Toy poodles are among the most popular dog breeds every pet owner tries to adopt or dreams of having today. Aside from their curly fur, toy poodles are extremely intelligent. They are comfortable and fun to train.
They can learn complicated tricks as quickly as possible. Because of their intelligence, they were trained to perform in circuses and street shoes before.
Many pet owners love toy poodles as they are friendly, affectionate, and caring, making them your perfect buddy. With their smile and cheerful personality, they can change your mood right away. Toy poodles are also adaptable.
They are great for apartments, but proper and early training is essential. While there are many professionals to hire, take the challenge of training your dogs.
It does not only strengthen your connection but also provide you opportunities to learn. Toy poodles are hypoallergenic dogs because they don’t shed much despite their thick coat.
They are suitable for those with allergies. That’s not all! Toy poodles can save your time to clean or vacuum your carpet, couch, and bed.
Toy poodles can live long. Generally, they have a lifespan of 14 or 18 years. But they can live more than that with care and affection.
If you plan to adopt toy poodles, there are many factors to consider before visiting a pet store. More than the size, their coat colors are an important thing to know and understand. Read on for more details!
Complete List of All 11 Recognized Coat Colors
Toy poodles have different coat colors. But there are only 11 recognized colors, including apricot, blue, brown, cafe Au lait, black, silver beige, red, silver, white, gray, and cream.
1. Apricot
Apricot is the newest toy poodle color ever recognized. Some pet owners are entirely confused between an apricot and a red toy poodle. Although they have similarities, they are different.
Other apricot toy poodles appear to be cream. But as you examine the hair closely, you will notice some red tint. True apricot toy poodles have some black points or spots on their skin.
Their noses, toenails, lips, and eye rims are dark. Sometimes, they may have liver nose leather as well as dark amber eyes. Even if they are acceptable, they are not preferred in the US.
2. Blue
Another recognized color of toy poodles is blue. All blue poodles are born black. As they grow, their color starts to fade or lighten, usually within their first year.
But not all blue poodles are the same. It takes a maximum of 2 years for other poodles, which is normal, so there’s nothing to worry about.
Although blue poodles’ outer coat is as dark as black, their hair roots are a mix of colors. The amount of every color depends on the age of blue toy poodles. In middle-aged dogs, for example, their coat looks medium brown.
If you want blue toy poodles but are unaware of where to start, look for dogs with dark brown eyes and black points. You can ask help from a close friend for your peace of mind.
3. Brown
Commonly compared to Cafe Au Lait, brown toy poodles are darker and more profound. While the BB gene creates black poodles, brown ones come from the bb gene.
One of their characteristics is that they have dark amber eyes or liver points. The rest does not have any black pigment.
4. Cafe Au Lait
Cafe Au Lait is another color in standard, miniature, and toy poodles. They are a shiny light tan color, making them one of the sought-after and favorite poodles.
Like others in this list, Cafe Au Lait toy poodles have dark amber eyes and liver points. Although Cafe Au Lait may seem rare, it is not uncommon for a puppy poodle to be born with this color.
5. Black
It’s every pet owner’s dream to have black toy poodles, and it is easy to find them in a pack. Their coats don’t have silver tinting and white strands of hair. They are deep ink black, making them stand apart from other colors.
When the face is shaved, they are deep black. Sometimes, they have dark brown and black points. While other colors fade over time, black poodles’ coat remains clear and won’t change even in their adulthood stage.
6. Silver Beige
Silver beige poodles are born brown. As poodles turn 6 -week-old, their coat starts to fade and change. It commonly appears on paws, face, and other parts of the body. A full coat change happens when they are 2-year-old.
Aside from dark amber eyes, silver beige poodles have liver points.
7. Red
With a variety of colors, red poodles are stunning. Usually, they are born with apricot lines but get darker as they age. They are created with a Rufus gene. What is it? Well, it is the gene that causes the coat of poodles to be red.
It was recognized as an official color of poodles in 1980. Since then, a good number of pet owners can breed red poodles. They also have black points.
8. Silver
Another recognized color in this breed is silver. Like other poodles, silver ones are born black. When they are 6-week-old, their coat changes and turns to silver.
At the age of 2, their silver color is more visible. The change in coat begins in paws and face. Silver poodles also have dark brown eyes and black points. While a Rufus gene causes the red color, the allele V gene is responsible for silver poodles.
