Which Canine Breeds Are Brindle?

Brindled dogs are those whose coats have a tricolor tiger-stripe or patchy pattern, often in the brown, gold or earth tones range. Many breeds can be brindled, but only one is bred to be brindled across the board. Brindle patterns usually are reserved for dogs with very short coats, though brindled dogs come in various sizes.

The treeing Tennessee brindle is the only dog expected to always have a brindled coat. As his name implies, he's a hunting dog who sniffs out game and sends it up a tree until the hunter arrives. Also as the name implies, the treeing Tennessee brindle hails from the Ozark Mountains and is a descendant of the brindle cur. His brindled coat is so prized, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle Breeders Association was formed just to preserve it. Treeing Tennessee brindles are intelligent, courageous and easy-going companions.

Pit bull terriers come in a wide array of colors, from solid white to brindled -- and even their brindle patterns come in a wide palette. Pit bulls are naturally good-natured around people and are extremely loyal companions. Their much-discussed aggressive tendencies usually are aimed at other dogs, but if properly trained, pit bulls usually are benevolent creatures.

The Cardigan Welsh corgi is the corgi with the tail and is the older of the two corgi breeds -- the Pembroke Welsh corgi being the other breed. Cardigans are low-riders with squat bodies who can adapt as easily to country life as they can to a city apartment. They are loyal, affectionate and even-tempered and tend to love the family. Cardigans' coats come in red, sable, black, blue merle and brindle, though white markings are common.

Plott hounds are named for the German brothers who brought curs and hounds to the United States in the 1750s. Though mainly hunting dogs, Plotts are loyal, intelligent companions who quickly learn new things. They are exceedingly courageous and even have been known to take on bears while hunting. Their coats are short and shiny and may be any shade of brindle, solid black, black and brindle trimmed or buckskin.

The dapper Boston terrier often sports a tuxedo-like black-and-white coat. But "the American gentleman" of dog breeds also may sport a seal coat with white markings or a brindle coat. The Boston terrier is gentle, loyal and easy to train. He also requires only a moderate amount of exercise and minimal grooming.

Like middleweight fighters, boxer terriers are toned, well-muscled and athletic. While boxers typically are white with faun coloring, they can sport brindle coats over their white bellies. Intelligent and deeply affectionate, boxers make excellent guard dogs and top-notch protectors of children. They require little grooming, but need daily exercise, just as any boxer would.

Dachshunds are playful, spirited and fearless companions who were bred to ferret out badgers -- their name actually translates to "badger hound" in German. Dachshunds may sport long, short or wiry fur, but they come in an array of colors, from chocolate brown to brindle.