Cavapoos—adorable, affectionate, and known for their teddy bear-like appearance—have become a beloved designer breed, thanks to their winning combination of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle genetics. Among the most striking of Cavapoo coat colors is chocolate. Rich, velvety, and eye-catching, a Chocolate Merle Cavapoo puppy often steals hearts at first sight. But many Cavapoo owners are surprised when their chocolate-colored pup begins to change color as it grows older.
Yes, Chocolate Merle Cavapoos often lighten as they age due to the “fading gene,” which can turn their rich brown coats into lighter shades like cafe or taupe. This color change is natural and common in Poodles, one of the Cavapoo’s parent breeds.
What are Chocolate Merle Cavapoos?
Chocolate Merle Cavapoos are Cavapoos with a rich, dark brown coat that may resemble cocoa or espresso in color. This luxurious shade is especially sought after among dog lovers, as it gives the dog a unique and sophisticated appearance. The chocolate color often presents uniformly throughout the puppy’s body or may include white markings on the chest, toes, or chin.
However, this color is not always permanent.
It’s not uncommon for a Chocolate Merle Cavapoo to lighten to a milk chocolate, cafe-au-lait, or even silvery beige over time. This transition often surprises owners who had hoped the deep color would remain throughout their pup’s life. Let’s explore why that happens.
Genetics Behind Cavapoo Coat Colors
To understand why Cavapoo coats change color, we need to dive into genetics.
Cavapoos inherit their coat colors from both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. Poodles come in a wide range of colors including white, cream, apricot, red, black, silver, blue, and chocolate. Cavaliers, on the other hand, are more limited, typically seen in four colors: Blenheim (white and chestnut), Tricolor (black, white, and tan), Ruby (solid red), and Black & Tan.
When these breeds are combined, the resulting Cavapoos can come in a broad spectrum of colors, including:
Chocolate (Solid or with Markings)
A deep, rich brown color that can appear almost velvety.
Solid chocolate: All brown, with no other colors.
With markings: Often features tan points, white chest patches, or phantom markings.
Note: This color may fade over time to lighter shades like café au lait due to the fading gene.
Apricot
A warm, golden-peach tone, often with a soft, sun-kissed glow. Can range from pale peach to a richer golden-orange. May have lighter points on the face or chest. Often mistaken for red when deeper in tone.
Cream
A soft, off-white to pale yellow shade. Delicate and elegant in appearance. Some cream Cavapoos may develop slightly darker or lighter areas over time. Can almost appear white in photos but is warmer in tone.
Black
A classic, shiny jet-black coat. May be solid or come with white or tan markings (like tuxedo or phantom). True black Cavapoos are striking but may also fade to charcoal or silver with age.
Red
A bold, rusty or mahogany-like color. Rich and vibrant, often one of the most sought-after Cavapoo colors. Can fade slightly to apricot or golden tones over time.
Phantom
A two-tone pattern with distinct markings, typically above the eyes, on the chest, legs, and under the tail. Rare and highly desirable.
Common phantom combos: black & tan or chocolate & tan. Resembles the markings of a Doberman or Rottweiler.
Merle
A mottled or marbled effect with patches of color on a lighter base (commonly blue or chocolate merle). Can include blue eyes or one blue, one brown eye (heterochromia). Eye-catching and unique, but requires responsible breeding to avoid health risks.
Sable
A coat with a solid base (often cream, apricot, or red) and darker tips. Gives a shaded or “smoky” appearance. The dark tips often fade over time, leaving a lighter base coat.
Tricolor
A combination of three colors, usually black, white, and tan. Often seen in a pattern similar to a Bernese Mountain Dog or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Tan points appear above the eyes, cheeks, chest, and legs.
Parti
At least 50% white with patches of another color (like chocolate, apricot, or black). Irregular, random splashes or spots. Each Parti Cavapoo is completely unique in pattern.
Some of these colors are dominant; others are recessive. Chocolate is a recessive color that requires both parent dogs to carry and pass on the chocolate gene. This makes Chocolate Merle Cavapoos rarer than apricot or red ones.
However, the fading of this beautiful chocolate color is often caused by a specific genetic component: the fading gene.
