Poodles are ranked the second most intelligent breed in the world. That, and their captivating personality, makes them highly sought-after. This breed comes in a variety of colors and the most popular is the black Poodle.
However, you might ask; does its color make the black Poodle more desirable? Does the black Poodle have more to offer than Poodles of other colors?
The answer is simple. The only thing different about the black Poodle is their color. They maintain the same temperament, size, and traits as other Poodles with different colors.
If you’re looking to find out all there is to know about the black Poodle, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s get started!
What Is a Black Poodle?
A black Poodle is the most popular color of the Poodle breed. They have a solid black coat that has no hint of any other color. Of all the color variations of the Poodle breed, the black color is the most sought-after and adored.
The Poodle breed is as elegant as they come, with a variety of beautiful, radiant colors. The colors you will find associated with this breed are blue, white, gray, silver, brown, apricot, cream, cafe-au-laits, red, and black.
Among the mentioned colors, two colors stand out and are more recognized. They are black Poodle and white Poodle.
What Does the Black Poodle Look Like?
If you have seen a black Poodle, you’re sure to understand why they are the most popular color. They stand out beautifully and are sure to steal your attention, even if briefly.
A well-bred Poodle has to meet the standard that has been set by kennel clubs. The American Kennel Club (AKC), for instance, clearly states the standard for the black Poodle.
According to the AKC, they must have a black nose, black toenails, very dark eyes, and above all they must be pitch black without a hint of grey, white, or blue.
Blue vs. Silver vs. Black Poodle: What Are the Differences?
The Poodle breed, regardless of the color of their fur, is majestic looking and have the gait of royalty. In light of this, it is safe to say that the color of this breed does not necessarily define their personality.
The silver, black, and blue Poodles, while different in color, are equally lovable and have all the characteristics that make this breed desirable. But what are the differences between these colors?
Blue Poodle
The blue Poodle can be described as faded black. At birth, a blue Poodle is usually black and gradually begins to change as he grows. Depending on the pup, this process may take as little as a few months or as much as two years before their true blue color is revealed.
As a result, most blue Poodles are initially registered as black. The eyes of the blue Poodle are dark brown, and they will have black points on their fur.
The blue Poodle has an outer coat that is almost as dark as the black Poodle’s, but the root hairs will be a mixture of colors.
Silver Poodle
On the other hand, the silver Poodle is a kind of diluted gray color that results from the presence of the silver allele V Gene. Like the blue Poodle, the silver Poodle is also born black and will begin to fade or clear before the age of 2.
However, you can tell a Poodle puppy will be silver by 6 weeks of age. At this age, their paws and face will begin to clear to show their silver color and the rest of their coat will follow suit within 2 years.
Black Poodle
Lastly, the black Poodle is only similar to the blue and silver colors as regards their birth color. What this means is that the black Poodle is also born pitch black.
But their color remains the same throughout their life as they will not fade or clear like the others. They have no silver or blue tint, nor will they have any other color on their fur.
The black Poodle has a color that is best described as “ink-black.” Their nose will be black, as well as their lips and eye-rims. Their eyes are usually dark brown and they have black points on their fur.
The above are the differences between the silver, black and blue Poodles. Their differences only lie in their physical appearance as they are similar in character, temperament, and trainability.
Black Poodle Examples (With Pictures)
There are five recorded types of Poodle; Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle, Standard Poodle, Moyen (Klein) Poodle, and Teacup Poodle. Here are examples of each type of black Poodle.
Black Toy Poodle
Black Miniature Poodle
Black Standard Poodle
Black Moyen (Klein) Poodle
Black Teacup Poodle
Will Black Poodle Puppies Change Colors as They Grow?
The black Poodle, as well as the silver and blue Poodles, are the only color variations that are born black. Therefore, a newborn black puppy could actually grow to become blue, silver, or true black.
Unlike the blue and silver Poodles, the black Poodle is born black and will remain that way for the rest of its life.