9. White
These poodles are born exactly white. But in other cases, you may have cream or apricot puppies and turn to white as they get older.
They have black points. But they should never have any ticking that makes the coat look dirty. Like other poodles of different colors, this variety does not excessively shed. They are hypoallergenic, although they have allergy-triggering protein in their skin, urine, and saliva.
Some pet owners consider white poodles an albino dog. But they are not. Although some have dark-colored eyes, other light-coated poodles may have amber eyes.
10. Gray
Another in-demand dog coat color in the poodle is gray. While its varieties change in color over time, this type of poodle remains gray.
Although this breed differs in size and coat, poodles are a perfect pet for those who live in apartments or have kids. They can adapt to any environment. They are smart who enjoy different training tricks and other fun activities.
11. Cream
Whether it’s standard, miniature, or tiny poodles, they may come in cream, lighter than apricot.
Some pups are born creams and turn white as months pass by, depending on the strength of color genes and pedigree. Although their ears are dark like an apricot, their entire coat is lighter.
What is the Rarest Color of Toy Poodle?
Red is the rarest color of a toy poodle. Although they are the same as poodles of any other color, they remain rare because their color is inherited.
With years of studies and research, experts believe that the breed’s red coloring results from a recessive Rufus gene. Despite the variety of colors, a red toy poodle is one of the most stunning and coveted pet owners.
Unfortunately, they are challenging to find and might be expensive to buy today. But is it worth it? Some pet owners believe that color may affect a dog’s temperament. However, experts say it is only a myth.
Regardless of color, red toy poodles are spirited, affectionate, and sassy. Regular and early training is important. Red toy poodles are ranked number 7 in the American Kennel Club for something.
They are incredibly athletic and smart. Despite their size, they love adventures. But they may get injured easily, so avoid toy poodles if there are young children at home.
Red toy poodles can also be prone to health conditions, including hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, eye disorder, Legg-calve-Perthes, idiopathic epilepsy, and immune-mediated disorder, or sebaceous adenitis.
Another rare poodle color is sable. Sable toy poodles have black-tipped hair, while the base of the coat may have a different color.
For instance, a poodle has an apricot coat with black hair tips. As a pup, the black-tipped hair is strong, dark, and deep. But as sable toy poodles age, it fades.
Sable is considered a dominant gene. That means a toy poodle will only need a single gene from its parents, making the breed not common.
What is the Most Common Color of a Toy Poodle?
The majority of standard, miniature, and toy poodles are solid. While black is the most common color, black toy poodles are easy to find, unlike the red ones. If you are techy, you can search for websites online that sell or have dogs for adoption.
Alternatively, you can visit pet stores within your town because there are many options to pick from, including poodles, Yorkshire terrier, dachshund, chow chow, Shih Tzu, Akita, Siberian huskies, Doberman, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, American Bully, and more.
You can also go to rescue centers and local shelters. Plus, you can find breeders on social media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
What Color of Toy Poodle Is the Most Expensive?
The red toy poodle is the most expensive without a doubt because it is a rare and stunning breed. How much does it cost? Well, there’s no fixed price. It varies, and it might cause you a fortune.
Although you are willing to spend on this special variety of poodle, you cannot find one as quickly as you imagine. You’re lucky if you have a close friend who breeds red toy poodles.
How about the other toy poodles? How much do they cost? On average, the price of toy poodle puppies ranges from $1,200 to $2,000. Sometimes, it may get higher depending on your location.
What Are the Most Beautiful Coat Colors?
Despite the color, toy poodles are a gorgeous breed of dog. More than their curly hair and coat, their jolly and affectionate personality makes them one of the popular breeds for new and experienced pet owners.
In terms of color, red, apricot, brown, black, and white toy poodles are stunning.
How to Choose the Right Toy Poodle Coat Color?
It’s a bit tricky to find the exact color of toy poodle you like, especially when it’s your first time. The trick here is to ask for help from a close friend, relative, or colleague.
Don’t be ashamed. They would understand your struggles, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Choosing a trusted and reliable breeder can also give you peace of mind. While there are plenty of breeders to consider, only a few stores are trustworthy.
So before you adopt a toy poodle, do some research and talk to someone who has prior experience.
