Last Updated on October 19, 2026
Cavoodles come in a wide range of colours. The most common are ruby (red), apricot, chestnut, black, cream and gold. Patterned coats such as black and tan, Blenheim, tri-colour, parti and phantom are less common, and solid white, chocolate, sable and merle are rare.
Below we run through every colour and pattern you are likely to come across in Australia, which ones tend to fade as puppies grow, how a curly, wavy or straight haired coat changes the look, and whether colour has any bearing on price or personality. (Spoiler: personality, no. Price, sometimes.)
Where Cavoodle colours come from
A Cavoodle's colour comes from both parents. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel only comes in four colours: Blenheim (chestnut and white), tri-colour (black, white and tan), ruby (solid red) and black and tan. The Poodle comes in many more, including black, white, cream, apricot, red, brown, silver and parti. Mix the two and you get a lot of possible combinations, which is part of the fun.
First generation (F1) Cavoodles, from a purebred Cavalier and a purebred Poodle, are most often red, ruby or apricot. Patterned and unusual colours turn up more often in second generation and later litters, where both parents are Cavoodles and more colour genes are in play.
Cavoodle colours at a glance
| Colour | What it looks like | How common | Fades with age? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby / red | Deep, rich red | Very common | Sometimes lightens a little |
| Apricot | Light orange to peach | Very common | Often lightens |
| Chestnut | Dark reddish brown | Common | Usually holds |
| Gold / cream | Pale gold to off-white | Common | Can lighten further |
| Black | Solid black, sometimes with a white chest | Common | Can grey or turn blue-black |
| Black and tan / phantom | Black with tan eyebrows, muzzle, chest and legs | Uncommon | Usually holds |
| Blenheim | Chestnut patches on white | Uncommon | Chestnut may lighten |
| Tri-colour | Black, white and tan | Uncommon | Usually holds |
| Parti | Half or more white, with patches of another colour | Uncommon | Depends on the colour |
| Chocolate / café | Brown, from dark chocolate to light latte | Rare | Lighter browns often fade |
| Sable | Hair tips darker than the base colour | Rare | Usually lightens as it grows out |
| Solid white | All white | Rare | No |
| Merle | Mottled patches over a lighter base | Very rare (see below) | No |
The main Cavoodle colours
Ruby and red
Ruby is the colour most people picture when they think of a Cavoodle, and the one breeders get asked for most. It ranges from a bright red to a deep, rich ruby. Darker reds tend to keep their colour into adulthood, while brighter reds often soften a shade or two by their second birthday.
Apricot
Apricot sits between red and cream, a warm orange or peach. Apricot puppies often look darker at 8 weeks than they will as adults, because the colour usually lightens as the adult coat grows in. If you love a particular shade, look at the parents and older dogs from the same breeder.
Chestnut and light brown
Chestnut is a darker, browner red. It is one of the more stable colours and tends to hold well. Many people searching for a "light brown" Cavoodle are actually after a soft red that has faded to caramel, or a chocolate coat that has lightened to café au lait. Both are lovely, but ask the breeder how the parents' coats changed over time.
Gold and cream
Gold and cream Cavoodles have a light, sunny coat that looks a little like a small Golden Retriever. Some start as pale red or apricot puppies and lighten to gold. Light coats show dirt and tear stains more easily, so they need a bit more face cleaning.
Black
Black is a strong, dominant colour, and solid black Cavoodles are striking, often with a small white patch on the chest or toes. Some black Cavoodles, like some black Poodles, gradually turn grey or blue-black as adults. That is a normal genetic trait, not a health problem.
Black and tan, and phantom
These dogs are black with tan markings on the eyebrows, muzzle, chest and legs, like a tiny Dobermann. On a Cavalier it is called black and tan, and on a Poodle it is called phantom. On a Cavoodle you will see both names. The markings are usually sharp on puppies and soften slightly as the coat gets longer.
Patterned coats
Blenheim
Blenheim is the classic Cavalier pattern of rich chestnut patches on a pearly white coat, often with chestnut ears. On a Cavoodle the pattern is usually less tidy than on a Cavalier, with patches that spread or blend. It is popular with people who love the Cavalier look.
Tri-colour
Tri-colour Cavoodles are black, white and tan. They are uncommon in first generation litters and more often seen in later generations. The mix of colours can make each puppy look quite different from its littermates.
