12 Stunning Poodle Colors You Won’t Believe 

Poodles are some of the most popular canine companions in the United States and for good reason. These dogs are not only some of the most intelligent, but they are also healthy, long-lived, family-oriented, and hypoallergenic.

Poodles also come in different size varieties, so they’re perfect for any type of household or family! And, as if they didn’t offer enough, these dynamic dogs are even available in 12 stunning coat colors.

Curious to learn more? Then you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re talking about the 12 Poodle colors you may not have realized existed.

Let’s get started!

But First, Meet The poodle!

The Poodle has the whole package for any family looking for an intelligent, active companion.

Though often referred to as the French Poodle, the Poodle is actually a German dog bred for water retrieving. In fact, his early origin is where the Poodle’s famous and fanciful haircut actually came about.

The Poodle’s pompons (yes, it’s not pom pom, as many people think) were designed to help protect his vital organs and sensitive areas as he swam to catch game in the cold German waters for his masters.

The other areas of his body were shaved to help give him more agility in the water, and his dense, curly, and hypoallergenic coat helped him to dry off quickly once he was back on the boat.

But the Poodle wasn’t just a water-retrieving dog. Throughout history, the Poodle played many roles including circus dog, street performer, and hunting dog, before he eventually found his way to France where he served as a fashion statement for noble women.

And this is where the Poodle became known as the French Poodle we are familiar with.

But don’t let his proud, fancy appearance fool you. Poodles are athletic, intelligent, and playful companions that aren’t afraid to get dirty and have fun. They make excellent dogs for homes with children and do well with other pets, though they can have a high prey drive when it comes to much smaller animals like rabbits and squirrels.

Due to their popularity in France, Poodles were eventually bred down in size as smaller dogs became more and more coveted. This led to three size varieties of the breed, including Standard, Miniature, and Toy.

Today, Poodles are considered some of the most intelligent dogs in the world and are best suited for homes with active families, singles, and couples.

They have a wonderfully long lifespan of between 12 to 17 years and have minor health issues owners should be aware of including skin problems, Addison’s disease, gastric torsion, thyroid issues, and some cancers.

We should also note that Poodles are one of the most common dogs used when it comes to crossbreeding, thanks not only to their winning temperament but also to their hypoallergenic coats.

And speaking of these famous coats, it’s time to talk about Poodle colors. Here are 12 Poodle colors you have to see.

1. Black

Black Poodles are one of the most common Poodle color options.

The solid black Poodle is a sight to behold indeed. From nose to tail, this color variation of Poodle is one of the most popular as well as one of the most common.

With that said, not everyone realizes that black Poodle colors can change depending on a Poodle’s age, with many newborn Poodles being born a different shade of gray or blue before growing into a black coat, or with aging poodles turning from jet black to a silvery blue or gray into their senior years.

And while Poodles do have hypoallergenic coats, many people don’t realize that they also have a double coat. Their downy underlayer can sometimes even be a different color than their curly outer layer, and this is especially true with black Poodles.

In fact, it is estimated that while 70% of black Poodles will have a black inner layer, 30% have a different color inner layer coat that may range from blue to gray. This different colored inner layer will contribute to whether or not your black Poodle may change color as he ages.

2. White

White Poodles are another very common Poodle color, and it’s beautiful when proper grooming is used.

All Poodle colors can include white markings somewhere on their body, whether the white is on their chest, paws, ears, or tail. However, like solid black, solid white is another of the most common Poodle colors in the breed.

This snowy white coat may be more difficult to care for when it comes to grooming, as white coats often show dirt and tear stains more prominently. However, it is also one of the most stunning when kept clean.

The white fur in Poodles is caused by the recessive piebald gene, which means that it often requires two parents to carry this gene in order to produce a white Poodle.

With that said, white Poodles are very common so the color is not considered rare and will likely not be difficult to come by.

We should also note that while most times coat color does not have an impact on canine health, there has been a link between white dogs and congenital deafness. It should also be noted that Poodles are on the list of 85 other dog breeds that are more prone to others to congenital deafness as well.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that all white Poodles will be deaf, and you can help reduce the chances of ending up with a deaf dog by ensuring you go through reputable sources when looking to obtain your Poodle.

3. Blue

These beautiful blue Poodle colors can vary in shade.

Blue Poodles are commonly confused for black Poodles, and it’s easy to see why if you are not looking at a blue or black Poodle side by side.

However, true blue Poodles and true black Poodles are easy to identify when they are beside one another, with black Poodles being clearly jet black and blue Poodles having a hint of silver to their coats that make them appear lighter in shade.

