Puppy colors

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Hi everyone.I posted a blog about my puppy being born June 19th and there were 11 puppies but only one dark rich caramel boy in the whole litter.That is what i wanted but i want so much more than just the right color.Temperament,size,energy level,ect,ect.There are a couple of chocolate boys but im afraid of his color fading over time.I love rich dark chocolate but only if it stays that color.Someone told me that if they are born a very dark almost black looking chocolate that they will hold that color there whole lives.Is this true? The mother doesnt carry the dilute gene.Im not sure about the father though.He is still very dark chocolate in color though.Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

[Joanie]

I find it so fasciniating how one litter can have so many color variations!  My Lani girl... her ENTIRE litter was jet black except for her and another sibling (sister) who was cream colored.  Lani's mom is a cafe color and her daddy is jet black.  It's so interesting!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I wanted a red doodle and Tara was red when I got her.  But she has faded a LOT in 3 years but...who cares? LOL!  I don't think you can lose with any of these cuties!

[Kimmy & Chewie]

OMD! So many cute pictures of doodle puppies! Love it.

Do they lighten because one of their parent is light-coloured? For example, Chewie's dad is chocolate and his mom is white. He was very dark chocolate when I got him but (at 15months) is having bits of white showing on his back and butt. I call the white bits "marshmallows" on my chocolate dood :)

Do doods with both parents being dark coloured fade as much though?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It depends on what colors the parents are carrying in their genetics. They can contribute genes to the puppies that are entirely different in terms of colors than they appear themselves. Two dark colored dogs can have a light colored puppy, and two light colored dogs can have a dark colored puppy. The fading thing is another gene. It's very complicated.

But they don't fade because of having one light colored parent.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Very few things in life are guaranteed, Jared, and this isn't one of them. If it's that important to you, and your heart will be broken if the dog's color fades, I wouldn't take the chance.

[Bob Johnston]

Best thing to do is let teh breeder pick the puppy based on temperment out of the darker ones. I wanted a red and sophie as a baby was almost as red as you could get. Then I started noticing her moms light chocolate color showing up here and. The longer her hair gets the more medium red color she looks. Next thing to change was her nose I thought it was just dirty but now the whole top is light brown and most of the jet black color is gone. heres here 4 week old shot and then one at 3 months

[Bonnie and Kona]

OMD... she really is completely adorable!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Absolutely and a beautiful color.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

She's just wonderful!!!  And once again proof as to the unpredictability of coat colors (and noses!)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

According to the VetGen website, there are unknown factors involved with the dilute gene, so there would be no guarantee of a brown dog not fading:

http://www.vetgen.com/canine-coat-color.html

D Locus

The D locus is the primary locus associated with diluted pigment, which results in coats that would otherwise be black or brown instead showing up as gray, or blue in the case of black, and pale brown or Isabella in the case of brown.  The melanophilin gene has recently been shown to be responsible, but not all of the dilute causing mutations have been identified yet.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I do know though, at least with poodles, that to produce dark browns that don't fade, you want some blacks in the parentage.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's a big plus in the nonfading department. No guarantees, though.