For those of you thinking about acquiring a Bernedoodle dog, you’ve definitely seen some type of unusual cryptic letters before the word Bernedoodle like F1 Bernedoodle or F2B Bernedoodle. So what does an F1 Bernedoodle or F2B Bernedoodle imply? Well, these numbers and letters stand for a particular Bernedoodle generation which influences the genetic makeup of the dog.
Since the Bernedoodle is a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle, the percentage of Poodle as well as Bernese Mountain Dog can vary between each generation. In this short article, we will break down what these phrases mean which will help you choose from the best Bernedoodle Generations!
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We also created a video to help explain the Bernedoodle Generations if you prefer to watch something:
Table of Contents
Bernedoodle Generations Terminology
Comprehending the Bernedoodle Generations terminology is absolutely necessary, and fairly straightforward once you understand what the letters and numbers mean. For example, we will understand the meaning of an F1B Bernedoodle:
F1B Bernedoodle: The F stands for Filial Hybrid. This implies that a Bernedoodle is a hybrid dog that comes from two different purebreds (Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle).
F1B Bernedoodle: The number 1 means the generation of the Bernedoodle. An F1B Bernedoodle is the first generation of offspring.
F1B Bernedoodle: The B represents the meaning of backcross. The backcross is an elegant term that merely means inbreeding back to a 100% Poodle generation. Breeders will almost always breed back to a 100% Poodle because they are allergy-friendly and don’t shed fur.
A Complete Overview of the Bernedoodle Generations
Below is all the Bernedoodle generations that I will cover in this article. This is merely a quick reference to understand the genetic makeup of each Bernedoodle Generation. If you keep reading, we discuss in more detail the coat type, the amount of shedding, and how allergy-friendly each generation of Bernedoodle is.
- F1 Bernedoodle: 50% Poodle & 50% Bernese Mountain Dog
- F1B Bernedoodle: 75% Poodle & 25% Bernese Mountain Dog
- F1BB Bernedoodle: 87.5% Poodle & 12.5% Bernese Mountain Dog
- F2 Bernedoodle: 50% Poodle & 50% Bernese Mountain Dog
- F2B Bernedoodle: 62.5% Poodle & 37.5% Bernese Mountain Dog
- F2BB Bernedoodle: 81.25% Poodle & 18.75% Bernese Mountain Dog
- F3 Bernedoodle or Multi-generation Bernedoodle: Numerous generations of Bernedoodle reproducing normally backcross breeding to the Criterion Poodle.
My suggestion if you are unsure which Bernedoodle generation to get is to get a Bernedoodle with more Poodle genetics. People generally like Bernedoodles that have Poodle genetics because they are more hypoallergenic and nonshedding.
Commonly, Bernedoodles are backcross bred to 100% Poodle for the allergy-friendly and nonshedding genes. However, it should be noted that there are some instances where a breed can be reproduced with a 100% Bernese Mountain Dog in which the situation an F1B Bernedoodle will be 25% Poodle as well as 75% Bernese Mountain Dog. Nonetheless, these instances are extremely unlikely. If you’re worried, you should contact your breeder.
F1 Bernedoodle Meaning
An F1 Bernedoodle (50% Poodle and also 50% Bernese Mountain Dog) is the initial generation Bernedoodle that is a cross between a 100% Bernese Mountain Dog and also a 100% Poodle. The outcome is a Bernedoodle that is 50% Bernese Mountain Dog and 50% Poodle.
The F1 Bernedoodle is the traditional Bernedoodle that many people think of when they hear the term “Bernedoodle”. However, F1 Bernedoodle genetics can vary a lot which will influence how they look. As an example, they can have coats that are flat and straight or curly. Curly or wavy coats imply that the Bernedoodle has more Poodle genetics and will be more nonshedding and hypoallergenic than a Bernedoodle with a flat or straight coat. In general, a curly coat equals more Poodle and a flat coat equals Bernese Mountain Dog.
