ComScore

24 Brindle Dog Breeds with All Types of Gorgeous Coats

From an Akita to a Basenji and Pit Bull, here are 24 brindle dog breeds for your consideration

There are many good reason for adding a dog to the family—after all, they didn’t earn the title of “man’s best friend” for nothing. When it comes to choosing a pup, the options are endless. Teacup dog or Great Dane? High or low-maintenance? Super social or coach potato? As you research, you may have come across brindle dog breeds. Here’s what you need to know about them, plus 24 to consider.

What Is a Brindle Dog?

Brindle dog breeds are a diverse bunch. They can be large or small, long- or short-haired, friendly or reserved. A brindle dog doesn’t refer to a specific breed but rather the unique coloring (the brindle coat) that looks almost like tiger stripes. Coloring can vary widely in both shade and shape. There’s blue, red, silver, brown and fawn brindle, and any of these can mix together or with white to create an unexpected pattern. Often, brindle shows up as an orangey-red background with black stripes. Sometimes, lots of red pokes through. Other times, brindle dogs look almost black (called reverse brindle).

According to Champagne Kennels, this distinct coloration can be seen even on long-haired brindle dog breeds. Since the brindle gene is recessive, it’s less common and not all breeds can produce it. Those who can may be entirely covered in a brindle pattern or only partially coated. If you love the look of a brindle dog, take a look at the breed list below. Aside from the Boxer, which is one of the most common brindle dogs, you’ll note tons of working dogs like the Akita and American Bulldog, as well as herding dog breeds like the Cardigan Welsh Corgi on here. Get ready for a beautiful pup who needs lots of firm training.

Best Dog Sunscreens of 2022


brindle dog breeds akita
TaynaPanova/Getty Images

1. Akita

  • Height: 24-28 inches
  • Weight: 70-130 pounds
  • Personality: Loyal, Brave
  • Activity Level: High
  • Shedding Factor: Seasonal
  • Life Expectancy: 10-13 years

These giant teddy bears from Japan can be found in a variety of brindle coloring, often with white bellies and tails. The Akita’s fluffy fur doesn’t hide this gorgeous coloration and it’s often bright and bold. These are big, protective dogs who will fight like a tiger to keep their families safe, so early socialization and strong command training is required.

brindle dog breeds american bulldog
KJG Photography, Kim Guisti/Getty Images

2. American Bulldog

  • Height: 20-25 inches
  • Weight: 60-100 pounds
  • Personality: Friendly, confident
  • Activity Level: High
  • Shedding Factor: Low to Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Relatives of English Bulldogs, American Bulldogs are athletic, agile and friendly. It’s possible to confuse a brindle American Bulldog with a brindle Boxer as they both have square heads and curious expressions. Give them plenty of routine and scheduled playtime to help them thrive.

brindle dog breeds american staffordshire terrier
IzaLysonArts / 500px/Getty Images

3. American Staffordshire Terrier

  • Height: 17-19 inches
  • Weight: 40-70 pounds
  • Personality: Energetic, devoted
  • Shedding Factor: Low
  • Activity Level: Moderate to High

Life Expectancy: 12-16 years

These are definitely go-getters and up-for-anything dogs. American Staffordshire Terriers love to love and are quick to learn (so teach them tricks and challenge their minds!). When brindled, they tend to be darker or reverse brindle in color.

brindle dog breeds anatolian shepherd dog
Marisol Perez/Getty Images

4. Anatolian Shepherd Dog

  • Height: 27-29 inches
  • Weight: 80-150 pounds
  • Personality: Independent, Patient
  • Activity Level: Moderate
  • Shedding Factor: Seasonal
  • Life Expectancy: 11-13 years

Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are more often than not light tan or fawn in color with dark brown or black faces and ears. When brindled, their coloring may retain some of this lightness. Though independent and smart (aka, they tend to live life on their own terms), Anatolian Shepherds are loyal and unafraid to protect what they love most.

