My black doodle is turning gray lol

[Vicky Lee]

Hi its Vicky in BC Our doodle is 31/2 years old and man is her color changing ! Gaby was as black as coal as a puppy. When she was a bout 2 years old I kept noticing gray hairs every once in a while.

Well she is now 31/2 and LOTS of gray hair , the head is still black as top part of her neck , black legs and most of the rest of her is gray. The gray started on the belly came up over her back in angles lol

She now looks like a pinto horse !  Is this unusual all labadoodlers out there or is she just weird. Not that we care what color she is as she is one of the smartest dogs we have ever had. Gabby goes outside to go pee when told , does all kinds of tricks , loves kids and even the little dogs who steal her ball. Trained Gabby to ring a bell when she stayed with my daughter (in a big house with lots of kids) when she needed to go outside as we wnt on a cruise. and it seems she can learn anything with a few sessions and yummy treat BUT she never forgets what she has learned (even after a year when she went back to my daughters house and was asked to respond to a trick they had taught her which i was not aware of.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's not unusual at all for black doodles to turn silver. In fact silver poodles are born black, and "clear" over the first 1-2 years of their lives. Many of the deeper colored doodles, i.e. reds, chocolates, and blacks, do fade as they get older.

[Vicky Lee]

Thanks . I will try to get a new picture of Gabby posted soon

[Dee & Chloe]

I have a chocolate doodle who is 22 months and her coat is changing daily. She has faded on her back and has blonde highlights on her ears, which I love!  I too did not know that they changed color and at first was sort of upset when I began to see the grey hairs on her back. But now that I know what to expect I am enjoying the changes. I would like for her to maintain her overall chocolate color but  I will love her whatever way she is!

[Vicky Lee]

Awesome breed of dogs  ! Thank you for your reply

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Not unusual at all. Our Fudge was a deep chocolate brown when we brought her home and she is now a silvery chocolate. Seems to get lighter with every trim. Gabby sounds like a wonderful and smart dog.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Quincy is 9 months and has started to get coarse silver hairs on his back.  His muzzle is much lighter too.  Fun to see and wonder just how much his coat will change!

[Vicky Lee]

We also have enjoyed watching  the color change

[Vicky Lee]

Thank you for your reply. We are having fun watching the color change !

[Vicky Lee]

So interesting as we watch this color change. Thanks for your reply !

[BG and Gavin]

Gaby sounds very smart and like a real treasure!

[Vicky Lee]

Yes she is really smart. I have had many dogs in my 67 years and she is so cleaver compared to the others. Gabby is a quick learner and she sits before you with her head turning back and forth just waiting to learn. I forgot to mention that probably her best one is that I can sing the old Barney clean up song and she will pick up all her toys (which she has many and not happy until most of them are on the living room floor) and put her toy's back in her basket.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh Vicky!  You must post a video of this!