F1 Bernedoodles gain one of the best genetic advantages which is called hybrid vigor. Hybrid vigor means the first cross between two purebred pets will be healthier than any parent purebred dog because they don’t inherit genetic deficiencies that are passed down from purebred dogs. Because Bernedoodles are crossbred canines, they will only inherit hereditary diseases that are common to the Poodle and also Bernese Mountain Dog.
F1 Bernedoodle Qualities
- Coat Type: Unknown (Straight, Wavy, or Curly)
- Hypoallergenic: Variable.
- Non-shedding: Variable.
- Hybrid vigor: The most hybrid vigor out of all Bernedoodle generations.
F1B Bernedoodle Meaning
F1B Bernedoodle (75% Poodle, 25% Bernese Mountain Dog) is a cross in between an F1 Bernedoodle (50% Poodle and 50% Bernese Mountain Dog) and one of the original purebred lines– either a 100% Standard Poodle or 100% Bernese Mountain Dog. Usually, an F1B Bernedoodle is a cross between an F1 Bernedoodle as well as a 100% Poodle as breeders favor dog coat that doesn’t shed and is hypoallergenic. Because an F1B Bernedoodle is a mix between an F1 Bernedoodle and also a Poodle, it is described as a Backcross and thus the reason it’s called F1B.
The F1B Bernedoodle generation is typically described as one of the most hypoallergenic Bernedoodle amongst breeders because it inherits a larger quantity of Poodle attributes. This implies that the F1B Bernedoodle normally has a curly coat and would be a superb choice for dog owners with modest pet allergies. However, it should be noted that Bernedoodles with curly coats need a considerable amount of grooming to avoid mattes and tangles in their fur.
F1B Bernedoodles additionally get some health and wellness benefits from being a hybrid vigor, which means that they will be healthier than the full-blooded parent dogs. Since F1B is technically the “2nd” generation or children of Bernedoodles, it losses some of the attributes of being hybrid vigor. Each subsequent generation of crossbreed dogs loses hybrid vigor genetic traits.
F1B Bernedoodle Qualities
- Coat Type: Wavy or Curly coat.
- Hypoallergenic: Commonly hypoallergenic.
- Non-shedding: Commonly non-shedding.
- Hybrid Vitality: Yes, yet less so than F1 Bernedoodles due to the fact that they are the 2nd generation.
F1BB Bernedoodle Meaning
F1BB Bernedoodle (87.5% Poodle and also 12.5% Bernese Mountain Dog) is a cross between an F1B Bernedoodle (75% Poodle, 25% Bernese Mountain Dog) and also an original purebred 100% Poodle or 100% Bernese Mountain Dog. Again, many breeders will generally choose to reproduce the F1B Bernedoodle with a 100% Poodle to make the Bernedoodle much more hypoallergenic as well as non-shedding. Given that this is the 2nd backcross with a full-blooded Poodle, it obtains a 2nd “B” in its name and is referred to as an F1BB Bernedoodle.
An F1BB Bernedoodle is the most hypoallergenic as well as non-shedding of all the very first generation Bernedoodles because of the huge amount of Poodle genes (87.5% Poodle!). This indicates that Bernedoodle will likely come with an incredibly curly layer of hair that will require regular brushing and significant amounts of grooming since they won’t shed fur. Nevertheless, this Bernedoodle generation is terrific for people with animal allergies as well as who do not want to need to get dog hair anywhere.
Because an F1BB Bernedoodle is practically the “third” generation it will certainly have less hybrid vigor qualities than the F1 Bernedoodle or F1B Bernedoodle. F1BB Bernedoodles are also regarded as Multi-generation Bernedoodles because they are past the second generation of offspring.
F1B Bernedoodle Qualities.
- Coat Type: Curly coat
- Hypoallergenic: The most hypoallergenic of the 1st generation Bernedoodle.
