It is sometimes difficult to figure out which Schnoodle generation is best for you. Or even what the generation terminology means. If you want Schnoodle generations explained, you are in the right place.
F1 Schnoodles are 50% Poodle and 50% Schnauzer. F1b Schnoodles are backcrossed with a purebred Poodle making them 75% Poodle, and F1bb Schnoodles are backcrossed again making them 87.5% Poodle. F2 Schnoodles are also 50% Poodle, but occur when two F1 Schnoodles are bred together.
This can be a little bit confusing if you are not used to the vocabulary. So, let’s look at a summarized version below before delving into a deeper explanation of the different terms.
In doing so, you should be able to determine which Schnoodle generation would fit your needs the best.
Related: Schnoodle Dog Health Problems | Schnoodle Temperament Guide | How Big Will a Schnoodle Get? (Size and Weight Guide)
Schnoodle Generations Chart
| Type | Parent 1 | Parent 2 | Generation |
| F1 Schnoodle | Poodle | Schnauzer | 1st |
| F1b Schnoodle | F1 Schnoodle | Poodle (sometimes Schnauzer) | 2nd |
| F1bb Schnoodle | F1b Schnoodle | Poodle (sometimes Schnauzer) | 3rd |
| F2 Schnoodle | F1 Schnoodle | F1 Schnoodle | 2nd |
| F2b Schnoodle | F1 Schnoodle | Poodle (sometimes Schnauzer) | 3rd |
| F2bb Schnoodle | F2b Schnoodle | Poodle (sometimes Schnauzer) | 4th |
| F3 Schnoodle | F2 Schnoodle | F2 Schnoodle | 3rd |
What Do ‘F’ and ‘b’ Mean in Schnoodle Generations
The difficulty in understanding Schnoodle generations generally stems from confusion about ‘F’ and ‘b’. So, what do these letters mean?
What does ‘F’ Mean
‘F’ stands for filial. In layman’s terms, this means that it refers to the generation of the puppies, and the parents that have been crossed.
The first time a Poodle and Schnauzer are bred together, that litter will all be F1 puppies. If two F1 puppies are bred together, their offspring will be F2.
What does ‘b’ Mean
Sometimes, puppies are backcrossed with one of the parent breeds to achieve a desired characteristic. ‘B’ stands for backcrossing.
In the case of Schnoodles, as well as many other Poodle hybrids, they are backcrossed with Poodles again. This means that there would be 75% poodle DNA in the next generation, rather than 50%.
In many other Poodle-hybrids, this is done to achieve a more hypoallergenic coat. However, both the Poodle and the Schnauzer are already hypoallergenic. In Schnoodles, backcrossing is done more to achieve a certain look.
Likewise, ‘bb’ means that an already backcrossed generation was backcrossed a second time.
Hybrid Vigor in Schnoodle Generations
When people talk about Schnoodle generations, they often list hybrid vigor as one of the many reasons why you should consider a specific generation. But, what does hybrid vigor actually mean?
When you keep combining dogs of a certain breed so that you keep the line ‘purebred,’ there are eventually some consequences. Even if you are careful, the same genetic issues keep cropping up.
However, when you suddenly introduce a new set of genetics, many recessive diseases are impossible. The strongest genes from both breeds are expressed in the offspring. This is known as hybrid vigor.
When you first create a Schnoodle, the strongest and healthiest Schnauzer and Poodle genetics are present in the dog. However, if you breed two Schnoodles together, that advantage starts to decrease.
Usually, by the third generation, hybrid vigor has very little effect on the Schnoodles.
What is an F1 Schnoodle
As mentioned above, an F1 Schnoodle occurs when you breed a Poodle and Schnauzer. They are the first generation of Schnoodles.
These are generally the easiest to breed because they take the least amount of time. However, they are 50% Poodle and 50% Schnauzer. This means that the puppies are rather unpredictable.
Because of the amount of variety in litters, it is important to make sure that you communicate your requirements to the breeder and meet the puppy in person before purchasing it.
Why F1 Schnoodles Are Popular
F1 Schnoodles are popular due to their great health, generally caused by hybrid vigor.
F1 Schnoodles are also popular amongst breeders who don’t necessarily want to breed a Poodle and Schnauzer together themselves but want to breed other Schnoodles.
What is an F1b Schnoodle
An F1b Schnoodle occurs when an F1 Schnoodle is backcrossed with a Poodle again. This means that they are 75% Poodle and 25% Schnauzer. Poodle characteristics are more prevalent in F1b Schnoodles.
Because of this, F1b Schnoodles are the most popular Schnoodle generation.
Why F1b Schnoodles Are Popular
Due to the increase in Poodle DNA in F1b Schnoodles, they are more likely to have Poodle characteristics. Specifically, a Poodle-like coat.
Both Schnauzers and Poodles are to some extent hypoallergenic, but Poodles have a far softer coat with tighter curls. This means that F1b Schnoodles look more like Teddy bears.
What is an F1bb Schnoodle
An F1bb Schnoodle occurs when an F1b Schnoodle is backcrossed again. Usually, this is done with another Poodle. This would result in the dogs only being 12.5% Schnauzer.
Again, they are more Poodle-like because of this. Litters also become much easier to predict in comparison to F1 Schnoodles.
Why F1bb Schnoodles Are Popular
F1b Schnoodles are popular among those who want a dog with very tight curls, much like that of the Poodle.
They still benefit from hybrid vigor to some degree which means that, even though they look a great deal like a normal Poodle, they may be slightly healthier.
What is an F2 Schnoodle
An F2 Schnoodle occurs when two F1 Schnoodles are bred together. They are the second generation of Schnoodles.
While they still benefit from hybrid vigor, it is greatly reduced in the F2 Schnoodles. They are still 50% Poodle and 50% Schnauzer.
Why F2 Schnoodles Are Popular
Even though F2 Schnoodles are 50% of each initial breed, specific characteristics may have been selected in their parents. Some of these characteristics may include things like head shape, resulting in a specific look that the breeder has selected.
What are Multi-Generational Schnoodles
If various generations of Schnoodles are bred together, then there are endless possibilities for Schnauzer and Poodle combinations. It would be impossible to give all of these combinations a name, so they are generally just referred to as Multi-generational Schnoodles.
However, to make things more simple, anything from F3 onwards is also referred to as multi-generational.
Why Multi-Generational Schnoodles Are Popular
Multi-generational Schnoodles can portray certain characteristics selected by the breeders.
This means that you can get a Schnoodle with all of the Poodle characteristics and Schnauzer characteristics that you desire, in theory.
If there has been a relatively recent introduction of either purebred Poodle or Schnauzer, they will also benefit from hybrid vigor.
However, these are far rarer, because of the amount of time required to produce them. And, in my experience, there is very limited demand for such specific requirements.
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