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9 Dogs With Coats That Change Color Over Time

We’ve all heard the phrase “a horse of a different color,” but did you know it can apply to dogs too? Some breeds change their coat color as they grow, and the transformation can be more dramatic than you’d expect. From dark coats that lighten over time to patterns that evolve, these dogs keep things interesting. Here are the breeds that stand out with their shifting shades.

A Dalmatian dog lies on a red blanket nursing seven small, white puppies with some developing spots.
Photo credit: Shutterstock.

Dalmatian

A man with a beard sits on the floor against a white brick wall, smiling and hugging a Dalmatian dog.
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Dalmatians are born with completely white coats, and their famous black or liver spots gradually appear as they grow. These spots usually start to show within a few weeks, and they continue to develop as the dog matures, giving them their distinctive look over time.

Siberian Husky

A young siberian husky with striking blue eyes and black-and-white fur, panting with its tongue out, looking upward.
Photo credit: Pexels.

Huskies’ coats can change dramatically with age. Their dark facial masks may fade as they grow older, or their lighter colors can darken. This coat variation is common in many Huskies, especially those with black or grey coloring, making their appearance shift as they mature.

Lhasa Apso

A long-haired dog stands on a path with a blurred background of grass and foliage.
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Lhasa Apsos tend to start life with dark coats that lighten as they age. A black puppy may grow into a light golden or white adult. This color transformation happens gradually, creating significant differences between their puppy and adult coats.

Shih Tzu

A small, shaggy dog with a dark and light brown coat lying on a textured beige blanket, looking directly at the camera.
Photo credit: Pexels.

Shih Tzus often undergo notable color changes as they age. Their coats may lighten, darken, or blend in surprising ways. A puppy that starts off dark can fade to a lighter shade, and their color can continue to shift well into adulthood.

Bedlington Terrier

A dog with a white and light brown coat walks on green grass.
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Bedlington Terrier puppies are born with dark coats, typically black or dark brown, which gradually lighten to a pale blue or sandy color. This gradual shift happens as they grow, eventually giving them their signature lamb-like appearance.

Yorkshire Terrier

A yorkshire terrier dog with a shiny, long-haired coat standing outdoors, with a blurred green foliage background.
Photo credit: Pexels.

Yorkies are born with black and tan coats, but as they age, the black portions often fade to a steel-blue or gray color. This color change occurs over the first few years of their life, leaving adult Yorkies with the distinct blue and tan coats the breed is known for.

Poodle

Two poodles, one white and one black, being judged at a dog show, with handlers presenting them on a green carpeted area.
Photo credit: YayImages.

Poodles, especially the darker ones, often experience a change in coat color over time. Black Poodles may lighten to grey or silver, and brown Poodles often fade to lighter shades like cream. The change happens gradually, making it a bit unpredictable in some cases.

Old English Sheepdog

A fluffy dog stands on a grassy field with its tongue out. An orange toy lies on the ground nearby. The background has bare trees and a cloudy sky.
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Old English Sheepdogs are typically born with dark coats that gradually lighten to grey and white as they mature. The color change can be so significant that the dark-coated puppy you bring home may look entirely different as an adult.

Briard

A large, shaggy dog runs along a dirt path through a grassy, green field under a partly cloudy sky with mountains in the distance.
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Briard puppies usually have dark coats that lighten as they grow older. Over time, their fur can turn to shades of fawn or grey. The transformation happens steadily and is often noticeable by the time they reach adulthood, giving them a very different look from their puppy days.

10 Dog Breeds with the Most Unique Coat Patterns

A speckled dog with a unique facial coloration runs energetically across a grassy field.
Photo credit: YayImages.

When you think of dog breeds, certain visuals come to mind, but some dogs truly stand out with their unique coats. From eye-catching spots to elegant stripes, these special patterns turn heads wherever they go. These ten breeds are renowned for their distinctive coat patterns. See what makes each one special.

Read it Here: 10 Dog Breeds with the Most Unique Coat Patterns

12 Dog Breeds With The Most Stunningly Unbelievable Eyes

A gray puppy with blue eyes lies on a knitted blanket, looking up.
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Dogs have a way of capturing our hearts, but some pups take it to another level with their absolutely stunning eyes. Whether it’s a piercing blue gaze or deep, soulful browns, these dog breeds have eyes that are truly unforgettable and will make you instantly fall in love.

Read it Here: 12 Dog Breeds With The Most Stunningly Unbelievable Eyes

*Select images provided by Depositphotos.