If you have decided that you want to bring an Aussiedoodle, also known as an Aussiepoo, into your family, but you have no idea what people mean when they talk about F1, F1b, F1bb, F2, F2b, F2bb, or F3 then you are in the right place. Let’s look at some of the Aussiedoodle generations and the differences between them, so you can decide which is the best generation for you.
F1, F2, and F3 Aussiedoodles are all 50% Australian Shepherd and 50% Poodle with varying levels of hybrid vigor. Likewise, F1b, F2b, and F3b are often 75% Poodle and 25% Australian Shepherd which means that they are often more Poodle-like in their build, coat and personality. The best Aussiedoodle for families with allergies is the F1bb, as this has only 12.5%, Australian Shepherd.
Table of Aussiedoodle Generations Explained
| Type | Parent 1 | Parent 2 | Generation |
| F1 Aussiedoodle | Poodle | Australian Shepherd | 1st |
| F1b Aussiedoodle | F1 Aussiedoodle | Poodle (sometimes Australian Shepherd) | 2nd |
| F1bb Aussiedoodle | F1b Aussiedoodle | Poodle (sometimes Australian Shepherd) | 3rd |
| F2 Aussiedoodle | F1 Aussiedoodle | F1 Aussiedoodle | 2nd |
| F2b Aussiedoodle | F1 Aussiedoodle | Poodle (sometimes Australian Shepherd) | 3rd |
| F2bb Aussiedoodle | F2b Aussiedoodle | Poodle (sometimes Australian Shepherd) | 4th |
| F3 Aussiedoodle | F2 Aussiedoodle | F2 Aussiedoodle | 3rd |
What Do ‘F’ and ‘B’ Mean?
When considering Aussiedoodle generations, confusion usually occurs over the meaning of the letters ‘F’ and ‘b’. So what exactly do these letters stand for?
‘F’ in Aussiedoodle Generations
The ‘F’ in the generation of any hybrid breed stands for ‘filial.’ This means that it refers to the parents of the hybrid dog. In the case of an Aussiedoodle, the parents are Poodles and Australian Shepherds as well as the offspring of these two.
‘B’ in Aussiedoodle Generations
In hybrid breeds, ‘b’ is used to refer to any ‘backcross.’ This is when an Aussiepoo is bred with one of the parent breeds, either a Poodle or Australian Shepherd in this case.
This is done in order to achieve a specific characteristic that is more prevalent in one breed than another.
Why Aussiedoodle Generations Matter
Coat and Temperament Differences
Australian Shepherds and Poodles are very different breeds. This is true for everything from temperament to coat color and the amount of dander that the breed gives off.
Usually, when an Aussiedoodle is backcrossed, it is done with a Poodle. This is in order to achieve a more hypoallergenic coat. If an Aussiedoodle is backcrossed with an Australian Shepherd it may display more herding tendencies or a larger prevalence of a merle coat pattern.
This means that different generations can differ greatly. Some Aussiedoodle generations may be more suitable for some people than others which is why it is important to be familiar with the characteristics of the generations, and know what you are getting.
Hybrid Vigor
Hybrid vigor occurs when you create any hybrid of two different breeds. Essentially, when you introduce variation into the genetic pool, the best characteristics are the most prominent.
These characteristics can include anything from resistance to disease and strong immune systems, to better body builds and coats. It may even affect the personality of the dogs.
The further you get away from the initial hybrid, the less this hybrid vigor presents itself.
What is an F1 Aussiedoodle
F1 Aussiedoodles are a first-generation cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle. This means they are genetically 50% Poodle and 50% Australian Shepherd.
Although most new, uneducated breeders may advertise these as hypoallergenic, they may not be.
Because they are equal parts Poodle and Australian Shepherd, their characteristics are very unpredictable. They may have all the positive aspects of both breeds or all the negative.
Why F1 Aussiedoodles are Popular
F1 Aussiedoodles are popular due to the minimized likelihood of them inheriting issues from either the Poodle or Australian Shepherd. This is especially true in the case of recessive genes in which the expression of a genetic condition is almost entirely impossible.
They are also the easiest to breed because they are the least time-consuming. This means that they are the most readily available.
What is an F1b Aussiedoodle
As mentioned above, ‘b’ refers to the backcrossing. This means an F1b Aussiepoo happens when you cross an F1 Aussiedoodle with either a Poodle or Australian Shepherd.
Generally, this backcrossing occurs with a Poodle. This means that the dog would be 75% Poodle and 25% Australian Shepherd.
