Labradoodle Colors: The Standard & Rare Lab Poodle Coat Colors

Last Updated on April 21, 2023

The Labradoodle is the quintessential designer dog. These pooches are known for their gorgeous curly coats.

They are loved by people with pet allergies and, in fact, were initially bred by a man named Wally Conron in 1968, who was looking for a dog that could work with blind people who suffered allergies.

These dogs are loved for the gentle personality of the Labrador Retriever parent and the Poodle’s curly coat. And what’s even better is that there’s no shortage of color variants when it comes to these gorgeous dogs.

White, black, brown, or everything in between, you’re bound to find a Labradoodle you adore.

But what color Labradoodle is most common? Which is the most expensive? And do the different colors influence health and personality? Discover all this and more in the following article.

How Do Labradoodle Color Genetics Work?

The Labradoodle is a blend between his parent breeds, namely the Labrador Retriever and any type of Poodle dog. These mixed breed dogs can take on any of their parent coat colors or a combination thereof. 

As these are not purebred dogs, you can even find various colored puppies within the same litter, making it quite impossible to predict what color a puppy will turn out.

You can look at the parent dogs to get some idea of what color puppies are most likely. In these dogs, lighter colors are the more dominant genes.

When looking at Labradoodles, an F1 dog is a first-generation cross, meaning they are the direct descendant of Labrador Retriever and Poodle parents. These dogs have the most unpredictable coats.

F1B dogs, however, are a cross between an F1 Labradoodle and a Poodle making their coat colors easier to predict.

Do their coats change colors as they age?

Yes, many Labrdoodles’ coats will change color as your dog ages. The coat of many Labradoodles will fade or get dimmer from around two or three years.

In fact, this is one breed of dog that is quite notorious for having its coat change color as it ages. Most of the time, the coat fades or gets lighter as your Labradoodle grows.

Do Labradoodle puppies get lighter or darker?

When a Labradoodle keeps the same color coat that it was born with, this is known as holding; however, often, a dog’s coat will get lighter as they age.

This is a process known as clearing. As these dogs do tend to get lighter in their older years, it’s a good idea to choose a puppy that is a shade darker than what you are hoping for.

The 3 Most Common Labradoodle Colors

Typically when you see Labradoodle puppies being advertised, they are one of three standard color variations. These are the most common colors in a litter and thus the most readily available.

These puppies typically fetch the lowest prices of all colors and don’t result in long waiting lists.

1. Cream

The Cream Labradoodle has a coat that is like an off-white, not quite the brilliant white of a white Labradoodle but not the deep rich gold of the Apricot Labradoodle. 

The entire coat is the same cream color; this dog will have a black or brown nose and black or brown eyes. The cream can sometimes be a bit darker around the face.

Breeders lovingly refer to some dogs with brown noses as caramel creams.

2. Gold or Apricot

Gold Labradoodles are also called Apricot Labradoodles or Caramel Labradoodles. They are slightly darker than their cream counterparts.

These dogs’ coats tend to either lighten or darken as they age. The whole coat will be the same color with a black nose and black or brown eyes.

Meet an adorable eight-week-old Apricot Labradoodle in this video:

3. Black

With the Black Labradoodle, the dog’s entire coat is black with dark eyes and a black nose to match.

This is one of the most common colors for the Labradoodle cross, and generally, most litters will have at least one black puppy even if the rest are light in color.

The 5 Standard Labradoodle Colors and Patterns

Alongside the above three common Labradoodle colors, another five colors are also not unusual to find in a litter. Although they are not as common as the above three colors, they are also not rare and so fetch average prices.

4. White

The White Labradoodle is much lighter than the Cream Labradoodle but still not the brilliant white of an English Bulldog or Dalmatian.

The white shade is prevalent across the entire coat but can sometimes be darker on the face, particularly around the mouth. The light coat of these dogs is quick to pick up tear stains which are darker patches around the eyes.

Like the Cream Labradoodle, these dogs will have a black or brown nose and eye color.

