Brindle dog breeds can be large or small, long- or short-haired, friendly or reserved. The only thing they all have in common? Unique coloring that looks almost like tiger stripes. Actually, brindle coloring can vary widely in both color 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. More often than not, 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. You’ll note tons of working and herding dog breeds on here, so get ready for a beautiful pup who needs lots of firm training.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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