Popular Poodle colors include sable, apricot, red, blue, silver, cream, white, brown and black. And it doesn’t matter which type of Poodle you have either. Toy, Miniature and Standard Poodles all come in the same range of colors and patterns. Today I’ll share the potential health problems that are color linked in these cute curly dogs, and whether there is any truth behind the rumors that some shades make better pets than others!
Contents
- The genetics behind Poodle colors
- Dominant vs recessive genes
- See the different Poodle colors with pictures
- Temperament vs color
- Are some Poodle colors healthier?
Poodles tend to have the same color all over their coat, although you can get parti Poodle patterns. The range of Poodle colors you can find is extraordinary. When picking between the many possible coat colors in this breed, you can easily find yourself overwhelmed with choices.
How Do Poodle Color Genetics Work?
At its simplest, every dog receives one coat color gene from each parent, giving the puppy a total of two. These genes usually contain the blueprint for a certain color. For example, one gene may be a black coat, while another may be a brown coat.
While there are two genes present, only one can be expressed as the true coat color that you would see in the dog. However, which one that is chosen to be expressed isn’t random; there are some mechanics behind it.
Dominant and Recessive Colors
Each gene can be either dominant or recessive. A dominant gene will always beat out a recessive gene and become the one ultimately expressed. For example, if a dog has a black dominant coat color gene and a brown recessive coat color gene, the dog’s expressed coat color would be black.
For a recessive coat color gene to be expressed, there must be no other dominant coat color genes present. Therefore, two recessive genes must be present in the dog for a recessive coat color to be expressed.
It’s important to note that there are other gene pairs that can affect overall color. Some genes if expressed may dilute the coat, affect patterns or add markings.
With these concepts in mind, it is easier to understand how these coat colors come to be in the Poodle. You should be able to have a conversation with any trustworthy breeder about the possible coat colors any puppy may have.
Apricot Poodles
One of the cutest Poodle colors, apricot is a color that is best described as somewhere in between cream and red. The American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard states that black noses, lips, dark toenails and very dark eyes are preferred.
These physical characteristics may be liver-colored instead, which is permitted but not ideal. Genetically, this color appears to be the result of a recessive gene. For it to be truly apricot, no genes cause any dilution or silvering.
Sable Poodles
Sable refers to dogs that have black-tipped hairs, whilst the base of the coat may be different colors. For example, you may have a Poodle who has an apricot coat but the tips of the hair are black.
As a puppy, the black coloring tends to be very strong, making the coat look much darker than it is. This characteristic is known to fade heavily as the Poodle ages.
Sable is a dominant gene, meaning that the Poodle will only need one of the genes to have it expressed. Despite this, these are rare Poodle colors. Sable Poodles are not common.
Red Poodles
Gorgeous red Poodles are particularly striking. This is one of the most sought out Poodle colors. Red Poodles are especially desired due to their rarity. The genetics behind this illustrious red coat isn’t fully understood by science. However, there are still breeders who specialize in breeding red Poodles.
The color tends to appear in apricot lines and seems to be due to the effects of another gene dubbed “rufus.” This gene seems to darken the apricot coloring into solid red and can be recessive. It’s important to keep in mind that this coat color may fade with age.
Blue Poodles
Blue is an intriguing coat color that gives Poodles a dignified appearance. This color is, in fact, a dilution of the black coat.
When blue Poodles are born, their coat appears to be completely black, so much so that they are usually registered under that color. However, after a few years, the black is diluted to dark blue.
While the outer coat appears blue, the hair at the root may be a different color. The genetics of this coat stem from an expressed silvering gene in the black Poodle. This color happens when the dog is carrying a dominant and recessive version of the silvering gene.
Silver Poodles
The most aristrocratic looking of the Poodle colors, Silver Poodles are also born black. And are usually registered as such. Then as they age, the color dilutes to silver, usually significantly in the first year of life.
The genetics of this coat is again similar to that of the blue Poodle. It is caused by a silvering gene present within an otherwise Black poodle. However, this time the dog must be carrying two recessive versions of the silvering gene to attain this color.
Light Poodle Colors
The cream Poodle is another cute color that is regularly mixed up with apricot. There can be quite a lot of overlap between the two colors. This color may be attained with two methods.
Cream
The first is having both the apricot gene and a dominant and recessive version of the silvering gene present. This combination will result in cream fur.
White
The second is a gene known as Chinchilla, which if present, can again reduce apricot to cream. Lighter versions of this color can appear white.
Brown Poodles
Brown Poodles should have liver-colored noses, lips, dark toenails and dark amber eyes. No black pigment should exist on the dog. Otherwise, the dog is faulted.
For this color to appear within the Poodle, the dog must carry two of the recessive brown coat color genes. They must also not have any genes silvering the coat into a different color.
Black Poodles
Another of the more common Poodle colors, black adds an air of elegance to an already dignified and proud breed. True black Poodles will have black hair down to the root, and their color should not fade significantly as they age. There should be no silver or blue tinting or diluting genes. The black coat is caused by a dominant coat color gene.
Poodle Colors and Temperament
There are some people who believe that red Poodles are particularly timid in comparison with the rest of the breed, or brown Poodles are especially mischievous. However, there is no scientific backing to these claims.
Poodle Colors and Health
Although most Poodles coat colors don’t have any links to health conditions, there are a couple of things that do.
All white coated dogs are more likely to suffer from inherited deafness. And dogs with a merle patterned coat can suffer from hearing, sight and other disorders if they inherit the gene from both parents.
