Bernedoodle Generations Explained: F1, F1b, F2, Multigen, and Ultra
By Emily Scott, Rocky Road Doodles | 10+ Years of Breeding Experience, Creator of the “ultra” Bernedoodle
If you’ve spent more than five minutes researching Bernedoodles, you’ve been hit with alphabet soup: F1, F1b, F2, multigen, reverse F1b. And you’ve probably read a blog post or two that confidently told you to “get an F1b if you want a non-shedding dog.” That advice is everywhere. It’s also oversimplified, and it’s often flat-out wrong.
Here’s the truth that too few breeders will tell you: a generation label alone does not determine whether your Bernedoodle will shed. It doesn’t tell you what the coat will look like. It doesn’t guarantee temperament. A generation label is a shorthand for a parent cross — nothing more, nothing less. What actually determines shedding, coat type, and physical traits is the specific genetic makeup of the individual dog, confirmed through DNA testing and informed by generational breeding data.
I’ve spent over a decade breeding Bernedoodles, and I’ve watched the industry build an entire mythology around generation labels that gives families false confidence while obscuring what really matters. So let’s break it all down — every generation, what it actually means, where the conventional wisdom gets it right, and where it leads you astray.
What Does “Generation” Actually Mean?
In crossbreeding terminology, the “F” stands for “filial,” which simply means “offspring.” The number that follows indicates how many generations removed a dog is from the original purebred cross. The letter “b” stands for “backcross,” meaning one parent is a purebred rather than another crossbreed.
These labels describe the family tree. They tell you the breeding formula. They do not, however, tell you which specific genes any individual puppy inherited. That distinction matters enormously, and it’s the single biggest misconception in the doodle world.
Think of it this way: generation labels are like knowing that one of your parents is Italian and the other is Japanese. That gives you broad information about your heritage, but it doesn’t tell anyone your exact eye color, your height, or whether you inherited your mother’s curly hair. For that, you’d need to look at your actual DNA — and the same is true for Bernedoodles.
F1 Bernedoodle: The First Cross
Parent cross: Purebred Bernese Mountain Dog x Purebred Poodle (50/50)
The F1 is where it all begins — a first-generation cross between two purebred parents. But here’s where the popular narrative goes sideways. Many resources describe F1 Bernedoodles as having “the best of both worlds” — the Bernese temperament with a low-shedding Poodle coat. In reality, the F1 is “Good” but we can do better…
You will typically get a wavy, low-shedding coat. You might get a flat coat that sheds heavily if the poodle parent was missing the “normal” furnishings gene (this does happen). Without genetic testing on the specific parents — particularly for the furnishings gene — there is no reliable way to predict the outcome.
F1 Bernedoodles are wonderful dogs. But if you’re choosing this generation because someone told you the coat would be predictable, that information was incomplete. Most will have 1 copy of the long haired gene, which is good, but that gene can be weaker for some, and so ideally we want to maximize how many copies of that gene, each puppy inherits. This isn’t possible in F1s, but the ones with a strong version of that gene will have really good hair.
Best for: Families who prioritize maximum genetic diversity and hybrid vigor, and who are flexible about coat type and shedding level.
F1b Bernedoodle: The Lowest Shedding?!
Parent cross: F1 Bernedoodle x Purebred Poodle (roughly 75% Poodle, 25% Bernese)
The F1b is the generation the internet loves to recommend, especially for allergy sufferers. The logic sounds reasonable on the surface: by crossing back to a Poodle, you increase the Poodle genetics, which should mean curlier coats and less shedding. And statistically, F1b litters do tend to have a higher percentage of curly coats compared to F1 litters but that is not the thing that people are typically needing.
Here’s what the F1b recommendation misses. First, an F1b puppy can still shed. The F1 parent carries only one copy of the furnishings gene (Ff) rather than two (FF), roughly 50% of an F1b litter can be born with 1 copy of furnishings as well — and those puppies will be the same as an F1, regardless of being 75% Poodle.
Half of the litter will have 1 copy of furnishings and be “good” on the low shedding range (similar to an F1). Half of the litter will have 2 copies of furnishings and be “excellent” on the low shedding range.
