There are several Labradoodle colors and coat types depending on the colors of the Labrador and Poodle colors. Considering that Labradoodles are extremely adorable dogs that took the world by storm from when they were bred having a variety of color options is great for most people.
For those that prefer one color to the others, you may find the color you love in a Labrador Poodle mix.
However, the coat color and texture does not affect the dog’s traits and qualities. No Labradoodle is better than the other because of color.
In this guide, am going to walk you through the colors and coat types to expect from this mix.
So, let us get right into it.
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About Labradoodle colors
As we have already pointed out, Labradoodles can come in a variety of colors and coat types that range from black to red.
This all comes down to the genetics of the puppy.
Labradoodle is a mix between a Poodle and Labrador Retriever which are two popular and adored dogs.
And as you may already know Poodles have several coat types and colors and the same applies to the Labrador.
The offspring that you get could inherit either of their colors or coat types depending on the dominant genes. He could also be a perfect blend of the two making the dog truly unique.
I will try to explain the genetic science behind the coat colors but try not to get lost.
Lab Poodle mix colors genetics
The recessive and dominant genes are responsible for what color a Labrador Retriever and Poodle mix well have.
When these two dogs are bred together, the pup receives color genes from both of the parents. This means that the puppy in question could come in either of the colors but how they interact will determine the final color.
When it comes to expression, the dominant gene will always beat the recessive gene.
For the recessive color gene to beat the dominant gene, the puppy has to inherit 2 recessive genes, one from each parent for that color carried by a recessive gene to be expressed.
However, if there is only one dominant gene and one recessive gene for a certain color, the dominant gene will always be expressed instead.
Labradoodle colors
Below are some of the main Labradoodle color;
Chalk | Cream | Red |
Black | Silver | Blue |
Gold | Caramel | Chocolate |
Apricot | Parchment | Café |
1. Cream Labradoodle coats
The cream color is a popular Lab and Poodle mix color and is a choice for many Labrapoo lovers.
These dogs can be fully white with a slight touch of the cream color while others can have a fully cream-yellow coat.
Sometimes a white Labradoodle could easily get confused for a cream-colored Labradoodle because some can be very light.
Depending on the traits that they inherit from their parents, you can see a cream Labrapoo with a dark or light-colored nose, lighter toenails and they can have different eye shades.
2. Chalk White-colored Labradoodle
For those that love the innocent and pure colors of a Poodle and Lab mix, the white Labrapoo is the pooch to go for.
It may be challenging to keep the white coat free of dirt as a dog with this color may need more maintenance.
This coat color results from a lack of pigment.
It also comes with some potential health complications such as deafness if the gene affects the inner parts of the ears.
Breeding of these Labradoodles is highly discouraged to due deafness that can affect one or both of the ears.
When looking for a white Labradoodle, you should look closely to make sure that it is not light-cream in color.
3. The black Lab and Poodle mix
This is a striking and quite popular Labradoodle color.
Labrapoos with this black-colored coated is got when either a black-coated Poodle or black Labrador is bred with the other parent. This is because the black gene in the Labradoodle is a dominant one and it only takes one gene for the color to be expressed.
Some claim that claim the Black Labrapoo has different personality traits to other Labradoodle colors.
However, this claim does not have any scientific backing.
Goldendoodles can also be black. Visit our breed guide to learn more about the Black Goldendoodle.
4. Silver Lab and Poodle mixes
Silver Labradoodles are less common but are still a great choice if you are looking for a unique Doodle color.
Labrapoos that have a silver coat is quite rare because they stem from recessive genes.
Some breeders specialize in the development of silver Lab Poodle mixes. You should, therefore, make sure that you look for a reputable breeder that includes Silver Labs or Silver Poodles in their crosses.
5. Golden or Apricot Labradoodles
Gold or apricot is a fantastic and adorable color on most of the Doodle mixes. This is a highly sought after color that most dog lovers would not mind having.
Do not confuse the Golden Labradoodle for the Goldendoodle which can also come in several colors and color combinations.
These dogs come bearing black eyes, noses, eye rims, and toenails. The nose could also come in a brown color.
You must take note that Apricot Labradoodles become lighter as they age.
Caramel Labradoodles can also be classified under the golden group.
6. Brown/Chocolate Labrador Poodle mixes
The chocolate color fits so well with the Labradoodle which makes it a favorite for most of the doodle lovers.
The brown gene is recessive and does not require a dominant gene to be inherited from the Poodles and Lab parents.
7. Grey Labradoodle colors
Most grey Labradoodles are born with other coat colors such as brown and chocolate. These colors later lighten up when these pooches are around 2 years old to get this grey color.
They are also very similar to Silver Labradoodles in appearance.
This is because as the Grey Labradoodle fades it turns out to be a more silver color and is not as dark.
3 months after you get your Labradoodle from your breeder, you should be able to know if he will turn out to be a grey-colored Labradoodle.
You can also look at the skin deep in the coat to see if the canine has light skin. There is a high chance that your Brown Labradoodle’s coat will fade if he has light skin.
