Meet 9 Incredible Brindle Dog Breeds

Written by Marisa Wilson
Updated: September 4, 2023
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Infographic for 9 Incredible Brindle Dog Breeds
Two brindle patterns can be seen on these dog breeds of various sizes and natures.

The distinctive coloring known as a brindle is common in some dogs and can be described as brown or a dusky tawny tint with streaks of various colors mixed in the pattern. Black stripes adorn the bodies of brindle dogs, running parallel to the ribs. 

A reverse brindle pattern flips the emphasis of the coloring such that light stripes appear to sit over a dark background, in contrast to a standard brindle pattern where dark stripes appear over a lighter-colored background. 

Some people feel uneasy around brindle dogs because their colors can seem fierce or intimidating. The fur pattern, however, doesn’t affect the dog’s behavior. If you’re curious about the types of brindle breeds, there will be a dog on this list for you to consider, so keep reading!

1. French Bulldogs

A young brindle French Bulldog

French bulldogs enjoy being clownish to entertain their owners.

©Lee waranyu/Shutterstock.com

The French Bulldog is a friendly, low-maintenance, playful, watchful, and loving companion. Without being yappy and noisy, it is passionate and active. It is curious, adorable, downright entertaining, and has a very comical disposition because it enjoys being silly. 

This breed is upbeat and relaxed. They get along with most people and animals but enjoy spending time with its owner. It enjoys playing with other canines. If given the opportunity to assert dominance, some Frenchies may develop dog aggression. 

Without leadership, this breed will not flourish. It’s impossible to own this dog and ignore it. The animal becomes stubborn and irritable when an owner acts meekly or passively toward it. If the owner is consistent and firm while remaining calm, they can be trained. 

2. Greyhounds

Dog Facts for Kids: A greyhound

Greyhounds are often described as being the “40mph couch potato” because they love to lie on the sofa when they’re not running.

©Liliya Kulianionak/Shutterstock.com

The greyhound is very peaceful and kind-hearted. Hunting and racing in packs were essential for the greyhound. Therefore, the breed has nearly entirely overcome aggression toward other dogs. 

However, households with small animals like hamsters would not be a good fit because of the dog’s strong prey drive. The greyhound is frequently patient with kids and, because they are not aggressive, will typically walk away when annoyed rather than snap or growl. 

Despite exceptional athletic abilities, the greyhound is content to sleep for most of the day. Because of its limited stamina, the dog needs less exercise time than most dogs.

3. Staffordshire Bull Terriers

A brindle staffordshire bull terrier sitting on a hill

Staffordshire Bull Terriers make great watchdogs and love to spend time with their person.

©everydoghasastory/Shutterstock.com

He needs to work hard to release his energy and keep his muscles looking fantastic. The social Stafford yearns for companionship and always longs to be by your side. He is pleasant with everyone and makes a responsible watchdog with the proper socialization. 

Most Staffordshire Bull Terriers get along well with other pets in their own home, including cats and dogs. However, many Staffords would gladly engage in combat if necessary. You should honestly assess your other pets before introducing a Staffordshire Bull Terrier into a home with other animals. 

A Staffordshire terrier is not a wise pet option if you already have a dominant dog. Staffords should be closely watched among unfamiliar dogs; ensure that none of the other dogs are posing a threat to yours. 

4. Great Danes

Brindle Great Dane standing on a lawn

Great Danes are gentle giants that actually make good apartment dogs if they get enough long walks.

©Whiteaster/Shutterstock.com

The Great Dane is a sweet, gentle giant. They are affectionate, mildly playful, and excellent with kids. Most Great Danes will get along with other animals, especially if they were brought up with them. However, some breeds can be aggressive with canines they do not know. 

A Great Dane owner must be able to accommodate the large dog’s size. These dogs will consume far more food than a tiny dog, so feeding a Great Dane will be much more expensive than feeding a miniature poodle. 

They need space to roam about and exercise, especially in their early years. Great Dane owners in the city must be ready to take their dogs on lengthy daily walks. To ensure they will be controllable when fully grown, Great Danes must be obedience trained.

5. Dutch Shepherds

Dutch Shepherd playing with a ball

Dutch Shepherds are highly intelligent and excel at agility training and similar sports.

©Rita_Kochmarjova/Shutterstock.com

If you’re seeking a dog to teach, you’ve discovered a fantastic candidate. The Dutch shepherd is a brilliant dog that can compete in agility or flyball events and pick up tricks quickly. Because Dutch shepherds are highly intelligent, training them in brief sessions with little repetition is preferable. 

These dogs will return for further training if it is exciting and varied. Once you move past the fundamentals of obedience, you’ll discover that they become more enthusiastic about training as your cues become more complex since they love mental stimulation. 

However, you might want to pick a different dog breed if you don’t want to devote much time to training. If these inherently independent canines aren’t correctly educated to follow commands, they’ll acquire independent streaks and become a handful.

6. Boxers

A brindle boxer standing on a concrete walkway

Boxers are high-energy, extremely trainable dogs that revel in making their owner’s happy.

