Poodles are probably one of the most well-known dog breeds in the world. However, when we hear the word “Poodle”, most of us are probably thinking about a stunning white dog with a curly coat. But did you know that there are also other coat colors available? While white Poodles are the best known, you can find this breed in many different colors and color combinations. In this article, we will go over all the different hues that these dogs come in, but we will also answer the question: “What is the rarest Poodle color?”
Because everyone wants a unique dog, and we can’t judge you if you want a color that isn’t so widely available. Poodle puppies are adorable after all, but having a dog with a unique color combination definitely sounds appealing to many dog owners. So if you want to find out what the colors are that Poodles come in, what the rarest and most common hues are, and which color we suggest you pick, then keep on reading.
Source: Instagram (@poodle.express)
Quick Poodle breed overview
While many people associate Poodles with France and this breed is in fact France’s National dog, the Poodle is actually from Germany. Even their name is of German origins. The word Poodle comes from the German word “puddeln” which translates to “splash”. Their name reflects that these dogs were once used as water retrievers. Today, this is a beloved family dog that is often seen in dog shows due to its stunning and elegant appearance.
While Poodles are amazing dogs, unfortunately, they are also prone to certain health conditions. These include hip dysplasia, Addison’s disease, cancer, dog eye problems, dog dental problems, and more. Because so many of these conditions are hereditary, it’s important to always buy your Poodle puppy from a reputable breeder. Make sure that the person that you are buying from has the necessary papers to prove to you that your dog is tested and screened for all of these diseases.
Source: Instagram (@thepoodlesworld)
Are Poodles good family dogs?
Yes, there is no doubt that Poodles make absolutely amazing family pets. They are smart, loyal, and active dogs that form strong bonds with their family members. Poodles are also relatively easy to train, so you can pick a Poodle for you and your family even if you don’t have that much experience with dogs. However, if you have small children at home, then this lively breed may be a bit too much. Standard-size Poodles are taller than 15 inches, and they could easily knock over toddlers accidentally while playing. But the good news is that Poodles get along great with older kids.
Will a Poodle protect you?
While Poodles aren’t necessarily guarding dogs, they still have a strong sense of protection towards their owners. However, you can’t expect your Toy Poodle to ever save you from an intruder. You have to be realistic. While Poodles were created to be a hunting dogs, and they do have some protective instincts, they definitely won’t be known as the best guarding breed out there. If that is what you are looking for, then consider breeds such as Rottweilers, Dobermans, or Pit Bulls.
Source: Instagram (@poodlezofficial)
What are the Poodle colors?
There is a reason why so many breeds are crossed with the Poodle. It’s not only because they are smart, easy to train, and gracious. It’s also because of their coat. They have a low-shedding, curly coat that is considered to be as hypoallergenic as it gets. But in addition to being hypoallergenic, their coat also comes in many different colors. So their crossbreeds will have a huge variety of coat colors too.
There are two types of coat colors a Poodle can have: solid coat colors, and parti-color coats. So your Poodle can either be all in one color, or he can have a combination of two different colors. These standards are set by the American Kennel Club and Poodle Club of America. Poodles that fall into these descriptions usually can also take part in dog shows.
Solid Poodle colors
Solid Poodle colors are probably the most popular option when it comes to this breed. And there is rarely such variety when it comes to colors like the Poodle has to offer. Just take a look at the list below. Pretty long, huh? I contemplated if I should give a brief description of each of these color variations, however, I believe that they are pretty self-explanatory. But if you are left wanting to learn more, we also have some separate articles on some of the colors, like brown, white, red, and black.
- White
- Black
- Gray/Silver
- Cream
- Cafe Au Lait
- Brown
- Blue
- Apricot
- Silver
- Silver Beige
- Red
Source: Instagram (@poodlewell)
Parti-colored Poodle
Even though it would be fun to believe that, Parti Poodles aren’t called that way because they enjoy partying. Instead, it’s because they have different colored parts of their coat. There are many different color variations available. On our list, you can find the usual ones. However, if you want to learn more about this particular Poodle type, we have some great news for you. We actually have a whole article dedicated to the Parti Poodle, so make sure that you check it out.
- Brown & Black
- Cream & Black
- Gray & Black
- Silver & Black
- Tan & Black
- Black & White
- Blue & White
- Brown & White
- Cream & White
- Gray & White
- Red & White
- Red & Apricot
- White & Apricot
- White & Silver
- Black & Apricot
- Brown & Apricot
Source: Instagram (@ mackenziethestandardpoodle)
What is the rarest Poodle color?