- Non-shedding: The most non-shedding 1st generation Bernedoodle.
- Hybrid Vigor: Yes, yet less so than F1 and also F1B Bernedoodle generations because they are the third generation of Bernedoodle.
F2 Bernedoodle Meaning
F2 Bernedoodle (50% Poodle and also 50% Bernese Mountain Dog) is the second generation of Bernedoodle. This is a cross between an F1 Bernedoodle and an F1 Bernedoodle. The F2 generations produce specimens that are rather similar to the F1 generation since they are the same percent of Bernese Mountain Dog as well as Poodle (50% / 50%). Nevertheless, most dog breeders will certainly not breed an F2 Bernedoodle because this generation is one of the most unpredictable generations of genetics in regards to coat kind and variation of shedding.
The F2 Bernedoodle is one of the most common Bernedoodle generations that will actually shed fur on the ground. So if you are looking for a Bernedoodle that doesn’t shed hair, you should not get an F2 Bernedoodle.
F2 Bernedoodle Qualities
- Coat Type: Extremely variable and unpredictable. Straight, wavy, or curly.
- Hypoallergenic: Uncertain.
- Non-shedding: Unpredictable.
- Hybrid vigor: Yes, however less so than the F1 generation.
F2B Bernedoodle Meaning
F2B Bernedoodle (62.5% Poodle and also 37.5% Bernese Mountain Dog) is a cross between an F1 Bernedoodle (50% Poodle, 50% Bernese Mountain Dog) as well as an F1B Bernedoodle (75% Poodle, 25% Bernese Mountain Dog). Conversely, some dog breeders will choose to breed an F1B Bernedoodle and another F1B Bernedoodle which would lead to the F2B being 75% Poodle as well as 25% Bernese Mountain Dog. In either case, the F2B Bernedoodle is going to be either 62.5% Poodle or 75% Poodle.
This F2B Bernedoodle generation has substantial Poodle genetics which leads to a primarily curly or wavy coat. This suggests that the F2B Bernedoodle will certainly have less shedding as well as be a lot more hypoallergenic. Nevertheless, like the majority of hybrid dogs, there is always a chance for exceptions. For instance, in a litter of 6-7 puppies, you may see one F2B Bernedoodle with a flat coat that will shed.
The F2B Bernedoodle generation is often referred to as a Multi-generation Bernedoodle given that they are technically the 3rd generation. If your breeder says they are selling a multi-generation Bernedoodle, then you can always ask them what generation the dog is.
F2B Bernedoodle Qualities
- Coat type: Wavy or Curly.
- Hypoallergenic: More than likely. However, there are certainly exceptions.
- Non-shedding: More than likely. However, there are certainly exceptions.
- Hybrid vigor: Yes, however less so than the F1 generation.
F2BB Bernedoodle Meaning
F2BB Bernedoodle (81.25% Poodle & also 18.75% Bernese Mountain Dog) is a cross in between an F2B Bernedoodle (62.5% Poodle, 37.5% Bernese Mountain Dog) and a purebred 100% Poodle. This is the 2nd backcross with the Poodle and part of the 2nd generation so it obtains a second “B” in its name which is why it is described as an F2BB Bernedoodle.
An F2BB Bernedoodle is one of the most hypoallergenic and non-shedding of all the second-generation Bernedoodles because of the large quantity of Poodle genes. This Bernedoodle also has the second most Poodle genes, just behind the F1BB Bernedoodle (87.5% Poodle & 12.5% Bernese Mountain Dog). It is most likely an F2BB Bernedoodle will a curly coat that will certainly require daily brushing and grooming haircuts every number of months to stop the fur from matting and tangling. However, this Bernedoodle generation is excellent for people with severe pet dog allergies as well as who do not wish to need to have hair all over the floors, car, and bed.
The F2BB Bernedoodle generation is likely going to be referred to as a Multi-generation Bernedoodle by a breeder given that they are technically 4th generation. Many dog breeders won’t utilize the term F2BB, yet will utilize the term Multi-generation Bernedoodle.
