Premier Pups > Breed Insights > Introduction to the F1b Cavapoo
Published Friday, December 15, 2023 by Elena R.
Cavapoos, one of the loveliest designer breeds around, have been skyrocketing in popularity these past few years. If you’re new to the breed, the Cavapoo is a cross between a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a purebred mini or toy Poodle. Cavapoos are much more than meets the eye, though their sweet, teddy bear – like appearance can’t be overlooked. These fluffy bundles of joy are intelligent, cuddly, and impressively friendly.
If you take a closer look at the breed, you’ll also find that sometimes Cavapoos are accompanied by terms like F1, F1b, F2s, and so on. These terms, though a bit confusing at first, all tell a story about who the Cavapoo’s parents are.
The f1b Cavapoo is a first-generation backcross of an F1 Cavapoo bred with a purebred Poodle. This generation comes with a curly, hypoallergenic coat, that famouse Poodle intelligence, and the affectionate ways of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
If you’ve been looking at the f1b Cavapoo and want one yourself, be prepared to fall in love. We’ve put together this guide to F1b Cavapoos to help you decide whether this pooch is the right choice for you. From the breed’s generations to their temperament, health, and grooming considerations, this article will cover everything you need to know about the Cavapoo, with a main focus on the F1b generation.
Table of Contents
Introduction to crossbreed generations
Premier Pups Customer Photo of two beautiful Cavapoos
When you look at designer breeds, you’ll often see terms like F1, f1b F2, or F1bb accompanying their names. This happens with most designer breeds, and it refers to crossbreed generations. These generations tell you who the parents of the designer breed are. Let's take the Cavapoo as an example to explain these terms better:
An F1 Cavapoo is a first-generation Cavapoo – meaning that it has a Cavalier King Charles spaniel parent and a poodle parent. It is a 50-50 mix of its purebred parents.
The f1b Cavapoo, our main focus for today, is what is called a first-generation backcross. This generation has an F1 Cavapoo parent and a Poodle parent. The f1b is also known as the backcross Cavapoo. It is a 25-75 mix – 25% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and 75% Poodle.
The F2 Cavapoo, or the second-generation Cavapoo is the result of breeding two F1 Cavapoos.
Each of these generations are created with certain qualities in mind. F1s will have the best of both worlds, often a 50-50 mix of traits from both parents. F1bs, with the majority of traits inherited from the Poodle side of the family, will be curlier and more hypoallergenic. F2s are often the smallest, with breeders targeting certain coat qualities and colors.
RELATED: A Beginner's Guide to Cavapoo Generations
Understanding the terms:
- "F" stands for "Filial," a term used in genetics to denote generations of offspring from parental types. It comes from the Latin word "filius" or "filia," meaning "son" or "daughter."
- The number following "F" indicates the generation of the crossbreed. For example, "1" in F1 means the first generation, "2" in F2 represents the second generation, and so on.
- "b" stands for "backcross." In breeding terms, it refers to the process of crossing a hybrid with one of its parent breeds. For example, an F1b Cavapoo would involve crossing an F1 Cavapoo (first-generation crossbreed) with a purebred parent, typically a Poodle, to enhance certain breed characteristics like a non-shedding coat.
- "bb" in terms like F1bb signifies a double backcross. This typically involves breeding an F1b hybrid back again to the same purebred line, further emphasizing certain traits of that purebred.
RELATED: Designer breed Generations explained
Temperament of the F1b Cavapoo
Premier Pups Customer Photo of a cuddly F1b Cavapoo
Cavapoos are renowned for their balanced temperament, a trait they get from both of their parent breeds. They are, as they say, the best of both worlds.
RELATED: Everything You Need To Know About The Cavapoo’s Temperament
Intelligence and trainability
Intelligence runs in the family, especially on the Poodle side of it. Poodles are ranked as the second most intelligent breed in the world, being capable of learning even the most complex training commands. And with the F1b Cavapoo being 75% Poodle, you can expect a little Einstein companion ready to absorb everything you teach it.
