Poodles are a beloved breed of dog known for their intelligence, elegance, and hypoallergenic coats. With a variety of colors and sizes available, there is a poodle for every type of owner. However, one color that stands out among the rest is the sable poodle.
Sable poodles have a unique coat characterized by dark tips on mostly black hairs. While the background color can be any solid color, the tips of the hair are always dark.
In this post you will learn what makes sable poodles special and what potential owners should know before bringing one into their home.
What Is a Sable Colored Poodle?
The sable-colored poodle is a rare color variation in the poodle breed. This unique color comes from the poodle’s wolf ancestors and is characterized by dark tips on the coat that give it a distinctive sheen.
The sable color can be found on any part of the poodle’s coat, with no specific pattern or location.
The background color of the coat can be any of the solid colors available in the poodle spectrum.
Sable poodles are usually born black or brown and will lighten with age.
The tips of the hair on a sable poodle’s coat are mostly black, but they can also be dark brown or dark blue. While some people may not find the sable coloration attractive, others adore this unique coloring.
Overall, the sable-colored poodle is a fascinating variation of the poodle breed that is sure to turn heads.
Do Sable Poodles Fade?
Sable poodles are a rare and beautiful type of poodle that have a unique color pattern. As puppies, their hair is multi-colored, with darker tips and lighter bottoms.
However, this coloring only occurs during the puppy stage and doesn’t happen if the poodle’s hair is shaved or cut.
Sable poodles’ hair never stops growing, which means it needs to be trimmed or cut regularly.
As the poodle ages, the dark tips of its hair will eventually disappear, resulting in a faded color. This is because the tips will be trimmed or cut off, leading to the sable poodle eventually looking like a solid color.
It’s worth noting that most owners tend to let the fur on the ears of their sable poodle grow and grow, which may result in the dark tipping remaining in their ears. This is because the owner did not cut the fringe.
In summary, sable poodles do fade in color as they age. Their hair never stops growing, and the dark tips will eventually disappear as they get trimmed or cut.
Are Sable Poodles Rare?
Sable poodles are often considered rare due to their unique coat color. However, technically speaking, sable poodles are not rare.
When puppies are born, it is not uncommon for them to have dark-tipped hair, which can give the appearance of a sable coat. In fact, some puppies with “solid” coloring may actually be sables in disguise.
While sable poodles are not rare at birth, it is unlikely to find an adult sable poodle due to the dark-tipped hairs fading over time or being trimmed during grooming. This makes adult sable poodles a rare find.
In summary, sable poodles are not rare at birth, but they become rare as they age due to the fading of their unique coat color.
If someone is looking for an adult sable poodle, their best bet might be to find a poodle puppy with a sable coat.
How Many Sizes of Sable Poodle are There?
Sable poodles are available in all three standard poodle sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. The standard size is over 15 inches tall and weighs between 45 to 70 pounds.
The miniature size is between 11 and 15 inches tall and weighs around 15 to 17 pounds. The toy size is 10 inches tall or less and weighs between 4 and 6 pounds.
However, it is important to note that unofficially, there are other sizes of sable poodles available such as Micro, Teacup, Moyen, and Royal Standard. These sizes are not recognized by the AKC and are surrounded by controversy in the poodle community.
It is worth mentioning that the availability of these unofficial sizes is subject to debate, and many breeders use them as a marketing ploy.
It is essential to be cautious when purchasing a sable poodle of these sizes, as there may be a higher risk of health problems associated with breeding dogs that are too small.
In conclusion, if you are considering getting a sable poodle, you will have plenty of size options to choose from.
However, it is essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with unofficial size variations and to do your research before making a purchase.
Sable Poodle AKC: Are They Official?
Sable Poodles are recognized as purebred by the Poodle Club of America, but unfortunately, they are not eligible to compete in American Kennel Club (AKC) conformation competitions.
The AKC simply accepts the breed standards decided by the respective national breed club, in this case, the Poodle Club of America.
The Poodle Club of America decided many years ago that sable Poodles were not eligible for conformation competitions.
This decision means that sable Poodles are recognized as Poodles but cannot compete in AKC conformation competitions.
It’s worth noting that the United Kennel Club (UKC) allows any color except for merle. However, the UKC is not as widely recognized as the AKC.
In summary, sable Poodles are recognized as purebred by the Poodle Club of America but are not eligible to compete in AKC conformation competitions.
Sable Poodle Genetics
Sable poodles are unique in their fur color, which is determined by a dominant A locus gene called “Ay.”
This gene is responsible for their sable coat, which can appear in a variety of colors and patterns. However, it is important to note that sable poodles should have dark eyes, with inky black pigment on the rims of their eyes, the tips of their noses, and their lips and paw pads.
Additionally, their nails should be black, except for browns and reds, which have “liver” colored nails.
The nose of a brown sable should have liver points, while a red sable should have black points and dark eyes.
An apricot sable can have liver points with amber eyes, but this is generally considered undesirable.
Sable poodles have a unique set of genes that make them different from other colors.
The sable coat is determined by a dominant gene, which means that a puppy only needs to inherit one copy of the gene from either parent to display the sable color.
The genotype of a sable poodle can be written as “Ay/A” or “Ay/ay,” with the dominant gene “Ay” being denoted by a capital letter.
In addition to the dominant “Ay” gene, there may be modifiers that affect the expression of the sable color.
For example, the “at” gene can cause a sable poodle to have a darker, more intense coat color.
Color testing is essential for making a proper diagnosis of a sable poodle’s genotype and determining the presence of any modifiers.
If you’re interested in learning more about your sable poodle’s DNA, the Embark Breed Identification Kit is a recommended option.
