Apricot color as puppy... will they be more cream?

[Misty Roberton]

My husband is not a fan of cream, because he is worried the hair around their mouth will stain from food, etc. and always look dirty. We'd love a Red Labradoodle, but can't seem to find the right one for us. We are considering an apricot (light apricot) but think it will have the same issue around the mouth as it ages and becomes lighter. Any ideas how to keep the staining from being an issue?

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have a red labradoodle--yes they are hard to find--and a cream australian labradoodle. Take a look at my page to see my two girls and if you look at my slide show, there are two cream goldendoodles that come over to play, so lots of pics of cream doodles. I have not noticed too much of a problem with staining-- I had a Wheaten before and he didn't stain much either. But, the girls get dry food or a raw meat/veggie mix. They don't get a canned wet food, so that could be why. You'll find that the dog is so loveable, you won't care what color it is!

[Misty Roberton]

That's how I feel about dogs in general, so color is not an issue for me. And I know it will be for my husband too.. he just doesn't know it yet! :-)

[Adina P]

Misty, staining on white dogs is genetic. Some have the genes and others don't. I don't know the details but that is what I've read. Perhaps the breeder might know if her poodle's background suggests your puppy might not have the genes for staining...not sure if it is something you can determine from genetic tests, but worth asking about.

I have a red LD that turned apricot...he doesn't stain but his beard is ALWAYS wet looking (well cuz it is wet ;-))

We have at least two members who are professional groomers: Ivy Bates and also Barb of Gemstone Labradoodles come to mind. Might ask a bit about staining and options in the grooming group. My breeder frequently has reds as do a few others who prefer to breed reds--just depends on what generation/size you are looking for.

[Wendy and Eddie]

My two were more apricot and turned cream and I do have to keep their hair trimmed around their mouth b/c it stains, but it's not as much of a hassle as I thought it might be.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

this is part genetic part bacteria. If you clean their mouth after they eat, feed a low yeast diet and use a tiny bit of vinegar in their water you shouldn't see this problem often.

Yeast and bacteria are the most common causes, this type of staining is accompanied by a foul smell too.

Most apricots lighten, some darken, some stain, some do not stain. Your breeder should know and be able to tell you all of the above.

FYI~ Mine darken and do not stain! : )

[Deena Womack]

Cali is cream colored and I don't think her beard is stained as much as it is just wet. I wipe and clean her mouth and beard a lot, I don't notice it being stained.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I have an apricot doodle. His mouth does get wet (they all do) and sometimes crusty feeling (they all do) but he doesn't show any staining. He does show dirt more than darker colors but not nearly as much as cream. I also love the red colors!
Hope this helps.

[Melissa, Samson & Shelby]

The coloring is really hard to judge as puppies. The breeder can give you an educated guess. I have a cream and an apricot. My cream doesn't show staining. His beard does look darker when wet and he does show dirt more easily. He has the most wonderful coat. I wouldn't change a thing about it. He did have a golden shade on his back as a puppy. That grew out and he is cream all over.

My apricot is 7 months old. Right now she looks mostly apricot. I can see some places where the hair is coming in cream. underneath the apricot. A section of hair is cream for the 2 inches closest to the skin and apricot for the 2 inches above. When she gets groomed for the first time, she will loose some of her apricot. How much, I won't know until her adult coat is fully in.