brindle dog breeds basenji
Ирина Мещерякова/Getty Images

5. Basenji

  • Height: 16-17 inches
  • Weight: 22-24 pounds
  • Personality: Independent, smart
  • Activity Level: High
  • Shedding Factor: Low
  • Life Expectancy: 13-14 years

These lively, energetic hound dogs hail from Africa. Quiet and sweet, they have tons of energy to burn and need plenty of exercise to be happy animals. Brindle Basenjis often maintain a reddish-orange hue with a white chest and nose, which makes their regal stance even more powerful.

brindle dog breeds boxer
Julio Salguero / EyeEm/Getty Images

6. Boxer

  • Height: 21-25 inches
  • Weight: 50-80 pounds
  • Personality: Active, Playful
  • Activity Level: High
  • Shedding Factor: Low to Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Playful balls of energy who can also be patient with kids (when trained to do so early on), Boxers make excellent family pets. Bred to hunt and chase wild animals, these dogs excel agility skills and events. Their brindle patterns tend to be luscious, chocolatey brown and are very striking.

brindle dog breeds bull terrier
Ollie Nordh/Getty Images

7. Bull Terrier

  • Height: 21-22 inches
  • Weight: 50-70 pounds
  • Personality: Playful, Energetic
  • Activity Level: Moderate to High
  • Shedding Factor: Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 12-13 years

These unique looking dogs come in just about every color and pattern - including brindle! Muscular and eager, Bull Terriers have been known to thrive in environments that let them use their bodies and their minds, like agility courses, police forces and therapy situations.

brindle dog breeds bullmastiff
Massimo Zocca / EyeEm/Getty Images

8. Bullmastiff

  • Height: 24-27 inches
  • Weight: 100-130 pounds
  • Personality: Affectionate, Obedient
  • Activity Level: Moderate to High
  • Shedding Factor: Low to Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 7-9 years

More often than not, Bullmastiff brindle colors will be fawn or red (or a combination). These are stunning dogs. They are enormous, loving animals who can be overprotective if not trained and socialized early on. Teaching boundaries is key - especially when tons of strangers may want to reach out to pet a giant brindle dog breed while out on walks.

brindle dog breeds cairn terrier
Tara Gregg / EyeEm/Getty Images

9. Cairn Terrier

  • Height: 9-10 inches
  • Weight: 13-14 inches
  • Personality: Curious, Friendly
  • Activity Level: Moderate to High
  • Shedding Factor: Low to Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 13-15 years

Due to their slightly shaggy, wiry coats, Cairn Terriers with brindle coloration won’t present such bold stripes as other breeds. They have bright personalities and can adapt well to a variety of households, as long as life means being included in family outings and events.

brindle dog breeds cane corso
Falombini/Getty Images

10. Cane Corso

  • Height: 23-28 inches
  • Weight: 90-120 pounds
  • Personality: Smart, loyal
  • Activity Level: Moderate to High
  • Shedding Factor: Low to Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 9-12 years

Cane Corso brindle colors include gray, chestnut and black. Like Bullmastiffs, these can be intimidating dogs due to their size. Protective and smart, they could take over your house if you don’t establish firm rules right away. Cane Corsos enjoy having work to do, so invest time in games and vary their exercise regimens to keep them mentally healthy.

brindle dog breeds cardigan welsh corgi
Cavan Images/Getty Images

11. Cardigan Welsh Corgi

  • Height: 10.5-12.5 inches
  • Weight: 25-38 pounds
  • Personality: Adaptable, Sweet
  • Activity Level: High
  • Shedding Factor: Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

These herding dogs love kids, love families and love playtime. Known for their bat-like ears and signature waddle, their brindle coloring is just another trait that makes them so lovable. Don’t confuse the blue merle pattern with the brindle; merle is more mottled with hap-hazardly placed patches of color, whereas the brindle is linear with stripes.

