Reference
Resources
Genotype reference tables, DNA testing lab comparisons, a complete genetics glossary, and links to external research resources.
Poodle Color Loci Reference
All major loci affecting poodle coat color. Filter or sort by any column.
| Symbol | Name | Gene | Alleles | Dominance | Phenotype Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Extension | MC1R | E, e | E dominant over e | Controls eumelanin expression in coat; ee = only phaeomelanin (red/cream) |
| B | Brown (Chocolate) | TYRP1 | B, b | B dominant over b | B = black eumelanin; bb = brown/chocolate eumelanin; affects nose, eye rims |
| D | Dilution | MLPH | D, d | D dominant over d | dd dilutes all eumelanin pigment; black→blue/silver, chocolate→café-au-lait |
| K | Dominant Black | CBD103 | K, kbr, ky | K > kbr > ky | K = constitutive eumelanin (solid); ky = allows ASIP/A locus expression (patterns) |
| A | Agouti | ASIP | Ay, aw, at, a | Ay > aw > at > a | Controls distribution of eumelanin vs. phaeomelanin in coat; at = tan points (phantom) |
| M | Merle | SILV | M, m, Mc (cryptic) | Incomplete dominance | M disrupts SILV in hair; Mm = merle pattern; MM = double merle with severe health risks |
| S | Piebald/Spotting | MITF | S, sp | S dominant over sp | spsp = parti (50%+ white); Ssp = possible minor white marks (abstract); SS = solid |
| G | Graying | SILV | G, g | G dominant over g | G causes progressive eumelanin dilution in new coat growth; black→silver/blue |
| T | Ticking | USH2A | T, t | T dominant over t | T adds small colored flecks in white areas; visible in parti or white-marked dogs |
Common Poodle Color Phenotypes & Genotypes
Typical genotype combinations for each recognized poodle color. Note: these show typical patterns — many variations exist.
| Color | Typical Genotype | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black | E_ B_ D_ K_ gg | Solid eumelanin; most common poodle color |
| Chocolate (Brown) | E_ bb D_ K_ gg | Brown eumelanin; liver nose, amber eyes |
| Red / Apricot / Cream | ee (any at other loci) | ee forces phaeomelanin only; shade varies with intensity modifiers |
| Blue | E_ B_ K_ Gg or GG | Born black, slow G locus clearing to blue-gray |
| Silver | E_ B_ D_ K_ Gg or GG | Born black, clears to silver; face/paws clear first at 6–8 weeks |
| Café-au-Lait | E_ bb dd K_ gg | Diluted chocolate; taupe-brown coat |
| Silver Beige | E_ bb D_ K_ Gg or GG | Chocolate + G locus graying; born chocolate, clears to warm beige |
| Phantom (Black & Tan) | E_ B_ D_ kyky atat gg | Requires kyky at K locus to express tan points; A locus atat |
| Parti | any color + spsp | 50%+ white patches; any underlying color possible |
| Merle | E_ any + Mm (single merle) | Mottled pattern; only visible with eumelanin in coat |
DNA Testing Labs by Locus
Availability of each locus test across the three major canine DNA testing providers. Always verify current availability directly with the lab.
| Locus | UC Davis VGL | Embark | Wisdom Panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| E (Extension) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| B (Brown) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| D (Dilution) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| K (Dominant Black) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| A (Agouti) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| M (Merle) | Yes (includes cryptic) | Yes (includes cryptic) | Yes |
| S (Piebald) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| G (Graying) | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| T (Ticking) | Limited | Yes | Limited |
Downloadable Resources
Printable reference sheets and cheat cards for common use in the whelping room.
E & B Locus Quick Reference
One-page cheat sheet for red, black, and chocolate genetics
Merle Health Risk Chart
Double merle statistics and decision flowchart for breeders
Phantom Breeding Matrix
A × K locus grid for phantom production planning
Silver/Blue Prediction Guide
G locus clearing timeline and face/paw assessment guide
Parti Litter Planner
S locus cross probabilities and modifier notes
Full Loci Reference Card
All 9 loci on a single laminated-style reference card
External Resources
Peer-reviewed research and reputable organizations for further study.
UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory
DNA TestingThe gold standard for canine color genetics testing in North America. Panel tests for E, B, D, K, A, M, S, G and more.
Embark Veterinary
DNA TestingComprehensive canine DNA testing including color genetics, health markers, and breed composition.