8. Red Labradoodles
This is another Labradoodle color that can come in different shades that can vary from light to dark. The most distinctive red shades are the deep and rich mahogany.
In most cases, the red color tends to be the dominant coat color and are more common than others.
It is a beautiful color and is highly sought after and some breeders specialize in the breeding of the red Labrapoo lines.
9. Parchment Poodle Lab mix
This coat color has a very similar shade to a super weak coffee and should not be confused for other coat colors.
A Parchment Labradoodle should have a consistent color throughout.
Their nose of a Parchment Labradoodle should be rosy brown.
10. Phantom Labradoodle colors
These Labradoodles are quite rare and should have distinct colors in certain areas.
The majority of the phantom Labradoodle’s coat should have one specific color (such as black or any other color) with other colors appearing in their faces, paws, eyes, or noses.
Most of these Labradoodles are usually brown and black but some can come in other combinations that include;
- Black and cream
- Silver and brown
- Cream and brown
Some can also come in 3 color combinations and are born with these markings and so you can easily tell if your Labradoodle puppy is going to be phantom.
11. Blue Labradoodles coloring
These Blue Labradoodles are unique, but they tend to show up in Lab Poodle mixes that are multi-colored like the sable, Parti, and Merle Labradoodles.
It is tough to find a Blue Labradoodle that has a solid coat color.
12. Merle Lab Poodle mixes
It is not common to see a merle Labradoodle, and they occur when two Labradoodles are mated with one of them carrying the dominant merle gene.
Two Merle Labradoodles should never be bred together as it can some complications such as impaired vision and difficulty hearing.
However, most of the Merle Labradoodles are Australian Labradoodles.
Merle coloring results from a merle gene which is a dominant gene that is found in Australian Shepherds.
13. Sable Labradoodle colors
This is also another unique Labradoodle coloring.
Sable Lab Poodle mixes are born with a black coat that lightens to become whitish or creamish as they mature.
Some of the Labradoodle parts remain black with black spots on their ears and other parts.
14. Parti Labradoodles colors
The Parti Labradoodle is getting more popular as breeders have become fancier with the Labradoodle coat colors.
This is a multi-colored Doodle with two different coat colors with one of the colors being white. The other color can be any color but most Parti Labradoodles come in brown and apricot colorings.
You may also notice Parti Labradoodles that have either silver or blue colorings.
Most Parti Labradoodles are multigeneration Lab Poodle mixes that have many Poodle genes.
Visit our definitive guide on the Labradoodle to learn more about the doodle’s generations.
Labradoodle coat types
Below is a summary of the main Labradoodle coat types;
Fleece coated Labradoodles | This is known as the typical coat type of the Labradoodles and is also popular for its low shedding tendencies.
They have a wavy appearance with loose and light locks. |
Wooly Labradoodle coats | This coat is very similar to that of a sheep’s wool and is thick and dense
These are the best Labradoodle for allergy sufferers |
Straight or hair coated Labradoodles | Most of the Labradoodles that are hair coated have straight coats but vary in length and thickness.
They resemble the Labrador parents and shed more than the other Labradoodle coat types. |
Fleece coated Lab Poodle mixes
These fleece Labradoodles are commonly referred to as “shaggy” Labradoodles.
They are the most common Labradoodle coat types and this is said to be the easiest coat to groom and maintain as they also do not shed much.
These coat types should feel soft to touch and the curls can be very wavy to slightly wavy.
This is the second allergy-friendly Labradoodle coat type for those that are commonly affected by dog-related allergies.
Wooly Labradoodle coat type(curly)
The Labradoodle with a wooly coat is also referred to as the “curly” Labradoodle and is the 2nd most common coat type.
They are soft to touch and are often thick and dense.
These canines have curls of varying tightness which depends on the genes that the puppy inherits from the Poodle and Lab parents.
Curly Labradoodles require daily grooming and timing the coat once in a while may make them easier to maintain.
Failure to groom this pooch may make his coat tangle and mat easily which can be super uncomfortable for the canine.
This is the friendliest Labradoodle as far as shedding and allergies are concerned.
Hair coated Labradoodles(straight)
This is the least common Labradoodle coat and does not look like the wool or fleece coated Labradoodle.
These pooches often have straight coats that look more like the Labrador’s coat with a scruffy appearance.
You should note that these canines are not born with a straight or hair coat but it only begins to appear when the Labradoodle puppy is about 12 weeks old.
This coat is easy to maintain although it sheds considerably more and is not suited for allergy sufferers.
Most of the hair coated Labradoodles are 1st generation Labradoodles.
Labradoodle colors and coat types summary
We have looked at the various Labradoodle coat types and colors that are at your disposal to choose from.
It is worth noting that no Lab Poodle mix color is superior to the other and if you find a great Labradoodle to adopt do not let the color of your pooch get in the way of you getting a perfect family dog.
You should always get your Lab Doodle from a reputable breeder to make sure that the puppy you are getting is considered healthy.
So, which was your favorite Labradoodle coat type or color?
You can share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
There you go, WOOF!
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