Types of Cavapoo Colors: Tri-Color, Black, White, etc.

The Cavapoo dog breed is a cross between a miniature or toy Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This adorable combination has the best of both worlds since they inherit the physical and personality traits of both parents. Are you curious about the types of Cavapoo colors you’ll find across the dog breed? Read on!

Since the Cavapoo is a crossbred dog, it can inherit genetic traits from both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in four standard colors according to the American Kennel Club (AKC): black and tan, black and white, Blenheim, and ruby. On the other hand, the Poodle comes in over 10 different colors. Some of the most popular colors of the Poodle are apricot, black, blue, brown, cream, grey, white, and silver. As you can imagine, there are several Cavapoo colors.

The Cavapoo’s cute appearance is due, in part, to the soft fluffy curly coat that comes in a variety of colors such as apricot, tan, red, white, black, bi-color, and tri-color. Continue reading to find out more about the color of a Cavapoos coat.

Articles you will like: Cavapoo Rescues for Adoption and How Much Does a Cavapoo Cost?

Tri-Color Cavapoo

The tri-color Cavapoo coat includes a mixture of apricot, tan, red, white, and black. The colorful spots can be placed in different areas on the body and sometimes appear as patches of color. The colors of the coat depend on the DNA that particular puppy inherited. Sometimes puppies from the same litter can come out with various color coats. 

Most of the Cavapoos that are tri-color will have black as the main color of their body. They will also have white spots on their chest and stomach area. You’ll also see tan or apricot marketings on their feet area, mouth area, and eyebrow area. There are similar markings to a Yorkshire Terrier and often called “Parti Color” instead of tri-color. Tri-color Cavapoos are relatively rare and it takes a multi-colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to breed with a multi-colored Poodle.

Bi-Color Cavapoos

Another combination on the list of types of Cavapoo colors is the bi-color coat. Cavapoos that have a bicolor coat can reveal a combination of black and white, red and white, tan and white, apricot and white, or any other two-color combination. This is fairly common in Cavapoos since the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has several bi-color traits.

You’ll see bi-colored Cavapoo puppies if a bi-color Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a parent dog. Typically the body is either going to be black, white, or tan. You’ll then notice different colors on their eyebrows, cheeks, feet, inside their ears, under the tail, and chest.

Black Cavapoos

Depending on the parents and DNA, a puppy can be born with an all-black coat that remains throughout their entire lifetime. A solid black coat does not include any splashes of color. All-black coloring is considered rare in the breeding world because it’s typically a recessive gene coming from the Poodle. If you breed two dark-colored Cavapoos together, it’s unlikely that the entire litter will be black.

White Cavapoos

Cavapoos with solid white coats often has a splash of other colors including apricot, red, tan, and black. It’s rare for a Cavapoo to be completely solid white with no other color mixed in but it is possible.

In order to get a white Cavapoo, you would need to breed a Cavalier King Charles with a white Poodle. Typically, this is done with a Blenheim colored Cavalier King Charles, but it’s rare for a Cavapoo to be all white.

Red Cavapoos

Red Cavapoo coats can be dark, solid, or light-colored. They come in a variety of hues such as red, chestnut, and strawberry blonde. Red is a relatively standard color because of the ruby-colored King Charles Spaniel. You can easily mix this with an apricot-colored Poodle to get Red Cavapoos. The red body color is also commonly seen with white spots.

Tan Cavapoos

Tan Cavapoo coats come in solid form or have a hint of colors such as white, black, or apricot. Again, this coat is relatively common due to the black and tan or ruby colors of a Cavalier King Charles. You can also mix cream or apricot colored Poodles to produce tan Cavapoos. Tan colored Cavapoos are a lot lighter in color when compared to red Cavapoos.

Apricot Cavapoos

The apricot coat color is a combination of a golden tone and peach that creates a beautiful color combination. This coat can be fully solid or have hints of color depending on the puppy’s genetics they inherit from their parents. Most likely, the apricot color is inherited from a ruby-colored Cavalier King Charles. There are also apricot-colored Poodles that will yield Apricot Cavapoo puppies. It’s rare to get a full litter of the same apricot coat color.

