Can Labradoodles Be Black?

If you are in the market for a Labradoodle, color may be one of your top features to choose from, aside from selecting a male or female dog. The Black Labradoodle is a common color choice for many pet owners.  

Because you can find black Labrador Retrievers and black Poodles in abundance, the chances of finding a black Labradoodle are high. In addition, since one or both parents carry the black color gene, it is easy to breed them and produce a black Labradoodle offspring. 

The Many Colors of a Labradoodle

Anytime you have a cross-breed animal like the Labradoodle, the color choices can be numerous. For example, purebred Labrador Retrievers have only three colors to choose from, while Standard Poodles have ten distinct colors. 

You can also find multi-colored dogs in both Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, so if the parents are not purebred, the resulting color for offspring can vary significantly. 

With this combination of color choices, it’s no wonder why there can be so many different colors of Labradoodles. Even with such variety, black is still one of the most common colors that you will find in a Labradoodle. 

Do Black Labradoodles’ Color Fade? 

Some other colors of Labradoodles will shed their color as they grow and mature. This process is known as clearing. Many poodles will clear some color tones as they age from a puppy into an adult. This trait is passed on to the Labradoodle as well. 

Alternatively, the black Labradoodle’s coat does not change like other dogs. The only exception to their coat color is when they are reaching their senior years. Black Labradoodles can begin to turn grey and fade. You may notice this more around their eyes and on the face as your dog grows older. 

How Do You Get a Black Labradoodle? 

The color black in both Labrador Retrievers and Poodles is a strong recessive gene. Not all litters will produce black Labradoodles, though. To have offspring that are entirely black, both parents will need to be purebred and carry these colorings: 

• Black Labrador Retriever and Black Poodle
• Black Poodle and Chocolate Labrador Retriever 

It is possible to have a brown-colored litter when you combine both parents with a black coat. Any time cross-breeding is involved, the genetic lines may not be as distinct as purebreds, resulting in alternative colorings. 

The black Labrador Retriever is one of the oldest breed colors in their gene pool, making this color a recessive gene among breeders. Therefore, most Standard Poodles will be black, ensuring that black is a relatively available color when you want to search for a dog. 

Why Choose a Black Labradoodle

Black is a popular color that many dog lovers seek out in a pet. It is a classic, elegant color that gives your dog a majestic and regal look. Other owners may prefer black since they feel a lighter-colored dog will entail too much maintenance to keep it looking clean. 

No matter your reason for choosing a black Labradoodle, you will not be disappointed with this loveable and energetic dog breed. Since black is a recessive gene color, you may have an easier time finding black Labradoodles to choose from litters rather than searching and waiting for rare coat colors. 

The Traits of a Black Labradoodle 

When you have a pure black Labradoodle, it will also have other dark characteristics. For example, the eyes will typically be dark brown, and their nose, paw pads, eye rims, and lips will be black. There will not be any other colors within their coat. 

Coat Consistency 

It can be challenging to predict a black Labradoodle’s coat until after the litter is born and begins to mature. Labrador Retrievers have dense, straight hair with an undercoat of soft fur, while Poodles have a thick curly-haired coat. 

Combining these two opposites can result in many varieties. Your black Labradoodle will fall under one of these three categories: 

• Hair (straight hair) 
• Fleece (shaggy appearance) 
• Wool (curly) 

Which type of coat your Labradoodle will have depends on the breeding parents. Many breeders can aim for specific kinds if they choose first-generation or second-generation parents. Although, crossing two breeds can still be a surprise in the end. 

Hair Coat

If your black Labradoodle has a straight hair coat, it will resemble a Labrador Retriever more than a Poodle. This coat typically happens with a first-generation Labradoodle. 

It is not allergy-friendly and can shed more than other coat types in Labradoodles, although it is still relatively low-maintenance. These dogs will look scruffy. 

Fleece Coat 

A black Labradoodle with a fleece coat is one of the most common coat types you will find. It will look shaggy and can vary between slightly wavy to distinct waves. It is known as the most accessible coat type to maintain in a Labradoodle. 

Fleece-coated Labradoodles can have Kemp hair around their eyes, which is contrastingly coarse against their soft fur. They are relatively allergy-friendly and are low-shedding. 

Wool Coat 

When your black Labradoodle has a wool coat, it will sport tight or loose curls, but this element depends on the parent’s genetics. Wool coats are virtually non-shedding and are ideal for allergy sufferers. 

If you own a black Labradoodle with a wool coat, daily brushing is necessary to avoid any matting. You can also opt to have the coat groomed to a shorter length to help make it easier to maintain. 

Grooming Your Black Labradoodle 

Grooming is an essential part of owning a pet. Proper grooming will keep your dog’s skin and hair healthy and vibrant throughout its lifetime. 

One benefit to having a darker-colored dog is that you don’t have to worry about tear staining around the eyes like you would with light-colored dogs. 

How you groom your black Labradoodle will depend on its coat type. Depending on how curly or long its hair is, you may have to brush out your Labradoodle once a day or only once a week. 

Do not let your dog’s coat grow longer than 4 to 6 inches. Anything over 6 inches will risk your pet suffering from continuous matting as they play and move through the day. 

Take your black Labradoodle to a professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks for complete cleaning and trim. You can attempt this task yourself if you have the energy, the space, and the motivation, but many pet owners find using a professional is the easiest option. 

Are Black Labradoodles Better? 

Some people believe that color can have a bearing on the temperament of a dog. There is no scientific evidence to support this theory, though. When you bring home a Labradoodle, you will have a dog that carries the traits of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, resulting in an intelligent, energetic, and social animal. 

Because the color black is a recessive gene that comes from many generations, some dog lovers believe that black Labradoodles will have the best quality of genetic makeup. Although this is speculation, a black Labradoodle will have terrific traits that make them an ideal pet for many homes. 

The Takeaway 

Black Labradoodles are abundant in many breeding circles. This color is a classic and elegant choice that many pet lovers choose to have in their pets. Black Labradoodles can carry a mixture of traits from both parents, the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle. But how much of each is always a bit of a gamble. 

Their coats will range in texture and appearance, depending on the parents. Some black Labradoodles are ideal for allergy sufferers, while others are not allergy-friendly. Be sure to talk to the breeder and explore the parents when choosing your black Labradoodle. This way, you may have a better chance at determining the kind of dog you get to bring home.