Yellow Labradoodle

The yellow Labradoodle is most often a mix between an apricot Standard Poodle and a yellow Labrador Retriever.

Yellow coats can vary from a very pale cream to a deep and rich gold. Breeders may call yellow Labradoodles cream, gold, or caramel.

Doodles with this coat will have the same temperament and general appearance as any other Labradoodle.

What is a Yellow Labradoodle?

The yellow Labradoodle is just one shade of this modern, popular hybrid. Labradoodles mix purebred Labrador Retrievers with purebred Standard Poodles.

The breed as a whole started when a man named Wally Conron set out to create a guide dog suitable for people with allergies.

Labradoodles with yellow coats are most often the result of breeding a yellow Labrador with an apricot Poodle.

Some people give yellow Doodles the nickname “golden Labradoodle”.

But, this must not be confused with the Goldendoodle, which is a completely different mixed breed!

This nickname first arose because the yellow coat can often look gold.

When searching for a yellow Labradoodle puppy, it can help to know both the yellow and golden Labradoodle are different names for the same breed.

Yellow Labradoodle Genetics

There are two main pigments that control all aspects of color in dog coats. These are eumelanin (black) and phaeomelanin (red).

But how does any dog get a yellow coat color if the only two available pigments are black and red?

The red pigment is the important one here. Its color spectrum can range from a pale, sheer cream, all the way to a deep mahogany brown.

Other genes will act on the pigment to produce these different shades.

Variation in the Yellow Coat

Because there is so much variation in this dog coat color, not all yellow Labradoodles will be exactly the same. A yellow Labradoodle could be:

• A very pale yellow
• Sunshine yellow
• Golden yellow
• Or even a darker caramel yellow

To make matters even more confusing, most Labradoodle breeders don’t even use the term “yellow” when discussing Labradoodle coat color.

So, is yellow a legitimate coat color for this crossbred dog?

How Yellow Fits Into the Labradoodle Breed

The Labradoodle mix is currently not recognised by the American Kennel Club. But, the breed is very well established, with its own breed clubs and associations in many countries.

So, there are still plenty of guidelines and standards for new breeders and prospective Labradoodle owners to refer to.

Many breeders agree that the Labradoodle can be bred in four main color categories:

• Black
• Chocolate
• Caramel
• Cream/red

But where does yellow fit in?

Sub Categories

From the four main categories identified above, most breeders will go on to classify puppies in the following sub-categories:

• Chalk
• Cream
• Gold
• Caramel
• Red
• Black
• Silver
• Blue
• Chocolate
• Cafe
• Lavender
• Parchment
• Parti
• Phantom
• Abstract
• Sable
• Brindle
• Multi-pattern

This still doesn’t include yellow. But, it does give us a starting point.

Which Sub-Categories Include Yellow?

Some of the terms above describe coat color patterns, rather than solid coat colors. And, some of them won’t relate to the yellow fur.

If breeders do not specifically state that a Labradoodle has a yellow coat, you should concentrate on the first four subcategories.

The coat colors that will run closest to the yellow spectrum are:

• Cream
• Gold
• And caramel

Some chalk Labradoodles may appear as a very pale yellow. But, these four labels are your best bet of finding a yellow Labradoodle.

Are Yellow Labradoodles Healthy?

It’s true that some coat colors are linked to genetic health issues. But, thankfully, this is not an issue with yellow Labradoodle coats.

Yellow Labradoodles will be prone to the same health issues as any other Labradoodle dog.

It’s also important to remember that if you make coat color the main or only criteria for picking your next Labradoodle, you run the risk of overlooking warning signs in other places.

Breeding too strictly for particular appearance attributes, including coat color, can inadvertently promote inheritance of worse genes.

Researchers still don’t know exactly which genes are involved in which tasks. And, more importantly, how many tasks a given gene has on its plate.

The genes that control coat color could also influence joint formation, organ health, eyesight, or temperament.

Choosing a reputable breeder is a very important part of getting a healthy yellow Labradoodle.

Choosing a Yellow Labradoodle Breeder

The most important part of choosing your next dog is actually going to be the breeder you decide to work with. Not the coat color of the puppy you have your eye on!

Responsible Labradoodle breeders will pre-test parent dogs before breeding. This ensures chosen parent dogs will not be passing on any known genetic health issues that screening can identify.

These breeders will be happy to show you clear pre-breeding test results. So, once you’ve seen these, you can feel confident that you’ll be bringing home the healthiest possible yellow Labradoodle puppy.

The best breeders care about their reputation in the dog breeding community, so they will often provide other benefits.

For instance, they’ll start their puppies out with a high quality puppy food, designed to support the needs of large breed puppies.

Other Signs of a Good Breeder

Responsible Labradoodles will gently handle your puppy. They will usually start off some basic potty training and possibly even basic obedience.

They will definitely ensure all age-appropriate required vaccinations and pest treatments are done, and be willing to show you any heath testing certificates from the puppy’s parents.

You will be able to meet the puppy’s mother, as well as your chosen pup themself, and both will clearly be a much-loved part of the family.

You will usually pay more upfront for a high-quality yellow Labradoodle puppy from a reputable breeder. But, you are also more likely to avoid serious health and behavioral problems later in your dog’s life.

Do You Love the Yellow Labradoodle?

There are many Labrador Retriever and Labradoodle dog lovers that think yellow is the best coat color!

As long as your yellow Labradoodle puppy comes from a caring, responsible, health-focused breeder, this puppy will make a great addition to your family!

Do you have a yellow Labradoodle at home?

References and Resources

• Gestes, T. ‘Australian Labradoodle Breed History’, Archview Labradoodles (2021)
• McReynolds, T. ‘Study: Coat Color Could Mean Reduced Longevity, Increased Health Risks in some Labrador Retrievers’, American Animal Hospital Association (2018)
• Tomlinson, D. ‘Best Labrador Colour: Does Coat Make a Difference?’, The Field (2020)
• Buzhardt, L. ‘Genetics Basics – Coat Color Genetics in Dogs’, VCA Hospitals (2021)
• Neff, E. P. ‘Whole Genome Sequencing has Gone to the Dogs’, LabAnimal/Nature (2019)
• Coopshaw, K. ‘Labradoodle Coat Colors’, Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association (2020)
• McEwing, S. ‘Labradoodle Coat Colors’, Australian Labradoodle Association (2021)