F2BB Bernedoodle Qualities
- Coat Type: Almost always curly.
- Hypoallergenic: One of the most hypoallergenic Bernedoodles.
- Non-shedding: One of the most hypoallergenic Bernedoodles.
- Hybrid Vigor: Yes, but much less so than F2 and also F2B Bernedoodle Generations.
F3 Bernedoodle or Multi-generation Bernedoodle
The F3 Bernedoodle is also called the Multi-generation Bernedoodle. This is the third generation or better of Bernedoodle.
Usually, F3 Bernedoodles are bred with an F1B Bernedoodle and an additional F1B Bernedoodle. Additionally, you can breed an F3 Bernedoodle with an F2 Bernedoodle as well as another F2 Bernedoodle. F3 Bernedoodles have substantial Poodle genes so it is fantastic for individuals with pet allergies. The F3 Bernedoodle generation coat can differ from a heavy wave to extremely curly which makes them extremely allergy-friendly and nonshedding.
Multi-generation Bernedoodles are used to define any Bernedoodle beyond the 2nd generation. This consists of several of the Bernedoodle generations already discussed like the F1BB, F2B, as well as F2BB. Many breeds will simply list Multi-generation Bernedoodle as opposed to noting the exact generation of Bernedoodle. You will have to ask your dog breeder to specify which generation your Bernedoodle is if you want to know.
F3 Bernedoodle or Multi-generation Bernedoodle Qualities
- Coat Type: Generally wavy or curly.
- Hypoallergenic: Generally, yes.
- Non-shedding: Generally, yes.
- Hybrid Vigor: The least amount of all Bernedoodle Generations.
Conclusion: Best Bernedoodle Generations
In general, pet owners want a Bernedoodle that is hypoallergenic, nonshedding, as well as has some hybrid vigor qualities. Thus, many people want a Bernedoodle with significant Poodle genetics. Thus, the top 3 picks for the Best Bernedoodle Generations are below:
- F1B Bernedoodle (75% Poodle & 25% Bernese Mountain Dog).
- F2B Bernedoodle (62.5% Poodle & 37.5% Bernese Mountain Dog).
- F1BB Bernedoodle (87.5% Poodle & 12.5% Bernese Mountain Dog).
If you do not actually care about a pet being hypoallergenic and also nonshedding, then I pick one Bernedoodle with the coat type that you want (flat, wavy, or curly). In addition, I would prioritize coat color rather than the generation of Bernedoodle. In general though, if you want a more curly coat Bernedoodle then they will need more brushing and grooming as opposed to a flat or straight hair Bernedoodle. However, if you want a Bernedoodle with a flat coat it will certainly have a tendency to shed. For a flat or straight coat, pick a Bernedoodle generation that has more Bernese Mountain Dog like an F1 Bernedoodle or F2 Bernedoodle.
Other articles you would like:
- The Golden Mountain Doodle
- Best Labradoodle Haircuts
- Huskydoodle Dog Breed
- Samoyed Poodle Dog Breed
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Bernedoodle shedding?
Chances are you have an F1 or F2 Bernedoodle generation which is 50% Bernese Mountain Dog and 50% Poodle. Since the Bernese Mountain Dog sheds, your Bernedoodle has a high chance of shedding since it is only 50% Poodle.
Are Bernedoodles hypoallergenic?
This highly depends on the Bernedoodle generation in which you purchase. Generally, more Poodle genetics will mean that your dog is more hypoallergenic. Look for either F1B Bernedoodles, F1BB Bernedoodles, F2B Bernedoodles, or F2BB Bernedoodles for the most hypoallergenic Bernedoodles.
Want to learn more information about the “Best Bernedoodle Generations”, then check out the video below:
Sabrina Kong, DVM, Veterinarian
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in theBay Areaand got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.
