Many Poodle lovers who own red or apricot-colored dogs eventually face the reality of coat fading as their dogs mature. While this change is natural, it can still be surprising — especially for those who fall in love with the intense color of a puppy's coat.

Natural Changes Over Time

All Poodles with fawn-based coats (including red, apricot, and cream) will experience some degree of color change as they age. For example, cream-colored puppies may turn almost white, but this is usually a soft “paper white” rather than a crisp snow-white.

Some puppies are born a pale red, with their coat intensifying in color over the first year. Sadly, this vibrant shade often fades by the age of two or three. In certain cases, the fading can be abrupt — a dog with a striking red coat may begin to lose pigment within just a few months, turning visibly dull or even gray-beige. While some pigment can gradually return over the next one to two years, the original brightness is rarely fully restored.

In most cases, red and apricot coats will lighten significantly by the time a dog is three years old. However, predicting how much a particular coat will fade remains nearly impossible. Based on experience, the brighter and more saturated the red in puppyhood, the more quickly and dramatically it tends to fade. Deeper apricot tones generally maintain their richness for longer.

The Genetics Behind Red

Red coat inheritance is still poorly understood. What we do know is that red and apricot colors are polygenic — controlled by multiple genes acting together. The only currently available coat color test relevant to dilution is for the D (Dilute) Locus, which can help detect genetically dilute dogs (dd), but this has no relation to the age-related fading commonly seen in red Poodles.

As a result, we still cannot accurately predict the final adult color of a red or apricot Poodle puppy, even when both parents have strong pigment.

External Influences on Coat Color

In addition to genetics, a variety of external factors can influence coat pigmentation. Hormonal changes, anesthesia, and certain types of antibiotics may cause temporary or lasting coat lightening. Environmental conditions such as strong sunlight, frequent exposure to saltwater, or even bathing in hard water can also contribute to fading over time. Likewise, diet plays a role — both deficiencies and excesses in certain vitamins or nutrients may impact pigment quality and coat health.

Texture, Injury & Coat Changes

The Poodle’s coat and skin are also uniquely reactive to physical trauma. Even minor skin injuries — such as from rough grooming or pulling apart mats — can alter the regrowth of hair. In those spots, the coat may grow back coarse and wire-like (similar to whiskers) and often appears brighter in color, sometimes even mahogany.

To prevent patchy or damaged areas, it’s important to handle tangles gently and maintain a consistent grooming routine.

A Coat to Celebrate

Caring for a red or apricot Poodle requires a bit of patience and an appreciation for the coat’s natural evolution. Though coat fading is often unavoidable, it doesn't diminish the dog’s beauty or character. Prioritizing your dog’s health, gentle grooming, balanced nutrition, and protection from harsh environmental factors will go a long way in preserving coat quality.

Because no matter how their color may change, our Poodles remain just as cherished — loyal, loving, and entirely their own kind of beautiful.