brindle dog breeds dachshund
Bicho_raro/Getty Images

12. Dachshund

  • Height: 8-9 inches (Standard), 5-6 inches (Miniature)
  • Weight: 16-32 pounds (Standard), up to 11 pounds (Miniature)
  • Personality: Curious, affectionate
  • Activity Level: Moderate
  • Shedding Factor: Low
  • Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years

Dachshunds of all sizes and coat lengths can be brindle or have mottled, speckled patches. They tend to be brown, fawn or tan. While these tiny sweethearts are affectionate, they’ve got major independent streaks leftover from their hunting and watchdog days.

brindle dog breeds dutch shepherd
Kesu01/Getty images

13. Dutch Shepherd

  • Height: 21-25 inches
  • Weight: 42-75 pounds
  • Personality: Lively, intelligent
  • Activity Level: High
  • Shedding Factor: Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 11-14 years

Say hello to the only dog breed who is always in style - brindle style, that is. Dutch Shepherds are strong herding farm dogs often used by police and the military. Don’t think leaving them home alone all day will work out for you. Dutch Shepherds will find ways to entertain themselves and they need jobs to do.

brindle dog breeds french bulldog
Gea Veenstra/Getty Images

14. French Bulldog

  • Height: 11-13 inches
  • Weight: 22-28 pounds
  • Personality: Affectionate, even-tempered
  • Activity Level: Low
  • Shedding Factor: Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

One of the most adaptable, apartment-friendly and popular dog breeds in the country is the French Bulldog. These pups can be born with brindling coloring in a variety of hues, sometimes all over or with white markings on their chest. If you want a charming companion with an even-keel personality, look no further.

brindle dog breeds glen of imaal terrier
CaptureLight/Getty Images

15. Glen Of Imaal Terrier

  • Height: 12-14 inches
  • Weight: 32-40 pounds
  • Personality: Gentle, smart
  • Activity Level: Moderate
  • Shedding Factor: Low
  • Life Expectancy: 10-15 years

Like Cairn Terriers, Glen of Imaal Terriers have slightly shaggy, wiry coats that make their brindle patterns more muted than some other breeds on our list. When brindled, they are usually blue or gray in color. Slightly matter-of-fact in demeanor, they are more chill than many terriers, though every dog is different and some Glen of Imaals may still be as stubborn as can be.

brindle dog breeds great dane
Dr T J Martin/Getty Images

16. Great Dane

  • Height: 28-32 inches
  • Weight: 110-175 pounds
  • Personality: Patient, friendly
  • Activity Level: Moderate
  • Shedding Factor: Low
  • Life Expectancy: 7 to 10 years

While brindling isn’t as common among Great Danes as some colorations, including the stunning black and white harlequin pattern, you can still find some that look like tigers. These gentle giants are patient and sweet, despite their often intimidating appearance. Great Danes need plenty of exercise but don’t overexert them! Their joints can’t handle it.

brindle dog breeds greyhound
FMMatito Photography/Getty Images

17. Greyhound

  • Height: 27-30 inches
  • Weight: 60-70 pounds
  • Personality: Independent, sweet
  • Activity Level: High
  • Shedding Factor: Low to Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 10-13 years

Noble and independent, Greyhounds come in a variety of brindle colors and can also run up to 45 miles per hour. Sweet and calm at home, these pups can also be nightmares when it comes to training. This is due to their history as hunting sighthounds who didn’t need to wait for a human’s orders to make decisions.

brindle dog breeds irish wolfhound
Olga Gavrilenko / EyeEm/Getty Images

18. Irish Wolfhound

  • Height: 30-34 inches
  • Weight: 100-120 pounds
  • Personality: Calm, brave
  • Activity Level: Moderate
  • Shedding Factor: Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 6-8 years

Brindling on an Irish Wolfhound ranges from stark reverse brindling to very faint, light brindling. These tall, graceful dogs have wiry double coats and hearts of gold. Calm at home, Irish Wolfhounds need exercise to stay trim, especially as they age.

