Bernedoodle Generations – F1, F1b, F2, Multigen Explained

If you’ve ever seen a Bernedoodle, you know how impossible it is not to notice them. Fluffy, goofy, and full of personality, they often steal the spotlight wherever they go. That’s the thing about Bernedoodles: they’re hard not to ignore.

But here’s the catch—there’s a lot more to Bernedoodles than just their adorable faces and charming Bernedoodle temperament. If you’re thinking about bringing one home, you’ll quickly run into terms like F1, F1b, and Multigen. What do these even mean? Why do they matter?

This blog post is here to break down Bernedoodle generations and explain them so you can figure out which type might fit your life best.

What Are Bernedoodle Generations?

So, what’s with all the letters and numbers?
‘Generation’ means how far removed your dog is from the original Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle mix.
The ‘F’ stands for ‘filial,’ which is a science-y word for ‘offspring.’ The number that follows (such as 1 or 2) indicates the number of generations away from the original cross your dog is. So, the way to ‘read’ an F1 Bernedoodle is to think ‘first-generation cross.’ That is purebred Bernese and Poodle parents.

Now, if you see a ‘b’ at the end, like in F1b Bernedoodle, that means ‘backcross.’ This usually means the F1 Bernedoodle was bred back to a Poodle, giving you a dog that is 75% Poodle (and 25% Bernese.) (The ‘b’ can show up in other combos too, like F2b Bernedoodle.)

The F2 Bernedoodle is a second-generation cross. And Multigen Bernedoodle? That’s when you have several generations of Bernedoodles in the mix, sometimes with a Poodle or Bernese thrown in for specific traits.
Why does all this matter?

Each generation can have different coat types, levels of Bernedoodle hypoallergenic qualities, and even temperament. Some generations shed less, while others are more predictable in terms of size or personality. Breeders create these different generations to try to match families with the right dog for their lifestyle.

Quick Reference:

F1 Bernedoodle: The First Generation

F1 Mini / Medium Bernedoodle

F1 Bernedoodles are when you mix a purebreds (Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle.) The result is a dog that’s a total wild card in the looks department. Some F1s have wavy coats, others are more straight or even a bit curly. You never really know until they grow up, which is fun (or maybe a little nerve-wracking if you’re picky about fur).

Temperament of F1 Bernedoodles

F1 Bernedoodles are friendly and goofy. They usually get a nice mix of the Bernese’s gentle nature and the Poodle’s brains. One big plus is their genetic diversity, which can mean fewer inherited health issues.

On the flip side, F1s can shed more than later generations, and their coats may not be the best for allergy sufferers. Size-wise, they can range from about 50 to 90 pounds, depending on the parents.

F1b Bernedoodle: The First Generation Backcross

F1b Traditional Bernedoodles

When breeders talk about F1b Bernedoodles, they’re referring to a cross between an F1 Bernedoodle and a Poodle. (The ‘b’ stands for ‘backcross,’ which means one parent is a Poodle again.) This extra dose of Poodle genes usually means a curlier, more predictable coat—think less shedding and a better chance of a hypoallergenic Bernedoodle.

How do they look?

F1b Bernedoodles often look a bit more “Poodley” than F1s. Their coats are usually curlier, and they can come in a range of colors, but you’ll also see a lot of the classic tri-color pattern.

Compared to F1 Bernedoodles, F1bs are more consistent in coat type and allergy-friendliness; however, some people say they lose a bit of the Bernese ‘chill.’ It’s not a hard and fast rule, though—dogs are individuals, after all. If you want a Bernedoodle that’s easier on allergies and less likely to shed, F1b is probably your best bet.

F1bb Bernedoodle: Double Backcross

The F1bb Bernedoodle is what you get when you take an F1b Bernedoodle and cross it with a Poodle—so, yes, that’s a lot of Poodle in the mix. (The ‘bb’ part means ‘backcrossed’ twice.)

The result? A dog that’s about as close to a Poodle as you can get while still being a Bernedoodle. Most
F1bb Bernedoodles have super curly coats, which is great news for anyone tired of finding dog hair on every piece of clothing they own.

But, as with everything, there’s a trade-off.

The more Poodle in the mix, the less you see of that classic Bernese look and, sometimes, temperament.
Others might miss the chunkier build or the laid-back vibe of the Bernese.
Grooming is another thing to think about: those tight curls need regular brushing and professional trims, or you’ll end up with a matted mess.

F1bb Bernedoodles are a solid choice for allergy-prone homes, but they do require a bit more maintenance and, perhaps, a willingness to embrace the “Poodley” side of the family.

F2 and F2b Bernedoodles

Now, F2 Bernedoodles are where things start to get a little unpredictable.

These dogs usually come from two F1 Bernedoodles, or sometimes an F1 and an F1b. The idea is to keep the Bernedoodle line going, but honestly, the results can be all over the place. You might get a pup that looks just like a Bernese, or one that’s almost indistinguishable from a Poodle, or something right in the middle. Coat types? Wavy, curly, straight—take your pick.

Temperament can swing, too. Some F2s are mellow and cuddly, others are bouncy and clever, and a few are a bit of both, depending on the day.

F2b Bernedoodles add another twist: they’re the result of an F2 Bernedoodle bred back to a Poodle. This usually brings back more of the Poodle’s hypoallergenic qualities and curly coat, but it doesn’t guarantee a specific outcome.

Multigen Bernedoodles: What Does It Mean?

Multigen Mini Bernedoodle

The name “multigen” stands for “multigenerational,” and multigen Bernedoodles represent the next step in the Bernedoodle family tree. These puppies come from parents who are both Bernedoodles, usually from the F2 generation or later, and sometimes they are crossed with Poodles or, less often, Bernese Mountain Dogs.

The goal of multigen breeding is to achieve the features that people want most: a Bernedoodle hypoallergenic coat that sheds minimally and is consistently the same and a Bernedoodle temperament that is easy to predict. In theory, breeders want babies who are less of a genetic wild card and more of a sure thing.

But here’s the problem: breeders need to be very honest and skilled to obtain that consistency. The quality of a multigen Bernedoodle depends on the breeder’s experience and morals. If you’re considering a multigen puppy, it’s imperative to do your research and choose a reputable breeder.

Multigen Traditional Bernedoodle

Bernedoodle Coat Types and Shedding

A few quick tips for grooming and maintenance:

The curlier the coat, the better when it comes to allergies. But no Bernedoodle is completely hypoallergenic; they just don’t cause as many allergies as most dogs. Generations with more Poodle DNA (F1b, F1bb, and multigen) are usually best for sensitive families.

Size Guide: Mini, Medium, and Standard

Bernedoodles come in Mini, Medium, and Standard sizes. The Poodle parent largely determines this. Poodles range from Toy to Standard, so a Mini Poodle parent usually means a smaller Bernedoodle.

While F1, F1b, and F2 generations can technically be any size, Mini and Medium are more common in later generations. This is because breeders are intentionally using smaller Poodles to meet the demand for more compact dogs. Genetics can still surprise you, though, and sometimes, a pup takes after the Bernese side more.

Here’s a quick size chart for Bernedoodles for reference: