How Do Goldendoodles Change Color From Puppy to Adult

As a Goldendoodle owner, you're probably curious about how your furry friend's coat will change from a playful puppy to a stunning adult. One of the most exciting aspects of watching your Goldendoodle grow is seeing their coat color transform.

Their coat color can change due to the shedding of puppy coat, which often reveals a new, more vibrant adult color. This process usually starts around 6-9 months of age.

As your Goldendoodle grows, you might notice their coat becoming thicker and more adult-like, with a more even distribution of color. Some Goldendoodles may retain their puppy coat color, while others may change significantly.

Keep in mind that every Goldendoodle is unique, and their coat color transformation can vary depending on their individual genetics and breeding.

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Goldendoodle coat patterns are a result of the combination of their Poodle and Golden Retriever parents. They can have a wide range of colors and patterns due to the Poodle's influence.

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The most common coat patterns in Goldendoodles are Abstract, Tuxedo, Parti, and Merle. Abstract Goldendoodles have one primary color plus a bit of white as the secondary color. They can appear solid with a long and full coat.

Tuxedo Goldendoodles have a two-color mix with white concentrated around the chest and front legs. They give the appearance of wearing a tuxedo. Their markings are apparent from birth and often get more prominent as the dog matures.

Parti patterning has at least 50% white and is also known as "piebald." It's similar to the paint patterning seen in horses. Tuxedo patterning is a form of Parti patterning where the white is concentrated on the chest and legs.

Merle patterning includes either blue or chocolate ticking/patchwork. It can appear on black or chocolate-based dogs and is often referred to as "Cookies and Cream." Watercolor Merle is a rare variant of the Merle pattern that produces striking colors.

Some Goldendoodles can have subtle darker patterning, like Knox, a gold Watercolor Merle dog. His coat darkens over time, but his Watercolor Merle pattern remains distinctive.

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Goldendoodles are born with a solid base color that may change as they mature. This is called "clearing" or "holding", depending on whether the color stays the same or lightens.

Many Goldendoodles hold their puppy color on their muzzles and ears, even when the rest of the coat lightens. If you're choosing a puppy, aim for one with a darker coat color than what you hope for, so the adult coat color is what you love.

Cream, apricot, and red Goldendoodles can be expected to fade as they mature. Black Goldendoodles, on the other hand, often clear to Silver or Blue as adults, and have the shiniest and silkiest of all coats.

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Many Goldendoodle puppies are born with one solid color that might lighten as they mature, a process called "clearing." This can be a nice surprise, but it's essential to know what to expect.

Some Goldendoodles hold their puppy color on their muzzles and ears, even when the rest of the coat lightens, which is a great thing to look for when choosing a puppy.

Choosing a puppy with a darker coat color than what you're hoping for can be a good strategy, as it will likely lighten to the color you prefer when the puppy matures.

Abstract Goldendoodles are one primary color plus a bit of white as the secondary color, which can appear anywhere on the body in small touches, splotches, or zig-zag marks.

These small touches of white may seem to "grow and shrink" as the coat varies in length with grooming, so be patient and observe your puppy's coat as it develops.

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Goldendoodles come in a variety of color patterns, each with its own unique characteristics.

PARTI patterning is a common pattern that features at least 50% white, often referred to as "piebald" and similar to the paint patterning seen in horses.

TUXEDO patterning is a type of parti patterning where the white is concentrated on the chest and legs, giving the dog a distinctive "tuxedo" appearance.

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ABSTRACT patterning features small touches of white, usually on the chest, face, and paws.

CLASSIC MERLE patterning includes blue or chocolate ticking/patchwork and can only appear on black or chocolate-based dogs.

Merle patterning can only be seen on dogs that carry the merle gene, and breeding a merle dog with another dog that carries the gene can result in puppies being born deaf or blind.

A dog can carry the merle gene without looking merle, so it's essential to have genetic testing performed on both parents.

Watercolor Merle is a rare variant of the merle pattern that produces striking colors, including a lighter version of the dog's base color.

Watercolor Merle patterning can only appear on black or chocolate-based dogs and may show up as early as 1 month of age or not appear until the puppy clears to its adult color.

SABLE patterning gives the coat darker tips on the hairs, with lighter color closer to the skin and can appear on any base color.

SEAL patterning is a genetic mystery that makes black dogs appear brownish while keeping the nose black.

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It's not uncommon for Goldendoodle owners to wonder about their dog's coat color, especially if it's not a solid black or brown.

Cream, apricot, and red Goldendoodles can expect their color to fade as they mature. This is a normal process, and you should be prepared for your dog's coat to lighten over time.

Black Goldendoodles are known for having the shiniest and silkiest coats, and many of them clear to Silver or Blue as adults.

Silvering can occur on both chocolate and black dogs, and it's a process that starts between the paw pads and on the muzzle of puppies as early as 6-8 weeks of age.

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Goldendoodles can exhibit a wide range of coat patterns, from solid to multi-colored, due to the genetic influence of their Poodle parent.

