Blue Poodle: Appearance, Genetics & Facts (With Pictures)

Blue Poodle walking in the grasslands
Image credit: akoya_poodle / Instagram

The blue Poodle is sure to be a head-turner with its fabulous looks and great personality. Wrapped in a seemingly beautiful blue coat, this variation is still the highly intelligent, lively, and funny Poodle we’ve all come to know.

There are a variety of colors Poodles come in, one of them being blue. Aside from its distinct coloration, what other special features could the blue Poodle have?

Continue reading to find out the answer! This guide is full of the essential information you need to satisfy your curiosity about its appearance, genetics, lifespan, health, and more. So, let’s begin!

What Is a Blue Poodle?

Blue Poodle chilling on a park bench
Image credit: akoya_poodle / Instagram

The blue Poodle is a Poodle variant with a faded black coat that appears to look bluish. Upon closer look, their roots reveal a lighter shade, a somewhat brown tint. A blue Poodle’s color looks noticeably lighter than black but darker than silver.

Because of their dark coat, many people mistake the blue Poodle for black. Despite being originally registered as black Poodles, breeders with expertise in this color are able to distinguish them from a litter of black Poodle puppies.

The blue Poodle also comes in various sizes, including the Standard Poodle, Moyen Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Toy Poodle.

Moreover, the degree of shading can vary for every puppy. This holds true for all of the blue Poodle sizes.

Are Blue Poodles Purebred?

Yes, blue Poodles are purebred dogs. Blue is a recognized standard color for purebred Poodles.

Purebred blue Poodles are born having a very dark or black coat color that will gradually fade into their permanent blue color over time.

As previously mentioned, varying degrees of shading are acceptable. However, having a blue merle color pattern is a disqualifying trait for major kennel clubs. 

A merle color pattern in dogs is characterized by having a light base color and patches of a strongly pigmented color of the same shade.

Thus, a Poodle exhibiting dark blue patches over a lighter blue hue on his coat would be classified as a blue merle Poodle and will not be considered purebred.

The video below showcases two blue merle Toy Poodles that are not regarded as purebred:

Two Blue Merle Toy Poodles

Another disqualifying trait is having blue eyes. While stunning to look at, a blue-eyed blue Poodle does not conform to the official Poodle breed standard.

Many consider blue-eyed Poodles as dogs having either eye pigmentation issues or possessing the merle gene that purebred Poodles are not known to carry.

Are Blue Poodles Rare?

Blue Poodle with autumn leaves in the background
Image credit: akoya_poodle / Instagram

No, blue Poodles are not considered rare. While the blue color variant in Poodles is not as common as the black, brown, and white coat colors, it is not as rare as the parti, apricot, red, and cream.

Blue Poodles carry both a dominant and a recessive greying gene. This greying gene is common in Poodles and is responsible for fading their coat to a blue color.

Though there can be challenges for breeders to properly identify a blue Poodle, they are not a rare occurrence in breeding Poodles.

If you are on the hunt for a blue Poodle, chances are you would be able to find one from an expert breeder, shelter, or rescue.

Blue Poodle Appearance

Blue Poodle with orange bandana standing on the grass
Image credit: akoya_poodle / Instagram

Blue Poodles are squarely built dogs. This means that the length of their body is the same as their height. They have smoothly muscled bodies with deep and moderately wide chests.

In terms of size and weight, here’s a table summarizing the size and weight ranges for the four different types of blue Poodles:

Poodle TypeHeightWeight
Toy PoodleUp to 10 inches4-6 pounds
Miniature Poodle11-15 inches10-15 pounds
Moyen Poodle15-20 inches40-50 pounds
Standard PoodleAbove 15 inches40-70 pounds

The coat of the blue Poodle is curly and has a harsh texture. A fully grown adult blue Poodle has dark coat color, almost resembling charcoal grey. 

When closely inspected, you will notice that their hair roots are lighter, giving off a faint brown tint.

They have dark-colored eyes and black eye rims. The nose, lips, and toenails of the blue Poodle are also black in color.

They have long ears that hang down and are set slightly below their eye level. Their muzzle is long and straight.

The feet of the blue Poodle are relatively small, compact, and oval-shaped. The presence of white or silver hair between their pads is a distinguishing factor from other Poodle color variants.

Overall, the blue Poodle is basically the same as the other Poodles with a few exceptions in terms of coloring.

Blue Poodle Color Genetics

The blue coat color in a Poodle is determined by the presence of an inherited greying gene in a Poodle puppy. The greying gene affects the eumelanin or black pigment. It occurs in the G locus and is said to be incomplete dominant.

The greying gene causes the eumelanin to dissolve more easily, making the hair unable to retain the strong pigment it has.

This means that blue Poodles have one dominant greying gene (G) and one recessive greying gene (g), making their initial dark or black color fade into their real blue hue. 

The extent of fading may not always be the same for the entire coat, which is why there can be varying shades of blue all over the coat of the blue Poodle.

