What Is a Phantom Poodle?
Poodles can be considered one of the most popular dogs breeds around today as they are known to be playful, kind, and intelligent.
There are many different varieties of a poodle that you can find in the world today each of the different breeds having its own personality traits and appearances.
- Mini Weimardoodle Puppy Breeder: Weimaraner Poodle Mix
- Mini Bolonoodle Puppies Breeders: Bolognese Poodle Mix
- F1b Mini Bordoodle Puppies Breed: Border Collie Poodle Mix
- Rottle Puppies Breeder: Full Grown Rottweiler Poodle Mix
- Black Miniature Cockapoo Puppies Breeders
- Black Teacup Maltipoo Puppies Breed
- Boxerdoodle Puppies Breeder: Boxer Poodle Mix
- Black Teacup Yorkie Poo Puppies Breeders: Yorkie and Poodle Mix
- Black Giant Schnoodle Puppies Breed
- Golden Miniature Sheepadoodle Puppies
- Black Mini Cavapoo Puppies Breeders
- Bidoodle Puppies Dog Breed Information
I was discussing dog breeds with a friend of mine. She’d never heard of a Phantom Poodle before so I thought it would be interesting to look into phantom poodles and share what I found out with you.
What does a Phantom Poodle look like?
- Phantom Poodles are not a different breed or type of dog, they are simply a term for varying colors within the Poodle breed. Even though the AKC has not yet confirmed that this color variation is acceptable, many Poodle owners prefer this to the various other poodle colors.
- Poodles are a popular pet choice in the United States and many other countries. They have long, beautiful coats that come in a wide variety of colors, which makes them a very attractive option for many people.
- The phantom poodle is just one more color variation that you can choose from when deciding on purchasing a new poodle puppy.
- The phantom coloration is also said to be a subset of Parti Poodles. They have a primary color that is also known as the dominant color, and the most common primary color is black.
- While one might initially think these two breeds are nearly identical, those of us who have worked with both types of dogs know that a parti poodle is not the same thing as a phantom poodle.
- While they are both color varieties of the poodle breed, their differences make them distinct from one another.
- The word phantom is another word for a ghost or an illusion. But in the case of poodles, it is used to describe this one of a kind coloration.
Phantom Poodle Colors
There is a wide variety of colors and patterns when it comes to a poodle’s coat, but one of the most striking is the Phantom Poodle, which is also considered to be a somewhat rare breed.
Phantom owners have often expressed how people are curious about the unique colouration. It is by no doubt a great conversation starter.
All phantom Poodles are born with their patches, and they do not appear as the dog ages. However, it should be noted that poodles tend to fade colour as they ages.
Different Phantom Poodle Sizes
- Phantoms are a rare poodle color and come in four different sizes like any other poodle color. They can be large or small depending on the size of parents and genetics.
- Phantom poodles come in four size varieties: Toy, Miniature, Moyen, and Standard.
- Toy Phantom Poodles weigh about 6-10 pounds while Miniature Poodles weigh about 15-20 pounds. Moyen or Medium poodles weigh 40 to 50 pounds and finally, the Standard Phantom Poodles weigh about 50-70 pounds.
Phantom Poodle Genetics
- One can never truly appreciate the beauty of phantoms unless they learn how this one of a kind coloration comes to be.
- In order for a poodle to have this coloration, they should have a ky/ky Genotype. Genotypes in simpler terms is makeup for the genes. This ky/ky “genetic makeup” is required to allow colors other than black to show.
- In addition to the ky/ky Genotype, an E Genotype (makes brindling possible), an EM Genotype (responsible for giving a black mask), and lastly an at/at which makes the tan coloration possible.
- When all of these genotypes ‘work together’, they make the phantom coloration possible.
- If you want to know what genes your dog has, I highly recommend Embark Dog DNA Test Kit. This DNA kit will tell you how much of a breed your dog possesses, help you discover your pet’s relatives, screens your dog for potential health issues, and much more. To learn more about this product check it out on Amazon.
Phantom Poodle Health Issues
A phantom is ultimately a poodle, and the unique coloration does not bar it from having the same health issues as any other poodle.
If you consider adding a Phantom Poodle to your family, you should be aware of all the possible health issues your pup may be vulnerable to.
Poodles have an average lifespan of about 10 to 13 years and are generally quite healthy and active.
