About Doodles

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What are the different generations of doodles?

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This is one of the questions we are asked the most — and understandably so! Terms such as F1, F1b, F2b and Multigenerational can be confusing when you first begin researching Goldendoodles.

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The information below refers to Goldendoodles, but the same basic generation terminology can be used for Sheepadoodles by substituting an Old English Sheepdog for the Golden Retriever.

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F1 Goldendoodle

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Golden Retriever × Poodle

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An F1, or “first generation,” Goldendoodle has one purebred Golden Retriever parent and one purebred Poodle parent, making the puppies approximately:

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50% Golden Retriever + 50% Poodle

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F1 Goldendoodles often have beautiful loose, wavy coats and can retain many of the traits people love about Golden Retrievers.

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Because every F1 puppy inherits one copy of the Golden Retriever's furnishing/coat genetics, shedding can be more variable in this generation. Some F1s shed very little while others may shed noticeably more.

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F1b Goldendoodle

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F1 Goldendoodle × Poodle

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The “b” means backcross, meaning the original Goldendoodle cross has been bred back to one of its parent breeds.

 

When an F1 Goldendoodle is bred to a Poodle, the puppies are approximately:

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25% Golden Retriever + 75% Poodle

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F1b Goldendoodles commonly have wavy-to-curly furnished coats and are often lower shedding than F1 Goldendoodles.

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It is important to know that technically an F1 Goldendoodle bred back to a Golden Retriever can also be called an F1b. That would result in puppies that are approximately 75% Golden Retriever rather than 75% Poodle.

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This is why we always recommend asking a breeder exactly what breed and generation each parent is rather than relying on the generation label alone.

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F1bb Goldendoodle

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F1b Goldendoodle × Poodle

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You can think of this as another backcross toward the Poodle.

These puppies are approximately:

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12.5% Golden Retriever + 87.5% Poodle

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F1bb puppies are often quite curly and are generally very low shedding when the appropriate coat genetics are present.

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An easy way to remember it is:

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The more “b's,” the farther that particular line has been backcrossed toward a purebred parent.

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F2 Goldendoodle

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F1 Goldendoodle × F1 Goldendoodle

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An F2 is a second-generation Goldendoodle produced by breeding two F1 Goldendoodles together.

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Although both parents are approximately 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle, percentages alone do not tell us what type of coat an individual puppy will inherit.

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Because both F1 parents can carry the genetics for an unfurnished or “improper” coat, this pairing requires careful genetic coat testing if a breeder is hoping to consistently produce furnished doodle coats.

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We do not breed this particular generation.

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F2b Goldendoodle

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F1 Goldendoodle × F1b Goldendoodle

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An F2b from this particular combination is approximately:

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37.5% Golden Retriever + 62.5% Poodle

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We like this type of pairing because it can preserve more Golden Retriever influence while still allowing us to produce the furnished, lower-shedding coats many families are looking for.

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Depending on the parents' individual coat genetics, F2b puppies may have beautiful loose wavy coats, curlier coats, or something in between.

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This is another example of why genetic coat testing is more informative than generation alone.

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Multigenerational Goldendoodles

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This is where generation terminology can become a little confusing because breeders may use the term “multigenerational” somewhat differently.

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In general, a Multigenerational Goldendoodle comes from established Goldendoodle lines rather than simply breeding a first-generation doodle back to a purebred Poodle.

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Instead of breeding solely according to percentages, responsible multigenerational breeding allows breeders to look carefully at the individual dogs being paired — including:

• temperament

• structure

• health testing

• coat type

• furnishings

• shedding genetics

• size

• color genetics

• traits we would like to preserve or improve in the next generation

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This is one reason we love working with established generations within our own program. We are able to know much more about the dogs behind our puppies rather than looking only at a percentage of Poodle versus Golden Retriever.

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Why does genetic coat testing matter?

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Two puppies with the exact same “generation” label can have very different coats.

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We genetically coat test our breeding dogs for traits such as furnishings/improper coat and shedding, as well as other coat characteristics. This allows us to make much more educated predictions about the coats a pairing may produce.

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All of the puppies we intentionally produce are expected to have the classic furnished doodle appearance — the fluffy eyebrows, beard and facial furnishings most people associate with a Goldendoodle or Sheepadoodle.

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One important note: No breeder can guarantee that a dog will be completely non-shedding or hypoallergenic. Individual dogs and individual people can vary considerably.

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What colors and coat types can Doodles have?

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One of the fun things about doodles is the variety!

