Goldendoodle's Dramatic Coat Transformation From Puppy To Adult Is Turning Heads
We've all seen it: your dog's coat subtly changes as they age, just like the hair on people's heads, usually incorporating a little more gray each year they get older. But have you ever experienced a dog's coat color dramatically changing shades within a matter of months? That's exactly what one goldendoodle owner on Instagram shows happening to their beloved pooch. And trust us, it's surprising!
With a rendition of "Bittersweet Symphony" providing the soundtrack, we first see the 6-month-old doggy named Knox sitting upright with teddy bear-like coloring of dark brown and bright white. Then, the very next image shows the dog with a much more muted light brown/cream coat. Across the images, it reads, "I hope his coat doesn't fade when he gets older," and in the comments section, the original poster follows up by writing, "I swear it's the same dog 😂."
Meanwhile, there's lots of debate going on in the comments, with people going back and forth about whether breeding goldendoodles — a mix of a golden retriever and a poodle — is ethical, and telling their own tales of their dogs' coats having a dramatic transformation, too, for those who may not believe it happens. One commenter also explains that "The progressive fading is a poodle genetic trait. It happens to pure bred poodles also." Either way, Knox's owner makes sure to say, "I know I'm biased but I still think Knox looks cute ♥️." And so do we!
Major changes that happen as puppies mature into adults
While coat color changes can happen as puppies transition into adult dogs, just like the dramatic transformation of goldendoodle Knox on Instagram, there are other discernible developments that take place during that crucial stage. For the most part, within the first two years of a dog's life, there will usually be a noticeable switch from erratic, high-energy behavior to a calmer, more predictable disposition, along with an end to teething and an uncontrolled bladder.
As puppies mature, they still need daily exercise and mental stimulation, but their energy starts to level off, becoming more predictable, and they begin to have a better ability to focus and entertain themselves, making training easier the older they get. Their baby teeth fall out and are replaced by their adult teeth, drawing a conclusion to the seemingly endless chew-everything teething stage, and their bladders grow larger and, with some house training, they become physically capable of longer stretches between peeing. And, yes, that soft, fine puppy coat will shed and often grow into thicker adult fur that can be coarser and more weather-resistant, depending on the breed.
No matter where your dog is in the aging process, though — from puppydom to young adulthood to senior years — there's always something unique and exciting to love about your pet, and you can always learn something new, too!