Before picking up a phantom puppy, be very wary of a breeder that has dogs available so soon as reputable breeders typically have a waiting list. Make sure that the breeder does proper health testing.
Falling in love with the cute puppies down at the kennel and wanting to take that pooch back home ASAP – we’ve all been there, but we highly advise you to do your research about reputable breeders.
The last thing you need is to end up with a dog that will have severe health issues in a year because the breeder wanted to make a quick buck and doesn’t care to breed adults with genetic diseases.
Some of the most common health conditions that a poodle is vulnerable to are:
- Thyroid Issues
- Hip Dysplasia
- Bloating
- Addison’s Diseases
- Epilepsy
To keep your poodle healthy and disease-free, there are some standard practices that you can adopt today to get those results.
Safe Poodle Breeding
- Step number one is to make sure your poodle is appropriately bred. Poodles, due to their genetics, are vulnerable to drawing a wide variety of health issues.
- To avoid those health issues, get your poodle checked before breeding them and do proper research on the breeder.
- Another important thing you need to know about is inbreeding.
- Inbreeding causes a lot of health issues in dogs, and should generally be avoided.
- To put it into basics, inbreeding is terrible because it creates a closed population over time, not allowing any new genes into the gene pool.
- It is good because it will enable you to “cement” desirable traits into a dog, whether that be temperament, health, or drive.
General Care
- Poodles are generally quite easy to care for, and a phantom shouldn’t be any different.
- Taking care of your poodle simply includes practices a dog owner should adapt to give the pet a healthy lifestyle.
- Standard practices include visiting the vet regularly and getting health checkups, feeding the dog a portion of protein-rich dog food, controlling exposure to the sun, brushing the coat periodically, and bathing the dog regularly.
What’s the difference between a Parti Poodle and a Phantom Poodle?
- A phantom can be easily mistaken for a parti.
- So let us find out what makes a phantom different from a parti poodle.
- A parti poodle has patches that are random and can occur anywhere in the dog’s coat. It is like fingerprints are on human, unique, and random.
- What makes a phantom different from a parti is the fact that a phantom poodle has markings that will possess spots only on certain parts of the body such as the anterior portion, the upper side of the body, legs, butt, etc. In addition, these specific parts may fade in and out depending on the coat type.
- This is the only characteristic that makes a phantom differ from a parti.
Phantom Poodle Puppies
Getting your hands on Phantom Poodle puppies may seem easy, but you’ll want to make sure you follow the proper procedure.
If you get your pup from a reputable breeder, it will not only ensure bred quality but will also provide a healthy and disease-free pooch.
Proper socializing means your puppy can be exposed to lots of different stimuli and remain engaged with you while being able to interact politely when permitted. So taking your phantom pup outside to practice calmly observing people and other dogs walk by is a great start, and it’s also free.
Make sure to get your pup all the vaccination shots according to their vaccination schedule, if you ignore the vaccination schedule you might have to begin a new vaccination schedule and get your puppy revaccinated.
Another essential practice is to feed your puppy right. Puppies will eat as much as you give them usually, so it’s up to you as a responsible dog parent to control portions.
Those portions are going to vary based on the brand you feed, so we recommend the bags feeding chart and go according to that. Until six months, you don’t need to be precise as your pup’s metabolism is so fast. As long as it’s not table scraps or wet food, dry food, you can go up and down and not be too concerned.
How Much is a Phantom Poodle Puppy?
You might think that, as the American Kennel Club will not accept Phantom Poodles in the Conformation Ring, these dogs will be cheaper than their solid-colored siblings. Sadly, that’s not the case. The unusual coloring, and the complex genetics needed to produce it, set the standard and the price high for these dogs, with some Standard Phantom Poodle breeders charging upwards of $2,400 per puppy. Compare that to the average price for a solid-colored Poodle, and you’ll realize that two colors cost twice as much. You could pick up a solid-colored Standard Poodle for just $700 and a Miniature one for $1,000, but for a Phantom, you need a budget closer to $2,000 to $3,000, or even more for a top-quality dog.
How Much Does A Phantom Poodle Cost?
- Phantom Poodle puppies are very cute! They may be one reason why people like phantom poodles so much.
- Due to its unique color, buying a phantom poodle won’t be cheap.
- Phantom poodles a breeder will charge you around $1000 to upwards of $2000.
- An important fact you might want to know is that a phantom poodle is not accepted in the AKC Conformation Ring.
