𧬠Poodle Color Genetics
The color of a poodle is not as simple as it may seem. If it were, everything would be easy:
π two dogs of the same color would always produce the same puppies… but that’s not how it works.
π sometimes unexpected colors appear
π sometimes the color changes over time
𧬠And sometimes genetics may seem to make no sense. In reality, it does.
Behind every poodle there is a combination of genes that determines
which pigment appears, how it is distributed,
and how it evolves throughout life.
For years, this was explained using simple rules.
Here we share a video we made 10 years ago.
Today, we can go a step further and understand what is really happening in the DNA.
𧬠πΉ 1. The Base: Pigments
All poodle colors are formed from just two basic pigments.
There is no specific “red gene” or “white gene” as such. Everything starts here.
πΉβ‘οΈ Eumelanin
This is the dark pigment. It can be black or brown, depending on the dog’s genetics.
This pigment defines not only the coat color, but also the nose, eye rims, and nails.
πΉβ‘οΈ Pheomelanin
This is the light or warm pigment. It ranges from very pale tones (cream or almost
white) to intense shades like red. The key point is that color genetics does not create new colors, but works by modifying these two pigments: – π activating or blocking them, – π changing their intensity, – π distributing them across the body,
– π or even altering them over time. For example, a red poodle does not “have red” — it has pheomelanin without interference from the dark pigment. And a white poodle is not truly “colorless”, but rather an extremely diluted version of the same light pigment.
This is the starting point of all color genetics.
π¬ How They Combine in the Coat
Each hair can contain one of these pigments… or even a combination of both in different areas.
In some breeds, this creates complex patterns, but in poodles, due to their genetics, the most common result is a uniform color across the entire body. Even so, this “visual simplicity” hides a fairly complex genetic foundation.
𧬠The E Gene: the “gate” between dark and light
One of the most important genes in poodle color genetics is the E locus, known at the molecular level as MC1R.
Its role is fundamental: it determines whether the dog can express dark pigment in the coat or whether that pigment is blocked.
When this gene allows the production of eumelanin in the coat, the poodle can display dark colors such as black or brown, depending on other genes that act afterward.
But when the dog carries the corresponding recessive combination, eumelanin is no longer expressed in the coat, and the visible color depends on pheomelanin. This is when shades such as red, apricot, or cream appear.
Simply put:
– β‘οΈ if the dark pigment can be expressed, the dog can be black or brown
– β‘οΈ if the dark pigment is blocked in the coat, the dog will fall within the warm range: red, apricot, or cream
That’s why this gene is so important.
π It does not “create” red — it prevents the dark pigment from dominating the coat.
This is a key idea in understanding poodle genetics: many lighter colors do not exist because of separate genes for each shade, but because the dark pigment is not expressed in the coat, and what we see is the intensity of pheomelanin.
π This blocking mainly affects the coat.
The skin, nose, eye rims, or lips can still show different pigmentation depending on other genes.
π That’s why two poodles that look similar within the red range do not always have exactly the same genetic base.
π¬ How to Interpret It in Practice
In canine genetics, it is usually explained like this:
– β‘οΈ E_ → the dog can express dark pigment in the coat
– β‘οΈ ee → the dark pigment is blocked in the coat
π This means that an ee poodle will not be black or brown in the coat, even if it carries the genetic information for those colors. That information can remain hidden and be passed on to the offspring.
β οΈ Why is this gene so confusing?
This is where one of the most common misunderstandings appears. Many people think that a red poodle “has a red gene.”
In reality, something more interesting is happening: the dog does not express dark pigment in the coat, so we only see the warm part of the color. The intensity of that color then depends on other genetic factors.
That’s why, within the same genetic base, very different shades can appear: deep red, lighter red, apricot, cream, or almost white.
π‘ Easy Example to Understand
Let’s imagine two poodles that both appear red. At first glance, they may look the same. But genetically, they are not always identical.
β‘οΈ Both may have the expression of dark pigment blocked in the coat, but one may carry genes that strongly intensify pheomelanin, while the other carries genes that dilute it.
π That’s why one can appear deep red and the other cream, even though both belong to the same general warm color base.
The E locus does not determine the exact shade of the poodle.
π What it does is something even more important: it opens or closes the “door” to dark pigment in the coat.
From that point on, other genes take care of the rest.
π€ πΉ 3. Black or Brown: the Role of the B Gene
Once dark pigment can be expressed in the coat, another key gene comes into play: the B locus, known at the molecular level as TYRP1. This gene does not determine whether the dog is dark or light, but what type of dark pigment it will have.