5. Chocolate

Chocolate Labradoodles are a rich brown color. The shade is so dark that it can appear black at birth, but the chocolate color usually is visible within a few weeks.

They typically have brown noses and brown eyes, although rare blue-eyed chocolate dogs sometimes do occur. These particular pups are very sought after and will fetch a high price tag.

6. Brown

The Brown Labradoodle is more diluted in color than the rich, dark Chocolate Labradoodle. Like the Chocolate Labradoodle, however, the shade can appear darker at birth, lightening as the dog ages.

In their senior years, their coats can even have a blue-grey tinge. 

Like the Chocolate Labradoodle, they usually have brown eyes and a brown nose, although blue eyes are known to occur occasionally. 

7. Parti-Color

The Parti-Color Labradoodle is a multi-colored dog. The coat is typically white with large patches or spots of another color. The most common colors for these patches are red and chocolate.

8. Parchment

The Parchment Labradoodle is so named because his coat resembles parchment paper. It is a light, watery brown, almost like a weak cup of coffee.

Around his face, nose, and ears, the color can be darker. The tips of the hair are also often lighter than the base, making him appear as if his coat has two tones.

The 3 Rare Labradoodle Colors and Patterns

Three rare Labradoodle colors also exist. Recessive genes cause these colors, which means that even if the parents of a dog are one of these rare colors, the puppies won’t necessarily follow suit. 

Is it okay to get a rare color of this breed?

Unfortunately, some unreputable breeders advertise their puppies as rare colored dogs only to discover otherwise when the dog is shipped to you, so be sure to do your research thoroughly. 

Also, some breeders will mate rare-colored siblings to get more puppies of these unique colors. This inbreeding is dangerous as it can lead to many health problems.

9. Phantom

Phantom Labradoodles have a distinct pattern on their coat. Phantom refers not to the actual color of the dog as these puppies can be any color, but they need to have distinct phantom markings. 

These include patches of a second color above the eyes, on their chin, to the side of their muzzle, and on the chest. The most common color variant is a black and gold Phantom Labradoodle.

10. Abstract

Unlike the Phantom Labradoodle, which must follow a strict set of markings, the Abstract Labradoodle has no pattern at all. These dogs are simply an abstract mix of any of the above-mentioned Labradoodle colors. 

There is one rule, however, in that they need not to be more than 50% white. If a dog is majority white, then he is considered to be a Parti-colored Labradoodle and not an Abstract Labradoodle.

11. Red

The Red Labradoodle is the rarest color for this hybrid. These dogs are noticeably darker than the Apricot Labradoodle.

Their color resembles that of the Irish Red Setter. To be considered an authentic Red Labradoodle, a dog should have a black, not brown, nose, and his hair should be one color from base to tip.

The only way to get this shade is to breed a Red Poodle with a Fox Red Lab, and both of these dogs are extremely hard to come by, making the Red Labradoodle incredibly uncommon. As such, they are costly.

What are Other Labradoodle Colors?

Some other Labradoodle colors are also listed by breed enthusiasts, making these cute bundles of fur available in a seemingly endless list of color possibilities. Here are a few more colors of the Labradoodle.

• Caramel Labradoodle: Caramel-colored dogs vary between light yellow and dark red and have liver noses. The difference between caramel dogs and cream, apricot, gold, or red dogs is their nose.
• Blue Labradoodle: These pups are born black with a blue tinge to their fur. The blue shade becomes more prominent as your dog ages, developing into a deep smoky blue that covers the entire coat of the dog.
• Silver Labradoodle: These dogs are born black but develop into Silver Labradoodles within the first couple of years. The color sits between a light grey and dark charcoal, and there is sometimes even a layering in the coat. These dogs have black eyes and black noses.
• Black and White Labradoodle (Tuxedo Labradoodle): This is a type of Parti Labradoodle that is very popular. Black and White Labradoodles have very distinct features: a black body and white chest, muzzle, and head. On the other hand, Tuxedo Labradoodles have a white tummy and legs with a black face and back.
• Grey Labradoodle: These dogs are similar to the Silver Labradoodle. They are born chocolate or black, and at around two years old, they start to fade to grey. One way to see if your dog’s coat color will fade is to look at their skin color. If they have a lighter skin color, then their coat will probably fade as they age.
• Lavender Labradoodle: This dog has a smoky chocolate lavender coat that almost looks pink or lilac in a particular light. As puppies, they appear to be chocolate in color, and then the lavender color develops within the first few years. Their eyes and nose are a rose color.
• Cafe Labradoodle: Cafe is a coffee-looking color that can vary from a deep beige to light milk. The nose of these dogs is rose. 