The greying gene is said to be common among long-haired and low-shedding breeds such as the Poodle. Other Poodle variants such as the parti Poodle and phantom Poodle may also possess this greying gene.

Do Blue Poodle Puppies Change Color as They Grow?

Blue Poodle behind a red country home
Image credit: akoya_poodle / Instagram

Yes, blue Poodle puppies change color as they grow. As we have discussed earlier, blue Poodles will be born with a very dark or black coat.

Their coat color from birth gradually fades into a lighter shade as they grow. This usually happens in the blue Poodle puppy’s second or third month and is usually completed by the time they are two years old.

There are instances when the color fading extends until the third year. By this time, the full fading is said to be complete, and the blue Poodle is deemed to have achieved its final blue shade.

Do Kennel Clubs Recognize Blue Poodles?

The American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), and The Kennel Club (KC) recognize the blue Poodle as a purebred.

These kennel clubs accept the blue Poodle in all size variations such as the Toy, Miniature, and Standard. They are eligible for registration and can participate in various sporting events and shows.

The blue Moyen Poodle, however, is not recognized by the AKC. Meanwhile, the UKC treats the Moyen Poodle as a Standard Poodle and is allowed to participate in the Standard Poodle category for sporting events and shows.

It is worth noting that the only kennel club that recognizes Moyen Poodle as a specific breed size is the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

Unfortunately, blue is not a recognized coat color in the Poodle breed standard of FCI. The only acceptable coat colors are solid variations of black, white, brown, grey, and fawn.

Aside from the kennel clubs mentioned above, the blue Poodle can also be registered in the Poodle Club of America (PCA) and the Dog Registry of America (DRA).

Blue Poodle Temperament and Personality

Blue Poodle playing outdoors
Image credit: akoya_poodle / Instagram

Blue Poodles definitely make good family dogs. They are highly social dogs and are extremely affectionate towards children.

The blue Poodle, whether male or female, loves being in the company of family members and is able to form a strong bond with its loved ones.

Because of their high level of intellect, they can easily be trained. When coupled with fun and positive training routines, they are sure to perform well. Housetraining a blue Poodle puppy should also be an easy feat for owners.

The blue Poodle is also an active dog that ideally requires an hour of daily exercise.

Jogging, long walks, swimming, and playing fun games of fetch, ball tossing, and frisbee would make this furball extremely happy and serve as the perfect outlet for their wacky antics.

Originally bred as hunting dogs, the blue Poodle also has a prey drive and may have the tendency to chase small animals such as birds and rabbits. 

Proper training and socialization are needed if there are smaller pet animals in the household.

They may also be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for a long time. Potential owners should consider this when thinking of getting a blue Poodle as a pet. 

Blue Poodle Lifespan and Health Issues

Blue Poodles are known to be healthy dogs that can live for around 10 to 18 years. Nonetheless, you need to look out for certain health issues associated with this breed as a responsible pet owner.

There are particular diseases that are hereditary, while some are acquired through lifestyle and diet.

Below are health issues that are common to the blue Poodle:

  • Addison’s Disease: Addison’s disease or hypoadrenocorticism can affect blue Poodles of any age but is more common in middle-aged female Poodles. This occurs when the adrenal glands are unable to produce cortisol and aldosterone hormones. Symptoms include lethargy, reduced appetite, drinking and peeing more than usual, and weight loss.
  • Chronic Active Hepatitis: Chronic active hepatitis causes liver failure and occurs in adult blue Poodles. Symptoms include yellowing of the white of the eyes, diarrhea, vomiting, confusion, and weight loss. Unfortunately, this disease is incurable and fatal to Poodles.
  • Von Willebrand’s Disease: This inherited disease is a deficiency of blood platelet function that prevents the dog from normally clotting blood and results in excessive bleeding. Von Willebrand’s disease can be difficult to detect and is usually only noticeable after surgery or injury.

Aside from these, owners should look out for eye problems and other bone problems such as the Legg-Calve-Perthes and luxating patellas, especially for Toy Poodles and Miniature Poodles.

It is important to buy a blue Poodle puppy from a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders perform health tests to ensure that the genes for congenital diseases are not inherited by their puppies.

Blue Poodle Grooming

Blue Poodle with collar sitting on a chair
Image credit: sterlingway.strikes.blue / Instagram

The blue Poodle is considered high-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their curly hair will just keep growing, so trimming is necessary to prevent knots and matting.

Daily brushing of their hair, or at least every other day, is recommended. A slicker brush is often initially used to remove tangles and dead hair. This can then be followed by a bristle brush to smoothen hair and help align curls.

Bathing is needed every two to three weeks to cleanse their coat and avoid clogged pores due to the mixture of accumulated dirt and natural oils.

It is advisable to use a conditioner after shampooing your blue Poodle to help restore moisture and bring back the shine and elasticity of their hair.

The long, floppy ears of the blue Poodle can also be susceptible to ear infections, so they must regularly be checked and cleaned.

How Much Does a Blue Poodle Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses

On average, the price of a blue Poodle puppy is between $500 and $4,000. For puppies coming from champion bloodlines, prices usually start at $2,500. 