Second, and this is the part that rarely gets discussed: by adding more Poodle, you’re subtracting Bernese. That matters. Many families choose a Bernedoodle specifically because they want the Bernese Mountain Dog’s calm, devoted, affectionate temperament — that deep, soulful loyalty and gentle nature that makes Bernese so beloved. At 75% Poodle, many F1b Bernedoodles are structurally and temperamentally much more Poodle than Bernese. They tend to be lighter-boned, higher-energy, and may lack that signature Bernese steadiness that drew you to the breed in the first place.
The F1b is not a bad generation. But the blanket advice to “just get an F1b” ignores what you may actually want in a dog, and it ignores the genetics of the individual parents.
Best for: Families whose top priority is a higher probability of a curlier coat, and who are comfortable with a dog that leans heavily toward Poodle traits in both structure and temperament.
*We don’t typically have F1b litters now. We have had some over past years, especially in our smaller micro bernedoodles but we typically have multigenerational litters.
F2 Bernedoodle: The Genetic Lottery
Parent cross: F1 Bernedoodle x F1 Bernedoodle (50/50 on paper)
The F2 generation is where you see the widest range of variation within a single litter. Because both parents are themselves a 50/50 genetic mix, the possible combinations in their offspring are vast. You can get puppies in the same litter that look like purebred Bernese Mountain Dogs next to puppies that look like Poodles, with every variation in between.
F2 litters can produce flat coats, wavy coats, and curly coats — sometimes all in the same litter. Shedding levels vary dramatically. Color patterns range widely. Size can be less predictable. Some breeders avoid F2 crosses entirely because of this unpredictability. That’s a reasonable position, but it’s not the whole picture. F2 breedings, when done thoughtfully with extensive genetic testing on both parents, can produce exceptional dogs. The issue isn’t the generation itself — it’s that without testing and data, you have very little ability to predict outcomes.
Best for: Families who are truly flexible about coat type, shedding, and appearance, or who are working with a breeder who has thorough genetic data on each puppy.
*We don’t breed F2’s now. We did in the early years to achieve the ideal bernedoodles for the subsequent generations, while maintaining a 50/50 mix of both breeds.
Multigen Bernedoodle: Breeding With Data
Parent cross: Bernedoodle x Bernedoodle, across multiple tracked generations
“Multigen” is a broad category that encompasses any Bernedoodle bred from two Bernedoodle parents beyond the F2 generation. But the term itself is almost meaningless without context. A breeder who has tracked five, six, seven, or eight generations of data — recording coat types, shedding levels, temperaments, health outcomes, structure, and genetic test results across every litter — has an entirely different level of predictability than someone labeling a puppy “multigen” after a single generation of Bernedoodle-to-Bernedoodle breeding.
This is where the power of generational data begins to outweigh the importance of any single generation label. When you have deep multigenerational records, you aren’t guessing based on breed percentages. You’re predicting based on documented patterns across dozens or hundreds of dogs in a known lineage. You know which lines consistently produce certain coat types. You know which pairings yield specific temperament profiles. You know where health strengths and vulnerabilities lie.
At Rocky Road Doodles, our multigenerational program spans 8+ generations of documented breeding data. That depth of information is what allows us to make meaningful predictions about what a specific pairing will produce — not a generation label.
Best for: Families who want the highest level of predictability in coat, temperament, and health, when paired with a breeder who maintains thorough generational records and genetic coat testing.
Most of our Multigenerational bernedoodles have the ideal coat textures (straight or wavy) and MANY are now achieving maximum low-non shedding hair types due to having two copies of the furnishings genes. Loose soft waves, ideal for brushing and the best non shedding hair genes. Their color intensity is dialed in. Their pattern and structure is perfected. These are the dogs that will make going for a walk almost impossible, because EVERYONE will stop you.
Ultra Bernedoodle: Rewriting the Conventional Wisdom
Parent cross: Multigenerational Bernedoodle lines selectively bred for 56-85% Bernese Mountain Dog genetics while maintaining furnishings
This is where I need to get personal, because the Ultra Bernedoodle is something I pioneered at Rocky Road Doodles in early 2020, and it goes directly against the most common misconceptions in the doodle industry.
The conventional wisdom has always pointed in one direction: if you want less shedding, add more Poodle. The entire F1b recommendation is built on that logic. And for years, I watched the industry push Bernedoodle breeding further and further toward the Poodle side — producing dogs that were technically Bernedoodles but had lost most of what makes the Bernese Mountain Dog so special.
