There are many different terms associated with dog breeds and they can be somewhat overwhelming. In this article, we specifically look at the particular term reverse F1b. Whilst reverse F1b is a generic term across the Poodle mixes we are specifically concentrating on the Sheepadoodle as we explore how this is achieved. By the end of this piece, your head shouldn’t be quite so muddled, and you will be more fluent in some Doodle lingo.
A reverse F1b Sheepadoodle is when you cross an F1 Sheepadoodle back to an Old English Sheepdog. It will be 75% OES and 25% Poodle and differs from the usual F1b which is crossed back to the Poodle. Your F1b cross may shed more but can be desirable if you seek the Old English Sheepdog appearance.
We discover what implications are involved when choosing a reverse F1b breed. And look into whether health is affected, and what can you expect from their appearance and personality. Let’s find out more.
Table of Contents
Sheepadoodle Generations Explained?
F1 Sheepadoodle
The F1 Sheepadoodle is 50% Poodle and 50% Old English Sheepdog. Purebreds are used in the cross and the Poodle should be a Standard to create the most compatible mix.
It does not matter which is the Mom and which is the Dad. However, in terms of health implications for the Mom, the Dad should be the smaller of the mating pair. At most he should only be slightly bigger, as the proportional size difference between genders of a purebred.
F1b Sheepadoodle
An F1b is created by taking an F1 Sheepadoodle and breeding back to the Poodle. Most often this will still be the Standard but if the breeder is looking to achieve a Miniature Sheepadoodle they may cross a smaller F1 with a Miniature Poodle.
The safest way to achieve a Miniature Sheepadoodle, as with all Doodles who are traditionally large breeds, is steadily and through the generations. Mating two considerably different sized dogs can result in many health issues due to skeletal diversity.
An F1b Sheepadoodle will be 75% Poodle and 25% Old English Sheepdog.
F2 Sheepadoodle
An F2 Sheepadoodle is a second-generation cross and is achieved by mating two F1 Doods. The F2, like the F1, will also be 50% Poodle and 50% Old English Sheepdog but will be likely to produce the most varied litter in terms of appearance.
It’s because of this uncertainly the F2 Sheepadoodle is less popular than other generations. Hybrid Vigor will also be less than in that of their F1 counterparts.
What is a Reverse F1b Sheepadoodle
When an F1 Sheepadoodle is bred back to an Old English Sheepdog you have your F1b reverse breed. With this generation, you will likely get a dog that closely resembles the Old English Sheepdog in appearance and perhaps personality.
This creates a ratio of 75% Old English Sheepdog and 25% of Poodle in the gene pool. It is the most likely generation to shed so may not be the best choice if you suffer from allergies.
Important Note: When you are looking for a puppy, breeders won’t necessarily list their generations to include the reverse term. They tend to just fall under the “b” category so it’s important to ascertain who the second parent is before you commit. This is particularly important if you desire a specific look in your dog or need one with low-shedding qualities.
Other Sheepadoodle Generations
F1bb Sheepadoodle
The F1bb is quite rare and is most often the combination of the F1b Sheepadoodle and the Old English Sheepdog. This Dood will be 87.5% Poodle and 12.5% OES.
Due to all the Poodle genes, the F1bb would be a good choice for allergy sufferers. You may find that they are referred to as multigens or multigenerational Sheepadoodles as they are officially a third-generation cross.
F2b Sheepadoodle
Like the F1b, the F2b is a backcross but this can be achieved in more than one way. Both an F1 Sheepadoodle crossed with an F1b Sheepadoodle and an F2 Sheepadoodle will result in an F2b. These will produce respective ratios of 62.5% Poodle / 37.5% OES and 75% Poodle / 25% OES.
Like the F1b, this can be reversed by using the Old English Sheepdog as an alternative to the Poodle in the backcross.
F2bb Sheepadoodle
Technically a 4th generation cross the F2bb is likely to be referred to as a multigenerational Sheepadoodle. This means it’s important to speak with your breeder if you want the specifics on their background.
