30 Dog Breeds With Beautiful Brindle Coats You'll Want to Adopt ASAP

Aren't dogs with brindle coats just beautiful? The color pattern of brindle dog breeds—characterized by black, brown and tawny-colored fur with streaks of other colors—is inherited genetically, so it only presents in certain dog breeds.

This mutation takes place at the K locus in a dog's genes. Different combinations of different genes can result in a dog having a brindle coat—especially since the gene for brindle is dominant over lighter-colored coats (though not dominant to the all-black gene).

It's not uncommon to see the brindle pattern amongst Molosser dogs. This is a category of dog breed that includes Mastiffs, Bulldogs, Boxers and some terriers—mainly, breeds known for their distinctly wide chests, large size and toned, muscled legs. But some other breeds carry the trait as well.

Keep reading for 30 brindle dog breeds.

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30 Brindle Dogs

1. French Bulldog

Is there anything cuter than a Frenchie? Seriously! Brindle French Bulldogs are super common—as are Merle—so if this is your favorite breed of all time, you should have no problem finding a Frenchie pup with a brindle coat.

2. Bullmastiff

Bullmastiffs are large, and in charge, with an ever-looming presence, you simply can't ignore. As this breed is recognized as a part of the Molosser category, it's no wonder you can find these 130-pound beauts in a brindle pattern.

3. American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier—also known as the AmStaff or American Staffy—is a medium-sized dog known for its short coat. In many cases, it presents in a brindle pattern.

4. Great Dane

The Great Dane (also known as the German Mastiff) is one of the largest dogs around. As its more formal name would suggest, this breed—known to have a brindle coat—comes from Germany, where it was bred as a hunting dog since the Middle Ages.

5. Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is a sweet and thoughtful-tempered hunting dog that hails from Ireland. Beyond its brindle coat, you'll probably notice its large stature first. After all, Irish Wolfhounds are some of the tallest dogs in the world, averaging about 32 inches tall.

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6. Boxer

The boxer is an energetic, fun-loving breed with adorable, expressive eyes and distinct white markings. But apart from those markings, a Boxer can have a fawn, white or brindled coat.

7. Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier is one of the most distinct-looking breeds there is. But aside from the all-white appearance the dog is known for, Bull Terriers can also have brindled coats as well.

8. Whippet

One of the fastest dogs there is, the Whippet is a sighthound breed that originated from England. Descended from the Greyhound (which also shares the gene for brindle), Whippets may have brindled coats to go with their lean, tall stature.

9. Jack Russell Terrier

Small, smart and usually stubborn, the Jack Russell Terrier makes a great family dog.  Known colloquially as "Jack Russells," these pups are usually tan and white in color. They originally hail from England, where they were bred for foxhunting.

10. Cane Corso

The Cane Corso is a large Italian breed of Mastiff that makes an exceptional guard dog (due to their incredible size). Historically, they've been used on farms to herd cattle and hunt. Their brindle coat makes for great camouflage when out in the woods.

11. Akita

Brindle Akitas are certainly on the rarer side for the breed standard, but they definitely do exist. In many cases, they are highly coveted. Originally from Japan, the Akita—also known as Akita Inu—is a medium-sized pup that makes a great family dog (with or without a brindled coat!).

12. Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier is most famously known as Toto from The Wizard of Oz. Although Dorothy's little dog was all-black in that movie, Cairn Terriers can also be cream-colored or even have a brindle coat, too.

13. Treeing Tennessee Brindle

A specific breed in the Cur family, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle has been recorded in the American Kennel Club since 1995. These dogs were initially bred for a type of hunting called "treeing," (hence their name). "Treeing" refers to a method of hunting in which dogs force their prey up a tree so the hunter can retrieve it more easily.

14. English Mastiff

The English Mastiff is another large Molosser breed. Typically, its name is shortened to just "Mastiff," though there are other kinds of Mastiffs, too. Females can weigh as much as 170 pounds while males have been known to hit 230 on the scale. Now, that's a huge dog!

