Labradoodles were first seen in Australia. Now, they’re everywhere, in a many colors. In this article, read more about these colors here!
Below are the more common Labradoodle colors:
- Black
- Cream
- Gold (Apricot)
- Chalk white
- Chocolate
- Blue
- Lavender
- Parchment
- Parti
- Phantom
- Abstract
- Red
- Silver (Grey)
- Cafe
Want to know more? Read further because I’ll also discuss how specific Labradoodle colors came to be, what these colors mean, and other information. The goal is to provide you with knowledge about Labradoodle colors and help you choose the right Labradoodle color for you. Below are 14 of the most common labradoodle colors.
1. Black
Black Labradoodles are 100% black. Usually, they’re the offspring of a black-coated Labrador and black-coated Poodle. You won’t find other colors sprinkled into them. They were black during birth, and they go into adulthood with the same solid coat color.
Their nose pigmentation is also similar to their coat color: black. Based on their appearance, they seem ordinary and uninteresting. Compared to other black dogs, however, they don’t look terrifying. Rather, they’re an adorable sight.
Rumor has it Black Labradoodles stand out from Labradoodles of different colors. According to the talk, the Blacks are highly temperamental — they’re more aggressive and territorial. Nonetheless, this starts and ends as a rumor because no scientific validation of this claim exists.
2. Cream
Some people refer to Cream Labradoodles as Dirty White Labradoodles and Caramel Labradoodles. These Labradoodles, having one parent with a white coat plus another parent with a brown or beige coat, are almost white. Although, they’re slightly darker compared to actual white dogs.
Familiar with the color of a scoop of caramel or mocha ice cream? In appearance, Cream Labradoodles are like that! And because of their appearance, dog lovers associate them with anything sweet. Of course, whether or not they’re genuinely sweet dogs has more to do with the person who raised them.
The nose pigment color of these Labradoodles is either rose or black. The confusing part is this: other coat colors of Labradoodles are close to Cream Labradoodles, and these Labradoodles also have either rose or black nose pigmentation. However, what makes Cream Labradoodles unique is their whiter skin.
From a distance, it’s almost impossible to distinguish Cream Labradoodles. A closer look, though, will make it happen for you. The creamy touch to these Labradoodles’ coats may vary. Many Cream Labradoodles are in a full creamy yellow shade. The others, meanwhile, lean towards white and are less creamy. What doesn’t vary is the consistency of their cream color.
3. Gold (or Apricot)
Warm, bright, and everything nice. This is what Gold Labradoodles are. Most often, they came to be as the result of one parent with a white coat plus another parent with a cream coat. If not, they take after both parents in solid colors of gold or apricot.
Did you know these Labradoodles also cause confusion among dog lovers around the world? Many people scratch their heads because of their name’s similarity to another popular hybrid, Goldendoodles. The name Gold Labradoodles does sound like Goldendoodles, doesn’t it?
What adds more to the confusion is they’re similar in appearance to Goldendoodles. Names aside, Gold Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are thought to be the same dog. However, they’re not. Gold Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are different hybrid dogs.
4. Chalk White
The result is the Chalk White Labradoodle if a White Labrador mates with a White Poodle. For any aspiring dog lover who wants a Labradoodle with a simple and innocent appearance, the Chalk White Labradoodle is what this person is after.
Plus, word on the street says that dog lovers who have a penchant for cleanliness favor these Labradoodles over other Labradoodle colors. If you look at these dogs, you can understand why. Not only do they have a pure appearance. These Labradoodles also give off a vibe that their owners adore cleaning stuff — including them!
The nose pigmentation of Chalk White Labradoodles is either rose or black, depending on the nose pigmentation of their parents. If both parents have black noses, they’ll have black noses, too. If both parents have different nose pigmentation colors, they’re likely to take after the nose pigmentation of their Labrador parent.
Here comes a tiny issue, though: these Labradoodles’ white coats can be challenging and tiresome to care for. Especially if the Chalk White Labradoodle has a passion for running around in muddy areas every day, the coat can get dirty (and look hideous) quickly.
5. Chocolate
Chocolate Labradoodles result from two fully brown parents or just one chocolate parent (Chocolate Labrador) and a Poodle. Often, their coat color stays consistently “chocolate” even when it’s parted at the root. The sad part? Some Chocolate Labradoodles’ chocolate color lightens over time.
For many aficionados of chocolate-colored dogs, this is a bummer. After all, what makes the beauty of Chocolate Labradoodles striking is their unique brownness. Their chocolate color is most admirable when they’re young dogs. As they mature (at least 4 years), you’ll notice a touch of white or grey fur around their mouth.
What’s even more of a bummer is the fading process continues. As years go, this white touch doesn’t end around their mouth. These touches develop in other areas of their body. The presence of these white touches is also an indication a Chocolate Labradoodle is aging.