The F2bb will be 81.25% Poodle and 18.75% Old English Sheepdog and is achieved by mating the F2b Sheepadoodle with a purbred Poodle.
This again can be a reverse if the Poodle parent is replaced with the Old English Sheepdog on all occasions but the F1.
F3 / Multigen Sheepadoodle
Anything after the third-generation breeding is referred to as a multigen. Alongside the multigens we have already mentioned these can also be created by mating two F2 Sheepadoodles, or two F1b’s.
Typically, multigens will be predominantly Poodle. However, as we have learned, the reverse backcross introduces more Old English Sheepdog genes. This leaves it perfectly possible to have an OES ‘heavy’ multigenerational Sheepadoodle.
Advantages of an F1b Reverse Sheepadoodle
We know that you get a greater chance of hypoallergenic qualities from a regular F1b. By regular we mean it’s 75% poodle, 25% Old English Sheepdog. So, if this is the case, why do people want to go against the norm? It can be for a number of reasons:
- To acquire the looks of the Old English Sheepdog – It may be that, quite simply, potential dog owners are keen to have a dog that looks like the Sheepdog but with the added bonus of hybrid vigor.
- For the Old English Sheepdog temperament – If you choose a reverse F1b the great news is your dog’s personality should closely match the parent breed. So, if you adore the qualities found in a particular breed then a reverse F1b might be the best option for you.
- No allergy issues – Many families have no issues with dog hair causing allergies. With this flexibility in mind, it makes sense to choose one with a bigger percentage of Old English Sheepdog.
- For the health benefits – Why not choose the look you desire and know that the dog will likely live longer and healthier too? This is one reason so many people choose a crossbreed.
Appearance and Temperament of a Reverse F1b Sheepadoodle
What appearance you can expect by opting for a Reverse F1b Sheepadoodle? As always, it is a prediction rather than a fact due to the variation of crossbreeds. However, a good breeder should be able to give you a good idea of what your F1b Sheepadoodle will look like.
Coat Type and Colors
You can assume with some certainty that your reverse pup will lack the tight curls you expect from the Poodle parent. Reverse F1b’s have more Old English Sheepdog in their gene pool, therefore the coat will likely resemble this. Coat colors can include solid black, black and white, and sometimes grey. Their coat will be on the straight to the wavy end of the scale and will look more like the Old English Sheepdog. They will benefit from a trim during the hot weather due to the longer nature of their coats.
The implications of this mean a greater amount of shedding can be expected from your puppy as they grow. This isn’t a problem if your family is allergy-free, and you don’t mind having to vacuum a little more regularly than normal. Due to the fact they lack tight curls they won’t need brushing quite as often because they drop hair more readily. However, brushing regularly is still very important to keep the coat in good health.
Personality
Due to the herding instincts of the Old English Sheepdog, you may find your Sheepadoodle inherits the tendency to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors.
With plenty of exercise outdoors this should curb any issues as they will burn off that energy walking and running. They are super smart dogs thanks to the combined intelligence of the Poodle and Old English Sheepdog. This means training will be relatively easy as long as you start early and show consistency in your techniques.
How Healthy is a Reverse F1b Sheepadoodle
We need to look at the health of the Old English Sheepdog and the Poodle to ascertain the common problems that the Sheepadoodle may encounter:
Old English Sheepdog Health Problems
- Hip Dysplasia.
- Cataracts
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Deafness
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Hypothyroidism
Poodle Health Problems
- Addison’s Disease
- Bloat
- Cushing’s Disease
- Epilepsy
- Hip Dysplasia
- Patellar Luxation
These lists aren’t exclusive and there can be other ailments attributed to each breed. However, the reason so many people choose a Doodle breed is due to health vigor. Their gene pool is extensive because the parents belong to two different dog breeds which, arguably, gives them a chance at better health.
In Summary
We have learned a little about all the Sheepadoodle generations but most importantly the reverse F1b. They will be a cross between an F1 Sheepadoodle and an Old English Sheepdog making them 75% Old English Sheepdog and 25% Poodle. They are likely to favor the characteristics of the OES and wouldn’t be the best choice for an allergy sufferer.