- Since a phantom poodle is an expensive dog you may want to get dog insurance in case something happens.
- Poodles are vulnerable to a lot of risk factors, so it is always better to have pet insurance.
Are Phantom Poodles Difficult to Train?
- Like their solid-colored cousins, Phantom Poodles are eager to please and highly intelligent. This makes them keen students, although their instincts may sometimes get in the way. Having been bred as hunting dogs, Poodles have a naturally high prey drive and awareness of their environment, which means they need lots of stimulation and exercise.
- Poodles are people-oriented dogs and, without enough human company, can develop unwanted and destructive behaviors. Poodles also become depressed if they don’t get enough attention and may also exhibit signs of separation anxiety when parted from their chosen human.
- Early puppy training and regular exercise, along with stimulating games and proper socialization can help your Phantom Poodle adjust more readily to his environment and become a loyal and content companion.
How Long Does a Phantom Poodle Live?
- Phantom Poodles can be expected to live as long as any other type of Poodle although, it should be noted that Standard Poodles have a slightly shorter life expectancy than either the Toy or Miniature versions.
- While a Toy Phantom Poodle has an average life of around 14.5 years, a Miniature’s is slightly shorter at 14, and the Standard’s shorter again at 12.
Can You Show Phantom Poodles?
Currently, the American Kennel Club (AKC) only allows Phantom Poodles to compete in agility and obedience competitions, not conformation. The United Kennel Club (UKC), on the other hand, recognizes the Phantom Poodle as part of the multi-colored Poodle breed and will only disqualify a dog if it’s aggressive or extremely shy.
Phantom Poodle Name Ideas
By now, we both can agree that phantom poodles have a really cool coat coloration, which makes it kind of necessary not to have a common name.
With that being said, choosing a name for your companion can prove to be quite stressful. This is why I decided to compile name suggestions made by you guys in the comments section. So here are some of the suggestions made by you creative people!
- Guinness (courtesy of Melissa Larson and her black and tan phantom poodle)
- Pixie (courtesy of Charlize and her black tricolor phantom toy poodle)
- Snickers (courtesy of Nancy and her brown phantom poodle)
- Sarah (courtesy of Judy and her 7-year old phantom poodle)
- Oakley (Courtesy of Linda Martin and their Phantom Moyen Poodle)
- Phantasie (courtesy of MB and black and red phantom poodle)
- Sterling (courtesy of Claudia Judd McGrath and her Silver Phantom Poodle)
- Winston (Courtesy of Sherri Holland and their distinguished one year old Sable Phantom Poodle)
- Jackie (Named after Jackie Kennedy, Courtesy of Claudia McGrath and their Silver Phantom Poodle)
- Arto (Courtesy of Marina and their Black and their White Phantom Poodle)
- Jesse (Courtesy of Sandra Le Tendre and their active 7 1/2 year old Phantom Poodle)
- Penny Joy (Courtesy of Pat Stichweh and their joyful Silver Moyen Phantom)
The next four names were provided by Dee in the comment section.
- Floppy
- Sugar Baby
- Stormy
- Lil’ Stormy (Read comments if you would like to know how they came up with this name)
If you would like to contribute to this list of creative phantom poodle names, make sure to comment it down below.
You can either choose from one of the names provide above or come up with something of your own.
Don’t forget to thank all the lovely people in the comments who provided these creative names for this beautiful poodle color.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to love ghost stories to fall in love with the striking patterns of the Phantom Poodle.
With the same friendly temperament and life expectancy as any other Poodle, the Phantom Poodle will slip into family life with comparative ease.
These energetic and intelligent dogs love human company, so aren’t suited to homes where the two-legged residents spend most of their time away.
If you want a Poodle that’s going to turn heads as well as keep you company on long walks, a Phantom Poodle is ideal, although, in my opinion, the Tuxedo Poodle is the most beguiling.
Phantom Poodles are largely healthy dogs, as long as you source your puppy from a reputable breeder. Inbreeding can negatively affect a dog’s health, so it’s worth investing the time and effort required to find a legitimate breeder, especially if you’re going to be spending $2,000 or more on your Phantom Poodle puppy.
Only get a Phantom Poodle if you’ve got the time and dedication to provide for all his needs, from grooming and exercise to training and companionship. If you can meet those, you’ll have yourself one of the most loyal and protective dogs you could imagine – and one that stands out from the crowd with his Phantom patterns.