In simple terms, it decides whether eumelanin will be black or brown. When the gene is in its dominant form, the dark pigment is black. But when the dog inherits the corresponding recessive combination, that same pigment changes and becomes brown, also known as chocolate.
π This is why, genetically, brown is not an independent color, but a modification of black.
π¬ How It Is Interpreted
In canine genetics, it is usually represented like this:
– β‘οΈ B_ → black pigment
– β‘οΈ bb → brown pigment
π This means that a brown poodle always has two copies of the recessive allele.
π A black poodle, on the other hand, can be genetically pure or may carry the brown gene without showing it.
π§ It’s Not Just the Coat
The effect of this gene is not limited to coat color. It also affects all areas where eumelanin is present:
– the nose, – the eye rims, – the lips, – the paw pads, – the nails.
That’s why brown poodles show lighter, “liver” pigmentation in these areas, while in black poodles it is intensely dark.
π Relationship with the E Gene (Very Important)
The B gene can only be expressed if dark pigment is active in the coat.
β‘οΈ In other words, it depends on the E gene.
If the poodle has eumelanin blocked in the coat, the visual effect of this gene disappears in the hair, even though it is still present in the dog’s genetics.
This explains why some red or cream poodles may show differences in nose or eye pigmentation: the gene is still there, but it is not expressed in the coat.
β οΈ Hidden Carriers
One of the most important aspects in breeding is the existence of carriers. A black poodle can carry the brown gene without showing it. π If bred with another carrier, brown puppies can be born.
This often surprises those who expect “visual” results and do not take hidden genetics into account.
π‘ Clear Example
Two black poodles can have brown puppies.
At first glance, this may seem contradictory, but genetically it makes perfect sense: both can carry the recessive allele.
When it combines in the puppy, the visible result is the brown color.
π The B locus does not create new colors — it modifies the form of the dark pigment.
Black and brown are not two different pigments, but two versions of the same genetic base.
π πΉ 4. Why Do Many Poodles Look Solid? The Role of the K and A Loci
When talking about poodle color, it’s not enough to know whether the dog can produce dark pigment or whether that pigment will be black or brown. It’s also important to understand how that color is distributed across the body.
π This is where two very important genetic systems come into play: the K locus and the A locus.
β‘οΈ The first acts as a kind of “top layer” β‘οΈ The second contains various color patterns that may be visible… or hidden
That’s why a poodle can appear to be a single color, while still carrying genetic information for specific markings in its offspring.
π€ The K Locus: Why Many Poodles Appear Solid
The K locus is related to the expression of solid color.
When the dominant variant is present, the dog tends to show a uniform coat color, and many patterns that are clearly visible in other breeds become “masked.” Simply put: the K locus can make a poodle look completely black, brown, or another solid color, even if deeper layers of its genetics contain hidden patterns. This helps explain why the classic poodle is often perceived as a breed with clean, solid colors.
𧬠The A Locus: Where Patterns Live
The A locus contains information about different pigment distribution patterns.
In other breeds, these patterns can be quite visible, but in poodles they are often hidden by the action of the K locus.
π Among the patterns most interesting to breeders are those that can produce phantom markings or more complex color distributions.
β‘οΈ In other words, the A locus does not determine whether the dog will be black or red, but how those pigments could be arranged across the body if the pattern is expressed.
π» Where Does Phantom Come From?
Phantom does not appear because of a single “phantom gene.”
Its appearance depends on a specific combination of genetic factors — and, most importantly, on whether the pattern from the A locus is not masked by the K locus.
That’s why something surprising can happen: in lines where dogs have appeared solid for generations, one day a puppy with phantom markings is born.
π It’s not that the genetics suddenly changed. The pattern was already there — it just wasn’t visible.
β οΈ What You See Is Not the Whole Story
One of the most common mistakes in color genetics is judging everything based only on appearance.
π A solid-colored poodle may look “simple” from the outside, but genetically it often is not.
It may carry recessive or hidden patterns that do not appear in its own coat, but can be expressed in the offspring if the right combination occurs.
β‘οΈ That’s why a dog’s look does not always reveal all the genetic information it carries.
π‘ Easy Example
Let’s imagine two solid-colored poodles. At first glance, they may appear completely uniform, with no special markings.
However, if both carry a compatible hidden pattern at the A locus, and it is not blocked in the offspring, puppies with visible markings can be born. From the outside, it looks like a surprise. From a genetic point of view, it isn’t.