©volofin/Shutterstock.com

Boxers are active, high-energy, clever dogs who like to keep busy. Their personalities reflect their ancestry. They are devoted dogs who passionately protect their family and house from outsiders and want to spend their time with their owners. 

They rarely bark nonstop. A boxer likely growls for a good reason. However, many boxers are vocal and generate a growling sound that is just the dog communicating. The boxer has a strong desire for social interaction and physical activity. 

Boxers can be destructive if left alone in the house if these demands are not addressed. Boxers are perfect for busy families with larger homes frequently occupied by people or folks who usually want a canine friend. As long as they have the chance to run around and burn off energy, they can thrive on a rural estate or in an apartment in the city.

7. Bull Terriers

Brindle bull terrier

Bull terriers must be carefully socialized to interact correctly with people other than their families.

©otsphoto/Shutterstock.com

With family members, Bull Terriers are kind, playful, and affectionate. They will protect the family and are devoted pets. The same safety precautions should be taken around strangers, kids, and other animals as with any large or hardy breed. Bull terriers can be destructive if their owners don’t give them enough exercise and care. 

Bull Terriers need to be trained in obedience because the breed is strong. Additionally, from an early age, they need to be carefully socialized. Exposure to neighboring pets and other people must frequently occur under supervision for socialization. Bull Terriers make fantastic family dogs when raised with the proper socialization and training. 

However, they aren’t a wise choice for inexperienced dog owners, and they’re not typically advised for homes with other pets or careless kids. Even if trained and socialized, bull terriers should not be allowed to run loose; instead, they must be exercised regularly in a fenced-in yard or during leash walks. 

8. Cardigan Welsh Corgis

Types of heeler dogs - Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Cardigan Welsh Corgis adore their families, particularly children, and they make good watchdogs.

©Lyntree/Shutterstock.com

When given enough time, this breed will typically open up to new friends and offer part of the bountiful affection they lavish on their family. This breed may initially be reticent with strangers. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi gets along well with various animals, including farm animals and household pets like cats. 

They adore having kids in the house, and as members of their pack, they instinctively take care of them. Your Cardigan Welsh Corgi will enjoy spending time with you and lavishing affection on close relatives. 

These dogs are alert by nature, which makes them good watchdogs who can quickly bark to warn their owners of any danger. If you live in apartments, you might need to focus on your dog’s excessive barking, but other than that, this breed is fine in apartments as long as it gets regular walks.

9. Plott Hounds

Brindled Plott Hound head shot

Plott Hounds are brave enough to hunt bears and gentle enough to spend time with children.

©Will Hughes/Shutterstock.com

The Plott hound is an affectionate and cooperative breed that gets along well with children when properly socialized. Plotts had the courage to go after a big game while being devoted and dependable friends at home because they were raised to hunt bears and protect the household. 

They can occasionally be distant towards strangers due to their intense sense of loyalty. The Plott hound will need some training to become accustomed to a cat, just as many other canines created for hunting down animals. Introducing a young dog into a home where a cat already resides is simpler. 

The Plott hound, however, is entirely content when around other dogs. Due to their high activity level, Plott hounds require frequent, intense exercise. Make sure they have lots of room in a securely enclosed yard, regular walks, and mentally challenging physical activities like fetch and tug-of-war.

Summary of Incredible Brindle Dog Breeds

BreedCharacteristics
French BulldogFriendly, playful companion
GreyhoundStrong prey drive, but not aggressive
Staffordshire Bull TerrierGreat watchdog and companion
Great DaneExcellent with children
Dutch ShepherdAthletic and intelligent
BoxerEnergetic, clever, and devoted
Bull TerrierAggressive and protective
Cardigan Welsh CorgiGood watchdog and great with children
Plott HoundsBred for big game, loyal guard dog

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Will Hughes/Shutterstock.com

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Sources

  1. The Spruce Pets, Available here: https://www.thesprucepets.com/brindle-dog-breeds-4842181
  2. Marvelous Dogs, Available here: https://www.marvelousdogs.com/brindle-dog-breeds/
  3. Rover, Available here: https://www.rover.com/blog/9-beautiful-brindle-dogs-cant-help-fall-love/
  4. The Happy Puppy Site, Available here: https://thehappypuppysite.com/brindle-dog/
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About the Author

Creepy-crawly creatures enthrall Marisa. Aside from raising caterpillars, she has a collection of spiders as pets. The brown recluse is her favorite spider of all time. They're just misunderstood. You don't have to worry about squishing the creatures as her catching, and relocating abilities can safely move stray centipedes or snakes to a new location that's not your living room.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Why do some dogs have a brindle coat?

If a dog has a brindle coat, that can be attributed to genetics. A dog must possess the brindle gene in order to be brindle, and only some breeds do. However, because the brindle gene is recessive to the black gene, many dogs with the gene will be black or have several colors.

What does brindle mean?

A coat pattern with stripes ranging in color from dark brown to black with a base color of brown is known as brindle. The pattern of these markings sometimes resembles that of a tiger, but in certain individuals, it might be blotchy.

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