With that said, blue Poodles aren’t always born blue, and the blue shade may take up to two years to fully develop before the blue coat color is established.

In fact, many Poodles born black will grow up to mature into blue coats, (remember we discussed the double coats that can cause Poodle colors to change over time), and this may lead to some confusion or even frustration if you’re a dog owner looking for a specific Poodle color.

Silver Poodles, which we’ll talk more about further down, also change in shade, but blue Poodle colors change much more slowly thanks to a gene known as the progressive graying gene.

Blue Poodles are certainly beautiful, and they are also considered more rare than other Poodle colors. For this reason, some breeders may market their puppies as rare or exotic and even try to sell them for more than other color variations. However, remember that it can be difficult to determine if you are really dealing with a blue Poodle, especially as this color changes so slowly over time.

4. Gray

Gray Poodles can have coats that vary in shade from light gray to almost black with a lighter undertone.

The gray Poodle is considered one of the original Poodle coat colors, believed to be derived from early in the Poodle’s ancestry when they were being created by crossbreeding Shepherds and other canines to create the Poodle we know and love today.

Though this color is one of the originals, it has not always been accepted by every major breed club. While the American Kennel Club accepted the gray-coated Poodle, it took some time for the International Kennel Federation (FCI) to recognize it as an official coat color.

Today, the gray Poodle is an accepted color variation of the breed, and in fact, it’s considered quite popular in the United States.

There are varying shades of this gray color, ranging from light ash to a gray-blue, and even a darker gray that might be confused for black.

Many people who love the gray Poodle colors also point out that the gray coat is softer and thinner than other coat colors, though this is often seen as speculation.

As with silver and blue Poodle colors, gray Poodles are often born black and their coats change color over time.

5. Silver

Silver Poodles are some of the most sought-after with their gorgeous hues and undertones.

One of the most highly sought-after Poodle colors is the silver Poodle, which gives off a stunning silvery shade you might expect simply from the name.

The coat is often darker on top and lightens towards the paws, and is a distinctive shade that is different from blue or gray.

Silver Poodle colors are rare to come by, as the silver coat requires two recessive genes in order to be produced. For this reason, silver Poodles are often sold for a much higher price than their other colored counterparts, with many breeders offering silver Poodles for upwards of $2,500 to $5,000!

Like blue and gray Poodles, silver Poodles are often born black and their coats will not fully mature into their silver hue until they are around two years old. With that said, you are able to identify a silver Poodle much earlier than its blue or gray counterparts, often knowing if you do indeed have a silver Poodle by the time the puppy is six weeks old.

You can identify a silver Poodle puppy as the puppy’s face and paws will turn a silver shade around this time.

6. Cream

Cream Poodles can vary from almost white to almost apricot.

Cream is another of our Poodle colors that could be considered rare, especially seeing that many Poodle puppies born with cream coats will grow out of them by the time they are two years of age.

In fact, only a small number of Poodles will keep their cream coat into adulthood, making the color highly sought after and coveted amongst owners.

With that said, the cream-colored Poodle can range in shade from an off-white to a creamy apricot color.

Cream Poodles may also not be solid cream in color, with varying shades appearing on their ears, paws, or tail. Some cream Poodles also have liver colored noses and white toe nails, which may be considered minor faults in the show ring.

However, for most Poodle lovers, these drawbacks are not enough to stop them from obtaining this beautiful Poodle color.

7. Brown

Brown Poodles are stunning with their rich coats.

Along with black and white, brown is another very common Poodle coat color. This rich, liver brown covers the Poodle from head to toe and doesn’t vary in a shade too much in comparison to other Poodle colors on this list.

In fact, most brown Poodles maintain their brown shade from birth and into their senior years, making this color choice an excellent one for owners who are looking for a guarantee.

The brown coat color is derived from a dominant gene, making these pups easy to come by and often more affordable than some of their other-colored counterparts.

One of the major benefits of brown Poodle colors is that this coat color option is very easy to care for. Like black Poodles, brown Poodles hide dirt and grime, and tear stains are not as obvious.

8. Parti Poodle Colors

These cute Poodles are especially rare because it’s so difficult to determine when their parti coat colors will pop up in litters.

The Parti Poodle is a sight to behold indeed, and their coat color is just as much a cause for celebration as the name of the coloring is! Parti colors describe Poodles that are born with more than 50% of their body is covered in white, while the rest will be in patches or markings of different colors like black, red, apricot, cream, brown, or other colors common in Poodle genetics.