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Depending on the genetics of the parents, doodles may come in colors and patterns such as:

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Solid Colors
Cream, apricot, red, black, brown and other shades in between.

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Patterns & Markings
Parti, abstract, phantom, sable, merle and others depending on the breed and pairing.

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Some colors can also lighten or change as a puppy matures. Poodles, for example, can carry genes that cause coat color to fade over time.

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Doodle coats may be:

• Curly

• Wavy

• Straight

• Unfurnished/flat coated

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We genetically coat test our breeding dogs and intentionally breed for furnished coats.

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Regardless of coat type, doodles require regular grooming. Most families have their doodle professionally groomed approximately every 6–8 weeks, along with regular brushing and combing at home.

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Do Goldendoodles shed?

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Goldendoodles are often lower shedding than Golden Retrievers, but no ethical breeder can promise that every doodle will be completely non-shedding.

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Shedding is influenced by genetics, furnishings, coat type and the individual dog.

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Because we genetically coat test our breeding dogs, we can make more educated decisions when planning pairings and predicting coat traits.

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In general, curlier furnished coats tend to retain more loose hair within the coat, while looser coats may release more hair into the environment.

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Keep in mind that the lower-shedding coats people often love about doodles also require regular brushing, combing and professional grooming.

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What size will my doodle be?

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We provide an estimated adult weight range for each litter based on the parents, their previous puppies when available, and the dogs behind the pedigree.

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However, puppy growth is not an exact science and we cannot guarantee a specific adult weight.

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Genetics play a large role, and even littermates can mature at different sizes.

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Our general size descriptions are:

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Standard

Approximately 50+ pounds

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Medium

Approximately 40–50 pounds

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Mini

Approximately 30–40 pounds

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Our “mini” doodles are still substantial family dogs. We currently use smaller standard/Moyen-sized Poodles when producing our smaller Goldendoodles rather than breeding for extremely tiny sizes.

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Please keep in mind that doodle size labels are not standardized, so another breeder's definition of “mini,” “medium” or “standard” may be different from ours.

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HEALTH & OUR BREEDING PROGRAM

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What health testing do you perform on your breeding dogs?

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Health testing is an important part of our breeding program.

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Our parent dogs are genetically screened for conditions relevant to the breeds represented in their pedigree. Because the appropriate tests vary between Poodles, Golden Retrievers, Old English Sheepdogs and multigenerational doodles, the exact genetic panel may vary by dog.

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Depending on breed and ancestry, testing may include conditions such as:

• Degenerative Myelopathy

• Ichthyosis

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy

• Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration

• Von Willebrand Disease

• Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures

• GM2 Gangliosidosis

• Osteochondrodysplasia

• Exercise-Induced Collapse

• Multidrug Resistance 1

• Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

• Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

• and other breed-relevant genetic conditions

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We also evaluate coat genetics including furnishings/improper coat and shedding traits.

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Our breeding dogs receive veterinary care and additional health evaluations appropriate for our program.

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Genetic testing does not mean that every breeding dog must be clear of every recessive condition. A dog that carries one copy of certain recessive conditions may still be responsibly bred to a genetically clear mate so that affected puppies cannot be produced.

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We carefully consider the testing of both parents together when planning each pairing.​

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Where do your breeding dogs live?

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Our dogs either live with us or live as beloved family pets in carefully selected guardian homes.

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Our guardian program allows our breeding dogs to grow up as someone's cherished family companion rather than living their lives in a kennel environment.

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When a guardian dog retires from our breeding program, he or she simply continues life with the family they already know and love.

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You can learn more about our Guardian Program [HERE].

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​How often do you breed your females?

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The health and well-being of our moms always come first.

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Breeding decisions are made individually based on each dog's age, physical condition, previous pregnancy and recovery, reproductive history and veterinary guidance.

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When appropriate, a female may be bred on consecutive heat cycles rather than automatically skipping a cycle. Other times, we may decide that a female needs more time or that retirement is the best choice.

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We do not breed our females on their first heat cycle. Before entering our breeding program, they must be mature enough for breeding and have completed the health testing required for our program.

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We also believe in retiring our moms while they are still young enough to enjoy many wonderful years simply being someone's loved family dog.

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Do your puppies come with a health guarantee?

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Yes.

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Our puppies currently go home with a one-year health guarantee, along with lifetime coverage for the genetic conditions outlined in our contract.

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We encourage every family to read our Puppy Contract & Health Guarantee before purchasing so they understand exactly what is and is not covered.

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[VIEW OUR HEALTH GUARANTEE]

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Choosing Your Puppy

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Should I choose a male or female?

