But Bindi had another genetic trait that would make her appearance change as she grew: the progressive fading gene.
Today, when we look at Bindi, we can see just how much her coat has evolved since puppyhood. The rich rust color she had when she was young has softened into a soft tan, giving her an entirely different look from the puppy we brought home.
What Is the Fading Gene?
The term "fading gene" is commonly used by breeders and Poodle and Doodle owners to describe a genetic tendency called progressive graying.
Dogs with this trait are often born with darker coats that gradually become lighter as they mature. The change doesn't happen overnight. Instead, it happens slowly as a puppy loses its original coat and grows new hair.
For some dogs, the first signs can become noticeable during the first year of life. Others may take longer to show significant changes. Every dog is different.
And Bindi's coat certainly has had a story to tell.
Why Did Bindi's Color Change?
To understand Bindi's fading, it helps to understand a little about pigment.
Dogs primarily produce two types of pigment:
Eumelanin creates black and brown coloring, while phaeomelanin produces red, gold, and yellow coloring.
Progressive graying primarily affects the darker eumelanin pigment. As new hair grows, it may contain less of that dark pigment, causing the coat to gradually appear lighter.
That's why a puppy who starts out looking almost black can eventually develop shades of charcoal, gray, silver, or even a softer brown.
With Bindi, however, there is another beautiful part of her color story.
Bindi's Rust Became Tan
Bindi's rust markings were particularly striking when she was a puppy. Over time, those warm rust-colored areas softened considerably.
Today, her markings have a much lighter, more muted tan appearance.
While the change in her rust coloring shouldn't necessarily be attributed entirely to the same mechanism responsible for progressive graying, it is part of the fascinating way coat color can evolve in Poodle mixes as they mature.
In other words, the Bindi we see today isn't exactly the same color as the puppy we fell in love with.
And that's part of the fun of having a dog whose coat changes with age.
A Coat That Tells Her Story
One of the most interesting things about Bindi's coloring is that her coat gives us a visual reminder of how much she has grown.
Her puppy coat was dark, rich, and full of contrast. As she matured, those colors softened and blended into something more subtle.
Her rust became tan.
Her overall coloring became softer.
And somehow, she became even more uniquely Bindi.
It's easy to think of a dog's coat as simply being the color they were born with. But for dogs with progressive graying, their puppy coat is really just the beginning of the story.
Is Fading Normal?
Yes. For a dog genetically predisposed to progressive graying, this is a normal part of coat development and isn't an indication that something is wrong.
The timing and extent of fading can vary tremendously from one dog to another. Genetics, coat type, ancestry, and other color-related genes all play a role in the final appearance.
It's also worth noting that "fading gene" is a common breeder term rather than a simple, single genetic test that can definitively predict exactly how a dog's coat will change. The science behind progressive graying in dogs is more complicated than the nickname suggests.
Our Ever-Changing Bindi
Perhaps the sweetest part of watching Bindi's coat change is realizing that we've gotten to see several different versions of her.
There was puppy Bindi with her rich rust markings.
Then came the gradual changes as she grew.
And now we have the beautiful adult Bindi, with her softer fawn coloring and the same sweet personality we've loved all along.
Her coat may continue to change subtly over the years, but one thing won't change:
Bindi will always be our girl.
And when we look back at pictures of Bindi as a puppy, we can't help but smile.
She may not look exactly the same anymore, but she's still unmistakably Bindi.