What are Other Labradoodle Coat Patterns

In addition to all of the above coat colors for the Labradoodle cross, you can also see some unique patterns on the coat of this gorgeous dog. This includes sable, merle, brindle, and various other unique combinations.

1. Sable

Sable Labradoodles are very unique. These dogs are born all black but change to cream or white as they age. They typically keep some black patches on their body as they age, such as their ears.

2. Merle

Merle Labradoodles have a unique dabbled coat frequently seen on dogs like an Australian Shepherd.

While they may look beautiful, these dogs generally suffer from a host of health problems such as visual impairment, hearing problems, and even bodily disfigurements.

Are Blue Merle Labradoodles rare?

Merle Labradoodles only occur when the parent dogs carry the recessive Merle gene.

As a result, most dogs advertised as Merle Labradoodles aren’t actually Labradoodles but are the result of a Poodle that has been bred with a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd and so should instead be referred to as Aussiedoodles.

3. Brindle

Brindle Labradoodles look like they have tiger stripes on their coat with alternating dark and light colors. These tiger stripes are most obvious on their back and legs. This type of pattern is not very common with the Labradoodle breed.

Do their colors affect their behavior?

Different Labradoodle colors have no effect on the temperament or behavior of a dog. Your dog’s temperament is instead affected by training and socialization.

Thankfully, the Labradoodle crossbreed is known for its friendly, loving nature. These dogs are also incredibly loyal, intelligent, and playful, making them excellent family pets.

Do their colors affect their health?

Yes, the different Labradoodle colors can have an impact on the health of a dog.

For instance, Chocolate Labradoodles are more prone to developing skin and ear problems and generally lead shorter lives than their more common Gold and Black counterparts. 

White-colored dogs also present with several health ailments, including an increased risk for blindness and deafness. 

Taking Care of Your Labradoodle’s Coat

Labradoodles typically come in three coat types depending on their generation cross. Each coat type must be brushed at least twice a week.

If your dog has the curly coat type of the Poodle breed for which Labradoodles are most well known, they will also need to be professionally groomed and cut every few months.

In addition, your Labradoodle’s ears will need to be cleaned regularly. As these dogs typically have a lot of hair in their ear canals, they can easily pick up infections and debris.

Your dog’s nails must also be cut and cleaned regularly, and their teeth should be brushed often.

Conclusion: Which Labradoodle Color Will You Choose?

As you can see, there are many coat colors to choose from when selecting a Labradoodle puppy.

You might opt for the popular Gold Labradoodle, seek out a rare Red Labradoodle, or instead choose a striking Parti-colored or Abstract Labradoodle that has unique patterns on his coat.

That said, color should not be the only factor you consider when choosing a Labradoodle for your home.

While you may think your heart is set on a specific color dog, maybe that puppy doesn’t match your personality, and one in a different color may make a better fit for your family. 

A good breeder will pair you with a puppy that will match your lifestyle and not just your color choices.

No matter which color you choose, you’re guaranteed a lovely family dog whose playful, fun-loving personality will be a great addition to your home.

Do you have a Labradoodle at home? What coat color did you choose, and did he keep his coat color from puppyhood through to being an adult dog? We’d love to hear about your special pup in the comments below.