I wanted to go the other direction. The question I kept asking was: can we keep the Bernese — the heavy bone, the calm temperament, the striking tri-color markings, that gentle, loyal presence — while still maintaining a low-shedding coat?
The answer, it turns out, is yes. But it requires something that generation labels cannot provide. It requires multigenerational data, rigorous genetic testing, and a deep understanding of how the furnishings gene works across a documented lineage.
The Ultra Bernedoodle carries 56-85% Bernese Mountain Dog genetics. That’s dramatically more Bernese than an F1b, and even more than a standard F1 (that was 50%). Yet our Ultras maintain the hair types that people want — the gene responsible for low-shedding “doodle” coats — because we’ve spent years identifying which lines carry and express the furnishings gene most reliably, and we’ve built our breeding program around those confirmed genetics.
The result is a dog that looks like a Bernese Mountain Dog, acts like a Bernese Mountain Dog, and carries the sturdy bone structure and calm disposition of a Bernese Mountain Dog — but with a coat that’s suitable for families who need low shedding. It’s a Bernedoodle that’s actually more Bernese than Poodle while still delivering on the low-shedding promise.
The industry said you had to choose: more Bernese means more shedding. Our Ultra program proved that wrong — not through theory, but through years of data and careful, intentional breeding.
Best for: Families who fell in love with the Bernese Mountain Dog and want as much of that breed’s character as possible, paired with a low-shedding coat, backed by extensive generational data and science.
Generation Comparison Table
Generation | Parent Cross | Shedding Predictability | Coat Predictability | Genetic Diversity
F1 | Bernese x Poodle (50/50) | Low — wide variation possible | Wavy, low shedding | Highest (hybrid vigor)
F1b | F1 x Poodle (75/25 Poodle) | Moderate — trends curlier, but not guaranteed | Moderate — mostly wavy to curly, exceptions occur | Moderate
F2 | F1 x F1 (50/50 on paper) | Low — widest variation in single litter | Low — full spectrum possible | High
Multigen | Bernedoodle x Bernedoodle (varies) | High when backed by generational data | High when backed by generational data | Moderate–High
Ultra | Multigenerational (60–85% Bernese) | High — confirmed through genetic testing | High — selectively bred across generations | Low–Moderate (depending on how much Bernese)
Why Generation Labels Are Less Important Than Genetic Testing
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this article, it’s this: the furnishings gene matters more than the generation label.
The furnishings gene is what determines whether a dog develops the “Hair” associated with low-shedding, “doodle-type” coats. A dog’s furnishings gene status is one of three possibilities:
FF (homozygous furnished): Two copies of the furnishings gene. This dog will have furnishings and will pass one copy to every offspring. Lowest shedding potential.
Ff (heterozygous furnished): One copy of the furnishings gene. This dog will have furnishings but can pass either the furnished or unfurnished gene to offspring. Still low-shedding, but breeding outcomes are less predictable.
ff (unfurnished): No copies of the furnishings gene. This dog will have fur and will shed. It may still be a Bernedoodle by generation label, but it won’t have the doodle-type coat.
What Actually Matters When Choosing a Bernedoodle
Instead of fixating on generation, ask your breeder about:
Furnishings gene status of both parents (FF, Ff, or ff)
2. Health testing results — OFA evaluations, genetic disease panels, cardiac and ophthalmology clearances
3. Temperament data across the lineage, not just the individual parents
4. Generational depth — how many generations of documented breeding data inform their predictions
5. Specific pairing rationale — why these two dogs are being bred together and what the breeder expects
A breeder who can answer these questions with specifics is giving you far more useful information than one who simply says “it’s an F1b, so it won’t shed.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bernedoodle generation is best for allergies?
No generation is universally “best” for allergies, despite what much of the internet claims. What matters is the individual dog’s furnishings gene status. A dog that is FF (two copies of the furnishings gene) will have the lowest shedding potential regardless of whether it’s an F1, F1b, multigen, or Ultra. If allergies are a serious concern, work with a breeder who DNA tests for furnishings and can confirm the gene status of both parents. Ask for specifics, not generation labels.
Are F1 Bernedoodles healthier due to hybrid vigor?
