If you’ve ever seen an Aussiedoodle puppy, you know they come in an array of colors and coat types. Each Aussiedoodle is a truly unique masterpiece! This incredible variety is no accident; it’s a result of the genetics inherited from their two parent breeds: the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle.

The Color Palette: A Blending of Genes

The coat of an Aussiedoodle’s comes from combined genetics:

Australian Shepherd’s Contribution: The Aussie side introduces the most complex and sought-after patterns. This is where you get the famous Merle pattern. Marbled or dappled coat that mixes base colors black or red with lighter, diluted patches. Australian Shepherd also contribute genes for tri-color coats, which include three distinct colors, black, white, and copper/tan points.
Poodle’s Contribution: The Poodle provides the massive range of solid colors. Everything from classic black, rich chocolate, and deep red, to light apricot, cream, and even silver. Poodles also carry genes for patterns like Phantom (Doberman-like markings on the eyebrows, chest, and legs) and Parti (a coat that is 50% or more white background, with patches of any other color).

The combinations are nearly endless!

Ruby, my Red-tri Australian Shepherd (miniature sized)

A red-tri Australian Shepard outside with a big smile

Cream colored poodle sitting in green grass posing with a big smie

Wednesday, my cream color Poodle (standard sized)

Because the Aussiedoodle coat pattern is so vast, I will go over the most common coat pattern and color combo. Here is a quick rundown on the coat variations

Aussiedoodle Coat Colors

Black base coat color ( dominate B gene) will also have a black nose. Examples of Black coat color:

Black
Blue
Silver

Brown base coat color will also have a brown nose. Example of Red/brown/chocolate coat color:

Red
Chocolate
Apricot
Liver

Blue merle Mini Aussiedoodle from a family review, highlighting the breed’s unique coloring and friendly temperament

Merle coat pattern, base color is Blue, with tan points

Merle Pattern Aussiedoodle- M Locus

It is crucial to understand that merle is a pattern, not a color. It is caused by a dominant gene (M) that dilutes random sections of the dog’s base coat color, creating a mottled effect. There are two primary color variations of the merle pattern:

Blue Merle: This is a marbled pattern where patches of solid black appear on a lighter, grayish-blue background. These Aussiedoodles often have stunning blue eyes or “marbled” eyes (part blue, part brown).
Red/Chocolate Merle: This variation features patches of solid dark reddish-brown (or liver) swirled over a lighter, creamy tan or red/chocolate background.

Tri-Color Pattern Aussiedoodles

A locus (agouti gene), which produces tan points when the aussiedoodle inherits the at/at or at/a genotype.

Tri-Color Aussiedoodles display three distinct colors inherited from their Australian Shepherd parent. Their base coat is a solid Black or Red/Chocolate, complemented by white markings on the chest, paws, and face. The third color, copper or tan, show as points that highlight areas such as the eyebrows, muzzle, chest, lower legs, and under the tail. The most common variations are Black Tri and Red Tri.

Mini aussiedoodle with a cute bow on beautiful grass on a sunny day, in Silverton, Oregon

Red tri Mini Aussiedoodle

black-Phantom coat pattern on a doodle puppy

Not an Aussiedoodle but one of our Bernedoodle puppies that is a Black Phantom coat combination

Phantom Pattern Aussiedoodle

ASIP gene on the A locus, caused by the aᵗ (tan points) allele, and only shows when the aussiedoodle is ky/ky at the K locus.

This pattern is characterized by distinct tan (or sometimes apricot/cream) ‘points’ that appear on specific areas of the body, creating a contrasting effect. You’ll typically find these points above the eyebrows, on the sides of the muzzle, across the chest, and on the lower portion of the legs. This pattern is often compared to the markings seen on a Doberman or a Yorkie. While the phantom pattern can occur with various base colors, the most frequently seen are the Black Phantom (black base with tan points) and the Red Phantom (red/apricot base with cream points).

Parti-pattern Aussiedoodle- S Locus (sp alleles)

Parti coat pattern is instantly recognizable by its bold coloring. The term “parti” means that the dog’s coat is at least 50% white, with large, irregular patches of another solid color. This pattern creates a beautiful, contrasted look. Popular examples:

● Black and Parti

● Chocolate Parti

● Red Parti

● Cream Parti

Interestingly, the parti pattern is the result of a recessive gene, which is inherited from the Poodle side of the Aussiedoodle’s lineage.

Red/chocolate Parti Pattern Mini Aussiedoodle

Abstract Aussiedoodle

S-locus (S/sp)

The Abstract Aussiedoodle is variation that’s often mistaken for a solid color. These dogs have a coat that is mostly solid, but features small, isolated patches of white—not enough to qualify as a tuxedo, parti, or bi pattern.

You’ll typically find this minimal white on the chest, under the chin, or on the paws. Because the white markings are super subtle and don’t fit the standard definitions of a heavily marked coat.

Abstract coat pattern of a red aussiedoodle puppy

Chocolate Abstract Aussiedoodle

Black Sable aussiedoodle puppy

Sable Aussiedoodle

A locus, ASIP gene, ay allele

The Sable Aussiedoodle is one of the most eye-catching coats you’ll find, and it is relatively rare. What makes the sable pattern unique is that each individual hair strand is banded with both lighter and darker colors, usually with the darkest color at the tip. This unique banding creates a beautiful shaded appearance that gives the coat incredible depth and texture.

Sable puppies typically start out looking quite dark, sometimes even black or deep brown. As they mature, the coat begins to “clear,” and the lighter, banded sections of the hair shaft become more prominent, causing the overall color to lighten dramatically!

Hidden Merle (Cryptic Merle) Aussiedoodle

(Mc/N) gene

The Hidden Merle, also known as Cryptic Merle, is a fascinating and important coat pattern, especially from a genetic standpoint. Unlike classic Merle Aussiedoodles, which display obvious patches of lighter color (like gray or red), the Hidden Merle possesses the Merle gene (M) but does not visually express it or expresses it so minimally that it is undetectable to the eyes.

For referance here is Remy. She was born cream colored with faint merle spotting. At adulthood, she becsme “clear” or white.