You may consider adoption and pay a $150 to $600 adoption fee for a blue Poodle.

Apart from the one-time cost of acquiring the puppy, there are other expenses that are involved in the care and maintenance of the pup.

The following are the initial expenses for a blue Poodle puppy:

Type of ExpenseCost
Food and Treats$30 – $150
Bowls$10 – $40
Toys$20 – $100
Beds$30 – $300
Collars and Leashes$15 – $50
Crates and Carriers$30 – $500
Grooming Essentials$50 – $250
Initial Vet Visits$100 – $500
Initial Vaccine Shots$50 – $300
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications$40 – $300
Neutering or Spaying$50 – $500
Microchipping$40 – $60
Dog License$10 – $20
Other Essentials$20 – $80
Total Initial Cost$495 – $3,150

Based on the table, you would need to shell out around $495 to $3,150 for the initial expenses of your Poodle puppy. But, the expenses do not stop here. You must also take into account the recurring costs of caring for your pup.

The recurring expenses for a blue Poodle would normally cost from $117 to $312 every month. You may find ways to save by being on the lookout for promos and discounts on certain items.

It is also good to compare prices from different suppliers before buying to make sure you are getting the lowest possible price. Also, you should invest in pet insurance.

Places to Find Blue Poodle Puppies for Sale and Adoption

Blue Poodle with flowers on the background
Image credit: sterlingway.strikes.blue / Instagram

Now that you are aware of the costs of owning a blue Poodle and have decided to pursue owning one, let’s move on to finding places where you can buy or adopt a blue Poodle.

Below is a list of some reputable breeders where you can find blue Poodle puppies for sale:

  • Mount Bethel Poodles – Mount Bethel Poodles was established in 2003. They provide Poodles, including the blue variation, in New Jersey, Tennessee, and Kentucky. This breeder is an active participant in the Poodle gene research and has submitted Poodle DNA samples for analysis in various research institutes.
  • Noriko Poodles – Located in Van Nuys, California, Noriko Poodles has been in the breeding business since 2005. They are dedicated to producing healthy, sound, and beautiful Poodles with lovely temperaments, including blue Poodles.
  • 5-Star Poodles – This breeder started way back in 1969 and is located in West Sacramento, California. Their blue Poodle puppies, along with other color variants, are carefully bred from parents that have undergone genetic and screening tests and are raised in their homes.

Below is a list of some of the rescues where you can find a blue Poodle for adoption:

  • NorCal Poodle Rescue – NorCal Poodle Rescue is composed of volunteers who rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome Poodles and mixes in Northern California. Every Poodle they rescue is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and groomed before they are rehomed.
  • Carolina Poodle Rescue – Carolina Poodle Rescue is a no-kill, non-profit rescue organization composed of staff and volunteers from the Carolinas, Virginia, New York, Texas, Georgia, and other states. They focus on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Poodles, Poodle mixes, and small dogs. To date, they have already rehomed over 5,000 dogs, including blue Poodles.
  • Mid-Atlantic Poodle Rescue – This rescue is focused on helping blue Poodles and other color variations from high-kill shelters and illegal puppy mills. All of their rescued dogs are placed in foster homes in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

You may also want to check out our Facebook groups dedicated to the blue Poodle for additional resources and options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Blue Poodle tongue out sitting on the grass
Image credit: sterlingway.strikes.blue / Instagram

Are Blue Poodles Desirable?

The high intelligence, versatility, and wonderful temperament of the blue Poodle make them well-suited for families of various ages and lifestyles. 

Add a beautiful blue coat to their list of winning traits, and the balance is easily tipped in their favor as very desirable pets.

Do Blue Poodles Shed?

Yes, just like any other dog breed, blue Poodles shed, but they are considered low-shedding dogs. They shed very little hair, making them close to being hypoallergenic.

They produce less allergen in the form of dander, which is attached to the hair. This is why they are considered a good match for people with allergies.

What Poodle Color Is Most Expensive?

While many argue that color should not be a factor in the pricing of a Poodle, the rarest colors are usually the highest priced.

The cost of testing, finding genes, and successfully breeding the rare colors may be attributed to the high price tag of the rare-colored Poodles.

What Is the Rarest Color of a Poodle?

Apricot is said to be the rarest and last Poodle color to be recognized. Many breeders attempt to produce an apricot Poodle by trying various color combinations of brown, blue, and white.

Final Thoughts

Having a blue Poodle as a pet is like getting the best possible package. They have intelligence, good looks, and excellent temperament that make them appealing to many dog lovers.

While they have so many attractive traits, they also have some qualities that may be challenging for some, such as their high-maintenance grooming requirements, prey drive, and separation anxiety tendencies.

If you are willing to commit the time, effort, and resources needed to take care of this curly furball, then this is definitely the right dog for you. Your experience as a blue Poodle owner will be far more rewarding and worthwhile.

Let us know in the comment section what you think about the blue Poodle variant!

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