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Toy Poodle Coat Colors by Locus

Ember Hills Poodles

Poodle coat color is created by several genetic “locations,” called loci. Each locus controls a different part of coat color, such as red intensity, brown pigment, phantom markings, parti pattern, or merle pattern. Understanding these genes helps explain why Toy Poodles can come in beautiful colors like red, apricot, cream, black, brown, phantom, parti, and merle.

E Locus — Red, Apricot, Cream & White Poodles

The E locus, also called the extension locus, controls whether a poodle can produce dark pigment in the coat or only red/yellow pigment. A poodle with ee expresses colors in the red family, including red, apricot, cream, and white. The exact shade can vary depending on intensity modifiers. The E locus is one of the main reasons two puppies can both be genetically red-based but look very different in color.

E Locus (MC1R) – Red, Apricot, Cream & White

The E locus controls whether a dog can produce black pigment in the coat.

Colors Produced:

  • Red

  • Apricot

  • Cream

  • White

Genetics:

  • e/e dogs cannot express black pigment in their coat.

  • The intensity of the red pigment can range from deep red to cream or nearly white.

  • Additional modifier genes influence how rich or faded the color appears.

Ember Hills Example:

Deep red toy poodles typically carry e/e along with intensity genes that maintain a rich, vibrant red coat.

B Locus — Black vs. Brown Pigment

The B locus controls whether dark pigment appears as black or brown/liver. A poodle with at least one dominant B gene can have black pigment, while a poodle with bb will have brown pigment. This affects the coat as well as points such as the nose, eye rims, lips, and paw pads.

B Locus (TYRP1) – Brown Pigment

The B locus determines whether black pigment is converted to brown.

Colors Produced:

  • Brown

  • Cafe au Lait

  • Silver Beige

Genetics:

  • b/b changes all black pigment to brown.

  • Nose, eye rims, paw pads, and coat become brown.

A Locus — Phantom, Sable & Agouti Patterns

The A locus, or agouti locus, controls certain coat patterns and where lighter tan or red markings appear. In poodles, this locus is commonly associated with patterns such as phantom, sable, and agouti. Phantom poodles have distinct markings on the eyebrows, muzzle, chest, legs, and under the tail.

A Locus (ASIP) – Phantom, Sable, and Patterning

The A locus controls where pigment appears on the coat.

Colors Produced:

  • Phantom

  • Sable

  • Agouti

Genetics:

  • at/at commonly produces phantom markings.

  • Phantom puppies display tan, cream, apricot, or red points above the eyes, on the muzzle, chest, legs, and under the tail.

Ember Hills Example:

Phantom toy poodles inherit specific A-locus genes that create their beautiful point markings.

K Locus — Dominant Black & Pattern Expression

The K locus can affect whether agouti-based patterns are visible. A dominant black result may hide patterns from the A locus, while other K locus combinations allow patterns like phantom or sable to show.

S Locus — Parti Poodles

The S locus controls white spotting. Parti poodles have a white base coat with patches of another color, such as black, brown, red, apricot, phantom, or merle. Parti markings can vary widely, making every parti poodle unique.

S Locus (MITF) – Parti & White Spotting

The S locus controls white spotting patterns.

Colors Produced:

  • Parti

  • Abstract

  • Irish Spotting

  • Extreme White

Genetics:

  • Dogs with two copies of the spotting gene can have large white areas covering more than 50% of the body.

  • Parti poodles typically have white coats with colored patches.

Ember Hills Example:

Parti toy poodles inherit spotting genes that create unique and one-of-a-kind markings.

M Locus — Merle Poodles

The M locus creates the merle pattern, which causes irregular patches of diluted color mixed with normal pigment. Merle affects dark pigment, not red/yellow pigment, so a red or cream poodle may carry merle without showing it clearly. Merle breeding should always be done carefully and responsibly.

M Locus (PMEL) – Merle

The M locus controls merle patterning.

Colors Produced:

  • Merle

  • Phantom Merle

  • Parti Merle

Genetics:

  • Merle causes patches of diluted color throughout the coat.

  • May affect eye color and pigmentation.

  • Merle is not recognized in purebred poodles by major breed clubs and often indicates historical outcrossing.

D Locus — Dilution

The D locus can lighten pigment. Two copies of dilute, dd, may turn black pigment toward blue/gray and brown pigment toward lighter diluted shades.

At Ember Hills Poodles, we use coat color knowledge alongside health testing, temperament, structure, and responsible pairing decisions to better understand each puppy’s possible color and pattern. Genetics can help predict coat color, but every puppy is still beautifully unique.

D Locus (MLPH) – Dilution (Rare in Poodles)

The D locus dilutes pigment intensity.

Colors Produced:

  • Charcoal

  • Diluted Brown

  • Diluted Black

Genetics:

  • Rare in purebred poodles.

  • Not commonly found in well-documented poodle pedigrees.

G Locus (Progressive Graying)

The G locus causes a puppy's color to lighten as it matures.

Colors Produced:

  • Silver

  • Blue

  • Cafe au Lait

  • Silver Beige

Genetics:

  • Puppies are born dark and gradually lighten over months or years.

  • Responsible for the dramatic color changes seen in many poodles.

Quick Reference Table

LocusMain Colors

E LocusRed, Apricot, Cream, White

K LocusBlack, Blue, Silver

B LocusBrown, Cafe au Lait, Silver Beige

A LocusPhantom, Sable, Agouti

S LocusParti, Abstract, White Spotting

M LocusMerle

G LocusSilver, Blue, Cafe au Lait

D LocusDilute Colors (Rare)

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