15. American Mastiff

Then you have the American Mastiff—another Molosser. Also very large and strong, this Mastiff usually has amber eyes, rounded, high-set ears and a long, drawn-out muzzle. Most American Mastiffs end up either fawn or apricot in color, though they range from grayish-brown to, of course, brindle.

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16. Glen of Imaal Terrier

One of the four Irish Terrier breeds, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is a playful—but very strong—pup. So, don't be deceived by his charming looks. This breed typically has toned muscles and may or may not have a habit of playing rough from time to time.

17. Dutch Shepherd

Naturally, the Dutch Shepherd is of Dutch origin. This shepherding breed was often used on farms to corral animals and maintain order in the fields. Unlike some other brindle-coated dogs, the Dutch Shepherd almost exclusively presents in brindle. Color combos include brindle, gold brindle, salt and pepper, silver brindle, gray brindle and blue-gray.

18. American Bulldog

The American Bulldog is a friendly utility dog bred from the Old English Bulldog. Recognized as an exceptional show and farm dog, the American Bulldog—which often gets confused with the Pitbull, thanks to their similar appearance—has become a symbol for being fierce, tough and persistent.

19. Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog generally has a short coat—only an inch long—but also features a thick undercoat. This coat usually comes in pinto, white, fawn (with a black mask) and brindle.

20. Dachshund

Colloquially known as a "hot dog" or "Weiner dog," the Dachshund is known for its long, low-to-the-ground stature. But you can also bet on them having only one "self-color." On top of that, you may find patterns—brindle, sable, dapple, double dapple and piebald.

21. Presa de Canario

The Presa de Canario is a Spanish breed of Mastiff that originally comes from the Canary Islands. It was once known as the Dogo Canario and is common in the islands of Gran Canaria or Tenerife. One of its most common color combinations is brindle.

22. Basenji

A compact, quick dog, the Basenji was originally bred in central Africa. While this breed can present with a brindled coat, it's worth noting that the Basenji is most known for its ability to yodel. Not howl; not bark. The Basenji, well, yodels.

23. Mountain Cur

Mountain Curs typically weigh between 30 and 60 pounds. Historically, they have been used in hunting methods like "treeing" and "trailing." But they also come in handy when hunting big game, too—bear, wild boar, raccoons, squirrels; you name it.

24. Greyhound

One of the quickest breeds there is—just look at those long legs—the Greyhound is commonly found in brindle (tan or brown with black striping). Beyond a brindled coat, the most popular color combos for this breed include black, red or fawn. White Greyhounds are particularly rare.

25. Plott Hound

Plott Hounds were granted the honor of becoming the official "State Dog" of North Carolina. They were officially recognized as a breed in the 1940s. These pups are usually medium-sized, make great family dogs and have been known to beg for attention.

26. Mixed Breed

When it comes to a mixed breed, you can find just about any color combination in a mixed dog's coat (as long as one of the dogs along the line had a brindled coat or the specific gene). Then, it's totally feasible (and common!) to find a mixed breed with a brindle coat.

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27. Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is recognized as an active herding breed that is highly intelligent and hardworking. Standard markings of this breed include a black mask. While it can appear with a brindle coat, Belgian Malinois dogs are most often mahogany, red, red sable or fawn sable in color and pattern.

28. Corsican

Native to Corsica, France, this brindled dog has been known to trot the island since the 16th century. Although the breed did experience a rapid decline, it was saved by the Société Centrale Canine and still exists today as a working dog.

29. Bouvier des Flandres

Loving but also stubborn, the Bouvier des Flandres is a herding dog originally from Flanders, Belgium. These dogs are known to do just about every task there is on a farm—cart pulling, cattle droving, sheep herding and more. However, in today's day and age, you're more likely to see a Bouvier des Flandres working as a guard or police dog thanks to their hardworking, often-serious attitude.

30. Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Last but not least, we have the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Unlike the Pembroke Welsh Corgi—which is typically thought of as fawn-colored with white markings—Cardigan Welsh Corgis come in a lot of different color combos and patterns. This includes black and white, blue Merle and white, brindle and white, gray and white, liver and white, red and white, and sable and white.

Next up, the cutest blue-eyed dog breeds.