Chocolate Cavapoos

Next on the list of the different types of Cavapoo colors is chocolate! The chocolate color coat usually appears in solid form throughout the body, but often includes white located on the toes, chest, and forehead. Chocolate is similar to black in that it is considered a recessive gene to it’s rarer than an apricot Cavapoo or red Cavapoo. The chocolate-colored Cavapoos are almost always created from a brown or black Poodle.

Gold Cavapoos

The golden tone Cavapoo coats are usually a solid dark color that appears gold in the light or sun. The gold color covers the entire body and is often complemented with white on the chest, toes, forehead, chest, nose, and chin. This is very similar to the Apricot Cavapoo.

Phantom Cavapoos

When seen in natural lighting the phantom coat color includes tan, brown, and black around the legs, chest, cheeks, nose, and the underside of the tail. Some puppies with a phantom coat have white abstract markings on various areas of their body. In order to be considered a Phantom, they have to have certain markings on the exact part of their bodies. The Phantom color is almost always inherited from a Phantom Poodle. Even though it’s not a standardized AKC color, many breeders still use Phantom Poodles to breed due to their unique coat colors. 

Sable Cavapoos

A sable colored coat consists of a combination of black and tan markings throughout the coat that feature undertones that appear as a puppy ages to adulthood. Brown and silver flecking can also appear in the coat. Sable is relatively rare and it’s a very unique coat color because a sable Cavapoos coat will lighten over time.

Changes in the Color of a Cavapoo’s Coat

As a new pet parent to a Cavapoo, you probably chose your puppy, at least in part, based on the color of the coat they had when they were very young. However, don’t be surprised if the coat fades or changes slightly as they grow into adulthood. Keep in mind there are plenty of variables that affect coat color.

Generally, most Cavapoos keep their coat color throughout their entire lifetime. The term used to describe this is “holding.” However, don’t be surprised if the coat gradually dulls or lightens as your pup ages. This gradual change is called “clearing.” 

Sometimes the color of the coat will also hold in some areas and clear in others. This usually happens around the nose and muzzle area. If the color of your Cavapoo is important to you, it’s recommended that you choose a slightly darker color to ensure if it fades it will still remain a color that you like. 

Why are there so many Cavapoo colors? 

Breeding and mixing genes and DNA between Poodles and King Charles Cocker Spaniels is what creates so many coat colors. With four standard Cavalier King Charles colors and over 10 different Poodle standard colors, the combination of dog colors is virtually limitless. This hybrid dog is available in multiple colors so you can choose which one you like the best. 

Caring for a Cavapoo Coat

The Cavapoo coat is considered to be hypoallergenic because it is inherited from the Poodle parent. This soft, fluffy, and curly coat doesn’t shed but does trap loose hair beneath the surface of the coat. Caring for this type of coat involves frequent brushing to remove loose hair and prevent it from forming into mats. 

Matted hair forms quickly and is often dense and difficult to separate. Most of the time groomers have to shave the coat to remove the mats. As a pet parent to a cute little Cavapoo, you need to stay on schedule with weekly brushing sessions to prevent the coat from becoming unmanageable and uncomfortable for your dog. 

Also, regular bathing is recommended, especially if your dog enjoys going outside. This curly coat tends to pick up tiny twigs and dirt which requires frequent brushing to remove. The pet industry and manufacturers have designed special brushes and combs that successfully remove loose hair without much effort on your part. These convenient brushes are easy to use and help increase blood circulation and natural oils in your dog’s skin for a healthy coat. 

Which Cavapoo color will you choose? 

Now that you know about all the Cavapoo colors it’s time to decide which one you prefer. Many pet parents don’t have a preference and will be happy with any color coat while others know what they want specifically. 

If you are one of the pet parents that have a color in mind it’s wise to make a list of your top three preferences. When making your list make sure you number it from your top choice, then second and third. 