Chocolate Labradoodles are a top favorite among all other colors of Labradoodles because of their brown and silky coat. They weren’t always brown and silky, though. In fact, when they first entered the world, they came as fully black puppies.
6. Blue
Blue Labradoodles can come from any solid colored Labrador and Poodle. They didn’t inherit their blue color from either parents or any of their relatives. Rather, they came as black puppies. They have a blue color because of grey and blue skin pigmentation.
The overall appearance of Blue Labradoodles? They’re charming and dreamy as if you’re watching a quality movie and they show up. They feature a black nose pigment color — all of these Labradoodles have noses similar in color. Meanwhile, only a handful of Blue Labradoodles show blue eyes.
They’re also a favorite Labradoodle because of their unique color. Dog lovers who fancy rare dogs may like this specific Labradoodle because only a few people know these Labradoodles exist. You can’t easily spot a Blue Labradoodle out on the streets, can you?
7. Lavender
Lavender Labradoodles began being the center of admiration as chocolate-colored or solid brown puppies. After a few years, they slowly show a lavender shade or a smoky brown color in their coats. This unique color makes them stand out and you could almost mistake them for dogs with pink to lilac color.
Brown is the most common nose pigment color for these Labradoodles. They were born as chocolate or brown puppies and these colors (including their brown nose pigment) stayed with them as they matured. Dogs with a brown nose and lavender coat make for alluring dogs, don’t you think?
Like Blue Labradoodles, Lavender Labradoodles belong to dogs with rare colors. For this reason, people around the world searching for extraordinary dogs are after them. Because these dogs don’t sport Lavender coats during their youth, these people — persistent dog lovers — would wait for their coat to show a lavender shade (about three years of waiting).
Unless you already know a breeder who cares for Labradoodles of this color, you’d agree the waiting period is quite long. However, it’s time to ponder whether what you truly want is this specific color of Labradoodle. If you’re 100% certain that Lavender Labradoodles are what you truly want, the time you spend waiting shouldn’t be a problem.
8. Parchment
A cup of milky and sweet coffee are the words you can use to best describe Parchment Labradoodles. They came to be as the offspring of one parent with a white coat and another parent with a light brown coat. Sometimes, they’re also the puppy of a Labrador and Poodle with brown coats.
From a distance, you’d think Parchment Labradoodles are Cream Labradoodles, Cafe Labradoodles, or Chalk White Labradoodles. The four Labradoodle colors, after all, aren’t too different in appearance. However, as you come closer, you’ll notice Parchment Labradoodles are distinctively beige with rose nose pigmentation.
These Labradoodles weren’t always distinctively beige with rose-colored noses, however. Would you believe they were born as dark brown puppies? Overtime (in the course of two to three years), their dark brown coat will begin to fade and display creamy undertones.
And like Lavender Labradoodles, aspiring dog owners might have to make pre-arrangements with a breeder expressing the desire for their specific color. If these people genuinely want Parchment Labradoodles (not just a spur-of-the-moment desire), they shouldn’t mind the waiting period.
9. Parti
See those Labradoodles with white coats and feature markings — spots or patches — all over their bodies? Those are Parti Labradoodles! They’re 50% (at least) white and make up the other percentage with another solid color. Their markings can be of any color. The most common color is black.
For many dog lovers around the world, what makes them even more beautiful is the color of their markings: their markings match their nose pigment. Dog lovers love how it makes for neat color coordination. So if their spots or patches are black, their nose pigment is also black.
Dog lovers who like Labradoodles that come in two obvious and solid colors want them. While their spots can be of any color similar to the coat color of one parent, the most sighted spots are red and chocolate. Their coats, meanwhile, don’t vary in color and are always white.
10. Phantom
Phantom Labradoodles also come in two obvious and solid colors. A distinguishing feature in them is the group of well-defined markings above each eye and scattered on other areas of their body. You can also find these markings on their legs, paws, throat, and the side of their muzzle.
Unlike Parti Labradoodles, the base color of Phantoms can be any color. And unlike Parti Labradoodles, the markings of Phantom Labradoodles don’t match their nose pigment. Rather, their nose pigment color matches that of their base color. So if their base color is brown, their nose pigment should also be brown.
Wondering why they’re called Phantom Labradoodles? For new dog owners, especially, this is an interesting piece of information. They’re called Phantoms because they feature markings like those of dogs with rare colors. Specifically, they inherited their markings or secondary color from a parent (either their Labrador or Poodle parent) that originated from specific locations and/or locations that you can’t easily find in the world.
11. Abstract
Abstract Labradoodles feature a coat that’s a mix of different colors. What gives them the title as Abstract Labradoodles is the percentage of white in their coat. There’s no telling how they’ll turn out. The white has to be less than 50%, and the other color/s should make up most of the whole percentage.