β‘οΈ The K locus can make a poodle appear solid. β‘οΈ The A locus can carry patterns that are not always visible.
That’s why, in color genetics, what we see is only part of the story.
π₯ Phantom Is Not the Same as Parti
Phantom and parti are not the same thing.
π Phantom depends on a pattern of color distribution. π Parti depends on the presence of white areas without pigment.
In other words: one reorganizes color, the other adds white.
That’s why they are different genetic mechanisms, even if they can sometimes look similar.
βͺ πΉ 5. White, Parti, and Markings: the Role of Pigment Absence
So far, we have talked about genes that control which pigment appears and how it is distributed.
π But there is another equally important mechanism: the absence of pigment.
This is where white patterns, such as parti, come into play. They are not created by adding color, but by removing it in certain areas of the body.
𧬠The Mechanism: Areas Without Pigment
In poodles with white markings, certain areas of the body simply do not produce pigment.
π These areas appear white because they contain neither eumelanin nor pheomelanin.
In other words, white in this case is not a color itself, but the absence of color.
πΌ What Exactly Is a Parti Poodle?
A parti poodle is one that shows a combination of white areas and colored areas.
β‘οΈ The color of the patches is not determined by a “parti gene,” but by the other genes we have already discussed:
– black or brown (depending on the B locus), – red, apricot, or cream (depending on the E locus and intensity).
The white pattern simply “interrupts” that base color.
π§ The Gene Behind It: MITF (S Locus)
At the genetic level, these patterns are associated with the S locus, linked to the MITF gene.
This gene influences how pigment-producing cells are distributed during embryonic development.
β‘οΈ Depending on how these cells spread, certain areas of the body may remain without pigmentation.
That’s why white patterns can vary so much from one dog to another — from small markings to large white areas.
β οΈ Why No Two Parti Poodles Are the Same
Unlike other aspects of color, the pattern of white markings does not follow a fixed design.
Two poodles with similar genetics can show very different distributions of white and color.
This is because the migration of pigment cells during development is not completely uniform.
That’s why every parti poodle is, in a way, unique.
π Relationship with Other Patterns
The parti pattern can combine with other elements of color genetics. For example: – a poodle can be black and white,
– brown and white, – red and white, – gray and white, – π even phantom and parti at the same time.
This happens because white acts independently, overlaying the rest of the color.
β οΈ Common Mistake
One of the most frequent mistakes is thinking that parti is simply “a type of color.”
In reality, it is a pattern that affects the presence or absence of pigment, not the type of pigment itself.
That’s why it does not replace the base color — it visually modifies it.
π‘ Simple Example
Imagine a genetically black poodle. If it has no areas without pigment, it will be completely black. But if the white pattern is present, white areas will appear, interrupting that color. The visible result is a black and white poodle, but the genetic base remains the same.
π White in poodles is not always a color in itself. Often, it is simply the absence of pigment in certain areas of the body — and that completely changes how we understand the pattern.
π΄ πΉ 6. Red Is Not a Single Gene: Intensity and Variation
Red is one of the most striking poodle colors… and also one of the most misunderstood.
Many people believe there is a specific “red gene.” But the reality is much more complex.
𧬠Not a Color, but a Result
As we’ve already seen, warm tones (red, apricot, cream) appear when dark pigment is not expressed in the coat.
At that point, what we see is pheomelanin.
π But here’s the key: pheomelanin does not have a single fixed shade.
π The Key: Intensity
The final color depends on several genes that regulate the intensity of the pigment. These genes do not act like a simple on/off switch, but more like dimmers. That’s why they can produce a wide range of shades: – β‘οΈ deep red, – β‘οΈ light red, – β‘οΈ apricot, – β‘οΈ cream,
– β‘οΈ even almost white tones. All of them share the same genetic base.
β οΈ Why Red Is Difficult to Predict
Unlike simpler colors, red is not inherited in a fully predictable way. Two red poodles can produce puppies with very different shades. This happens because color intensity depends on multiple genetic factors working together.
π It’s not a single piece of the puzzle — it’s many pieces interacting at once.
π Color Changes Over Time
In poodles, warm tones often change with age. A puppy may be born with a deep color and lighten over time — or the opposite.
This change is related to how pigment is expressed throughout life and to the genetics of each line.
π§ Why White Is Not Always “Another Color”
In many cases, white in poodles is not a completely separate color. It can be the result of extremely diluted pheomelanin.
π In other words, it’s not that there is no pigment — it’s that the pigment is present in a very light form.