Although Parti Poodles are beautiful, these Poodle colors are not currently accepted by the American Kennel Club as the breed standard.

But this hasn’t stopped breeders and Poodle enthusiasts from seeking the Parti Poodle out. In fact, Parti Poodles are highly sought after and can cost owners over $2,000.

But why are Parti Poodles so difficult to come by? The reason is that the irregular color pattern comes at random, and can’t be predicted by breeders. For this reason, you may be in for a long wait if you want to get your hands on a Parti Poodle, even if you seek out a breeder who has had a litter containing Parti Poodle colors in the past.

9. Red

Red Poodles are likely derived from a diluted color gene that comes from brown or apricot.

The red Poodle is another rare and sought-after coat color when it comes to Poodle colors, although the genetics behind this coat color is still being studied.

Many believe the red Poodle colors come from the Rufus gene, which is responsible for darkening more common Poodle colors like brown or apricot. And though it’s not as common as many of the other standard color variations, red is a recognized coat color by the American Kennel Club, though the feat didn’t happen until the 1980s.

Today, red Poodles are very coveted, with many breeders having perfected the art of producing this gorgeous color.

Still, finding a truly red Poodle can be difficult, and red Poodles may even be sold for more than other Poodle colors due to their rarity. In fact, red Poodles are often sold by breeders for between $700 and $2,000.

10. Cafe Au Lait

These beautiful coats mix three color shades like cream, brown, and apricot.

The name may sound like a fancy drink you would order at Starbucks, but it is in fact one of our stunning Poodle colors you simply have to see.

This color is a unique shade that combines three popular Poodle colors including cream, apricot, and brown.

Though this is a unique and less commonly known Poodle color, it is one of our Poodle colors that is recognized by the American Kennel Club. It can range in shade from a lighter, creamier shade of cafe au lait or darker in shade, which can commonly be confused for brown.

Cafe Au Lait Poodle puppies are generally born with their true color already in place, though they may darken slightly as they get older. These Poodle colors also always come with a liver colored nose with dark brown or amber-colored eyes.

11. Silver Beige

This Poodle color is considered a dual coat color.

The silver beige Poodle is very easy to confuse with the cave au lait Poodle colors, although you can tell the difference in a few ways. First, in puppyhood silver beige Poodles are not always born with a silver beige coat.

They may be born a cream color or a more silver color, and the color will solidify once the silver-beige Poodle reaches two years of age. Remember, a cafe au lait Poodle is going to be born with his true coat color already in place.

Silver beige Poodles are beautiful, and they may have a creamier coat with darker colors on their ears or other areas of their body. They can also vary to darker shades.

It wasn’t until the 1990s that the Silver Beige Poodle was recognized by the American Kennel Club. It is recognized as a two-tone color, as it is often darker in some areas of the Poodle’s body, leading to a two-tone appearance.

12. Apricot

The Apricot Poodle is one of the most popular Poodle colors on our list.

The last of the Poodle colors on our list is the absolutely beautiful apricot Poodle. This is a very common Poodle color and also one of the most sought-after, thanks to the rich, bright coat that can range in shades from light to dark.

Some apricot color Poodles are a solid apricot color from nose to tail, while others may be lighter in color along their bodies with darker colors on their ears.

The apricot color stems from brown or liver coloring, with the first apricot Poodle being documented in 1896. Today, apricot Poodles are some of the most popular, often being bred and sold by breeders for between $2,000 to $3,000.

What To Remember If You’re Investing in A Poodle

The Poodle is a healthy, long-lived dog that makes a great companion for a variety of owners.

Many people adore Poodles, and it’s not uncommon for Poodle lovers to seek out a specific type of Poodle based solely on its coat color.

If you are planning on investing in a Poodle, regardless of the Poodle colors you’re interested in, it’s important to go through reputable sources such as a qualified breeder or a rescue you trust.

On average, Poodle puppies cost between $600 to $1,500. However, as we saw above, some Poodle colors will cost potential owners more than others.

This is not unheard of, but it’s always important to make sure you do plenty of research on the breeder or shelter you are going through, especially if you discover that Poodle puppies are being sold for much more than they are generally worth.

Make sure to ask for certificates of health and references when going through a breeder, and be careful of cutting corners to save money as you could wind up accidentally going through irresponsible or inexperienced breeders who may not recognize the importance of responsible breeding practices.

So, now that you know more about the 12 Poodle colors available, tell us which colors are your favorite in the comment section below!