Why F1b Aussiedoodles are Popular
The increased percentage of Poodle genetics means that they give off far less dander. This, in combination with the variations in coat color that still result from the Australian Shepherd in them, makes them one of the most popular Aussiedoodle generations.
This is also reflected in their pricing. It can be very difficult to find one under $2000.
What is an F1bb Aussiedoodle
An F1bb Aussiedoodle occurs when an F1b Aussiedoodle is backcrossed again. Usually, this is done with yet another Poodle. The results are an Aussiepoo with only 12.5% Australian Shepherd in it.
This means that it is far more likely to have Poodle characteristics than any of the previous generations. Unfortunately, due to this increase in Poodle genetics F1bb Aussiedoodles are also more likely to suffer from health issues that Poodles are prone to.
Why F1bb Aussiedoodles are Popular
F1bb Aussiedoodles are very popular amongst those with allergies. They are far more likely to have the tight curls of a Poodle and not shed as much as the other generations. Unfortunately, this does mean that they also need higher levels of grooming, like most Poodles.
They are also very intelligent and can be trained to do a variety of tasks. And because they do not have the herding instinct of the Australian Shepherd, they are ideal for households with children.
They are equally as popular as the F1b Aussiedoodles, and are priced roughly the same because of this.
What is an F2 Aussiedoodle
An F2 Aussiedoodle, or second filial generation, is what happens when you cross two F1 Aussiepoos. As both F1 Aussiedoodle is 50% Poodle and 50% Australian Shepherd, their offspring will be more or less the same.
Their characteristics are very unpredictable due to this even mix. They are very rare, as it is far quicker to breed an F1 Aussiepoo, and the results are the same. F2 Aussiedoodles also have less hybrid vigor than the F1.
Just like F1 and F2 Aussiedoodles are basically the same thing with regards to genetics, and so are F1b and F2b, as well as F1bb and F2bb.
Why F2 Aussiedoodles are Popular
These often occur accidentally, such as when a female dog comes into heat before the owners could predict it and desex her.
The litters are often popular due to their variety. There can be curly-coated and straight-coated puppies in the same litter, just as there would be in an F1 litter. The variety in personality also provides something for everyone.
What is an F3 Aussiedoodle
F3 Aussiedoodles are the third filial generation of Aussiedoodles. They can be produced by breeding together two F2 Aussiedoodles. As with the other 50% Poodle and 50% Australian Shepherd generations, their characteristics are very unpredictable.
It is important to note that hybrid vigor is practically nonexistent in these Aussiepoos though. This, in a way, makes them inferior genetically to the F1 and F2 Aussiepoos. Which, as well as the time required to breed them, means they rarely occur.
These might be referred to as Multi-Generational Aussiedoodles.
What are Multi-Generational Aussiedoodles?
The term ‘Multi-generational,’ can be used to describe Aussiedoodles that are a mixture of any of the generations mentioned above. One such example is if you mix an F1b Aussiedoodle with an F1 Aussiedoodle.
There are endless variations in Aussiedoodles. It would be impossible to name all of them, so they are simply categorized as multi-generational to indicate the mix of generations.
As a rule, anything from F3 onwards is also referred to as multi-generational, regardless of whether or not they follow the naming rules.
How to Know Your Aussiedoodle’s Generation
Ask Your Breeder
If you are getting your Aussiedoodle from a breeder, they should be able to provide all of the information on the parents of your Aussiedoodle.
If they are unable to do this, then perhaps consider getting your Aussiepoo somewhere else. This lack of knowledge on generation may also indicate a lack of knowledge on certain genetic health conditions which may be dormant in the parents but have presented before that.
Examine Their Coat
Sometimes, you may not want to get your Aussiedoodle from a breeder. If you want to adopt an Aussiepoo, it might not be so easy to get information on their generation.
The easiest way to tell is to look at the coat of the dog. If you can see multiple dogs from the same litter, it is even better. The more it looks like a Poodle, the more likely it is that your Aussiedoodle has at least one instance of backcrossing in its history.
This is not a foolproof method. But, as long as you do not intend to breed with your Aussiedoodle, it should not affect you in any way.
Related Reading:
- Aussiedoodle Temperament Guide: Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix
- How Big Will An Aussiedoodle Get (Size and Weight)
- Are Aussiedoodles Protective: Do They Make Good Guard Dogs?
- What Health Problems Do Aussiedoodles Have?
- How Much Exercise Does an Aussiedoodle Need?
- Do Aussiedoodles Have a Tail? Answered!
- Average Life Expectancy of Aussiedoodle Dog (Toy, Mini, Standard)
