Australian Labradoodles are growing in popularity among dog owners. They are suitable family pets with an athletic and graceful demeanor. When choosing a Labraboodle puppy, potential owners often wonder about the right coloring for the animal. The breed has several standards when it comes to the dog's coat. Australian Labradoodles are available in a wide array of colors. The dog's coat is preferably one single solid color, with little or no additional colors sprinkled throughout. Their coat colors at birth, however, are often not the same as their true adult colors. The topic of acceptable coloring is more concerning to owners and breeders of show dogs, as there are certain preferred standards.

Apricot

Apricot or gold coats comes in varying shades, but is ideally the same color as the ripe fruit's interior. The coats of older dogs lighten as they age, but Australian Labradoodle puppies should have this golden color without the roots being lighter than the top fur.

Blue

A rare color for this breed, pups are born black and have a blue undertone. As they get older, the fur becomes a medium to dark smoky blue.

Cream or Chalk

The light-colored coat is found in many shades, including apricot cream. The chalk hue is often thought to be white until it's compared to a true white tone.

Chocolate

Considered rare among Labradoodle breeders, these puppies are born almost black. They become and remain a dark chocolate color. There are several variations on chocolates, such as the cafe coloring. These are usually milk chocolate as puppies and develop a silvery chocolate coat with natural sun highlights by the time they are about three years old. Lavender fur also develops from chocolate-colored puppies, and may be hard to predict until the coat begins to turn a pink or lilac color. Parchment is another one that begins as chocolate in pups, but pales to a beige with a creamy or smoky complexion after about six weeks.

Red and Caramel

Rich red fur is found as a solid color, without lighter roots. A deep caramel candy coloring is also one of the common shades in Labradoodles.

Silver

Puppies born black with a gray skin tone may grow silver fur as they get older. One of the only color groups where a mixture of shades is normal, dogs develop silver coloring by the age of three, with platinum and silver hairs throughout the coat.

Other Body Coloring

Eyes vary from hazel to brown to black. Noses and pigment should coordinate with their coat colors. Pigment is pink with caramel and chocolate-hue dogs. Black pigment is preferred with black, silver, blue, red and apricot fur.

Deviations

Some dogs may have a white toe tips or a small amount of chest hair. Parti, or patches, are also considered acceptable with a white face, body or head. Since Australian Labradoodles typically enjoy spending time outdoors, they often develop lighter coat colors with natural bleaching from sunshine, especially as they age. Coat highlights from the sun at any age should not be confused with kemp. Kemp is a light, coarse hair sometimes sprinkled throughout a dark coat. While it is permissible for show dogs, it is not a desirable trait in these circles. Phantom tones on dark or black dogs is also a possibility.