Robbin says
I have a blue and a black & white parti. They are both nine years old (not related), both females. The blue is a “Tom boy” and hates her spa days. The parti is a true froo froo poodle. She loves spa days and will totally walk around or jump over any standing water! I am on a waiting list for a dark brown standard female to add to the pack at the end of the year. Love the breed!
Barbara F says
I’ve had four black standard poodles and my current guy is a red standard. They have all had different personalities but all of them have been great dogs. My current guy is very tuned in to me. If I’m upset about something, he right there to make sure everything is okay. If I sneeze, he always comes to check on me. He doesn’t even mind sharing with his two kitty sisters. Poodles are the greatest.
Pammy says
Did u have him fixed and if so does he hike his leg i don’t mind it on the outside but not in the house fo u hv any problems with him
Barb Malley says
The female standard poodle is black with a little white on tummy, so they call her an abstract. The Dad is a blue & white Parti. They will mate soon. Puppies are supposed to be solids, abstracts, Parti, phantoms, and maybe tricolor because what the parents have in their standard poodle breed. They will have a limited registration, but if you want them registered you pay $500 more. We hope to get a solid black male pup late September 2020.
Helen Walker says
I have 2 grey pups.
Can you tell me about this unusual colour.
Thanks Helen
Rose Royce says
I have had Standard Poodles for almost 40 years. My prefered color is black. Although all were blacks as puppies, some turned blue or what I call “dirty blacks”. All have been wonderful no matter their adult color. Some Black Standard Poodle lines (family) are known to get toe cancer. So it is important to only purchase your puppy
( actually of any color) from a reputable breeder who has done research & sire & dam have been health tested ! When you have a Standard Poodle you will never want another breed.
Jo Ann Knight says
I have my first Standard Poodle, a black with some grey hair that started showing at less than a year, but she has stayed black. I was originally trying to find a “liver chestnut” color, but I found out those are brown and the two I fell in love with I was told were liver chestnut. Those two dogs were the most well behaved dogs i have ever seen and they were not from the same household. They met yearly with each other at horse campouts. never saw them disrupt us at meal time, nor did they ever harrase a horse. that sent me on the hung for a Standard when I decided to get a dog again. I doubt that the breeder I connected with is real reputable and will not mention the name. Ele is a wonderful dog but has digestive issues that require Rx food NO high fat due to pancreatitis. she apparently doesn’t handle protein too well, so the vet found a kibble that has had the Proteins modified somehow for dogs like her. She cannot go outside w/o her grey hound muzzle on because if it is edible, carrion of any kind, she will eat and then not be able to hold down her normal food! this started as a 1-2 yr old and got progressively worse. Even took her to Davis University Vet School and no answers.
BUT I would believe that I will never have another breed but a Standard Poodle. She is so tuned into me, and as I have heard some people say, almost a mind reader. She is coming 8 this year and I have, with the help of professionals, made somewhat of a “service dog” of her. She has such a tendency to get Hyper Excitable over babies, puppies, small children and such so I have never considered her a fully trained service dog. She can go with her “in training” vest on to the doctor with me and knows how to behave and does very well. When Hyper Excitability kicks in, the lights are on but nobody is home! I do know the breeder told me she was the runt of the litter and they didn’t believe she could live, and did “NOTHING” to help her. Ele lived out of sheer determination to live. This is why I say I do not believe this was a reputable breeder. Had she not sold, I believe they would have put her down. I have had Newfoundlands in the past, 4 in fact, loved the breed, but not as much as i have learned to love the Standard Poodle. The only other breed I have had was an Elk Hound and wow, great dog but when he decided to go hunting, he found a way and didn’t come home till he was ready. I am sorry this is so long. Also my next dog will probably come from “canine Companions” as I realize I will need a well trained hearing alert dog. Ele is good, but when she sleeps she doesn’t hear the phone either! I can’t sleep with hearing aids on. So far so good, but someday.
I really have enjoyed my “search” today of info on Standard Poodles
Lori says
I had a black standard who was the sweetest girl ever.Now I have chocolate standard, and I think the wives tale is true, she is a very mischievous.😀
Mary says
When I was very young my best friend’s father bred poodles and he always told me poodles colors don’t mix. Mixed color poodles weren’t pure.that was 50 years ago. When did mixed colors become acceptable?
Rose Royce says
Mary .. I think you are referring to “Parti Poodles. Mixed color in coat color. Although AKC will register them a Parti is disqualified from showing in Comformation. But they can now be shown in other venues . UKC on the other hand allows the Parti in Comformation but in a seperate class from solid color Poodles. With SHAME.. years ago Poodle breeders were known to cull (kill) or give away multi color pups in a fasaude to keep their lines only of solid color.
Ana says
Hi I read somewhere that originally Poodles we’re all parti and then breeders decided to “remove” that characteristics through in breeding, less genetic variability is not good and can cause problems. But is was done.
So in my opinion the parties are as much if not more Poodles than the one colored.ones
Jo says
I have had many poodles in the past, most being black. I did have one apricot. All we’re excellent dogs. 2 years ago I purchased a tiny toy chocolate Merle poodle. He has a white eye and a golden eye. He is a wonderful little boy. So basically you are telling me he will have eye and ear problems, my black toy who came from a line of all blacks. He went totally blind at 12 years old. Is there anything that can be done now to prevent any problems?
Barbara says
Favorite is Silver Beige followed by Blue. My 1st Miniature was Blue. My current 2 are Silver Beige. Looking forward to adding another Silver Beige in August.
Judy Molitor says
Our standard white poodle has a black Mom and white Dad. The litter was 4 blacks and 2 whites. The next litter the Mom had produced all whites…..had the same Dad. We have had black, silver and white poodles….Loved them all.