With a simple cheek swab, you can receive a detailed report on your pup’s genetic makeup, including information on ancestry, traits, and potential health risks.
Sable Poodle Colors
Sable poodles are known for their unique and sought-after coat variations.
The signature feature of a sable poodle is the dark black-tipped hairs on each strand of hair, giving them an overall gradient effect that transitions from base colors such as shades of red to black.
Sables produce a wide range of colors and patterns, including cream, gray, brown, and any other color as long as their base hair color is cream.
Sable poodles can also have varying amounts of white areas on their coats, which can make them look more brown or gray depending on the dog’s exact coloring.
It is important to note that a sable poodle’s coat may change as they grow up. Many people believe their sable puppy’s coat will darken or fade as they get older, while others think it will turn white.
However, the final pattern of a sable poodle’s coat cannot be determined until they are an adult.
Sables can have cream-colored coats, but it is crucial not to confuse them with apricot poodles.
Apricots have the same base hair color as sables, but their hairs are tipped with red instead of black.
Sable poodles are usually born black or brown and clear, with age, sable dogs will mature to a lighter dog with black tips.
When a poodle is groomed, you often may see dark markings only on the longer hair such as the tips of the ears.
In conclusion, sable poodles produce a wide range of colors and patterns, and their coats change as they grow up.
They are known for their unique black-tipped hairs and can have varying amounts of white areas on their coats.
It is crucial to distinguish between sables and apricot poodles, as they have different tipped hair colors.
Sable Poodles and Phantom Poodles
Sable poodles are born black or brown and clear with age, maturing into a lighter dog with black tips.
Dark markings are often visible only on the longer hair, such as the tips of the ears.
On the other hand, phantom poodles are a purebred dog with a distinctive bi-color coat consisting of a main color with smaller patches of a secondary color in specific locations.
The primary color need not be white, and the secondary coloring should be on specific parts of the dog’s coat, such as around the eyes, on the feet, and under the tail and the chin.
Phantom poodles are predominantly one color but have points of another color, much in the style of a Doberman or Rottweiler. Most phantoms are black or chocolate with tan points but can also be silver or blue with tan, cream, or white points.
Sable Poodles and Parti Poodles
Sable poodles are a type of poodle with a coat that is usually a shade of brown, but can also be blue or silver. They have a unique pattern that makes them look like they have multiple layers of hair color.
The hair on the surface is darker, while the tips underneath are lighter.
This creates a dipped or dyed appearance, but it is actually just genetics at play. Sable poodles can also have residual white or lighter markings on their coat.
Parti poodles, on the other hand, have a coat that is predominantly white with patches of any other poodle color irregularly placed all over them, much like a piebald horse.
For a poodle to be considered a parti, they must have at least 50% of their coat be white followed by a secondary color that can be any of the solid colors that poodles come in.
Parti poodles can come in a variety of colors, including chocolate, apricot, and black.
Interestingly, parti poodles can also be sables and phantoms.
When a parti poodle is also a sable, they will have a coat that is predominantly white with sable patches.
When a parti poodle is also a phantom, they will have a coat that is predominantly one color with phantom markings. The combination of these patterns and colors creates a unique and fascinating appearance.
Overall, sable poodles and parti poodles are both adorable and distinctive poodle types that are sure to stand out.
With their multi-colored coats and unique patterns, they are a popular choice for poodle lovers everywhere.
Sable Poodles and Black Poodles
Black poodles are a popular variety of the poodle breed. They have black fur, black points, and dark grey skin. It is interesting to note that black poodles have a genetic connection to sable poodles.
The thing that connects them is the recessive black gene. This gene is the last gene in the locus chain and is also a recessive gene. If a dog has one copy of it, then that dog will still express the dominant pattern on the “a” locus. For example, if a dog is Ay/a, it will still be visibly sable.
Sable poodles are usually born black or brown and clear with age. They will mature to a lighter dog with black tips.
When a sable poodle is groomed, you may see dark markings only on the longer hair, such as the tips of the ears.
At a young age, sable poodles look like apricot poodles with black bloom. Each hair is ginger, but the tip is black.
The hair on the ears, under the legs, and tail is almost entirely black or sometimes dark gray.
With age, the hair begins to lighten at the base, acquiring a creamy shade, while the ends remain black.
In conclusion, sable poodles and black poodles are connected through the recessive black gene.
While black poodles are more common, sable poodles have a unique and fascinating coat that changes with age.
Takeaways
Sable poodles are a unique and rare color of poodle recognized by the AKC as purebred.
Although sable puppies are born with dark-tipped hair, this coloring fades away as they age, making adult sable poodles quite rare.
Sable poodles come in all sizes, from toy to standard, and can even be parti-colored.
While sable poodles are not allowed to compete in the confirmation ring, they make excellent pets due to their friendly and smart personalities.
With proper training, sable poodles can be obedient and confident companions.
Additionally, they are hypoallergenic, making them a great choice for those with allergies.
Overall, sable poodles are a unique and desirable addition to any household.
Their rarity and distinctive coloring make them a standout choice for those looking for a one-of-a-kind pet.
Conclusion
Sable poodles are a unique and beautiful type of poodle that have a distinct sable pattern in their coat.
The sable color is characterized by the presence of black or dark brown hair tips in combination with light brown hair.
Although the sable color is highly variable, a true sable poodle can be identified by its unusual coat pattern.
Sable poodles are just one of many colors and markings available in the poodle breed. Other popular colors include black, white, apricot, and red.
When choosing a poodle, it’s important to consider their temperament, energy level, and grooming needs in addition to their color.
Whether you’re a seasoned poodle owner or just starting your journey with these curly superstars, there’s always more to learn about these fascinating dogs.
