Coat Genetics

Poodle Colors: Genetics, Rarity & Coat Fading

A Poodle's coat colour is a moving target. Most carry the progressive graying gene, so the black puppy you meet at eight weeks may be blue by two years. This guide covers the recognised colours, the pattern coats, the merle question and the genetics behind the changes.

Poodle colors chart, from popular to unusual

The recognised colours at a glance

Colour is decided by skin pigment as much as fur. Black-nosed Poodles and liver-nosed Poodles are two different genetic families.

BlackBlack nose WhiteBlack nose BlueBlack nose SilverBlack nose RedBlack nose ApricotBlack nose CreamBlack nose BrownLiver nose Cafe au laitLiver nose Silver beigeLiver nose PhantomPattern PartiPattern Sable & brindlePattern

Quick genetics: why Poodles change colour

Rule 1

The fading rule

Most Poodles carry the progressive graying gene. A deep chocolate puppy often clears to cafe au lait, and a black puppy can clear to blue or silver as it matures.

Rule 2

The skin rule

A true colour is defined by the skin and nose. Black-nosed Poodles include black, blue, silver, white, cream, red and apricot. Liver-nosed Poodles include brown, cafe au lait and silver beige.

The solid colours

These are the colours recognised by the American Kennel Club.

Black nose

Black

Ink-black to the skin and does not fade. Check the shaved face: if it is jet black at six weeks, it is a true black.

Black nose

White

Snowy white with jet black points. A white Poodle keeps a dark nose and dark eyes, which is what separates it from a pale cream.

Liver nose

Brown family

Chocolate, cafe au lait and silver beige. All have liver noses and amber eyes, and they often fade as they age.

Black nose

Blue & silver

Faded blacks. Silver has a silver face when shaved at six weeks and looks platinum by two. Blue looks black until two or three, then settles into a dark slate.

Black nose

The red spectrum

Red, apricot and cream share the recessive red gene. Reds often fade to apricot with age.

The patterned colours

Patterns are driven by the agouti gene. They are striking, but often counted as mismarks in the strict show ring.

Pattern

Phantom

The Doberman look. A solid base colour with tan points above the eyes, on the chest and on the legs.

Pattern

Parti

More than half white with patches of a second colour. Both parents must carry the recessive gene to produce a parti puppy.

Pattern

Sable & brindle

Sable has dark-tipped hairs; brindle has tiger stripes. Sables often clear to cream or apricot once shaved.

The controversial colour: merle

If you have seen a Poodle with blue eyes and leopard spots, that is a merle. It is beautiful and it is also the most debated colour in the breed.

Origin: the merle gene does not occur naturally in purebred Poodles. It was introduced by crossing with a merle breed such as an Australian Shepherd.
The health risk: breeding two merles together produces double-merle puppies, which are often born deaf, blind or both.
Recognition: merle is not recognised by the American Kennel Club.
If you buy one: choose a breeder who tests hearing and eyesight and never breeds merle to merle. Read our full merle guide.

FAQ: rarity and value

What is the rarest Poodle colour?

Silver beige and blue are the least common, because they depend on specific recessive genetics. Look at the adult parents, since the puppy coat is a poor guide to the final colour.

Does a rare colour cost more?

A responsible breeder prices on health testing and care, not colour. Be cautious of anyone charging a premium mainly because a colour is claimed to be rare.

Does colour affect temperament?

No. A black Poodle is just as clever and active as a white one. Claims of colour-linked temperament are anecdotal.