π Relationship with Other Genes
The final result always depends on the interaction with other genes.
For example:
– the intensity of red can vary even within the same litter
– nose pigmentation may change depending on other genetic factors
– the color can appear different depending on lighting or coat texture
π All of this is part of the real complexity of color.
β οΈ Very Common Mistake
One of the most frequent mistakes is thinking that “red × red always produces red.”
In reality, the result can vary significantly.
β‘οΈ In this case, color genetics does not work like an exact formula, but as a combination of multiple factors.
π‘ Clear Example
Imagine two deep red poodles. At first glance, they look identical.
However, each may carry a different combination of genes affecting intensity.
When bred, the puppies can be born in different shades: some darker, others lighter.
β‘οΈ This is not a mistake. It’s genetics working in depth.
Red is not a single gene.
It is the result of pheomelanin expression and several genes that regulate its intensity.
π That’s why it is one of the most variable colors in the poodle.
π« πΉ 7. Why Does a Poodle’s Color Change Over Time?
One of the most interesting characteristics of the poodle is that its color is not always permanent.
Unlike other breeds, where color tends to remain stable, in poodles it is quite common for the shade to change over time.
This may surprise many owners… but it has a genetic explanation.
𧬠Not All Colors Are Stable
The color we see in a puppy is not always the color it will have as an adult.
Some poodles are born very dark and gradually lighten over time.
Others are born with softer tones and develop more intensity as they grow.
This depends on how pigment is expressed throughout life.
π« Progressive Lightening
In many dark-colored poodles, there is a process of gradual lightening.
A puppy may be born black and, as it grows, transition to gray, silver, or bluish tones.
This change is not random.
It is related to genes that modify the production and distribution of pigment over time.
That’s why the adult color cannot always be predicted with complete accuracy in the first weeks of life.
π΄ It Also Happens in Warm Colors
Red, apricot, and cream tones can also change.
A deep red puppy may lighten over the months.
Or a lighter puppy may slightly intensify its color over time.
In this case, changes are usually related to the intensity of pheomelanin and to genetic factors specific to each line.
βοΈ Factors That Influence Color Perception
In addition to genetics, several factors can influence how color appears:
– sun exposure
– coat type and texture
– hormonal changes
– coat maintenance
However, these factors do not create the change on their own — they simply enhance what genetics already determines.
β οΈ Why It Causes So Much Confusion
Many people expect a puppy’s color to be final.
When the shade changes, it feels like “something doesn’t add up.”
In reality, the poodle is one of the breeds where color evolution is a normal part of development.
π‘ Typical Example
A very common case is a puppy that is born black and gradually becomes gray or silver.
At first glance, it may seem like the color has changed completely, but in reality, it is the result of a genetic process that was defined from the beginning.
The final color simply takes time to appear.
In poodles, color is not always a fixed snapshot.
It is a process.
And understanding that process is key to correctly interpreting the dog’s genetics.
π The genetic difference between a red poodle that fades over time and one that keeps its color for a long time
π© Situation: π Both dogs are red as puppies. But: 1 → keeps an intense red color, 2 → fades to apricot/cream.
π΄ What Do They Have in Common? It is very likely that both are: π e/e (MC1R) → meaning pheomelanin-based (red base).
β οΈ Where Is the Difference? The difference is not in E or B. π It lies in two key factors:
𧬠1. Pheomelanin Intensity (Polygenes)
πΆ Dog 1 (keeps its color). π Has a combination of genes with: – high saturation, – stable pigment expression.
Conditionally: e/e + “strong intensity polygenes”.
πΆ Dog 2 (fades over time). π Shows: – lower intensity, – tendency to lighten.
Conditionally: e/e + “weak intensity polygenes”.
π« 2. Fading Genetics (Very Important)
This is the key factor. πΆ Dog 2 (fading). π Very likely carries: β progressive fading / coat lightening mechanism
(often associated with KITLG in poodles). π Effect: Born with deep red → gradually lightens over time. πΆ Dog 1 (keeps its color).
π Does NOT carry this mechanism, or expresses it very weakly.
π§ Simplified Model:
Dog Genetics Result
π΄ Stable color e/e + strong polygenes keeps deep red
π« Fading e/e + weak polygenes + fading loses color over time
π£ Most Important Point. π There is no single “red gene”. π There is no single “fading gene”.
Two poodles can be born with the same red color… and develop in completely different ways. This happens because color does not depend on one gene, but on the combination of several factors: – β the genetic base (pheomelanin), – β pigment intensity (polygenes),
– β and age-related fading mechanisms. π That’s why some poodles keep a deep red, while others lighten over time.