In most cases, Abstracts feature more than two solid colors, and for some people, this is the telltale sign that a Labradoodle is Abstract. For example, you have an Abstract if its coat is 30% white, 45% black, and 25% grey. This is one of the most common color combinations for Abstract Labradoodles.
Many people also refer to these Labradoodles as mis-marks. After all, they come with markings in different — and usually, random — areas of their bodies. And these markings can appear when the Labradoodles grow into adults.
Many mis-marks feature colors around one of their eyes, upper arms, and ears. If the Abstract Labradoodle you want to care for features spots or patches on none of these areas, rest assured it’s normal. It’s either your dog will feature markings on other body parts. Or it’s still too young as of the moment — the markings will develop later on.
12. Red
Red Labradoodles, no matter the kind of red their coat is, are easily recognizable. Some Reds are lighter than the others. Most Red Labradoodles, however, are rich and dark in color. Their roots are also as dark as the top of their fur.
They should have dark brown eyes, along with a black nose pigment color. Sometimes, though, this isn’t the case. A few Red Labradoodles show the different eye and nose colors. The good thing about this is it allows you to determine the true Red Labradoodle from one that just resembles a Red Labradoodle.
Red is a generic and common color, so you might assume Red Labradoodles are generic and common, too. However, they’re not. In fact, of all Labradoodle colors, red is the rarest. And because of their rarity, they’re beloved. The sad part is the deep red color of these Labradoodles fades over time.
Three to four years into adulthood and their adorable and unique red coat lighten. The fading process can generate a pink coat as a result. In most cases, though, you’d end up with a semi-red coat with lots of white touches.
13. Silver (or Grey)
Silver Labradoodles are born as black puppies. Over their first few years, their silver coloring develops. How they came to be is one parent with a black coat plus another parent with a light coat (ideally grey).
The range of color can be almost any shade that closes in on their silver coloring. They could feature coats that are light pewter or dark/light charcoal. Their silver coloring could also go both ways: solid or uneven.
Word on the street goes, these Labradoodles can be thought of as old and aging dogs. If you’re staring at them from a distance, you can understand why. Plus, based on their color alone, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
A closer look, though, can tell you otherwise. Unless they’re genuinely old, young Silver Labradoodles exist. They’re unique and wild and free. Like Reds, they’re also rare. And even just by how their name sounds, they already seem impressive.
14. Cafe
Cafe Labradoodles come from one parent with a brown coat plus another parent with a light brown coat. For how they turned out as adults, they’re a sight to behold. Although, they weren’t always cafe-colored dogs. When they were born, you’d be swept off your feet by how white they are.
Their cafe-colored coat can come in a range of cafe shades. Walking on the streets with their owner, you can see a Cafe Labradoodle in an almost beige color. You can also see a Cafe Labradoodle in a milk chocolate color.
What’s the difference between a Cafe Labradoodle, Parchment Labradoodle, and Cream Labradoodle, you ask? If you simply use their coat color as the basis, you won’t be able to tell these three Labradoodles apart. The answer lies in these Labradoodles’ brown color and rose nose pigmentation.
Why Are There Different Labradoodle Colors?
There are different Labradoodle colors because the Labradoodle is a mixed breed: half Labrador and half Poodle. Therefore, how a specific Labradoodle turns out boils down to its genes. These genes are in charge of the color distribution of the Labradoodle’s coat.
Most of the time, a Labradoodle, like all dogs, is likely to take after the color of both or either of its parents. If both of its parents are black dogs, for example, odds are, it’ll come out as a Black Labradoodle, too.
On rare occasions, Labradoodles don’t inherit the colors of either parent. They can come in a color similar to a relative Labradoodle. Or they can come in colors similar to a dog from their Labrador and/or Poodle sides.
Final Thoughts
From the ones above, the Labradoodle color I like the most is the Chocolate Labradoodle. That’s because I’ve become fond of dogs of the same color as my dog, Cathy. She’s not a Labradoodle. She is, however, chocolate. The most common Labradoodle colors are black, apricot or gold, and cream.
Otherwise, go with a less common color. For one, there’s the Red Labradoodle. As I mentioned earlier, Red Labradoodles are the rarest of their kind. Most owners of Reds consider their dogs as their most prized possession. And mostly because of their rarity, these Labradoodles are costlier than the rest.
No matter which Labradoodle color you go for, however, deciding to care for a Labradoodle is a decision you’ll cherish for the years ahead. Labradoodles are adorable dogs — both for their appearance and their friendly personalities.
I’m Tanya. I currently live in the Philippines with 5 dogs, Jackielyn, Alex, Casey, Esteban, and Miss Cathy. When I’m not with them, I write content about them.