For breeders, owners, and enthusiasts. Evidence-based genetics, practical breeding tools, and continuously updated scientific resources, all referenced against the current peer-reviewed literature.
Trusted by breeders and owners. Research-backed, referenced to the peer-reviewed literature.
Poodle Genetics Lab was founded on a simple but profound conviction: every breeder deserves access to the same depth of genetic understanding that research scientists possess. For too long, the science of coat color inheritance has been locked behind dense academic papers and fragmented forum posts, leaving breeders to navigate complex decisions with incomplete information.
We synthesize peer-reviewed research on canine genetics, from the TYRP1 gene’s role in brown pigmentation to the nuanced interactions between the E, K, and A loci, and translate it into practical, actionable knowledge. Whether you’re predicting the probability of producing a silver parti poodle or understanding why two “black” dogs can produce a brown puppy, our guides give you the molecular context to make truly informed choices.
Our commitment extends beyond coat color education. We believe responsible breeding includes understanding the health implications embedded in the genome, particularly the serious risks associated with certain genotype combinations like double merle. The same science that produces breathtaking colors can, in the wrong hands, produce preventable suffering. We take that responsibility seriously.
Traced to the literature
Every genetics claim points to a peer-reviewed source, cited on the page.
Rated by strength of evidence
Findings carry an evidence rating, so settled science is never dressed up as an open question, or the reverse.
Corrected in the open
When the science moves or we get something wrong, the page says so, with a date.
No invented numbers
If a statistic cannot be sourced, it does not appear here, however convenient it would be.
Enter the genotypes of both parents and our calculator computes the probability of each coat color outcome, with health risk warnings built in.
An illustrative single-gene example. The full calculator works across every locus at once.
Free to use, no account required
A CDDY result frightens more Toy and Miniature Poodle breeders than almost any other line on a DNA panel. The risk is real. The response most breeders reach for would do more damage to the breed than the variant does.
Three new lines are appearing on poodle DNA reports: copper toxicosis accumulating, copper toxicosis attenuating, and an ALT activity variant. Two of them are not diseases at all, and the third was characterised in a different breed.
Coat testing is sold to doodle breeders as a way to predict fleece, wool, or curl. One of those results is genuinely reliable, one is a shift in the odds, and several are not supported by published evidence at all. Here is which is which, and how to read your own report without getting it backwards.
The most comprehensive single reference on Poodle coat colour inheritance. Whether you are a seasoned breeder or just starting to explore genetics, this 348-page guide takes you from the basics of Mendelian inheritance to the current research on modifier genes and their phenotypic effects.
The Poodle Genetics Lab Facebook group is the most active science-based poodle genetics community online. Share breeding records, ask genotype questions, get feedback from experienced breeders, and stay current with the latest research. It’s completely free to join.
Active discussions moderated by genetics experts
Share litter photos and verify coat color predictions
Weekly Q&A threads on specific loci and phenotypes
First access to new calculator features and guides
Monthly deep-dives into poodle genetics research, new tool updates, reader-submitted breeding questions, and exclusive content for subscribers.
