Sweet Terrier-Poodle Mix 'Tim Tam' Changes Colors As She Grows And Looks Like Completely Different Dog, Owner Seeks Answers

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kalila courban
Aug 18, 2023 10:00 AM EDT

Gather 'round fellow dog enthusiasts! Have you ever noticed that your canine friend can shift shades as they grow up? The owner of beloved Tim Tam, a silky terrier x toy poodle mix, took us by surprise with her post regarding Tim Tam's chameleon-like change from chocolate to silver. Her once-rich hue has turned into a stunning silver which is especially evident on her adorable face.

Intriguingly, it seems that Tim Tam isn't the only pup with a flair for dramatic makeovers. As our beloved furballs reach maturity, they often unveil entirely new colors, textures, and even eye hues. Silky terriers, poodles, Havanese, and more are known for their shape-shifting coats. While it might seem like a magic trick, the secret lies in genetics. Some breeds possess a 'fading' or 'progressive graying' mutation, which gradually lightens the pigment within each growing hair. We learn new things every day but keep a close watch on the canine corner of the interwebs, that's for sure. Now, let's enjoy checking out Tim Tam's transformation! 

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    Font - Posted by u/TwiggyStix02 2 days ago Puppy Changed Colours?
    via TwiggyStix02
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    Font - Hi there! I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask but I just wanted to see if anyone else has noticed this about their puppies? My puppy Tim Tam (named because she was chocolate coloured) is a silky terrier x toy poodle and is almost 7 months old. But, she looks like a completely different dog compared to when we first got her, she's almost a silver colour now, especially on her face!
    via TwiggyStix02
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    Font - My family jokes that she got swapped at the vets when she got desexed Does anyone know what causes this or does anyone else have a dog of the same breed that has also lightened a lot? So many family members and friends have asked this about her too. I still think she is the most perfect thing in my life, we just say she's like a white chocolate Tim Tam now!
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    Font - fluggies 2 days ago Poodles carry a progressive pigmentation gene called silvering. It's why a lot of poodle mutts and purebred Poodles can be born a rich black and then turn silver, or a rich liver end up being a muted gray brown.
    via fluggies
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    Font - stbargabar 2 days ago . Vet Assistant | Genetics nerd This is normal in furnished breeds like Poodles, Yorkies, Bedlingtons, etc. A portion of these breeds possess a mutation called "fading" or "progressive graying" that decreases the amount of pigment produced within each hair as it grows.
    via stbargabar
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    Font - Oui_non 2 days ago . Many poodles carry a gene that causes the coat colour to "clear" (lighten) as they age. For example, pups that look red at birth may clear to apricot by adulthood. Some black pups clear to silver, brown to cafe au lait. It's fascinating! A lot of other dogs will lighten as they age too. My late cocker/beagle mix had very dark spectacle markings as a puppy but they went away as she grew up.
    via Oui_non
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    Font - DarkMattersConfusing 2 days ago Idk what kind of dog she is, but i know for my breed (havanese) a good predictor of their final color is to look at the fur color around their eyes. Based on that, i couldve guessed yours was going to lighten up a lot!
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    Font - happyfeet181- 2 days ago Poodles and poodle crosses commonly change colour as they get older, stabilising at around 2 years old. My cavapoo went from a medium brown to a blonde/apricot!
    via happyfeet181

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