RELATED: 10 Reasons why the Cavapoo is a Top Dog
Family life
Family life is where the F1b Cavapoo truly shines. This dog loves to be around people, often thriving on laps and attention, a characteristic it gets from its Cavalier parent. Kids are their best friends and adults make the best cuddle buddies for them. They enjoy being part of the pack, getting involved in every family activity and outing. But, like all lovey-dovey, affectionate dogs, F1b Cavapoos also have a downside. They very much dislike being left alone. Being left alone for long periods can lead them to suffer from separation anxiety. This means they need to be trained as puppies to enjoy some alone time away from their family.
RELATED: How to Treat Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety
Sociability
F1B Cavapoos are the social butterflies everyone loves being around. They enjoy interacting with people, other pets, and other dogs. However, they can be a bit shy around strangers if they are not properly socialized. And shy means they won't always wag their tail at unfamiliar people that approach them. It is important to socialize your F1B Cavapoo puppy from an early age in puppyhood to help them become comfortable around new people, sounds, distractions, and situations.
RELATED: Mastering Puppy Socialization: Transform Your Pup into a Confident, Sociable Adult Dog
F1b Cavapoo Appearance and Size
Premier Pups Customer Photo of a stunning, curly F1b Cavapoo
General appearance
A curly-coated, teddy-bear-like canine beauty is the easiest way to describe what an F1b Cavapoo looks like. These dogs inherit the Cavalier King Charles spaniel’s adoring gaze and sweet demeanor, and the Poodle’s tight curls and sturdy build.
Coat and Colors
Like mentioned earlier, F1b Cavapoos, being 75% Poodle, will inherit the tight, hypoallergenic curls that Poodles are adored for. The colors are inherited from both the Poodle and Cavalier breeds, meaning there are endless possibilities. F1b Cavapoo colors include white, black, ruby, brown, apricot, beige, red, tan, gray, and chocolate. They can come sporting tricolor or parti patterns as well as the merle coloring that Poodles are often seen in.
Size – How big do F1b Cavapoos get?
F1b Cavapoos can range from 10 to 15 inches in height and weigh between 10 and 20 pounds, depending on the size of the Poodle used in the backcross. If F1b Cavapoos have a Mini Poodle parent, they will be around 13 to 15 inches tall and weigh around 10 to 15 pounds. For F1b Cavapoos that have a Toy Poodle parent, the scales are a bit lower, often maxing out at 10 inches and around 12 pounds.
RELATED: Cavapoo Size Guide: How Big Do Cavapoos Get?
Are f1b Cavapoos hypoallergenic?
Premier Pups Customer Photo of an F1b Cavapoo puppy
F1b Cavapoos are 75% Poodle, and since Poodles are one of the few accepted hypoallergenic dog breeds, you can expect your F1b Cavapoo to be one too. Although no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic, designer breeds like the Cavapoo were created for this quality - to be a good fit for allergy sufferers. Curly F1b Cavapoos are the most hypoallergenic of the Cavapoo generations.
RELATED: Are Cavapoos Hypoallergenic?
F1 vs F1b Cavapoo
Premier Pups Customer Photo of a full-grown F1b Cavapoo adult
There are quite a few differences between Cavapoo generations, but the most obvious are the differences between the F1 and F1b Cavapoo variations. These two can be miles apart, especially when it comes to looks. So, if you’re stuck between the two, here are the essential differences:
Appearance
F1 Cavapoos are a 50-50 mix of a Cavalier and a Poodle. Their appearance is a mix of looks from their parents. They can sport the Poodle’s curly coat, the Cavalier’s sleek hair, or be a combination of both, typically sporting a wavy coat. Their coat colors and patterns can be that of the Cavalier, or they can sport a solid-colored coat much like the Poodle. The F1 Cavapoo can often be a coin toss when it comes to looks.
F1b Cavapoos are more established in terms of appearance. The 75% Poodle lineage gives more control over determining what an F1b will look like. These dogs are usually small, have curly coats, and most of the time, they are bred to have a brown coat that adds to their teddy-bear-like appearance.
Hypoallergenic qualities
Both F1s and F1bs can be hypoallergenic, granted they inherit the Poodle’s curly coat. F1 Cavapoos, being a half-and-half mix of their parents, are not always going to have the curly coat that sheds minimally, so they are not always the best for allergy sufferers. The f1b, inheriting the Poodle’s tight curls, comes with the hypoallergenic qualities and minimal shedding of its Poodle parent.
