5 brindle dog breeds with beautiful coats
Brindle dog breeds are those with distinct colouring on their coat. Common in Greyhounds and Boxers, the brindle pattern can appear all over their bodies or just in certain spots, giving them a tiger-like appearance.
Usually a base colour of red with black stripes, a Brindle coat is special because it features a unique pattern of dark stripes over a lighter base. This genetic trait is admired for its striking look, often making brindle dog breeds more expensive. What's more, dogs with shorter hair are more likely to carry the brindle colour, rather than long-haired dogs.
"The brindle coat colour in dogs is caused by a recessive gene, that is a genetic mutation of the black coat colour gene. This means for a dog to have brindle colouring, both dog's parents must have the recessive gene, which doesn't make it as common as other fur coat colours," Gemma Renwick, PDSA vet nurse, tells Country Living.
"Whilst the brindle colour is undoubtedly a pretty coat colour (and, anecdotally, rescue dogs with unique, unusual markings tend to find homes quicker) it's really key to note a dog's fur colouring has absolutely no link to what their personality will be like.
"If you're keen on adding a dog to your family, it's important not to focus on their markings, and pick a breed and an individual dog that will be a good match for you and likewise, you're a good match for the dog too."
Keep reading to find out more about the best brindle dog breeds...
Boxers
"The Boxer has two recognised colours according to their breed standard. These are either a fawn shade with white markings or Brindle, but their coat can also be white," says Gemma.
"They have a short, usually shiny coat that requires only a little amount of grooming to keep in top condition. Brushing them once a week will help keep their coat nice and shiny."
Greyhound
"Greyhounds are gentle, sensitive and very affectionate dogs, often forming very close bonds with their owner. Although they are speedy, their energy tends to come in short bursts so once they've had a zoom around, they like to curl up and snooze," says Gemma.
"Unlike some other dog breeds, they come in a huge range of colourings, from really light to really dark shades of brindle, to patchy and then just one shade all over.
"No matter the colouring, Greyhounds all have a very short coat which doesn't require huge amounts of TLC, so is relatively easy to maintain. They'll just need a weekly brush to remove off any dirt they might have picked up on a walk."
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are another brindle dog breed, best known for their large ears and big personalities.
"Like Greyhounds, Frenchies can also have an array of different coat colourings, but the brindle shade is generally very dark black or brown with lighter flecks of brindle pattern. Their coat is generally quite short, so a weekly brush will keep it in good condition," says Gemma.
It's important to note that French Bulldogs can suffer from many health problems due to the shape of their face, which can become very costly over their lifetime.
"Their shortened noses often result in severe breathing difficulties and in addition, due to the extra rolls of skin around their face, they are at risk of developing skin fold dermatitis.
"Because of this, it's important to make sure their skin folds are kept clean and dry. Owners can clean them with damp cotton wool pads but always make sure to dry them thoroughly after."
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
"Staffordshire Bull Terriers, fondly known as Staffies, are often 'people dogs', as they enjoy human company and prefer not to be left alone," says Gemma.
"They can have a range of fur coat colours, and the brindle tends to be similar to Frenchies, very dark black or brown with lighter flecks of brindle pattern. They can be known to have sensitive skin, so always ask your vet for recommendations before choosing a dog shampoo, for those times when they get so muddy, they need a bath."
Cardigan Welsh Corgis
"Corgis are often seen as red or sable and white, but they can also have many other fur shades, including brindle," explains Gemma.
"Brindle Corgis will be Cardigan Welsh Corgis and they tend to be a chocolate brown with darker patches throughout, however still with their classic white patches.
"They do have longer fur, which is water-resistant, but their coat care is still usually fairly minimal, with at-home brushing two or three times per week to remove any dead hair and dirt."
You Might Also Like
