The Ultimate Cockapoo Color Guide

Quick answer: The most common Cockapoo colors are apricot, red, cream, buff, black, chocolate and white. Popular patterns include parti, phantom, tuxedo, tri-color and sable. The rarest Cockapoo colors are roan, merle, champagne and silver. Dark coats like black and chocolate can fade or silver slightly with age, while apricot and red puppies may lighten as their adult coat grows in.

This cockapoo color guide will help you learn all about every cockapoo color. We’ll talk about rare colors like champagne, roan and merle as well as popular colors such as apricot, red, black and white. It discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of each color. By the end of this article, you should have an idea of the perfect cockapoo color for you.

Apricot cockapoos

Apricot Cockapoos range from reddish to creamy white. As some apricot puppies age, their coat may lighten to an off-white color. It's advisable to consult with your breeder, as they can identify puppies more prone to color changes and help you choose one that matches your preferences. Apricot is one of the most popular Cockapoo colors. It is a recessive color, so both parents need to carry the gene, and because so many families want an apricot puppy they often have waiting lists. If waiting is a concern, consider a red colored puppy, which resembles apricot but is more common.

Black cockapoos

Some Cockapoos carry a gene commonly called the “Poodle fading” or progressive graying gene. It shows up most on dark coats, so a black Cockapoo that carries it can slowly turn a softer gray or silver as they age. We’re not trying to dissuade you from choosing a black Cockapoo; they are wonderful companions with a beautiful, rich coat. We aim to simply inform you about this natural color change, so you can be prepared for your black Cockapoo’s transformation over the years. In fact, black Cockapoos are some of the most popular cockapoos, despite the color change. 

Brown Cockapoos

Brown Cockapoos range from light creamy shades to deep chocolate browns. While lighter browns are common, darker shades may be more challenging to find. Like black Cockapoos, brown Cockapoos also experience fading, resulting in a lighter coffee or silvery beige tone over time. Again this is not a downside, just something to consider when deciding on the color you want your furry friend to be. 

Champagne Color 

The rare champagne cockapoos tend to have darker ears and snout areas that make their eyes shine. Because champagne is so rare and so pretty, these puppies are extremely limited with a pretty long wait line. Consider buff-colored cockapoos as an alternative, as they closely resemble champagne and are more readily available.

Buff Color 

Buff is a very common Cockapoo color and come in a wide variety. Buff colors can be anywhere from off-white to a darker caramel-like color. Because buff cockapoos have such a variety of colors they can pass off as golden, champagne, and apricot. In all, buff colored cockapoos are highly recommended for those looking for variety and cuteness. 

Golden cockapoo 

Golden cockapoos are a yellowish-golden color, darker around the eyes and ears. Golden cockapoos will be the light of your life. Keep in mind that golden cockapoos might take a little longer to find as they are rarer than some of the other colors. While waiting for a golden cockapoo would be worth the wait it is understandable that waiting might not always be an option and that is perfectly fine. For those who don't want to wait for a golden cockapoo, you might try a buff-colored cockapoo and find it meets your needs and wants. 

Phantom Cockapoo

Phantom cockapoos are right in the middle, not quite common, not quite rare. Making them somewhat hard to get but not very hard to find as they are not rare but a lot of people want them. Phantom Cockapoos are worth the wait with their beautiful blend of brown, black, and beige colored fur. If waiting is not an option and a tri-color or a sable is easier or faster to get, they are pretty similar and might give the look you want. 

Red Cockapoo 

Depending on the melanin the coat of a red cockapoo can be anywhere from a reddish brown to deeper shades of auburn. Some red cockapoos are more golden while some are more tan. Wait time does depend on the breeder but it should not take very long as red is more common. The only thing that makes wait time extremely long is if you are very particular about what red you get. Otherwise, you will find that a red color will be easy enough to find and you will love your adorable red cockapoo. 

Roan Cockapoo

A roan cockapoo coat is a blend of white and either black, brown, blue, silver, orange, or lemon. Some roan dogs have a darker color on their heads with the rest of the body being white, some have a dark color on the body and a white head. Some roans do tend to fade into a more uniform color as they age. While some people might find this fading undesirable, for many, it holds a special charm. In fact, seeing their puppies gradually fade can be endearing to most owners, who find it cute and heartwarming. This transformation can even enhance the dog's appearance, making them look even more attractive as they mature. Roans, while fairly rare, are worth the wait as there isn't another color like it. 

Sable Cockapoo

Sable Cockapoos are a mix of red, brown, and many other dark colors, all blended to look like an ombre. As there is a wait list you can find another color that is similar like a tri color or a phantom. Sables are cute though, which explains the waitlist. So, if you are willing to wait you will find it was worth it when you see your sweet sable puppy. 

Tri-Color cockapoo 

Tri-colored cockapoos usually have three colors, usually brown, tan and black. Tri-colored cockapoos, phantoms, and sable all are pretty similar when it comes to rarity but in an instance where one is easier to acquire than the other, you could choose any which one and still meet many of your wants. Keep in mind though that while phantom cockapoos do look similar to tri-colored cockapoos and sable cockapoos they are definitely not exactly the same and they each have their own unique bonuses. Making it worth it if you can find the specific one you want. 

Tuxedo Cockapoo 

Tuxedo Cockapoos have a darker main color with a lighter chest, resembling a tuxedo. There are many different variations of color when it comes to tuxedo cockapoos. If you are particular when it comes to color you may have a more difficult time finding and getting a tuxedo cockapoo. Usually, though, you will be able to find a tuxedo without too much time spent waiting.

White Cockapoos 

White is one of the most common out of all the cockapoo colors, but that does not make them any less desirable. White cockapoos are very adorable, with darker fur around the ears and mouth area and a beautiful white body. 

Merle Cockapoo

A merle Cockapoo has a marbled coat with darker patches over a lighter base, most often blue merle (gray and black) or chocolate merle. Merle puppies can also have blue or partly blue eyes. Merle is one of the rarest Cockapoo patterns. A responsible breeder will never breed two merle dogs together, because puppies that get two copies of the merle gene can be born with serious eye and hearing problems.

Parti Cockapoo

A parti Cockapoo is at least half white with large patches of another color, such as black and white, chocolate and white, or apricot and white. Parti colors are very popular and fairly easy to find, and every parti puppy has its own unique markings.

Most Common and Rarest Cockapoo Colors

Most common: apricot, red, cream, buff, black and white.

Fairly easy to find: chocolate, parti, tuxedo and phantom.

Harder to find: golden, sable and tri-color.

Rarest: roan, merle, champagne and silver.

Want to see real puppies and colors? Visit our available Cockapoo puppies page, or learn more about the breed in our Cockapoo guide.

Conclusion 

When choosing your Cockapoo’s color there are many things to keep in mind. This cockapoo color guide should have helped you balance facts and opinions and find the color you love most. 

Cockapoo Color FAQ

What is the most popular Cockapoo color?

Apricot and red are the most popular Cockapoo colors, followed by black, cream and parti.

What is the rarest Cockapoo color?

Roan, merle and champagne are the rarest Cockapoo colors. Expect a longer wait if you want one of these.

Do Cockapoo puppies change color?

Yes, many do. Apricot and red puppies often lighten as their adult coat comes in, and black or chocolate Cockapoos can fade or turn slightly gray over the years. Most color change happens between 6 months and 2 years.

Does color affect a Cockapoo's personality or health?

No. Coat color does not change a Cockapoo's temperament. The one exception is merle, where breeding two merle parents together can cause health problems, so always choose a breeder who tests for it.