But how do you know if your black puppy will grow up to be a true black Poodle? The answer to this question is pretty simple. In order to maintain the black color, a black Poodle should have 3 enzymes, namely the eumelanin enzyme, TRP1, and TRP2.
The presence of these enzymes will allow you to know if your pup is a true black. You can have them tested to find out for sure.
Do Kennel Clubs Recognize the Black Poodle?
As we mentioned earlier, the most popular color of this breed is black. Not only do they catch the eye, but they are also recognized by kennel clubs.
The kennel clubs that recognize the black Poodle and has set standards for ‘showing’ them are the American Kennel Club (AKC), Canada Kennel Club (CKC), United Kennel Club (UKC).
Are Black Poodles Rare?
Black Poodles are one of the most common colors of this breed. It is actually easier to see one being walked on the streets than finding an apricot Poodle. So, no. Black Poodles are not among the colors of this breed that are rare.
Black Dog Syndrome: Do Black Poodles Have Different Behavior?
Black Dog Syndrome (BDS) is a phenomenon in which lighter colored dogs are favored over black colored dogs – meaning that black dogs are adopted less and are more likely to be put down. It is a misplaced belief that black dogs are more hostile and violent than other colored dogs.
Due to the fact that BDS is applied more to large and medium-sized dogs, it applies more to the standard Poodle than the toy Poodle.
According to research done regarding this, BDS exists because of what the media portrays about black dogs. Black dogs are often used as bad guys and show aggressive and despicable behaviors on screen.
However, regardless of this belief, black Poodles are not any different from other colored Poodles regarding their behavior or temperament. Coat color has less than nothing to do with how a Poodle behaves, and it does not dictate their ability to socialize.
Black Poodle Genetics: How Do Black Poodles Develop Black Coat?
Underlying the dark color of the black Poodle is the presence of three enzymes: black eumelanin enzyme, TRP1, and TRP2. A Poodle that possesses these enzymes will have a black coat. However, every dog gets its color from its parent’s genes.
If a Poodle has two black color genes, it has the BB genotype. A Poodle with one brown gene and one black gene has a Bb genotype, where the black is dominant and brown is recessive. In such a case, a dog with Bb or BB genotype will have a black coat.
How Big Do Black Poodles Get When Fully Grown?
A point to note is that the black Poodle does not grow any differently than other colored Poodle. That being said, Poodles come in three sizes: the toy Poodle, the miniature Poodle, and the standard Poodle.
The toy Poodle is the smallest of the Poodle breed and grows up to 10 inches in height and weighs up to 6 to 9 pounds. The black miniature Poodle, when fully grown, stands up to 11 to 15 inches tall and weighs about 15 to 17 pounds.
Finally, the standard Poodle grows up to 15 inches (sometimes up to 22 inches). Female standard Poodles can weigh between 45 to 60 pounds and males weigh between 45 to 70 pounds.
The best way to foresee how big your black Poodle will get is to examine the parents. The size of the parents will give you a rough idea of your Poodle’s size.
Black Poodle Temperament: Do Black Poodles Make Good Family Dogs?
Black Poodles, like every other Poodle colors, are great family dogs. Some of the characteristics and traits that a good family dog should possess are affectionate, friendly, gentle, alert, patient, playful, and cuddly. Poodles have these traits and easily meet the qualifications mentioned above.
Poodles are also perfect for kids. Their ability to play for long hours and their patience makes them capable of handling the excesses of children. Their presence can be comforting to children, as well as other members of a home.
However, of the three types of Poodles, the black standard Poodle is more recommended as family dogs. This is because size matters and toy Poodles are not as patient with kids, making them least suited for families with children.
Black Poodles are energetic, fun, smart and really easy to train. These, among others, are the reasons why they are great family dogs.
Black Poodle Health Issues: Are Black Poodles Healthy Dogs?
Poodles are a relatively healthy dog breed. While this breed can be healthy and live a long life, they are also susceptible to certain health issues. This does not make them less healthy than other breeds. This is because all breeds are plagued with their fair share of illnesses.
