Why Do Cavapoos Change Color?

Do you want to get a special breed of dog with a particular color? If you’ve settled on bringing a Cavapoo puppy into your family, then you’ll need to understand that this particular dog’s coat changes its color over time as the pup grows older.

Most of the Cavapoo coats become lighter as the dog ages. So, why do Cavapoos change color? Genetics plays a role.

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I will further delve into the answer to this question in the information below. Keep reading to learn all about it!

Do Cavapoos Change Color?

In most cases, the mixed breed of King Charles Cavalier pups and Poodles do change their coat color. Usually, the coat becomes lighter as the puppy ages. However, if the mixed breed puppy had a Poodle mom or dad that is red in color, then the Cavapoo pup’s coat is not as likely to lighten in color.

Cavapoo puppies have a coat that feels more like fluffy, soft hair than fur. Their coats start to turn into adult coats by six to eight months of age.

a golden cavapoo puppy yawns — Tan and Golden Cavapoo puppies are similar in coat color. This one is yawning!

How Much Does Their Coat Lighten?

The change in color and the coat lightening begin at six months of age, but it takes longer to reach the final color. The final look of the coat color is usually around two or three years of age.

The ultimate amount of coat lightening that occurs with this breed depends on its puppy color. Furthermore, the dog’s coat color lightens either a little or a lot depending on the genetics the puppy inherited from its parents.

Why Do Cavapoos’ Coats Change Color?

The reason behind this change in coat color is due to the dog’s genetics. Depending on the dominant genes of the dog’s parents, the coat color of a Cavapoo will lighten either somewhat or more significantly.

Furthermore, the dominant genes will impact whether a Cavapoo has shorter and curlier fur of a Poodle or longer and straighter hair of the King Charles Cavalier breed. Breeders can create a mixed breed that is 50 percent Poodle and 50 percent King Charles Cavalier.

They can also breed a dog that is 75 percent of one breed and 25 percent of the other. This makes it more likely the Cavapoo will have one coat color and look versus another.

recently groomed cavapoo puppy — A recently groomed Cavapoo dog shows off its teddy bear character

Do Cavapoos Get Darker?

The color of a Cavapoo does not get any darker. The coat can remain the same depending on the breeding and genetics of the puppy. However, usually, Cavapoos get a lighter coat color as they age.

The older they are, the more their original coat color fades.

A brown Cavadoo sitting next to a fire furnace.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Now that you know why Cavapoos change color, let’s begin to wrap up with some frequently asked questions.

What Is the Rarest Cavapoo Color?

A chocolate-colored Cavapoo puppy is rarer than some of the other colors including apricot or red. The chocolate color comes from a recessive gene, which makes it rarer.

Merle Cavapoo dogs, which have speckled coat patterns with fading, are also much rarer than solid-colored Cavapoos. Furthermore, a Cavapoo with a black coat is rare since it also comes from a recessive gene from a Poodle parent. Lastly, tri-colored Cavapoos are uncommon as well.

black cavapoo dog — A black Cavapoo dog will have dark brown or black features

What Is the Best Color for a Cavapoo?

According to breeders and dog owners of Cavapoos, the best coat colors of this mixed breed are red, chestnut, or ruby. Cavapoo and Cavoodle breeders find that these are the most frequently requested and most popular colors for these mixed breeds.

Ruby red dogs have this color stay more or less consistent throughout their lives. A lighter red dog, however, will have its coat color fade more over time.

cavapoos playing outside — Two cavapoos happily playing outside

Does a Cavapoo Have a Double Coat? [No]

Cavapoos do not have double coats with a dense undercoat. The top coat of a Cavalier (parent breed) has longer hairs known as guard hairs.

cavapoo in dog bed — Cavapoo dog in his bed, mixed

When Is a Cavapoo Fully Grown?

The Cavapoo is usually fully grown at around 12 months of age. However, their coat color may continue fading until two or three years of age. A completely grown Cavapoo ranges from 9 to 25 pounds in weight.

They are also anywhere from about 9 to 16 inches in height.

Essentially, these dogs are small to medium in size.

f1b cavapoo wavy coat sits on the grass — F1b wavy coat Cavapoo dogs are the most likely to be hypoallergenic

Conclusion

When bringing a new dog into your family, you should find their color changes acceptable or, if not, pick a red Cavapoo. Ruby red Cavapoo dogs tend to have their color mostly stay the same throughout their lives.

Now that you understand the changes that a Cavapoo goes through in terms of its coat when they grow older, you’ll have a better idea of the type of puppy to choose.