F1 Bernedoodles do benefit from the highest degree of hybrid vigor, which can reduce the risk of inheriting breed-specific recessive conditions. However, “healthier” is not automatic. An F1 from untested parents can carry and express serious genetic conditions. A multigen from a program with comprehensive health testing across every generation may have far fewer health risks in practice. Hybrid vigor is one piece of the health puzzle. Responsible testing and breeding practices are the rest.
Why don’t more breeders produce Ultra Bernedoodles?
The Ultra Bernedoodle requires something most breeding programs haven’t built: deep multigenerational experience. You cannot produce an Ultra with a first- or second-generation cross. It requires years of documented lineage tracking, rigorous genetic testing across every generation, and a deliberate breeding strategy that goes against the industry’s default advice of adding more Poodle. Most programs are structured around the F1 and F1b model because it’s simpler and doesn’t require the same depth of data. The Ultra is the result of a long-term commitment to breeding away from convention and toward a specific, data-driven outcome.
What does “reverse F1b” mean?
A reverse F1b is an F1 Bernedoodle crossed back to a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog instead of a Poodle — resulting in roughly 75% Bernese and 25% Poodle. This cross increases Bernese traits but also significantly increases the chance of shedding, since the Bernese parent contributes no furnishings genes. In this generation, 50% of the pups would be low-non shedding and 50% would have a bernese fur.
While the concept shares a superficial similarity with the Ultra’s goal of more Bernese genetics, the methodology is entirely different. The Ultra achieves high Bernese content while maintaining furnishings through multigenerational selection and confirmed FF gene status — something a single backcross cannot accomplish.
Can I determine shedding by looking at a puppy’s coat?
Yes and No. Puppies with strong furnishings (the long “hair” genes) will have a fluffy, full fur around the muzzle and feet at around 6-7 weeks of age (when most people are selecting their puppy in our process) and we are experienced enough that we can help guide them in this area. By looking at a puppy, during this age, I can tell if they are likely to be in the strongest end of the low-non shedding spectrum. I’m assessing the fullness of the fur around two key areas.
Puppy coats are unreliable predictors of adult coats. Many Bernedoodle puppies go through significant coat changes between 6 and 12 months of age. A puppy that appears wavy at 8 weeks may develop a curlier or straighter coat as it matures. The only reliable predictor of shedding potential is the furnishings gene status confirmed through DNA testing. Visual assessment alone, especially in young puppies, will mislead you more often than it helps.
How does Rocky Road Doodles use generational data differently?
Our program is built on 8+ generations of tracked generations across our lineages. For every pairing, we have documented coat types, shedding levels, temperament profiles, health results, structure, color expression, and size across the entire lineage. This means when we plan a litter, we aren’t just looking at two parents — we’re drawing on data from dozens of related dogs spanning years of breeding. That depth of information allows us to predict outcomes with a level of confidence that no generation label — F1, F1b, or otherwise — can match on its own. It’s the difference between guessing and knowing.
The Bottom Line
Generation labels are a starting point, not a destination. They tell you the breeding formula, but they don’t tell you what any individual puppy actually inherited. The Bernedoodle world has built too much of its advice around these labels while overlooking what truly drives outcomes: the furnishings gene, comprehensive health testing, documented temperament patterns, and the depth of a breeder’s generational data.
If you remember nothing else, remember this: ask about genes, not generations. Ask about health testing. Ask about lineage data. Ask how many generations deep your breeder’s records go. Those answers will tell you infinitely more about your future puppy than whether it’s labeled F1, F1b, or F2.
And if what you truly want is a Bernedoodle that looks, feels, and acts like a Bernese Mountain Dog — with a low-shedding coat that makes it work for your family — that’s exactly what we built the Ultra Bernedoodle to be.
Emily Scott is the founder of Rocky Road Doodles and a pioneer of the Ultra Bernedoodle. With over 10 years of breeding experience and multigenerational lineage data spanning 5 to 8+ generations, Emily’s program is built on genetic testing, documented outcomes, and a commitment to breeding Bernedoodles that honor the Bernese Mountain Dog’s best qualities. She developed the Ultra Bernedoodle concept in early 2020 to prove that more Bernese — not more Poodle — was the path to a better Bernedoodle.