brittle dog breeds plott hound
tracielouise/Getty Images

19. Plott Hound

  • Height: 20-25 inches
  • Weight: 40-60 pounds
  • Personality: Loyal, intelligent
  • Activity Level: High
  • Shedding Factor: Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

Bred in North Carolina by a German dog breeder, Plott Hounds are almost always brindle (though they can come in some solid colors). These are smart, loyal animals who love to hunt, run and learn. Known for being vocal dogs, they may not be great for apartment dwellers.

brindle dog breeds mastiff
DejaVu Designs/Getty Images

20. Mastiff

  • Height: 27-32 inches
  • Weight: 120-220 pounds
  • Personality: Courageous, patient
  • Activity Level: Moderate
  • Shedding Factor: Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 6-10 years

If you’re in the market for a lovable, protective dog who isn’t afraid to show it, go with a Mastiff. These big, muscular animals can be wary of strangers because their only goal is to keep their family safe and happy. Mastiffs, whether brindle or tan, pick up on human emotions easily, so be prepared for it to feel like they’re reading your mind.

brindle dog breeds whippet
Nancy Miller / 500px/Getty Images

21. Whippet

  • Height: 18-22 inches
  • Weight: 25-40 pounds
  • Personality: Calm, Playful
  • Activity Level: Moderate to High
  • Shedding Factor: Low to Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Whippets really run the gamut in terms or colors and patterns. They can show up in dark, reverse brindle or bright, fawn brindle and everything in between. Fairly low maintenance, Whippets really just need lots of love and a space where they can run like the wind a few times a day.

brindle dog breeds: american pitt bull terrier walking out of a dry grassy field
Carmen Schwarz/500px/Getty Images

22. American Pit Bull Terrier

  • Height: 18-21 inches
  • Weight: 35-70 pounds
  • Personality: Loving, Outgoing, Affectionate, Intelligent
  • Activity Level: High
  • Shedding Factor: Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 8-15 years

The American Pit Bull Terrier is not actually an official breed, according to leading kennel clubs. The term actually refers to Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bulldogs and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. These brindle dogs are known for being stubborn but incredibly smart and do best with structure and routine. They also need a lot of exercise—up to an hour a day.

brindle dog breeds Treeing Tennessee Brindle
mokee81/Getty Images

23. Treeing Tennessee Brindle

  • Height: 16-24 inches
  • Weight: 30-50 pounds
  • Personality: Alert, Intelligent, Friendly
  • Activity Level: Moderate to High
  • Shedding Factor: Low
  • Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

If you live an active lifestyle, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle is the dog to match. Courageous and loyal, this breed thrives in the outdoors—you’ll need to take it on walks multiple times a day. These dogs are alert and agile, while also being adaptable and open. Their smooth, short coat is easy to maintain, requiring weekly brushing and the occasional bath.

brindle dog breeds jack russell terrier
Gea Veenstra/Getty Images

24. Jack Russell Terrier

  • Height: 10-12 inches
  • Weight: 9-15 pounds
  • Personality: Lively, Inquisitive, Affectionate, Friendly
  • Activity Level: High
  • Shedding Factor: Moderate
  • Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

This compact, spunky brindle dog is high energy and very social. Jack Russell Terriers are known for being playful but can also be good watchdogs. Originally, they were bred in England for foxhunting, and thus require lots of outdoor time. Some favorite activities: hiking, bike rides and long walks.


SAshley Headshot PureWow

Freelance Writer

Sarah Ashley covers dogs, cats and pet products for PureWow. She's also tackled mental health, travel and her own struggles with infertility. Beyond earning a Certificate in Creative Nonfiction, covering PetCon and the National Dog Show, Sarah is currently working towards her Masters in Journalism. You can read more of her work on The Click, Culture Trip and Reductress.    

MW 10

SEO Editor

  • Writes across all verticals, including beauty, fashion, wellness, travel and entertainment, with a focus on SEO and evergreen content
  • Has previously worked at Popular Photography and Southern Living, with words in Martha Stewart and Forbes Vetted
  • Has a B.S. in journalism from Boston University