Black and white
Black and white Cavoodles are usually parti or tuxedo marked, with a black body and a white chest, feet or face. They are uncommon in first generation litters and turn up more in later generations. As a bonus, the mix of colours hides everyday grime a little better than a mostly white coat.
Parti and abstract
A parti Cavoodle is at least half white, with patches of another colour such as red, black or chocolate. An abstract coat has some white, but less than half. Breeders also describe markings as ticked (small flecks of colour on white) or roan (a fine mix of coloured and white hairs).
Rare Cavoodle colours
The rarest colours you will see in Australia are solid white, chocolate (brown), sable and merle. A pure white Cavoodle is especially hard to find, because most "white" puppies are actually a very pale cream. Rare colours often come with a higher price tag. That reflects demand, not quality, so make sure a rare colour is not the main reason you choose a breeder.
A word on merle
Merle is not a natural colour in either the Cavalier or the Poodle. A merle Cavoodle almost always has another breed somewhere in its background. Breeding two merle dogs together can also produce "double merle" puppies with a high risk of deafness and eye problems. If a breeder is advertising merle Cavoodles, ask exactly how the colour came about and whether both parents were tested.
Do Cavoodle colours change as they grow?
Yes, often. Many Poodle lines carry a gene that causes the coat to lighten or "clear" over the first two years, and Cavoodles can inherit it. As a general rule:
- Reds and apricots often lighten a shade or two.
- Chocolates can fade to café au lait or latte.
- Blacks can develop grey or blue tones.
- Darker shades, such as deep ruby and chestnut, are the most likely to hold.
The best way to predict your puppy's adult colour is to see the parents, or photos of adult dogs from earlier litters by the same pair.
Curly, wavy or straight: Cavoodle coat types
Coat type changes how a colour looks, and it matters for grooming and shedding.
| Coat type | Looks like | Shedding | Grooming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curly (fleece) | Tight Poodle-style curls | Lowest | Brush 3 to 4 times a week; prone to matting |
| Wavy | Soft, loose waves; the most common | Low | Brush 2 to 3 times a week |
| Straight haired | Silky and flat, more like a Cavalier | Highest of the three | Easier to brush, but sheds more |
A straight haired Cavoodle can look quite different from its curly littermates, more like a fluffy Cavalier, and it will usually shed a little more. Curly Cavoodles are very popular because they shed the least, which suits people with mild allergies. No dog is completely allergy free, though. Read how much Cavoodles shed for more, and how to groom your Cavoodle for a brushing routine that suits each coat.
Does colour affect personality or health?
No. A Cavoodle's colour has no effect on its temperament, intelligence or trainability. A black Cavoodle is every bit as sweet as a ruby one. Health comes down to the parents' genetics and health testing, not coat colour. The one exception is merle, for the reasons above.
Does colour affect price?
It can. Rarer colours and patterns such as tri-colour, phantom, chocolate and solid white often sell for more, while common reds, apricots and blacks sit closer to the average. Our Cavoodle price guide explains how colour, size and location change the price, and the Cavoodle Cost Calculator lets you compare a common and a rare colour side by side.
How to choose a Cavoodle colour
- Think about upkeep. Light coats show dirt and tear stains. Dark coats hide them but show dust and fluff.
- Expect some change. If you fall in love with a puppy's exact shade, ask how the parents' coats changed with age.
- Put the breeder first. A healthy, well-raised puppy from a good breeder matters far more than any colour. Our guide to finding Cavoodles for sale explains what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common Cavoodle colour?
Ruby, red and apricot are the most common, especially in first generation litters.
What is the rarest Cavoodle colour?
Solid white, chocolate, sable and merle are the rarest. Merle is not natural to either parent breed, so ask questions before buying one.
What colours do Cavoodles come in?
Ruby, red, apricot, chestnut, gold, cream, black, chocolate, white and sable, plus patterns such as black and tan, phantom, Blenheim, tri-colour and parti.
Will my Cavoodle puppy change colour?
Quite possibly. Reds, apricots and light browns often lighten over the first two years, and some blacks develop grey tones.
Are curly Cavoodles a different colour range?
No. Curly, wavy and straight coats can come in any colour. Coat type and colour are inherited separately.
What is a phantom Cavoodle?
A phantom Cavoodle has a solid base colour, usually black or chocolate, with tan markings on the eyebrows, muzzle, chest and legs.