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This is another question we are asked all the time!

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While people sometimes notice general tendencies between males and females, we have found that individual temperament is much more important than gender when choosing a family companion.

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Both males and females can be:

• affectionate

• gentle

• playful

• intelligent

• easy to train

• wonderful family dogs

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Within the same litter, we may have a very laid-back female and an outgoing male — or exactly the opposite!

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That is why we recommend choosing based primarily on the puppy's individual personality, energy level and how those traits fit your family.

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If you already have another dog, we can also discuss his or her personality when helping you think through your choice. Sometimes an opposite-sex pairing can work especially well, but the temperament of both dogs matters more than following a strict male-versus-female rule.

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Do you choose puppies for families?

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We believe families should be involved in choosing the puppy they will hopefully spend the next 12–15+ years loving.

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Rather than assigning puppies to families, we provide information about each puppy's developing personality and help guide you through your decision.

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If you would prefer for us to recommend the puppy we think may fit your family best, we're happy to do that too!

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Ultimately, we believe puppy selection works best as a partnership between the family who knows their lifestyle and preferences and the breeder who has spent weeks getting to know the puppies.

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Do you temperament test your puppies?

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Yes.

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At approximately 6–7 weeks, we perform a temperament assessment to give us another glimpse into characteristics such as confidence, sociability, energy level and how a puppy responds to new situations.

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We combine that information with what we have observed while living with the puppies every day.

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A temperament assessment is a helpful snapshot, but we don't believe a short test can predict exactly who an adult dog will become.

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Genetics certainly matter, but a puppy's continued socialization, training, experiences and environment — particularly during the first year — play an enormous role in the dog he or she becomes.

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Our puppies are also raised using principles from the Puppy Culture program.

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[LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY CULTURE]

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When do we choose our puppy?

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Puppy selection is generally based on the order established for that particular litter.

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Depending on the litter and our schedule, we may hold Puppy Pick Day at approximately 6–7 weeks, followed by go-home around 8 weeks.

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For some litters, we may instead combine Puppy Pick Day and Go-Home Day at approximately 8 weeks.

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We offer both in-person and virtual puppy selection when appropriate.

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Families receive plenty of pictures, videos, personality information and updates along the way so they can get to know the litter before making their choice.

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Can we visit?

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Because our puppies are raised in our home, we limit visits to our puppy pick days and go-home days only.

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This helps us protect young puppies during a vulnerable stage of life while also protecting the privacy and daily routine of our family.

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Don't worry — you will still get to watch your puppy grow!

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We provide our families with regular “pupdates,” photos and videos, and we love getting to finally meet everyone in person when the time comes.

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PURCHASING & WAITING LIST

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How does the purchasing process work?

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We've created an entire page explaining the process from application through bringing your puppy home.

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[VIEW OUR PURCHASING PROCESS]

 

In general, families:

1. Submit a puppy application.

2. Receive approval from us.

3. Place a deposit when appropriate.

4. Join our waiting list or reserve an available puppy/litter.

5. Follow the litter through pregnancy, birth and weekly updates.

6. Participate in puppy selection.

7. Bring their puppy home at approximately 8 weeks old.

 

How much does a puppy cost?

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Our puppies are currently $2,000.

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A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your place when joining our waiting list or reserving a puppy as outlined in our purchasing process.

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The deposit is applied toward the puppy's total purchase price.

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[VIEW PRICING & PAYMENT INFORMATION]

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Why are deposits non-refundable?

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Once a deposit is placed, we begin planning around that commitment.

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Our waiting lists, breeding plans and communication with other families are affected by the number of families who have committed to a future puppy.

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For that reason, deposits are non-refundable.

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We understand that life circumstances and timing can change, which is why our waiting-list policies allow families some flexibility within the terms explained in our Deposit Agreement.

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This is a great article form Good Dog that answers this question!  Click here to read the article!

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We encourage every family to read those policies carefully before placing a deposit.

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[VIEW OUR DEPOSIT AGREEMENT]

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How long should I expect to wait for a puppy?

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There isn't one answer because every family is looking for something a little different.

Most of our litters have approximately 6–10 puppies, but litter size can never be guaranteed.

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Your wait may depend on:

• the litters we have planned

• when our females cycle

• whether a breeding results in pregnancy

• litter size

• your preferred size

• coat/color preferences

• gender preference

• your preferred time frame

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Families who are more flexible generally have more opportunities available to them.

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We keep our website updated with planned breedings, confirmed pregnancies, expected litters and available puppies whenever possible.

