One of the first questions I asked myself before choosing Bailey (my goldendoodle) is, what color Goldendoodle I should get?

One thing I quickly learned is that, Goldendoodles can change color over time.

As a Goldendoodle grows and develops, its coat will change color, become lighter or darker. This is because as they age their fur follicles age, too.

But why does it happen?

Let me explain in this article why goldendoodles change color over time.

How Goldendoodles Change Colors

Goldendoodles can come in many different colors, depending on the color of their parents. Some common colors for goldendoodles include black, brown, white, cream, apricot, and red.

But as your pup grows older, its coat may change color or even become multi-colored!

This process usually starts when your pet is around six months old and will continue until it reaches adulthood. Even then, some changes could still occur up until around three years of age.

Why Do Goldendoodles Change Color?

Goldendoodles change color because of their Poodle heritage and the genetic traits it carries.

Different colors are a result of various combinations of genes. For example, black hair is caused by the E-locus and b-locus genes, while brown/red hair is caused by the A-Locus gene.

This genetic makeup also affects a Goldendoodle’s coat as it matures. A pup whose parents had black coats may show signs of lighter coloration, such as a reddish hue, as it ages.

But ultimately, every goldendoodle will look like its parents.

Reasons Why Your Goldendoodle is Changing Colors

There are a few reasons why your Goldendoodle’s coat may be changing color.

Medication

Certain medications may cause a Goldendoodle’s coat to lighten over time.

Hormonal imbalances

Hormones can affect the color of your pet’s fur, such as if it’s stressed or has been neutered/spayed.

Weather and diet

Diet and weather also affect your pup’s coat color. For example, sunny days will make a Goldendoodle’s fur lighter while cold weather can cause it to darken.

Age

As mentioned above, age is also an influencing factor when it comes to a Goldendoodle’s changing colors.

Stains and dirt

Stains and dirt on the coat from playing outdoors may also affect its coloration, making it appear lighter or darker.

Nutritional Status

Nutritional status can also affect coat color. A poor diet may result in a Goldendoodle’s fur becoming duller or fading over time.

Vitiligo

If your goldendoodle has spots of lighter fur or no fur at all, it may be suffering from a condition called vitiligo. This can cause areas of the coat to become completely white or show signs of discolouration due to the lack of pigmentation in that area.

Skin injury

Skin Injuries can also cause a Goldendoodle’s fur to become lighter or darker. Certain areas of the body may be affected by this change, depending on the type and severity of the injury.

Do Goldendoodles Shed Their Puppy Fur?

Yes, goldendoodles do shed their puppy fur. Puppy coat typically starts to fall out from six months old and continues until around ten months. During this time, the adult coat starts to come in and the puppy coat will be replaced by newer, softer, more grown-up looking fur.

How Do You Know What Color Your Goldendoodle Puppy Will Be When It's An Adult?

The best way to determine what color your goldendoodle puppy will it be once it shed its puppy coat is to look at its parents. Most likely, your pup will have the same color or a mix of both parents' colors.

For example, if one of the parents has white fur and your goldendoodle puppy has black fur, they will most likely have a silver-colored coat when they are an adult.

They can also have a coat called "phantom markings". Poodles often have this type of coat pattern, and when these markings are mixed with a Goldendoodle's fur, they can create an interesting multi-colored look.

If you want a specific color, you can always choose the right parents. When you pick out a breeder, make sure to ask them what coat colors their puppies will grow into when they are adults.

You can also ask for pictures of the parents as puppies, so you can get a better idea of what color your Goldendoodle will end up as an adult.

Goldendoodle Puppies also shed their puppy coat and it's replaced by their adult fur. So if you picked up a chocolate brown puppy, it doesn't necessarily mean it will stay that color when it's an adult!

Do Goldendoodles Color Fade After Some Time?

Yes, Goldendoodles can have a color fade after some time. The fading usually occurs in the areas such as their face, ears and legs.

The reason why they may fade is due to exposure to sunlight and other elements that can bleach out their fur's natural pigments over time.

Poodles (Goldendoodle parent breed) also go through a similar process called clearing, which can cause their fur to become lighter or washed out in certain areas.

This means Goldendoodle also inherit some of these traits and may go through this same process over time.

Do Goldendoodles Color Get Darker After Some Time?

If your goldendoodle is properly bred (from a reputable breeder), then its coat will not get darker thanks to the golden retrievers genes.

The main reason for this is because of the E-locus and b-locus genes that are passed down from the poodle parent breed. These genes can cause your pup's fur to darken over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my red goldendoodle change color?

Yes, a red goldendoodles coat may fade or become lighter as it ages. This is because goldendoodle puppies have more vibrant coat colors when they are young.

As they age, they lose the puppy fur and change it to adult fur and the color can fade or become lighter.

Do black goldendoodles change color?

Yes, black goldendoodles fur lightens as they age and Goldendoodle puppies (when they lose their puppy coats) can end up with a blue or grey color.

However, this doesn't mean they will change to an entirely new color, it just means that their black fur will become lighter and may take on a silvery hue.

Why is my black Goldendoodle turning white? change color?

The most common cause of your black Goldendoodle's fur turning white is due to aging. However, if your goldendoodle isn't old, it could be because of Vitilgo, which is a condition that affects the fur and skin color in some breeds of dogs.

Conclusion

I hope this article helps you in choosing the right Goldendoodle puppy and understand how their coat may change over time.

The color of your pup will likely depend on the parents' coats, so make sure to ask the breeder for pictures and information about the parents before making a purchase.

Happy Puppy-hunting! 🙂