aussiedoodle? This, or Multigen Aussiedoodle for short, is used to describe any Aussiedoodle generation that is F2 or greater. So this would include F2B, F2BB, F3, and beyond. A breeder with Multigen Aussiedoodles should be happy to tell you the specific generation of their dogs.
Multigen Aussiedoodle Price
Prices vary widely and depend on a number of factors including location, breeder reputation, size, and color. In general, Aussiedoodles can range from $1,000 up to $5,000.
Multigen Aussiedoodle Picture
This is one example of a Multigen Aussiedoodle.
F1 vs F1B Aussiedoodle: Which of These Aussiedoodle Generations Are Better?
The answer to this is all a matter of perspective. If you prefer the straighter hair of the Australian Shepherd and don’t mind the stronger possibility of shedding, you might want to consider an F1. With a more diverse DNA, there is also a lower chance of certain health issues throughout the dog’s life.
However, if someone in your household has allergies, an F1B Aussiedoodle is a better choice. It is much more likely that puppies that are genetically closer to Poodles will have non-shedding and hypoallergenic characteristics. So when considering F1 vs F1B Aussiedoodle, these factors should be considered.
F1 vs F2 Aussiedoodle: Which of These Aussiedoodle Generations Are Better?
In general the F1 Aussiedoodles are easier to breed and will have more predictable traits. However, if you would like a puppy that looks and acts more like an Australian Shepherd, then it may be worth finding an F2 litter from a reputable breeder, just be aware that they are more likely to shed and be non-hypoallergenic. So when considering the F1 vs F2 Aussiedoodle, it comes down to what works best for you.
F1B vs F2B Aussiedoodle: Which of These Aussiedoodle Generations Are Better?
These are the most alike of the Aussiedoodle generations, so this is tougher to determine. Because both generations are backcrossed with the Poodle they are good choices for those concerned with allergies and shedding. So more important than the difference between F1B vs F2B Aussiedoodle is the breeder.
A responsible breeder will do genetic testing to maximize the chance that desired traits are produced, while minimizing the risk for genetic issues popping up. Thoroughly investigate the breeders, prices and reviews in addition to the generation. The one benefit of the F1B Aussiedoodle is the greater genetic diversity.
What Generation Aussiedoodle is Best?
What generation Aussiedoodle is best? This is a matter of perspective. If you are dealing with allergies, your safest bet would be, in this order:
F1BB Aussiedoodle
F2BB Aussiedoodle
F1B Aussiedoodle
F2B Aussiedoodle
If allergies and fur aren’t your top consideration, the F1 Aussiedoodle is a great pick. They are a great mix of two wonderful breeds. But more practically they offer the most genetic diversity, meaning lower risk for health issues. And they are usually lower priced than later generations.
But the most important decision to make is finding a responsible doodle breeder. The genetic testing and careful consideration of which dogs to breed will help to produce healthier dogs. Combine that with choosing a great pet insurance policy and you’re setting your Aussiedoodle up for the best chance at a long, healthy life!
Not Sure Which Generation Your Aussiedoodle Is?
Maybe you lost touch with your breeder or you’re the proud parent of a rescue pup. Is it still possible to know which generation of Aussiedoodle your dog is?
Luckily, the answer is yes! Many doodle owners have found success using Embark’s mail-in dog DNA testing kits. A simple swab of your dog’s cheek takes only a few minutes and can tell you their ancestry, potentially locate canine relatives, and reveal health issues they may be at risk for!
