poodle is changing color

Question
Hello,
     I was wondering if you can answer my question. I have a 2 year old toy poodle. She was chocolate when I bought her and her siblings were black. She started changing to a champagne color about 8 months ago and then started developing black coarse hair on her rump. The black hair is now a stripe along her back and around her neck. There is a little forming on her legs. I love her but now she looks dirty even after grooming because of the smutty color. Why is this happening? I don't mind the smutty color if it's all over..why isn't she one color?

Answer
To really answer your questions I would have to see a puppy shot of your dog and a current shot of your dog.  I would also have to know what colors the parents were.  Without this info I can not give you a definate answer.
My guess is too from your description that even though the siblings looked black to you they were probably blues.  The poodle color of blue can carry for every color in it genes.  So if one or both of the parents were blue then that is why you most likely have a sable.
A poodles coat is not fully mature until 2 years of age.  Some colors take a full 2-3 years to fully clear.  What you are describing sounds like a sable.  But as I said I would have to see pictures to tell you for sure.  My guess is as a puppy that she was lighter underneath than she was on the tips of her hair right?
She isnt one solid color probably cause she is a parti color.
If you would like to send me some pictures so that I can better tell you what color she is for sure you can email them to qtpawzpoodles@yahoo.com