𧬠Polygenes: Can They Be Tested?
β Short answer: almost not at all. π§ Why? Polygenes are: – not a single gene, – not a single locus, – but a combination of dozens (sometimes hundreds) of genetic variants. π Each contributes a small effect.
π‘ Example: One increases color intensity by 5%, another by 3%, another reduces it slightly. π Total = cumulative effect.
π¬ What Can Science Do Today?
βοΈ Partially. Some studies show that: there are DNA regions associated with pheomelanin intensity that explain part of color variation.
π But: β not 100% reliable, β not useful for practical puppy predictions.
π§ͺ Genetic Tests (Important).
Labs can provide: β MC1R (E), β TYRP1 (B), β MITF (parti). β But they do NOT provide: π “red intensity”, π “color stability”.
How to achieve stable deep red in poodles
Deep red color is not achieved in a single generation. It is built through systematic selection of dogs with the highest color saturation, while excluding those that tend to fade. The intensity of red depends on multiple genes, which is why only continuous selection can fix it within a line. It is not an easy process. π‘ Reality: 1–2 generations → chaos, 4–5 generations → a clear separation begins,
6+ generations → stability. In color genetics, a line is more important than an individual.
A dog may have a spectacular color, but if it does not pass that quality to its offspring, it cannot be used to fix the type.
What truly matters is working with lines that maintain the same level of intensity generation after generation.
Deep red is not created — it is selected, generation after generation.
𧬠π How to choose a pair to fix deep red
What you see is important. But what the dog passes on is what truly matters. The biggest challenge is that the polygenes, which determine the final result, are not visible in any test. Unfortunately, about 95% of red toy poodles today fade by the age of 4–5 years or even earlier. Why? Because breeders can select the reddest puppies — that part is easy. π But here is the key point:
We can only truly assess whether a dog carries polygenes with a tendency to dilute the color — and to what extent — once the dog is around 5 years old. π By 7 years, the dog should usually be retired from breeding due to age.
π That’s why selecting only based on the intensity of a puppy’s red color is incorrect. π There are apricot dogs with strong polygenes that were born apricot and keep that color throughout their lives. So, what should a breeder do? How should breeding pairs be selected?
These are recommendations based on real experience from a kennel that has studied color genetics for many years — as you can see in our videos, created when almost no one was doing DNA testing.
1) “A white ancestor in the pedigree = almost guaranteed fading”.
This is a very interesting and practical point. π In terms of the model, this means: Alleles that strongly weaken pheomelanin are introduced into the line. They may not be clearly expressed for a long time, but in combination they “build up” and eventually lead to fading. π In other words: it’s not about a single “white gene,” but a group of weakening modifiers that can persist for generations.
π‘ From our observation: even 7 generations back can still have an effect.
π This is completely logical when dealing with polygenes.
2) A gray ancestor in the pedigree should be completely excluded. Reason: gray dogs carry the G locus, programmed to lighten the coat.
This is not just about polygenes — it is a full gene responsible for turning black-born puppies into silver over time.
3) Brown dogs in the pedigree are also not desirable.
Chocolate poodles also tend to fade with age, facing a similar issue to red poodles. π This means that, in addition to weaker red polygenes, you may also introduce weaker brown-related polygenes. Do you want that? Probably not.
4) “Black sometimes improves red.” This is true — but it must be understood correctly. π What most likely happens:
A black dog (E/ — expresses eumelanin) is used in breeding. Some puppies may be born apricot (e/e), but they also inherit different intensity-modifying polygenes — and that is what matters. π Result: Not a pure deep red, but a more stable, intense apricot/light red.
π‘ Black does not directly “improve” red. π It “resets” or dilutes the existing set of polygenes and can create a more stable combination. Poodle color genetics is often explained in books using simple rules. But in practice, when working across multiple generations, you see that real color behavior is much more complex. These are guidelines based on real breeding experience.
Two very red poodles do not always produce deeply red puppies. And on the contrary, a lighter-colored dog may carry a genetic base capable of producing stronger colors in the next generation. π Visible appearance does not always reflect the underlying genetics.
Can different poodle colors be bred together?
βοΈ In Practice (Genetics). From a genetic point of view, all poodle colors belong to the same breed. Therefore, they can be bred together. There is no genetic incompatibility based on color. β οΈ In Breeding According to the Standard.However, when working under the FCI standard, color combinations must be chosen carefully. The goal is to maintain: – color purity, – uniformity,
– and consistency within the line. Poorly planned crosses can lead to undesirable colors or loss of intensity.