It’s important to consider the fact the coat sometimes fades as the dog ages so if your heart is set on a color, try to choose a dog that has a darker shade of the specific color to ensure the coat will gradually become the shade you truly want. 

Another topic to consider is the shades the AKC American Kennel Club recognizes, if any. This is especially important if you plan to have your dog participate in shows. The AKC frequently updates and amends its rules, so make sure you check in before you make your final decision on the color of the coat. 

Where to Buy or Adopt a Cavapoo

If you are interested in adopting a Cavapoo, it’s best to begin your search at your local shelters. While it’s rare to see a Cavapoo at a shelter, it does happen. Sometimes elderly pet owners are forced to give up their pets and have no choice to send their dog to a shelter. Since Cavapoos are extremely cute and in high demand the few that enter shelters often get adopted quickly so make sure you act quickly when you do find one. 

Another way to find a Cavapoo with the color you want is to visit different breeders to see the puppies up close before making your final decision. You can also speak with the breeder and ask to see the parents of the puppies or inquire about the DNA and breeding program. 

While the color of the coat might not be important to some people, it is essential for others! Many pet parents take a long time to save the money needed to purchase or adopt a dog and often have a vision of what the dog will look like when they are finally able to achieve their goal. 

Taking time to find a unique coat such as phantom or sable is worth the wait since your dog will be part of your family for many years to come. 

Are Cavapoos Hypoallergenic? 

Yes. As mentioned earlier Cavapoos inherit the Poodle parent’s soft fluffy coat that is often curly to some degree. The Cavapoo dog breed is considered to be hypoallergenic because they don’t shed and the rare times a few loose hairs fall out, the coat doesn’t cause allergies in most people. 

While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, the Cavapoo is one of the best breeds that come extremely close. If you or your family members suffer from allergies, it’s wise to give a Cavapoo a try. 

The best way to test out your allergies is to visit a breeder and spend a few hours playing with the puppies. If you can handle a few hours picking up, holding, and running around with an entire pack of puppies without experiencing allergy symptoms, it will help you confidently make your decision. 

Does the Cavapoo coat need a special shampoo? 

No. However, it is wise to use a pet-friendly shampoo that contains natural ingredients to help maintain a healthy coat and skin. There is a wide range of organic and natural dog shampoos that keep a Cavapoos coat soft, fluffy, clean, and smelling fresh. 

Some Cavapoos might have a reaction to some of the ingredients in the shampoo. If you notice your dog is experiencing skin allergies symptoms such as hives, excessive itchiness, vomiting, sneezing, diarrhea, inflamed red skin, swollen ears, face, eyelids, lips, or earflaps, seek medical attention at the local animal hospital or veterinarian office. 

While it’s rare for most dogs to experience an allergic reaction to organic natural shampoo, it is common if you use a standard shampoo that contains harsh chemicals. Always choose a shampoo based on the well being of your dog. Luckily there are affordable organic and natural options that nourish and moisturize the skin and coat. 

Grooming Requirements for a Cavapoo

As mentioned earlier, you will notice your cute little Cavapoo will turn into a fluffy furball quickly! Grooming a Cavapoo involves regular brushing sessions as well as bathing and a haircut. It’s essential to keep up with grooming maintenance to help prevent mats, knots, and tangles. 

If mats do occur you can take your Cavapoo to a professional groomer to have them cut off, or you can use a pet hair clipper at home to remove the mat. Keep in mind mats are a bunch of hair that clumps together quickly and they’re very difficult to separate.

They are often held onto your dog’s skin with a bunch of hair. Removing the mat takes precise and gentle cutting with the clipper. If you don’t feel confident to complete the task safely, visit a professional groomer for further assistance. 

An excellent way to prevent mats is to keep your Cavapoo’s hair short all the time. Check out some short haircuts like the kennel or puppy cut, and avoid allowing the hair to grow out too long. 

Conclusion for Types of Cavapoo Colors

Now that you feel confident and knowledgable about the types of Cavapoo colors, it’s time to choose one for yourself and your family! Get started today making a list of coat colors you love, locate reputable breeders, and choose your Cavapoo carefully!