Despite having a strong working history, the Poodle is generally recognised as a luxurious, dog-show-ready breed. It’s true that these dogs are fantastic to look at, with their vibrant coats being one of their biggest attractions. Read on to discover the most common Poodle colours, from silver to brown Poodles and everything in between.
The Poodle comes in an array of different colours. The most common colours of Poodles are:
Poodles come in a wide range of colours. Some of these colours are more common than others, but all provide a Poodle with a distinct look and character.
The black Poodle is by far the most common variation of the breed. A true black Poodle will have a very deep, inky colouration that commands attention as soon as you lay eyes on it. These Poodles also have black noses, lips, eyelids and foot pads.
Another common and very popular Poodle colour is white. A white Poodle’s coat is typically very bright and pure but may be tinted with beige and light apricot patches. White Poodles are often the darlings of dog shows, and it’s very easy to see why.
The apricot Poodle is rarer than black or white varieties since the colour results from a recessive gene. Over recent years, these dogs have grown in popularity and are currently highly sought after. One of the apricot Poodle’s defining features is its gorgeous ears, which are a slightly darker colour than the rest of the body
Parti Poodles are dogs that have mixed coats rather than one solid colour. A Parti poodle is typically white with strong black, brown, red or blue patches. Parti Poodles are unique and the perfect choice for those who want their pet to stand out.
Another famous Poodle colour is blue. These Poodles are born black but fade as they grow older. It typically takes 1-2 years for a Poodle’s beautiful blue colouration to first appear. Like apricot and Parti varieties, the blue Poodle is a popular alternative to traditional white and black coat colours.
The Australian National Kennel Council is an organisation that governs purebred dog affairs in the country. This administrative body sets so-called “breed standards”, which refer to the ideal characteristics expected from the best pure-breed dogs. The organisation is comparable to the American kennel club (AKC) in the US.
There are many colours that are considered “ideal” for a Poodle by the Kennel Council. They say that all solid colours are desirable, but that white and cream Poodles should have black noses, lips and eye rims. A solid dark brown Poodle should have dark amber eyes and a dark liver nose.
Other colours that represent good breeding include apricot Poodles, black Poodles, blue Poodles and grey Poodles. Some coat colours can come in various shades, such as silver, which often has a silver-beige appearance.
When it comes to choosing your Poodle colour, the only thing to consider is which coat you like best. No colour is better than the next, and it really is just about personal preference.
If you’re someone who wants to have a unique dog, then looking for a rare blue Poodle could be the way to go. White Poodles are perhaps the most popular, but silver-beige Poodles also have a strong following.
Brown and red Poodles also have that classic look that always attracts attention at dog shows. Choosing one of these Poodles can be super exciting since there’s always a chance they could become stunning “cafe au lait” Poodles when their coats start to fade.
The coats of Poodle puppies definitely aren’t fixed in their colour and can change over time. It’s very likely that your Poodle’s coat will move through different shades for the first 18 months of its life.
You may then notice the colour start to fade slightly until your dog is around 2 years old – a dog that was born brown could take on more of a “cafe au lait” Poodle look, for example.
At this stage, the colour will probably stay consistent, but it could start to change again as the dog reaches their senior years.
If you’re looking to bring a Poodle into your family, it’s clear that you’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to deciding on a colour. Remember that a Poodle’s colour may change over time and become something different in the future.
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