OFA — Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
Health TestingHealth testing database for hips, elbows, eyes (CAER), heart, and hearing (BAER) — essential for health testing alongside color genetics.
AKC Poodle Breed Standard
Breed StandardOfficial AKC standard defining recognized colors, patterns, and conformation requirements for all three poodle varieties.
OMIA — Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals
ResearchPeer-reviewed catalog of Mendelian traits and genes in animals, including all canine coat color loci with citations.
DogGenetics.co.uk
EducationExcellent reference site for canine color genetics with extensive allele documentation and interactive resources.
Genetics Glossary
Key terms in poodle color genetics, from basic Mendelian concepts to locus-specific terminology.
A
- Allele
- One of two or more alternative forms of a gene that exist at the same chromosomal location (locus). For example, the B locus has alleles B and b.
- Autosome
- Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome. Most coat color genes in dogs are on autosomes, meaning they are inherited independently of sex.
C
- Carrier
- A heterozygous individual who carries one copy of a recessive allele but does not express the associated phenotype. Example: a black Bb poodle is a carrier for chocolate.
- Co-dominance
- A relationship between alleles where both alleles in a heterozygous individual are expressed. Merle (M locus) shows incomplete dominance, and MM (double merle) demonstrates co-dominance-like effects.
D
- Diploid
- Having two complete sets of chromosomes — one from each parent. Dogs are diploid organisms, so every locus has exactly two alleles (one per chromosome).
- Dominant
- An allele that produces its associated phenotype when present in just one copy (heterozygous). The dominant B allele produces black eumelanin; only one copy is needed.
E
- Epistasis
- When one gene masks or overrides the expression of another gene at a different locus. The E locus is epistatic to the A, B, and K loci — an ee dog will not express any of those patterns because it has no eumelanin.
- Eumelanin
- The dark form of melanin, appearing black or brown in the coat, nose, and eye rims. Eumelanin expression in the hair shaft is controlled primarily by the E and K loci. Modified in color by B (black vs. brown) and D (dilution) loci.
G
- Genotype
- The complete genetic makeup at one or more loci. A dog's genotype determines what alleles are present, while phenotype is what is expressed and visible.
H
- Heterozygous
- Having two different alleles at a locus. For example, a Bb dog is heterozygous at the B locus — it carries one black allele and one chocolate allele.
- Homozygous
- Having two identical alleles at a locus. For example, a BB dog is homozygous dominant; a bb dog is homozygous recessive for brown.
L
- Locus
- The specific location on a chromosome where a gene resides. Plural: loci. In poodle color genetics, key loci include E, B, D, K, A, M, S, G, and T.
M
- Merle
- A coat pattern caused by the M allele (SILV gene SINE insertion), producing mottled patches of diluted and full-pigmented areas. Only visible on eumelanin-containing coats. MM (double merle) causes high rates of deafness and blindness.
P
- Phenotype
- The observable physical characteristics of an organism — what you can see. A poodle's coat color, nose color, eye color, and pattern are all phenotypic traits.
- Phaeomelanin
- The warm, yellow-to-red form of melanin. Phaeomelanin produces red, apricot, and cream coloration. When the E locus is ee, only phaeomelanin is produced in the hair shaft.
- Piebald
- Irregular patches of white caused by failure of melanocytes to fully migrate during embryonic development. In dogs controlled by the S locus (MITF gene). The spsp genotype produces the parti pattern in poodles.
- Polygenic
- A trait controlled by multiple genes with additive effects. The exact shade of red vs. apricot vs. cream in poodles is polygenic, as are many variations in spotting extent in parti poodles.
R
- Recessive
- An allele that is only expressed when present in two copies (homozygous). The b allele for chocolate requires two copies (bb) to produce a brown coat. One copy is hidden by the dominant B allele.
T
- Ticking
- Small colored flecks or spots that appear in white areas of a dog's coat, controlled by the T locus. Ticking is dominant (T_) and only visible in areas that are white due to the S locus. Puppies are born without ticking that develops as the coat matures.
W
- Wildtype
- The allele or combination of alleles that is most common in wild populations — the "original" or "default" form. In canine genetics, the wildtype agouti (aw) allele produces a banded, wolf-gray coat.
Put This Knowledge to Work
Use the free calculator to model any breeding combination across all loci simultaneously.
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