What Is the Fading Gene?
The fading gene, also known as the progressive graying gene or silvering gene, is most commonly found in Poodles and other breeds with Poodle ancestry—like Cavapoos. The technical term for this is the G locus, where "G" stands for "gray." Dogs that carry this gene may not start out gray, but they will fade as they age.
This gene doesn't affect all Cavapoos, but if your Cavapoo inherits it, especially from the Poodle side, their rich puppy color will likely fade gradually, starting around 6 to 12 months of age.
In Chocolate Merle Cavapoos, this often means a shift from dark espresso to:
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Light chocolate
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Beige
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Taupe
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Silvery gray
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Café au lait
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A diluted, smoky brown
Some dogs even appear to go through multiple stages of transformation over the years, sometimes ending up a completely different shade by age 3.
How Common Is Fading in Chocolate Merle Cavapoos?
It’s very common for Cavapoos to change color as they grow, largely due to the presence of the fading gene—especially if the Poodle parent carries fading colors such as silver, blue, or café au lait. This gene is responsible for lightening the coat over time, sometimes dramatically. Chocolate Merle Cavapoos are particularly susceptible if they inherit this gene, as their rich brown coats can gradually shift into lighter hues like taupe, beige, or even a silvery brown. However, not every Chocolate Merle Cavapoo will fade. Those who do not inherit the fading gene typically retain their rich coloring into adulthood. Breeders familiar with coat color genetics and lineage can often make educated predictions based on the coloring and genetic history of the parent dogs.
In addition to genetics, several environmental and physiological factors can influence coat fading in Cavapoos. Hormonal changes, such as those caused by pregnancy or after being spayed or neutered, can impact pigment production. Nutrition and overall health also play a vital role—deficiencies or poor diet may affect coat vibrancy. Prolonged sun exposure can bleach the coat over time, particularly in darker-colored dogs. Grooming habits, especially frequent clipping, may make fading more noticeable by exposing lighter roots. Finally, the natural aging process often leads to a gradual lightening or graying of the coat, much like in humans. While no breeder or vet can guarantee a Chocolate Merle Cavapoo’s coat won’t change, understanding these contributing factors can help pet parents better anticipate and embrace the evolution of their pup’s appearance.
Other Coat Color Changes in Cavapoos
While Chocolate Merle Cavapoos often experience noticeable changes in coat color, it’s important to recognize that many other Cavapoo coat colors undergo similar transformations as the dog matures. Red Cavapoos, for instance, may start with a vibrant, rich red color, but over time they often lighten to a softer apricot or cream shade. Similarly, black Cavapoos can gradually fade to a blue-gray or silver hue as they age, losing their deep, jet-black coat in the process. Merle Cavapoos, with their distinctive mottled coats, may see their spots fade or blend together as they mature, which can soften their overall appearance. Sable Cavapoos begin life with darker coats, typically black or dark brown, and will often lighten significantly, revealing a much lighter base color with a unique "smoky" look. Additionally, phantom markings—those specific tan markings found on certain Cavapoos—can become less defined or even disappear over time, making the dog’s coat appear more uniform as they age.
Even multi-color Cavapoos like Tricolors or Partis are not exempt from fading or blending. For example, a Tricolor Cavapoo with distinct black, tan, and white patches may notice some of those sharp contrasts soften or blend together. Similarly, a Parti-colored Cavapoo with a predominately white coat and patches of another color could see those patches blur or fade over time, creating a more uniform coat. It’s important to note that each Cavapoo is unique, and even littermates born with similar coat colors may end up looking drastically different as they mature. Factors such as genetics, diet, health, and environmental conditions all contribute to the individual transformation of each pup’s coat, making every Cavapoo’s appearance a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Different Coat Textures and Their Role in Fading
The texture of a Cavapoo's coat plays a significant role in both its appearance and its tendency to fade over time. Cavapoos inherit their coats from their parent breeds, the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, resulting in a variety of textures ranging from wavy to curly, and even straight. These different textures can affect how a dog’s coat responds to the natural aging process, as well as external factors like grooming, sun exposure, and overall health. In particular, the texture of a Cavapoo's coat can influence how light or dark their coat appears as they age, especially for those with fading genes. Understanding these textures—whether soft and wavy or tight and curly—can provide insight into why some Cavapoos experience more noticeable changes in coat color than others.
