Silver Color Development of Poodles

What makes Silver different

(notice: information is primarily about Silver Standard Poodle)

A silver Poodle is always born black and will dilute to silver color. Usually this 'clearing' needs 2 years for the smaller varieties. Standards will need more time, sometimes up to 3-4 years.
   Puppies have a silver face and feet at 6-7 weeks old. The slow clearing moves from the outside to the body. Face, feet are the very first and the back, head and especially the neck needs more time.

Silvers in Showcoat (with jacket)

If a silver Poodle is groomed in showcoat, the jacket will be rather black/dark gray (or brown = black hair faded by sunlight) over the neck and shoulders for a long time, even if it is 4 years old. The hair grows approximately 1 cm per month, so it will take some time before the dog turned silver over the whole body. The color of a silver Standard is ready when the dog is between 3 and 4 years old and it depends on how long the coat of the jacket is.