The parti patterning, also known as "piebald", is a common pattern where at least 50% of the dog's coat is white. This pattern is similar to the paint patterning seen in horses.

Tuxedo patterning is a type of parti patterning where the white is concentrated on the chest and legs, giving the dog a "tuxedo-like" appearance.

Abstract patterning features small touches of white on the chest, face, and paws, and can be seen in dogs of various colors.

Classic Merle patterning includes blue or chocolate ticking/patchwork and can only appear on black or chocolate-based dogs.

Watercolor Merle is a rare variant of the merle pattern that produces a striking, lighter version of the dog's base color, often with additional patchwork patterning.

Sable patterning gives a coat with darker tips on the hairs, while Seal patterning makes black dogs appear brownish, with a black nose.

Goldendoodles can also exhibit Abstract patterns, which feature a primary color with small touches of white in no particular pattern.

The genetics of coat color in Goldendoodles are complex, with multiple genes influencing the final color.

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Predicting the color of a Goldendoodle puppy is a tricky business. According to official standards, Poodles don't come in a golden color, making it very unlikely for a Goldendoodle to be golden.

The Poodle's varied shades are dominant, while the Golden Retriever's colors are recessive, which means the Poodle colors are more likely to come through.

In first-generation Goldendoodles, the puppy will most likely be a similar color to their Poodle parent. However, things get complicated with later-generation dogs, where there are more Poodle genes to contend with.

Even if both parents are black, a recessive golden color allele could still be passed along to their offspring, resulting in a golden puppy.

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Coat colors are determined by the gene pool passed on from the puppy's parents. This gene pool consists of two basic pigments, eumelanin and pheomelanin, which are responsible for shades of black and red/yellow respectively.

Every dog inherits one set of color genes from their mother and one set from their father, resulting in two sets of genes in total. However, only one of each pair is actually expressed.

The combination of these genes determines the final coat color of the puppy. For example, the merle gene can lead to certain health conditions such as deafness and blindness.

All different variations in Goldendoodle coloring are created by or derived from these two pigments, eumelanin and pheomelanin.

Coat patterns in Goldendoodles can be a fascinating topic.

Parti patterning is a type of pattern that has at least 50% white, also known as "piebald."

Tuxedo patterning is a form of parti patterning where the white is concentrated on the chest and legs.

Abstract patterning has small touches of white, usually on the chest, face, and paws.

Classic Merle patterning includes blue or chocolate ticking/patchwork and can only appear on black or chocolate-based dogs.

Merle patterning can have a significant impact on a dog's health, so it's essential to ensure the breeder performs genetic testing on both parents.

Watercolor Merle is a rare variant of the merle pattern that produces a lighter version of the base color, which continues to lighten over the first two years.

Watercolor Merle patterning can only appear on black or chocolate-based dogs and is characterized by subtle darker patterning.

Sable gives a coat darker tips on the hairs, with lighter color closer to the skin and can appear on any base color.

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Seal makes black dogs appear brownish while the nose remains black, and its genetic cause remains a mystery.

Abstract Goldendoodles are one primary color plus a bit of white as the secondary color, which may appear as small touches of white anywhere on the body.

Fiona, a Red Abstract Goldendoodle, is an example of this pattern, with touches of white on her chest, chin, and a few toes.

Goldendoodles come in a variety of specific coat patterns, each with its own unique characteristics.

The Parti pattern is a type of coat pattern that features at least 50% white coloring, with a secondary color in various patterns across the body. This pattern is the result of a recessive gene and is relatively rare in Goldendoodles.

Merle Goldendoodles have a unique "swirl pattern" coat, with a lighter base coat overlaid with swirls of darker colors. Every Merle dog is completely unique, with the genetic mutation responsible for producing Merle Goldendoodles similar to the genes that cause albinism.

Brindle Goldendoodles have a coat with an almost tiger-stripe look, typically a brown or black base with light red and brown stripes. The width and color of these stripes vary from dog to dog, but it usually takes the form of a black or brown base coat with lighter colored stripes.

Parti Goldendoodles are defined by at least 50% white coloring, coupled with a different, secondary color in various patterns across their body. No two Parti Goldendoodles are alike, making them especially unique.

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Sable is a unique coat pattern in Goldendoodles that gives them a two-tone appearance. The tips of the hair are always black, while the roots are lighter.

At birth, Sable Goldendoodles can look brown or black, but as they age, the lighter roots become more apparent. This creates a beautiful contrast between the darker tips and lighter roots.

Sable Goldendoodles tend to hold onto their dark color around the face and ears, while the rest of their coat settles into a cream or tan shade. The darker tips and lighter roots give them a truly one-of-a-kind look.

The base color of a Sable Goldendoodle can be tan or cream, but the tips are always black or dark brown. This is due to the Sable gene that affects the coloring of the dog's coat.

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PARTI patterning is characterized by at least 50% white, also known as "piebald", and is similar to the paint patterning seen in horses.

TUXEDO patterning is a form of parti patterning where the white is concentrated on the chest and legs, giving the impression that the dog is "wearing a tuxedo."