Poodles have different types and each has different life expectancies. This is because each breed has different sizes and like it had been said – smaller dogs tend to have a longer life span than larger dogs.
The black toy Poodle has an average lifespan of 15 years. The life expectancy for the miniature Poodle is 15 years on average, while the standard Poodle’s average lifespan is 12 years.
These might be the average number of years stated for the Poodle variations, but it is not uncommon to find Poodles that have lived well into their twenties.
As I mentioned, Poodles are a healthy breed with very few health issues. Black Poodles can live their lives in relative health without having any serious health problems. Below are some of the health issues a black Poodle is likely to face in their lifetime.
Bloat
A dog is said to be bloated when gas gets trapped inside its stomach. The stomach twists on itself, stopping digestive flow hence causing a buildup of pressure.
This can cause death if quick action is not taken to relieve the dog of the painful ordeal. Some of the symptoms of bloat are restlessness, sudden distress, excessive drooling, panting and pacing, and expanded stomach.
Addison’s Disease
This is another common health issue in Poodles. This disease occurs when the dog’s body does not produce enough of some hormones.
Some common symptoms of this disorder are vomiting and diarrhea, shaking, lack of appetite, depression and lethargy, slow heart rate, and dehydration. Unlike bloating, Addison’s disease is a less deadly health problem.
Epilepsy
This is a seizure disorder that Poodles are diagnosed with after they have experienced seizures repeatedly. This can be a very traumatizing illness for both the Poodle and its owner.
Hypothyroidism
This is the decreased production of thyroxine, the hormone that regulates a Poodle’s metabolism. Some hypothyroidism symptoms include seizures, head tilting, hair loss, sudden weight gain, increased fatigue, etc.
Black Poodle Price: Do They Cost More Than Other Colors?
Poodles are dogs with great characteristics and this reflects in their price. Many factors affect a Poodle price such as breeder’s reputation and location, litter size, training, puppy lineage, etc.
However, color is not one of the factors that affect the price of Poodles. Hence, a black Poodle will cost the same as any colored Poodle.
The average cost of a standard black Poodle is $1,100, while the median cost is $1,375. This is for a Poodle without breeding rights nor show quality, but with papers.
However, a Poodle with superior lineage, show quality, and has breeding rights costs anywhere between $2,600 and $5,500 or even more.
Places to Find Black Poodle Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Does the black Poodle appeal to you? Would you like to buy or adopt one of these amazing canines but do not know where to look? That’s not a problem. Below are some of the places you can find black Poodle puppies for sale.
And here are some of the places you can find black Poodles for adoption.
The places mentioned above are some of the online sources for buying and adopting a black Poodle. But do not be misled because not all are secure and safe places to get your puppy.
The most secure places you can get a well-bred Poodle are the AKC Marketplace, Poodle Club of America Breeder Referral, and Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation.
Aside from the online sources, you can get a black Poodle around you by locating reputable breeders. A good way to find reputable breeders is by locating a Poodle club near you and joining up or enlisting their help to find one.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do Black Poodles Shed?
Poodles are one of the few breeds that do not shed a lot. They have been known as hypoallergenic dogs that are good for people who cannot stand dog dander.
However, you should know that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic and the same is true for the black Poodle. They can effectively be described as “low shedding” dogs.
How Many Poodle Colors Are There?
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), there are 10 solid Poodle colors and those are the standard colors. The colors are apricot, black, blue, brown, cream, gray, red, silver, silver beige, and white.
Final Thoughts: Is the Black Poodle Right for You?
Black Poodles are devoted and affectionate companions. They are intelligent, easy to train, light shedders, friendly, among others. This makes them great for families with children as well as first-time owners.
If you require any of the amazing traits the Poodle possess, then you should go for one. However, deciding to go for a black Poodle will be a matter of preference.
This is because there are no temperamental differences between a Poodle with a black coat and Poodles of other colors. It all borders on aesthetics.
So do you want to have a loyal family dog that just happens to be black? Then the black Poodle is just right for you.
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