The Goldendoodle is a designer breed that is created by crossing two popular breeds: the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. This crossbreeding is known for producing an intelligent, friendly, and playful pup with a low to non-shedding coat.
Why the Goldendoodle Has So Many Colors
There are so many colors available when it comes to Goldendoodles because they can come in any color combination of their parent breeds. One major reason why there are so many goldendoodle colors is that both parent breeds come in a wide variety of colors. This means that when you breed a Golden Retriever with a Poodle, you will end up with a litter of puppies that can be any number of different colors.
The variety of colors includes black, white, cream, apricot, red, and even particolored coats, which consist of multiple blended shades. Some Goldendoodles may also have unique markings such as spots or patches on their fur due to certain genetic traits.
The Goldendoodle Color and Coat Options
Below we have gathered a list of all the most common Goldendoodle colors and coat types. Take a look:
Brown Goldendoodle
The Brown Goldendoodle can come in a range of shades from light brown to dark chocolate, depending on its parents’ genetics. They are also known for having unique markings such as spots or patches on their fur due to genetic variation, making each pup unique!
Apricot Goldendoodle
The Apricot Goldendoodle typically has a light-medium golden apricot coat, which can range from cream to deep red, with variations ranging from light to dark. The color can also have some dark tipping on the ears and tail. It is one of the most popular colors of this hybrid breed.
Red Goldendoodle
As the name suggests, these dogs have a coat that is primarily red. It is a beautiful and unique variation of the breed. The shades of red can range anywhere between a light apricot and a deep mahogany. In addition to their lovely coats, red Goldendoodles are also known for being intelligent, friendly, and loving dogs that are great with children and other pets.
White Goldendoodle
White Goldendoodles are absolutely stunning! They are very unique in the doodle world and tend to be one of the rarer colors. White Goldendoodles come in shades of white or cream and can have brown or black noses and eyes, which makes them all the more special. Their coats are super soft and fluffy, and they just exude royalty! If you're looking for a dog that will turn heads when you're out and about, a white Goldendoodle is the way to go!
Black Goldendoodle
The black Goldendoodle variation is achieved by breeding a black poodle with a golden retriever. Black Goldendoodles are just as intelligent and friendly as their golden and brown counterparts, but they have the added benefit of being low-shedding and hypoallergenic. If you're looking for a unique goldendoodle color, consider the black Goldendoodle.
Parti Goldendoodle
Parti Goldendoodles are one of the most popular Doodle colors. What really sets it apart from other Goldendoodles is its unique two-toned coat, which is usually white with another color (most commonly black). Parti goldendoodles have fun and outgoing personalities, and they love to play fetch and go for walks.
Chocolate Goldendoodle
There are many color variations of the Goldendoodle, but one of the most unique and sought-after is the chocolate goldendoodle. This variation is created by breeding a Golden Retriever with a standard poodle that carries the chocolate gene. Chocolate Goldendoodles can range in color from light milk chocolate to a deep, dark brown. They often have a soft, wavy coat that is low-shedding and hypoallergenic.
Merle Goldendoodle
The Merle Goldendoodle coat is one of the most beautiful and unique colors found in the Goldendoodle breed. A Merle coat can be either blue or brown and is marked with random patches of lighter coloring. The coloring on a merle goldendoodle can range from very light to very dark, depending on the parent dogs used in the breeding. Some Merle goldendoodles have one solid color, while others may have two or more colors in their coat.
Phantom Goldendoodle
Phantom Goldendoodles are one of the most popular Doodle colors. They have beautiful dark coats with light-colored markings on their face, chest, and legs. The phantom color is created when two different colored alleles are present in the same dog. The A locus controls the base color of the coat, and the B locus controls the pattern. The Phantom color is created when a dog has one copy of the Black allele (at the A locus) and one copy of the Ticking allele (at the B locus).
Coat Texture and Appearance
The Goldendoodle's coat is one of the most distinguishing features of the breed. The coat can be either wavy or curly and is often a mix of both textures. The coat can also be straight, but this is less common. The coat is dense and thick, which helps to protect the dog from the elements. The coat can be any color, but the most popular colors are gold, cream, apricot, and red.
Length (FGF5 gene)
The FGF5 gene, or Fibroblast Growth Factor 5, is responsible for the length of a Goldendoodle’s coat. This gene can vary in size from one dog to another and determines whether the pup will have a short, medium, or long coat. For example, dogs with two copies of the short form of this gene (FF) will typically have shorter coats than those with two copies of the long form (LL). Some Goldendoodles may also inherit different forms on each side, resulting in a mix of both lengths that is somewhere between short and long.
Curl (KRT71 gene)
Curls are a dominant gene, therefore, if a goldendoodle has one copy of the curl gene (KRT71), it will have curly hair. If a goldendoodle has two copies of the curl gene, it will have very curly hair. The amount of curl can vary from tight ringlets to loose waves. The curl (KRT71) gene has been identified as one of the main factors influencing coat texture in Goldendoodles and can result in puppies with curly, wavy, or even corded coats depending on their genetic makeup.
Curly Coat
Goldendoodles can be found with either a wavy or curly coat depending on their genes. The Golden Retriever parent usually contributes the coat, while the Poodle parent contributes more of the curls. Curly coats tend to require more grooming and maintenance than wavy coats do, as they're prone to tangling and matting easily. Regular brushing is essential to keep your Goldendoodle’s coat looking healthy, shiny, and free of mats. Additionally, professional grooming appointments are recommended every few months for full-coated Goldendoodles to keep their curls looking neat and tidy.
Wavy Coat
The wavy coat on Goldendoodles is a result of the mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. While all Goldendoodles have curly, wavy, or shaggy coats, the specific pattern can vary depending on the dog's parentage. For example, if both parents are Poodles, the coat will be curly; if one parent is a Golden Retriever, the coat will be wavy; and if one parent is a Doodle with a wavy coat, the offspring's coat will most likely be wavy as well.
Straight Coat
Straight coats on Goldendoodles are a unique coat type that can be found in specific generations of this designer breed. Straight coats are characterized by longer, straighter fur compared to the wavy or curly coat types that are more common.
This type of coat requires regular brushing and grooming to keep it looking healthy and shiny, as well as regular bathing to prevent matting. Straight-coated Goldendoodles tend to shed more than their counterparts with wavy or curly coats; they are better suited for those who don’t mind a bit of extra vacuuming.
Final Thoughts
The Goldendoodle comes in a variety of colors, which only means a wider range to choose from. If you intend to get a Goldendoodle as a pet, you are spoiled for choice! Moreover, if any member of your household is allergic to dog fur, some varieties have little to no shedding at all. Get that goldendoodle today!
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