Due to their rarity and how striking they are to look at, black Goldendoodles are often desired by certain owners. If you’re here, you may be one of them.
While it’s an uncommon coat color for the breed, Goldendoodles can indeed be black. If you’re here, you may have already seen one and if not, you’ll know one when you do. They’re visually striking, having the fluffy coat of a Poodle breeds but in a deep, dark black that makes their eyes much more piercing.
When it comes to their temperament, they’re just the same as the regular Goldendoodle, meaning they’re ideal dogs for those with children since they enjoy a lot of play.
They come in the same sizes too, from standard or medium to toy and teacup, the coat color can still be dark no matter which type of Goldendoodle you have. The black coat is just as soft and won’t shed, and it has the potential to be hypoallergenic too!
Throughout today’s post, we’ll go through the features of black Goldendoodles, why some of them have black coats, and other helpful information that black Goldendoodle owners will want to know.
Why are some Goldendoodles black?
As with all genetics that influence a dog’s appearance, the coat color is determined using genes that are passed down from the dog’s parents.
Similar things are also decided on a genetic level, like the curliness, waviness, or straightness of the coat, which can also happen with black coats. Of course, the parents of a Goldendoodle would be a Golden Retriever and a Poodle combined.
From what we know, the gene that causes black coats in Goldendoodles and other dogs is likely a recessive gene.
This is why black coats are less common and it makes sense that, in pup development, the stronger golds and browns of other dog breeds will overpower the black color pigment. Black coat color is typically on the Poodle’s side and so, unless a few things fall in line, the coat color won’t be black that often.
If there’s more genetic material from Poodles than the Golden Retriever then you have a higher chance of breeding a black Goldendoodle. An F1B Goldendoodle has more chances to have a black coat than an F1 Goldendoodle.
For those who don’t know, an F1B is 75% Poodle to 25% Golden Retriever while an F1 is 50/50 Poodle and Golden Retriever. Put simply, more Poodle means you’re more likely to have a black coat color.
How much are they?
Since black Goldendoodles are uncommon and visually striking, surely they cost more than the typical Goldendoodle, right? Wrong! You can get a black Goldendoodle for less than a golden one.
This is because the golden-coated Goldendoodles are so coveted that the standard coats sell better than black-coated Goldendoodles.
Beyond the coat color, there’s no appreciable difference in the physicality or temperament of black or golden Goldendoodles. This means you can get a Goldendoodle for a bargain if you get a black-coated one, and it looks visually distinct from the rest of the species.
As we mentioned above, black Goldendoodles can have different coat types. Their coats can be straight, wavy, curly, non-shedding, and hypoallergenic depending on the parentage of your pet. Wavy and curly coats shed the least and are considered the most hypoallergenic, though it should be noted that no dogs are 100% hypoallergenic.
Is a black coated Goldendoodle rare?
Black Goldendoodles are definitely not as common as their golden-coated cousins. That said, rare isn’t quite the word we would use.
Black Goldendoodles are unique compared to others of the same breed but, to split dog hairs for a moment, they’re more uncommon than they are rare. You still have a good chance of spotting a black Goldendoodle in your local dog park.
If black Goldendoodles were rare, they’d likely cost more than standard-coated Goldendoodles and be sought after by many more people. As it stands, that is not the case, and that’s a good thing for you! You can get your black Goldendoodle for a lower price than usual because they’re uncommon, but not completely rare.
Will a black Goldendoodle coat fade?
Many black-coated dogs loose the starkness of their black coats over time. This is the case with black Goldendoodles but, don’t worry, it won’t completely change color.
This isn’t like when you buy a black goldfish that turns into a golden one when they grow up, the coat will always stay black on a Goldendoodle.
All that’ll happen is the coat will lighten over time, maybe slow enough that you won’t even notice until you look back on your favorite pup pictures.
The lightening of Goldendoodle coats isn’t unique to black Goldendoodles too, even white Goldendoodle coats get lighter over time.
Age is also a factor. If you’ve owned pretty much any breed of dog, you’ve likely noticed how their chin and face get greyer as they age. Dogs develop grey hairs just like we do, usually in certain parts of their coat.
With Goldendoodles, grey hairs can develop within just twelve months! On Goldendoodles, the back of the neck, paws, and the tail are common greying points. Ultimately, all coats are unique so the greying can happen anywhere, and it’s nothing to be concerned about.
Can you predict the coat of a black Goldendoodle?
If you have access to the parental information of a Goldendoodle pup, you can usually determine the types of coat it’ll have. Black Goldendoodles are predisposed to these coat types, just as much as the next Goldendoodle.
If the Poodle parent has straight, wavy, or curly hair then there’s a higher likelihood that the Goldendoodle will have that coat.
If you want to buy a non-shedding Goldendoodle, you’ll want the coat to be wavy or curly. Straight-haired Goldendoodles typically shed more. This can pose a threat to people who are allergic and asthmatic, and it’s a pain to clean all that hair up! The downside of a black-coated dog is that their loose hair is much more noticeable when it falls off their body.
Grooming a black Goldendoodle
The grooming habits of a black Goldendoodle are no different from the rest of the breed, except maybe with some added attention to improving the shininess of that coat since it’s more noticeable.
Grooming the dog properly means they should have shampoo treatments regularly along with ear cleaning and nail clipping.
You may want to trim the coat of a black Goldendoodle more regularly if you want to keep the coat shiny but this isn’t too much of a demand, and it isn’t necessary.
Grooming a Goldendoodle at home is pretty easy, all you need to do is look into the following purchases:
- Shampoo compatible with the coat of your Goldendoodle. Check out our reviews on the Best shampoo for Goldendoodles.
- A sturdy grooming table to place the dog on, especially necessary if it’s a larger Goldendoodle.
- A comb (preferably metal) and a slicker brush. Brushing should happen weekly if you want the coat to stay fine while straight-haired coats don’t require as frequent brushing. For more information, see our guide on the Best brushes for Goldendoodles.
- A clipper that can cut the Goldendoodle coat into shape safely.
Black Goldendoodle names
If you’re interested in a black Goldendoodle as a pet, you might appreciate some of the names that people choose for their pets.
While you can name the pet pretty much anything you want, it’s common for owners of black Goldendoodles to choose names that celebrate their uncommon coats.
Here are some popular suggestions we’ve found from around the web! We’ve kept them at one or two syllables because dogs can only understand so much, so their name needs to be short and easy for them to learn.
- Ace
- Blackjack
- Carbon
- Ember
- Ninja
- Onyx
- Oreo
- Smokey
- Stormy
- Vader
You can call the dog whatever you want as long as it’s two syllables, sometimes three can work too! For more inspiration on doodle monikers, see our comprehensive list of best dog names here.
Final thought
Goldendoodles make great family pets, but if you are lucky enough to get your paws on a black coated one, then think yourself extra special – you new furry friend certainly will.
