Last Updated on August 28, 2026
If you have just decided to get a Cavoodle (also known as a Cavapoo), it is worth giving some thought to which Cavoodle colour suits you and your family best.
Most Cavoodle breeders agree this breed comes in somewhere around six to ten possible colour combinations from its Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle parentage. Let us run through them, from the most popular down to the more unusual.
Colours and markings explained
It helps to know a few of the terms breeders use before we get into the colours themselves.
- Parti: half white or more, plus one other colour
- Tri: three distinct colours
- Open marked: mostly white with patches of colour
- Ticked: mostly white with speckles of colour
- Solid: a single colour
- Roan: one colour with speckles of another through it
Red, ruby or chestnut
This is the most popular and most requested colour from Cavoodle breeders, ranging from a deep ruby red through to chestnut. Ruby red dogs tend to hold their colour consistently through the years, whereas lighter red pups often fade a little as they grow. Most first generation Cavoodles come in this colour, which is part of why it is so sought after.
Apricot
Apricot Cavoodles are similar to the reds and rubies but a shade lighter, a mix of yellow and red. They usually start lighter as puppies and settle into more of an apricot or peach tone as they grow.
Black
Black is one of the strongest, most dominant colours among Cavoodles, sometimes with a few white streaks. A Cavoodle’s colour has no bearing at all on its behaviour, so a black pup is every bit as sweet as any other, and this breed is often recommended by breeders for families getting their first dog.
Black and tan
Black and tan usually comes from black and red or ruby parents, and can also come from chestnut parents. These coats may carry a few white streaks too. They suit owners who want a bit of variety, or a touch of colour to soften a fully black coat.
Black and white
The black and white Cavoodle is one of the more unusual colours, seen mostly in second generation pups. It is a nice middle ground for anyone torn between the two, and the white and black mix is a little easier to keep looking clean than a mostly white coat.
Tri colour
Tri colour Cavoodles are usually a combination of black, white and chestnut, sometimes called Blenheim. They are rarely seen in first generation pups. This one is for owners who cannot settle on a single colour and would happily take a bit of everything.
Gold and Blenheim
Some Cavoodle puppies start with red or ruby streaks that fade to gold or cream as they grow, another colour you will not often see in first generation dogs. It suits owners who find black a bit strong, and the lighter coat is easy to groom and maintain. It is also reminiscent of a Labrador or Golden Retriever, which appeals to people who love those breeds but want something smaller.
Chocolate and latte
Chocolate is another favourite. As with the reds, the darker the coat the more likely it is to stay that way into adulthood. A darker chocolate coat from a black and chocolate pairing tends to hold, while a lighter chocolate often fades over time to a softer cafe or latte tone.
What is the rarest Cavoodle colour?
The rarest colours are solid ones like black, chocolate and white. Even rarer are unusual patterns like black merle, sable and phantom, and those tend to command the highest prices. If you are still undecided, it never hurts to visit a local breeder and see which of their puppies you click with.