Cavapoos generally come in three main coat types:
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Wavy (Fleece) – The most common and typically low-shedding.
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Curly (Wool-like) – More Poodle-like; tight curls.
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Straight (Hair-like) – More Cavalier-like; often sheds more.
The curlier the coat, the more likely it is to fade, because the gene for fading is strongly associated with the Poodle’s curly coat.
Straight-coated Cavapoos—usually those with more Cavalier DNA—are less prone to fading, although it can still happen depending on their genetic makeup.
Can Coat Fading Be Stopped?
In short, if a Cavapoo’s coat is genetically programmed to fade, there’s unfortunately no way to completely stop the process. The fading gene, which is often passed down from the Poodle parent, causes certain coat colors to lighten over time, especially in chocolate and red Cavapoos. However, there are ways to manage the appearance and support your dog’s overall coat health. By implementing certain practices, you can help slow down the fading process and maintain a rich, healthy-looking coat for as long as possible. These tips, while not preventing fading entirely, can help your Cavapoo’s coat stay vibrant and strong, allowing you to enjoy their beauty for years to come.
To maintain coat richness, consider feeding your Cavapoo a high-quality diet that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help promote a glossy, healthy coat. Color-enhancing shampoos, specifically designed for brown coats, can also help preserve the coat’s vibrancy, but it’s important to choose ones free of harsh chemicals that might further damage the hair. Regular grooming is key to preventing tangles and buildup, which can dull the coat and make fading more apparent. Limiting sun exposure is another important factor, as UV rays can cause the coat to lighten prematurely. Keep an eye on your Cavapoo’s overall health with regular vet check-ups to ensure no underlying issues, like thyroid or liver problems, are affecting their coat pigmentation. Additionally, avoid frequent shaving, as it can expose lighter hair roots, making fading more noticeable. While these practices won’t stop fading entirely, they can certainly help maintain a healthy, vibrant coat for as long as possible. If coat color permanence is a top priority, consulting with an experienced breeder who understands coat genetics and can test for the fading gene is a smart step to ensure you know what to expect with your Cavapoo’s coat color in the long term.
Pros of a Cavapoo Changing Color
While coat fading may feel disappointing to some owners, there are surprising benefits to your Cavapoo’s color changing over time. One of the most exciting aspects is the variety and surprise it brings. Watching your Cavapoo “morph” into a new coat color can feel like having multiple dogs in one. The gradual transition can be fascinating, and you might even find that you fall in love with the new shade more than the original. Another benefit is that faded coats can age gracefully—many Cavapoos with lightened coats, such as café au lait or silvery taupe, develop an elegant, distinguished look as they mature. This can give your dog a wise, refined appearance that adds to their charm.
In addition to aesthetic changes, fading can offer some practical benefits as well. Lighter coats may shed less due to the finer texture of the hair, which can be a huge advantage for allergy-prone households. This could make owning a Cavapoo with a faded coat even more enjoyable for families with sensitivity to pet dander. Finally, unique looks are another perk of coat fading. No two Cavapoos with fading coats will look exactly alike, ensuring that your dog will always stand out in a crowd. Each faded coat is distinct, making your Cavapoo’s appearance truly one-of-a-kind. Despite the changes, these benefits show that fading can be a natural and even beautiful part of your Cavapoo’s life journey.
Yes—Chocolate Merle Cavapoos often change color as they age, and it’s all due to genetics, particularly the fading gene inherited from their Poodle parent. While this transformation can be surprising, it’s also part of what makes Cavapoos so delightfully unique.
Color changes are not typically a health concern and are simply part of the breed’s natural evolution. Whether your Cavapoo turns from espresso to cappuccino or from sable to silver, rest assured that their loving temperament, cuddly personality, and loyal companionship remain the same.
So, embrace the change. Celebrate the journey. And remember: your Cavapoo may change on the outside, but on the inside, they’ll always be your favorite little chocolate drop—faded or not.