Now this will be a bit difficult to answer. Because different people believe different things. Some people claim that Blue Poodles are the rarest ones. Others claim that red or apricot Poodles are the rarest. However, there are some people that claim that particolored are the ones who are the hardest to find. The answer to this question will also depend on the area that you live in. Somewhere it really will be the blue Poodle, but in other areas, it can be the Red Poodle. All of these color variations are pretty rare, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.
What is a sable Poodle?
Sable isn’t a Poodle color, but instead, it describes Poodles with different coat colors that have some black tips on the end of their coat. That means that the base color of your Poodle may be brown, but the tips of the hair around his snout and/or ears will be black. So sable is more of a pattern than a color, and it just refers to some black points on the end of your dog’s coat. Sable Poodles come with many different base coat colors and black tip positions, which makes each of them pretty unique.
What is a phantom Poodle?
We have a whole article on the phantom Poodle, so we will keep things pretty brief here. While the “phantom” part of their name does sound a bit scary and intimidating, these dogs aren’t either of these two things. In fact, phantom Poodles are pretty adorable. This is just a specific type of coloring (that yet isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club), where a dark-colored Poodle has light coloring around his face, chest, and paws.
Source: Instagram (@royalridgepoodle)
What is the most common Poodle color?
This is pretty easy to tell, huh? Obviously, white is the most common color when it comes to the Poodle breed. However, white Poodles are slowly getting some serious competition. It seems as if black and brown Poodles are closer than ever when it comes to popularity. Brown and black representatives of this breed aren’t quite there yet, however, in a couple of years you could see them as commonly as you may be seeing white Poodles. Solid colors in general are much more common, and because brown and black are both dominant genes, it’s no surprise that so many Poodle puppies end up with these two hues.
What is the most expensive dog?
To be honest, all Poodles are pretty expensive dogs. However, some colors will be a bit more expensive than others. In most common cases, rare colors such as blue, red, or apricot may cost a bit more than black or brown Poodles. However, another factor that has a much bigger say in how much your Poodle will cost is his size. Toy Poodles are usually much more expensive than the Standard Poodle size. So if you want a Toy Poodle in colors such as red or blue, be prepared to pay a bit extra. Prices for these dogs usually start at $2,000 and they can go up to $4,000. We talked more about the costs of Poodles in our article: “How much is a brown Poodle puppy“.
What dog is the cheapest?
There isn’t a cheap Poodle. This is a royal dog breed and not a bargain. No matter what size or color you choose, you will have to pay a premium price tag for a purebred Poodle. In addition to that, maintaining a Poodle is pretty expensive as well. However, to still answer your question, a Standard size white Poodle puppy should be the least expensive one, as these are the most common ones. If you want, you can always visit your local dog shelters to check if they have any purebred Poodles or any type of Poodle mixes available. But don’t forget that caring for a dog is also a serious financial burden, and the spending doesn’t end once you bring a puppy home.
Source: Instagram (@minipoodle.bella)
Which color should I choose?
It would be difficult for us to give a general answer to this question because each of our readers is unique and has different preferences. However, we would like to take this part of the article to remind you that the color of your future puppy shouldn’t be the main thing that concerns you when buying a new dog. The most important thing is that your future dog is healthy, that you are buying from a reputable breeder, and that your personalities don’t clash. You won’t even notice what color the coat of your dog is the moment the two of you form a strong bond.
So it doesn’t really matter if you pick a brown Poodle, a silver Poodle, or a Cafe Au Lait Poodle. What really matters is that you and your dog are happy together. However, if you have some open options, and you aren’t sure which color to pick, we would just suggest following your gut. All of these different Poodle colors are absolutely stunning, but everyone will have a personal favorite. Try to narrow it down to two or three options, and then just pick the dog that you and your family clicked with immediately.
Final thoughts: What is the rarest Poodle color?
Now that you learned so much about all of the different Poodle colors, you can pretty much consider yourself a pro. To sum it up, Poodles can come with black fur, brown coats, darker tones, lighter tones, apricot fur, very light red, and various shades in between. There aren’t many other dog breeds out there that are as rich in different coat colors as the Poodle is. So if this is the dog of your choice, then you will definitely have some options when picking out a puppy.
There are even some unofficial color combinations that aren’t yet recognized by the American Kennel Club such as the sable Poodle or phantom Poodle. Poodles are truly a special breed, and we are sure that whatever color you may choose, you will have a wonderful time with your new puppy. Once again, we will remind you that the color of your puppy’s coat doesn’t have to do anything with his personality, temperament, or how the two of you will get along together.