RELATED: Cavapoo Grooming Guide
Health
Both the F1 and the F1b Cavapoo can inherit some of the health issues that are common in their parent breeds. Responsible breeders will health test both the breeding pair and the pups to ensure optimal health and will offer a health guarantee to demonstrate their faith in their breeding practices. However, coming back to the difference between the two, there is a general saying that F1s are the healthiest Cavapoo generation, often benefiting from what is called hybrid vigor.
RELATED: Cavapoo Lifespan: Secrets to Longevity
Intelligence
When it comes to intelligence and trainability, F1b Cavapoos tend to have the upper hand, given their inherited intelligence from the Poodle side of the family. Poodles are renowned for their smarts, often displaying unmatched attentiveness and an eagerness to please that can be hard to match. F1s are smart too, there is no denying that, they are half Poodle after all, but the F1b has proven that it is remarkably similar to Poodles intelligence-wise.
RELATED: Top 10 Pros and Cons of Owning a Cavapoo
F1b Cavapoo price
Premier Pups Photo of an adopted F1b Cavapoo puppy
The price of an F1B Cavapoo puppy can vary quite a bit depending on the breeder, the puppy's parent lineage, the F1b’s estimated adult size, and the puppy's coat color. However, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 for an F1B Cavapoo puppy.
RELATED: See our available Cavapoo puppies for sale
Conclusion
Premier Pups Customer Photo of a gorgeous F1b Cavapoo
F1B Cavapoos are amazing dogs that never fail to amaze. Their intelligence is impressive, they are very friendly, and their favorite past time is to cuddle with their family. They are also hypoallergenic, which makes them a good choice for people with allergies. If you are looking for a new puppy, the f1b Cavapoo is a fantastic choice.
Scroll down to see FAQs about the F1b Cavapoo!
Elena R.
About The Author
Elena is a leading expert in the field of dog behavior, care, and training, with over a decade of experience in writing about dogs. As a published writer and lifelong dog enthusiast, Elena currently shares her home with three beloved canine companions. She is dedicated to staying up to date on the latest advancements in dog care and training, ensuring that her articles provide readers with accurate and valuable insights. With her extensive knowledge and passion for all things canine, Elena's contributions to the Premier Pups community offer both expertise and authority on a wide range of dog-related topics.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does F1b mean for Cavapoos? The term 'F1b' for Cavapoos refers to a first-generation backcross. This means that the F1b Cavapoo has one parent that's an F1 Cavapoo (a 50-50 mix of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle) and another parent that's a purebred Poodle. This generation is predominantly Poodle, with a 75% Poodle and 25% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix, making them a popular choice for their hypoallergenic qualities and Poodle-like intelligence.
Are F1b Cavapoos hypoallergenic? Yes, F1b Cavapoos are generally considered hypoallergenic. Thanks to their 75% Poodle genetics, they inherit a curly, low-shedding coat that produces less dander – a common allergen. While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, F1b Cavapoos are often well-suited for individuals with mild allergies.
How big do F1b Cavapoos get? The size of F1b Cavapoos can vary, largely depending on the size of the Poodle used in the breeding. Typically, if a Mini Poodle is involved, F1b Cavapoos can range from 13 to 15 inches in height and weigh around 10 to 15 pounds. Those with a Toy Poodle parent are usually a bit smaller, often maxing out at 10 inches in height and around 12 pounds.
How much do F1b Cavapoos cost? The price of an F1b Cavapoo can fluctuate based on several factors, including the breeder's reputation, the puppy's lineage, size, and coat color. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 for an F1b Cavapoo puppy. It's always important to buy from a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their puppies.
What coat does an F1b Cavapoo have? F1b Cavapoos typically have a curly coat, much like their Poodle ancestors. This coat type is known for being low-shedding and hypoallergenic. The range of colors is broad, including white, black, ruby, brown, apricot, beige, red, tan, gray, and chocolate, sometimes featuring tricolor or parti patterns.