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What happens if the litter I'm waiting for doesn't have the puppy I want or the pregnancy doesn't take?

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Nature doesn't always follow our plans!

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We cannot guarantee litter size, gender, colors or exactly which puppies will be born from a particular breeding or that a pregnancy will be successful.

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If the litter you are considering doesn't produce the puppy you're looking for, your options will depend on your reservation and our current waiting-list policies.

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We will communicate with you and help you understand the upcoming opportunities available within our program.

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PREPARING FOR YOUR PUPPY

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What food do you feed your puppies?

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Our puppies are currently raised on:

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VICTOR Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Meal & Brown Rice Recipe

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We recommend keeping your puppy on the same food during the transition into your home rather than changing foods immediately.

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If you eventually decide to switch foods, we recommend making the transition gradually to reduce the chance of digestive upset.

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What is included with my puppy?

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Our puppies go home having received a wonderful foundation of veterinary care, socialization and preparation for family life.

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Your puppy currently includes:

• Thorough veterinary examination

• First DHPP vaccination administered by our veterinarian

• Age-appropriate deworming

• Microchip

• Health records

• One-year health guarantee

• Lifetime coverage for genetic conditions outlined in our contract

• Parents genetically health tested

• Parents coat tested when applicable

• Raised using Puppy Culture principles

• Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

• Early introduction to crate training

• Early introduction to potty-training routines

• Regular puppy updates

• Temperament assessment

• In-person or virtual puppy selection when applicable

• Invitation to our private McClelland Doodles family Facebook group

• Invitations to occasional McClelland Doodles family gatherings/"Doodle Romps"

• Go-home bag with a few helpful and familiar items for your puppy

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What should I buy before bringing my puppy home?

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We've made this one easy!

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Instead of trying to purchase everything you see in the pet store, we've put together a collection of the products and supplies we actually use and recommend with our own dogs and puppies.

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Puppy Favorites

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Our favorite crates, grooming supplies, chews, treats, toys, ear-care products and other puppy essentials.

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[VIEW OUR PUPPY FAVORITES]

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We've also created an easy-to-read guide that covers preparing your home, feeding, crate training, potty training, grooming and those important first days together.

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New Puppy Guide

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Everything we want our puppy families to know as they prepare to bring their new family member home.

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[VIEW OUR NEW PUPPY GUIDE]

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When should I spay or neuter my puppy?

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There isn't one perfect age that applies to every dog.

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We recommend discussing timing with your veterinarian because breed, projected adult size, health and individual circumstances should all be considered.

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Our contract currently requires puppies sold as family companions to be spayed or neutered within the time frame specified in the agreement.

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Please refer to your Puppy Contract for the exact requirements that apply to your puppy.

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GOLDENDOODLES VS. SHEEPADOODLES

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How are Sheepadoodles different from Goldendoodles?

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We love both breeds, and they actually have quite a few similarities!

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Goldendoodles

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We often describe our Goldendoodles as:

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Friendly • Smart • Loyal

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Goldendoodles tend to be social, affectionate and eager to be part of whatever their family is doing. Many have the happy, outgoing personality people associate with Golden Retrievers combined with the intelligence of the Poodle.

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They can be playful and enthusiastic, particularly as puppies and adolescents, and thrive with consistent training, enrichment and exercise.

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Sheepadoodles

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We often describe our Sheepadoodles as:

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Intelligent • Loyal • Sensitive

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They tend to be affectionate, funny and incredibly smart. Many develop a very strong connection to their families.

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Because the Old English Sheepdog brings different instincts to the mix than a Golden Retriever, Sheepadoodles can sometimes be more observant of their surroundings and may be more likely to alert their family to something they notice.

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They are also well known for their wonderfully soft, fluffy coats.

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Which one is better?

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Neither!

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It really depends on the individual dog and what your family is looking for.

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Both Goldendoodles and Sheepadoodles can make wonderful family companions when thoughtfully bred, properly socialized and given the training, exercise and attention they need. 

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STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

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What is the best way to contact you?

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We have tried to answer as many questions as possible throughout our website so prospective families can take their time learning about our program before making a decision.

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If you've looked through our website and still have questions, please feel free to contact us.

Email: mcclellanddoodles@gmail.com

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Once your puppy application has been submitted and approved, we're also happy to arrange a phone conversation when needed.

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Our first priority each day is caring for our dogs, moms and puppies, so we truly appreciate your patience while waiting for a response.

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We look forward to getting to know you and helping you decide whether a McClelland Doodles puppy may be the right addition to your family!

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