Brindle Dog Breeds

Brindle is one of the most unique coat color patterns that is only found in certain dog breeds, and a few other animals as well. A brindle coat looks similar in appearance to tiger stripes, but not as bold. That’s because it has streaks of color that are different than the base color of the dog’s coat. For anyone looking for a tiger-striped pup, you’ll want to check out these top brindle dog breeds.

Greyhound

The Greyhound is considered to be the fastest breed on the planet, and it’s been clocked on the race track reaching a top speed of about forty-five miles per hour. However, this lean and muscular sprinter does not require long daily exercise sessions. It’s actually a very laidback breed, although because of its high prey drive it will need a securely fenced-in area for it to run and play.

Whippet

The Whippet looks similar in appearance to a small Greyhound. In fact, in the past, it was sometimes known by the nickname, “The Poor Man’s Greyhound.” This sighthound breed is known for its obedient nature, its love for cuddling up with its owner, and snoozing on the couch. It is a quiet dog that will do well in an apartment as long as it has the proper daily exercise.

Great Dane

The Great Dane is one of the extra-large brindle dog breeds, extra-large meaning giant. It does come in several other colors and patterns including the stunning black and white patchwork-like harlequin coat pattern. This enormous German breed loves to stick close to its owner and often thinks it’s a lap dog. However, owning a canine of this size is a big responsibility that is only right for everyone.

Boston Terrier

The little Boston Terrier is an ideal companion dog for individuals or families (especially those with young children). This is a friendly and gentle breed with erect ears and a short tail. Many people wrongly assume the tail on the Boston Terrier is docked.

However, it’s actually born with a stub or corkscrew tail. The breed’s short coat has white tuxedo-like markings on its chest, legs, and in between the eyes. And it may be black, brindle, or seal in color.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a tiny lap dog from Mexico. They are so small that they typically only weigh between two and six pounds. Their small size makes them an excellent choice for someone with limited space or who doesn’t want a pet that needs lengthy walks.

The coat of the Chihuahua comes in just about all colors and patterns. And while this is one of the small brindle dog breeds it isn’t commonly seen in this pattern.

French Bulldog

The Frenchie is a wrinkly-faced and bat-eared bulldog breed. This clownish, and sometimes stubborn companion, doesn’t bark much. However because of its flat face, when you own one you can expect to hear snoring, grunting, wheezing, and snorting on a regular basis. Like its cousin the English Bulldog, this is a breed that needs its facial wrinkles cleaned regularly.

English Bulldog

The English Bulldog was once a gladiator in the brutal sport of bull-baiting for which is how it got its name. However today it is an easygoing and gentle pet that is especially good with young children.

This wrinkly breed does have the tendency to overheat and therefore doesn’t handle hot temperatures or vigorous exercise well. The English Bulldog’s short and soft coat comes in ten colors and six coat patterns including brindle.

American Pit Bull Terrier

Courageous and loyal are two words that accurately describe the American Pit Bull Terrier. This is a high-energy dog that can make a wonderful pet for the right owner. This one-of-a-kind breed needs a master who is experienced, responsible, and willing, and able to provide it with a ton of exercise. The Pit Bull Terrier is one of a handful of brindle terrier breeds.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Compact and muscular with a broad skull, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is an all-purpose dog. This is a naturally sweet-natured canine that once had a fighting past. Nowadays, it is known for being a “nanny dog,” because of its particular fondness and patience for young children.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s coat may be any shade of brindle with or without white. It may also be black, blue, white, fawn, or red or any of these combined with white.

Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier

There are many unique things about the Bull Terrier including of course its small triangular-shaped eyes and egg-shaped head. This medium-sized breed is heavily muscled and has pointy erect ears. It’s an unbelievably loyal canine that does best in homes with older children.

The Bull Terrier is well-known for its clownish behavior but requires a firm and of course a fair master. For fans of both small brindle dog breeds and the Bull Terrier, there is another option: the Miniature Bull Terrier. This is the same exact dog, just in an even smaller package. However as any owner will tell you, he doesn’t seem to know it.

Boxer

The Boxer may either be fawn or brindle in color. Both colors often include white markings on the feet and underbelly of the dog as well. This graceful German breed has tight-fitting skin that highlights its muscular physique. It is a powerful yet at the same time elegant canine. The Boxer is a natural guardian and popular family dog.

Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff is one of the very big brindle dog breeds. But this extra large dog can also be red or fawn in color. Famous worldwide for its guarding abilities, the Bull Mastiff was originally used by British gamekeepers to protect estates from poachers. Because this breed is naturally suspicious of strangers it does need to be socialized from an early age. Potential owners should be prepared for lots of drool.

Dutch Shepherd

The Dutch Shepherd is an all-around working farm dog that’s not as well-known as many other breeds.  It also excels off the farm as a guide for the blind, a search and rescue canine, and a police dog. This brindle shepherd breed comes in three coat types: short-haired, long-haired, and rough-haired. However, because of the coat texture, the brindle pattern can be a bit difficult to see on the rough-haired variety.

Tennessee Treeing Brindle

The Tennessee Treeing Brindle is a relatively new breed developed in the United States. Like its name suggests it is a brindle hound dog breed that is used to track and tree a range of different game animals.

It has a good baying voice and can have a coat that is either brindle or black with brindle trim. The dogs used for the foundation of the breed were brindle Curs from around the U.S. including the Appalachian and Ozark Mountains.

Source: Hummelong [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

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