F1, F1b, multigen, furnishings, "fleece" vs. "wool." Doodle coat vocabulary can feel like alphabet soup. Here's a clear translation, and what it actually means for shedding and grooming.
Generations: what the F-numbers mean
The “F” stands for filial generation: essentially, how many generations removed a doodle is from its purebred ancestors.
- F1: a first-generation cross (e.g. Bernese × Poodle). Coats vary the most in this generation, from wavy to curly.
- F1b: an F1 doodle bred back to a Poodle. More Poodle genetics usually means a curlier, more reliably low-shedding coat.
- F2, multigen: later generations bred doodle-to-doodle. With careful coat testing, breeders can produce consistent, low-shedding coats here too.
Furnishings & the curl gene
Two genetic factors do most of the work. Furnishings (the RSPO2 gene) produce the signature doodle “eyebrows and beard” and the soft, non-shedding look most families want. The curl gene (KRT71) determines how straight, wavy, or curly the coat is. Good breeders DNA-test for both so they can predict and select for the coats their litters will produce, rather than leaving it to chance.
No doodle is truly hypoallergenic, but a well-furnished, lower-shedding coat is far more allergy-friendly than a flat, shedding one.
What “low-shedding” really means
Doodles with furnishings and at least one curl variant shed very little and trap most loose hair in the coat, which is exactly why they need regular brushing and professional grooming. “Low-shedding” is not the same as “no grooming.” Plan on brushing several times a week and a professional groom every six to ten weeks to prevent matting.
Grooming, simply
- Brush to the skin (not just the surface) several times a week.
- Introduce grooming early so puppies learn to enjoy it.
- Book a professional groomer every 6–10 weeks.
- Keep ears clean and dry, especially after river days.
When we plan our litters, coat genetics will be part of every pairing decision, so families know what to expect long before a puppy comes home. See how coats differ between our two breeds →