The FCI does not forbid color crossings at a genetic level. But it does define which results are acceptable within the standard.
That’s why the breeder must decide whether they are working toward show standards or other breeding goals.
Poodle color breeding: recommended and non-recommended combinations
Choosing the right color combination in poodle breeding is not just an aesthetic decision — it is a genetic one.
Some combinations can produce intense and stable colors, while others tend to result in dogs that fade over time, lose depth, or show less defined tones.
In this table, you will find a practical guide based on color genetics and real breeding experience: which combinations are more advisable and which are better avoided if your goal is to maintain coat quality in the Toy Poodle.
Poodle color breeding: what color will the puppies be?
In this series, we analyze different combinations: black, red, brown, gray, and parti. Discover which results are possible and why some colors change over time. π Watch the video to see the outcome of each combination.
𧬠πΉHow coat color is inherited in the poodle
π§ The Base: Two Copies of Each Gene
Each poodle inherits two copies of every gene: one from the father and one from the mother. These copies can be identical or different, and their combination determines the visible result.
That’s why color genetics does not depend on a single gene, but on how both contributions interact.
βοΈ Dominant and Recessive (But It’s Not That Simple)
Some genes follow a classic pattern: – dominant → expressed with just one copy, – recessive → requires two copies to be visible.
For example, in the case of brown color, the dog must inherit the same variant from both parents for the color to appear.
However, not all color genetics works this way. In many cases, multiple genes interact at the same time.
𧬠Visible vs Hidden
A poodle may display one color… while carrying other hidden genes.
This means that a dog that appears black can carry genetic information for brown, phantom, or other patterns without showing it in its own coat. These genes can be passed on to the offspring and appear when the right combination occurs.
π² The Combination: Like a Puzzle
Each puppy inherits a unique combination of genes. It is not an exact copy of the parents, but a mix.
That’s why, within the same litter, puppies can show different shades, even when the parents appear identical.
Color genetics works like a puzzle, where each piece influences the final result.
β οΈ Why It Sometimes “Doesn’t Match”
One of the most common sources of confusion is expecting completely predictable results. But in reality:
– some genes remain hidden
– others are only expressed in certain combinations
– and some modify intensity without changing the base color
That’s why the appearance of the parents does not always allow you to predict the exact outcome.
π‘ Classic Example
Two black poodles can have a brown puppy. At first glance, this may seem unexpected. But if both parents carry the necessary gene without showing it, the result is completely logical from a genetic point of view.
The same applies to certain patterns that appear after several generations.
π How Multiple Genes Combine
In poodles, the final color usually depends on the interaction of several genes at the same time. For example: – one determines whether dark pigment is present, – another defines whether that pigment is black or brown, – another may hide or reveal patterns,
– others adjust the intensity of the color. The final result is the sum of all of them. Poodle color is not inherited as a simple formula.
It is the result of multiple genes that combine, hide, and express themselves in different ways.
That’s why every puppy is genetically unique.
How to read a poodle color genetic test
Genetic color tests in dogs may seem complicated: letters, combinations, and results that are difficult to interpret.
But in reality, they are much easier to understand once you know what each gene means in practice.
Here is a clear guide to interpreting a poodle color genetic test.
GEN RESULT WHAT IT MEANS WHAT YOU SEE IN THE DOG
E (MC1R) E/E Produces eumelanin Black, brown, patterns
E (MC1R) e/e Blocks eumelanin Red, apricot, cream
B (TYRP1) B/B Black pigment Deep black
B (TYRP1) b/b Brown pigment Brown (chocolate)
G locus G/G Progressive lightening Black → silver/gray
G locus G/g Partial lightening Less stable color
G locus g/g No fading Keeps base color
K locus K/K Dominant black Solid black
K locus k/k Allows A locus Depends on agouti
A (Agouti) A/A Sable Variable tones
A (Agouti) At/At Black and tan Phantom markings
A (Agouti) a/a Solid black Uniform black
S locus S/S No white spotting Solid color
S locus s/s Parti White + patches
S locus S/s Carrier Not visible
Brindle (Kbr) Kbr/Kbr Brindle Stripes (very rare in poodles)
Brindle (Kbr) Kbr/k Possible expression Depends on base
Merle (M) M/m Merle Irregular pattern (NOT accepted in FCI poodles)
Merle (M) M/M Double merle Health risk