Testing for coat color and a D-locus test for color dilution have recently become available and our poodles’ tests all show the DD allele. The coat color test allows breeders to fairly accurately predict the colors of puppies that will be produced with each breeding. As for the D-locus test for fading, it was originally held that if both parents carried the DD allele their pups would not fade. Unfortunately, even in those with DD alleles, it appears that there are other genes at work particularly in red or apricot poodles that causes most to fade. Until these elusive genes are identified, the D-locus test in red poodles is unable to predict whether or not your puppy’s coat will fade. Therefore, when a breeder states that his/her red poodles are non-fading, this information should be viewed as opinion rather than fact!