Poodles are a popular dog breed, regardless of their size or color. They are intelligent, loving dogs that can be fun to own. Some people look for rarer coat colors when choosing a dog, though. Some coat colors are not within the breed standard and can lead to the continuation of problems in the Poodle breed. Luckily for people who like rarer coat colors, blue is an acceptable color of Poodle that is also relatively rare.
The Earliest Records of Blue Poodles in History
The Poodle is the national dog of France due to their love of the breed, as well as the French influence in the development of the breed. The breed has been around for over 400 years though, starting off as a standard-sized Poodle that served as a water retriever.
Many colors of Poodles have been around for a very long time, and blue is no exception. This coat color is one of 11 Poodle colors that are accepted by the AKC, along with approximately a dozen non-accepted colors. Blue has been an accepted color of Poodles for over 100 years.
Interestingly, blue Poodles are not truly blue; they are black dogs with a faded coat color. The blue color extends even to the dog’s skin, giving them a blue hue all over. However, the blue color often takes time to show. When young, blue Poodles are usually black, but their coat fades as they age.
How Blue Poodles Gained Popularity
Poodles have been a popular dog breed for hundreds of years. Originally, they were well-loved by hunters for their retrieving skills. The earliest Poodles were closer to the standard Poodle size we have today. The miniature and toy Poodles were developed much later than the standard Poodle.
When the Poodle breed became popular, people aimed to breed their best dogs. Some people also wanted a smaller companion version of the Poodle, and the breeding of smaller varieties of the breed began developing within the last couple of centuries. The loyal temperament of the Poodle, including the smaller varieties, has helped the Poodle maintain its popularity with dog owners.
Formal Recognition of the Blue Poodle
The Poodle breed was first recognized by the AKC in 1887, just two years after the first breed was added, the Fox Terrier. Today, there are 200 breeds recognized by the AKC.
The three original coat colors that were accepted by the AKC were black, brown, and white. While blue is a diluted black, blue was not considered an acceptable color in the breed. This means that a dog may have had show potential when very young due to their black coat but may have lost their show and breed standard potential by the time they reached maturity.
Top 3 Unique Facts About Blue Poodles
1. Blue Poodles are purebred Poodles.
Some people believe that having the blue coloration must mean they are mixed with another dog breed, but this isn’t the case. The fading of the black coat to blue is related to genetics.
2. Silver and blue Poodles are not the same.
Blue Poodles have a gene that leads to the fading of their coat. However, silver Poodles have two genes that create the silver coloration.
3. Blue poodles may have a brown coloration in bright lighting.
This is because blue Poodles usually have brownish highlights in their coat, but they may not be noticeable except in certain lighting conditions.
Do Blue Poodles Make Good Pets?
The Poodle is a fantastic dog breed to own, and Poodles with a blue coat are no exception. This breed is loving and loyal, and often very active. Standard Poodles are more likely to be highly athletic than the smaller varieties, but you may also find yourself with an agile miniature or toy Poodle. Just make sure you are willing to provide appropriate grooming and upkeep of the coat before bringing this breed home.
Conclusion
The blue coat is one of the AKC-accepted coat colors in Poodles. This color is somewhat rare, although not the rarest. Blue Poodles are simply black Poodles that have a gene that causes their coat to lighten, leading to blue. They are not the same as silver Poodles, though.
Featured Image Credit: Sarhara Frost, Shutterstock