ABSTRACT patterning has small touches of white, usually on the chest, face, and paws.

CLASSIC MERLE patterning includes either blue or chocolate ticking/patchwork, and can only appear on black or chocolate-based dogs.

WATERCOLOR MERLE is a rare variant of the merle pattern, and can only appear on black or chocolate-based dogs.

SABLE gives a coat darker tips on the hairs, with lighter color closer to the skin, and can appear on any base color.

SEAL makes black dogs appear brownish while the nose remains black, and appears seemingly out of nowhere and hasn't yet been associated with a particular gene.

Parti Goldendoodles are defined by at least 50% white coloring, coupled with a different, secondary color in various patterns across their body.

Abstract Goldendoodles are one primary color plus a bit of white as the secondary color, with small touches of white appearing anywhere on the body in no particular pattern.

Classic Merle patterning is associated with a risk of deafness or blindness in puppies if bred to another dog that carries a merle gene.

Watercolor Merle patterning can produce colors previously unseen in Goldendoodles, and is an incredibly striking color.

Sable can appear on any base color, making it a versatile pattern.

Seal only occurs on Black dogs, making it a unique and mysterious pattern.

Parti patterning can result in a unique and one-of-a-kind coat pattern, as no two Parti Goldendoodles are alike.

Abstract patterning can be subtle, with some Abstracts having so little white that they appear Solid when the coat is long and full.

Classic Merle patterning can only be seen on black or chocolate-based dogs, and a Cream or red dog can carry the gene but the patterning will not be seen.

Watercolor Merle patterning is a rare variant of the merle pattern, and is often referred to as Maltese merle or atypical merle.

Merle Goldendoodles are a rare and unique type of dog, characterized by a mottled coat that can appear splotchy, swirled, or marbled.

The Merle coat is a result of a genetic mutation that causes the colors to mix and blend, often resulting in a silvery bluish look, known as Blue Merle.

Classic Merle patterning includes blue or chocolate ticking/patchwork, and it can only appear on black or chocolate-based dogs.

Watercolor Merle is a rare variant of the Merle pattern, where the coat lightens with age, and puppies can have some light merle-type patchwork patterning.

Merle Goldendoodles can be prone to health issues, but with careful breeding practices, the risk is very low.

The genetic mutation responsible for producing Merle Goldendoodles is similar to the genes that cause albinism, and Merles can have pink noses and blue eyes.

Careful breeding practices are necessary to minimize the risk of health issues, and it's essential to work with a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their dogs.

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Merle Goldendoodles come in various colors patterns, including silver merle, red merle, grey merle, chocolate merle, and others, determined by the overall "cast" or "hue" of the base coat.

The color destination of a Merle Goldendoodle is determined by the base coat color, such as silver, red, grey, or chocolate.

Double Merle breeding can produce puppies with very mutated genes, leading to a higher risk of genetic health issues, including eye and ear defects.

Merle Goldendoodles have a unique "swirl pattern" coat, with a lighter base coat overlaid with swirls of darker colors, making each one completely unique.

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Tri-colored Goldendoodles are relatively rare because this type of coloring doesn't occur in either Poodles or Golden Retrievers.

The tri-color gene is more common in other breeds like Bernese Mountain Dogs, which is why you often see this coloring in Bernedoodles.

Golden Mountain Doodles, a mix of Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Poodles, are popular for their unique tri-colored coats.

In order to have a tri-colored Goldendoodle, they typically need to have some other breed in them that carries the tri-color gene.

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Brindle is a rare and unique coat pattern in Goldendoodles. It gives the coat an almost tiger-stripe look.

This pattern is usually a result of a recessive gene, which is why it's difficult to breed for and predict in Goldie pups. The brindle pattern is often a brown or black base with light red and brown stripes.

Each Brindle Goldendoodle has a unique color and pattern variation, and in some cases, the striping won't be that noticeable.

Parti Goldendoodles are a unique and beautiful breed. They have at least 50% white coloring, coupled with a different secondary color in various patterns across their body.

The parti pattern is typically white and another color, differing from the abstract pattern where less than 50% of the color is white. This is because the parti pattern results from a recessive gene and is rare in Goldendoodles.

To be considered a parti rather than an abstract Doodle, a pup needs to have a 50-50 color breakdown rather than simply a few highlights. No two parti hounds look the same, making each one unique.

Parti Goldendoodles can be found in every color, but the secondary color is usually white. This is because the parti gene is a recessive one, and so the Goldie would need two for them to be expressed.

Phantom is a rare coat pattern found in some dog breeds, such as Goldendoodles.

Phantom Goldendoodles have two colors - a base shade and a lighter one.

The lighter points are usually found around the eyes, muzzle, and legs.

This pattern is most commonly seen in black and tan, but can also be brown and silver.

Phantom is a recessive gene, meaning both parents must have it for the puppy to inherit the pattern.

However, it's easy to tell a phantom dog right off, as puppies are born with these specific markings.