So, that is what this post is all about. We plan on taking you through the different Goldendoodle colors and also offer you some advice on how to choose.
When it comes to the potential colors of a Goldendoodle, then it won’t take you long to discover that their name is slightly deceptive.
You see, the Goldendoodle does not only come in a golden color. Instead, you have more options available than you may have previously anticipated.
By the end of it all, you should feel in a significantly better position to then go ahead and decide which Goldendoodle you wish to bring home to your family. Of course, this may not prove as important to you as other people.
You see, people do spend time thinking about the coat color of their dog. While it may not come across as important to you, there’s no doubt that some people do view it differently.
But the problem is that the Goldendoodle does tend to come with more color options than most other breeds. That results in individuals searching for specific coat colors due to personal preferences.
So, what are your options, and how do you then go ahead and actually choose the color in the first place?
Your Color Options
So let’s start things off with the actual color options, and the simple fact is you have a number of different colors to choose from.
If you check out the various breeders, then you will see colors ranging from white through to apricot, and all the way to dark black. However, it doesn’t end there.
Instead, some breeders have actually managed to become pretty good at playing around with the colors. This has led to multi-colored Goldendoodles, and even though this mix is rarer than the more solid colors, it does mean you have additional options.
So, here is a complete list of colors that you will tend to find when it comes to your Goldendoodle.
- Brown
- Apricot
- Red
- Cream
- Black
- Sable
- Tan
- Gray
- Black and White
Choosing the Color
So let’s move on to the idea of choosing the color, and it’s not always as easy as you think. You see, there is an interesting thing that happens when it comes to the Goldendoodle.
There is no point in looking at a puppy, and then deciding that this is the color of Goldendoodle you want. It’s all because the color of the puppy changes as they grow into an adult dog, so it does change things.
But that’s not to say that they completely change color. It’s not as if a puppy that is white will suddenly become dark black. It’s not as profound as that. However, there are different changes that do happen.
The Changes
While this does not happen on every single occasion, it can often be the case that the coat color of your puppy changes when they grow. This is clearly something outwith your control, but you do have a few indicators as to what may happen.
This process, with either option, even has a term. If they keep the same coat color, then it is known as ‘holding’ while if it changes, then it’s known as ‘clearing’.
Often, what will happen is the coat color will either become lighter or darker than what you see as a puppy. If it does change, then it will be very easy to notice, and yet even those going through the clearing phase will still generally keep most of their puppy color around both their ears and nose.
How to Choose
So let’s say you have a very specific color of Goldendoodle as your preference. How can you increase your chances of your adult Goldendoodle actually having that color?
One thing you can do is to choose a puppy that has a darker coat color than the one you want. The reason for this is that it is generally more common for an adult Goldendoodle coat to become lighter in color than when they were a puppy.
However, this is just a rough guide or an idea as to how to sort of predict the future color of your adult dog. It’s not a guarantee as your dog may have a few surprises tucked away in its DNA.
So, it’s impossible to accurately predict the color of your dog, but at least by doing this simple thing you can improve the chances of getting the color of Goldendoodle you would prefer.
Different Breeders Focus On Certain Color Markings
But here is something else to consider, and it’s certainly one option to keep in mind as you look for your new Goldendoodle puppy.
Different breeders will have a tendency to focus entirely on certain colors of Goldendoodle, and they don’t like to stray off those colors. They can do this thanks to advances in DNA testing that then allows them to more accurately predict the future colorings of puppies.
You will often see this type of information appear on the website for the breeder. They will clearly state how they focus on, for example, brown-colored Goldendoodles.
Now, they cannot offer you a complete 100% guarantee that your dog would then end up being the correct shade of brown as an adult. However, thanks to the testing they do, they manage to get as close to 100% as possible.
So that is certainly something to keep in mind if you have a preference for a certain color of Goldendoodle. Where you buy the puppy from could influence the coat color of your future adult dog.
Which Coat Color is Most Popular?
Out of the different color options mentioned above, it is the brown Goldendoodle that has remained most popular over the years. Also, the brown Goldendoodle is classified as a dog breed by the AKC, and that has certainly helped its popularity.
But even here you have a few different ‘shades’ within the brown coloring. It can go from a deep mahogany color to more of a dark walnut brown. Also, ‘cafe au lait’ is another official color, and this does also look a lot like brown, so there could be some confusion over which color your Goldendoodle actually qualifies as.
What is the Most Sought After?
When it comes to the most sought-after color, then it’s the apricot. The apricot Goldendoodle is another one recognized by the AKC, and some argue its popularity is thanks to it looking the same color as a teddy bear.
Just know that an apricot Goldendoodle puppy will tend to see their coat color fade over time. It is then easy for people to mistake them for a tan Goldendoodle even though they are officially an apricot color.
Key Points About Other Colors
The other common colors of Goldendoodles also have their own fascinating facts attributed to them. For example, the red Goldendoodle is the one with the brightest coat color out of the different options.
The brightness of the red is one reason why it remains quite popular for people wishing to own a Goldendoodle.
The cream Goldendoodle is the one often used in breeding to then result in a multi-colored coat. Also, the cream Goldendoodle will often end up looking unique.
The reason why it looks unique is due to the different color options when it comes to their nose, toenails, and eyes. They can come in different shade intensities while the cream color can also vary slightly throughout the breed.
If you want a more unique and rare color of Goldendoodle, then it’s the black color you should look for. They do exist, but it’s harder to find them, and few breeders can offer them as puppies.
The reason is that the two parents need to carry a certain recessive gene for this to then occur. It is not common for both to carry it, and that is why the black Goldendoodle is actually relatively rare.
But at the end of the day, you need to think about why the Goldendoodle is such an amazing dog in the first place. Their coat color remains only a small part of what makes them so wonderful.
Overall Conclusion
The Goldendoodle comes in a variety of colors, so forget the idea of the Goldendoodle only coming in, well, a golden color. That’s just not going to happen.
Instead, you have several ‘colors’ to choose from. However, be aware that different breeders may only focus on certain colors of Goldendoodle, so check this out in advance.
Also, do remember that their coloring may very well change as they develop and grow into an adult dog. While this comes with no guarantee of happening, it certainly can do so and you could end up with an adult dog a slightly different color to what you anticipated.
But at the end of the day, the best thing about the Goldendoodle is that this is a truly wonderful breed of dog to own. Their temperament and way they can bring joy to your life is something that goes far beyond the idea of coloring.