Key Takeaways
- Brown and white are popular colors found in many dog breeds. Brown can range from light tan to deep chocolate while white is a neutral, bright color that can be pure white or have a creamy or off-white tint.
- There are many brown and white dog breeds to choose from, such as the Basset Hound, Jack Russel Terrier, Brittany Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Pointer, Boxer, and more.
- Brown and white dog breeds come in a range of sizes, from small and spunky to large and laid-back.
If you’re looking for a brown and white dog breed, there are many options available, including the Jack Russel Terrier, Brittany Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Pointer, Boxer, and more. Each dog breed has its unique characteristics and personalities, making them perfect for different lifestyles and households. I personally have a brown and white dog Boxer and while his colors definitely turn heads, his personality is definitely louder.
Brown and White Dog Breeds
The Alaskan Klee Kai Breed
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a unique dog breed that looks an awful lot like a Siberian Husky, albeit much smaller. Usually standing around a foot and a half tall and only weighing around twenty pounds, this toy breed has all of the energy and intelligence of their bigger cousins without the size. While most of these dog breeds trend towards black and white, there are plenty with white and brown coats.
Klee Kai is an intelligent, active pet that has a lot of love to give. They’re great for homes that can provide them with plenty of exercise with a wireless dog fence, but that might not have the room for bigger dog breeds. I find that with most dog breeds, keeping them contained and satisfied is easy once they understand their boundaries. Currently, the breed is not part of the American Kennel Club.
Afghan Hound
Afghan Hounds are almost certainly known more for their long locks than for anything else. These dogs have fantastic hair that is usually in shades of brown or tan, but some dogs do have a bit more color. In fact, Afghan Hounds can sometimes even be white and brown—a great color for a great dog.
These brown dogs are smart but finicky, making them a good fit for homes that are willing to invest in training. They also take a fair bit of maintenance, so they’re best suited for homes that don’t mind regular brushing and trips out the groomer—unless, of course, owners trim the coat themselves. I can tell you though that grooming these dogs can be challenging even for experienced owners!
Alaskan Malamute
These intelligent dogs are another breed that typically tends to be black (or grey) and white, but some Malamutes can also be brown and white. With their lighter coloration and fluffy coats, brown and white Malamutes can look both beautiful and unusual at the same time.
I always tell friends that if they’re going to adopt one of these dogs, they better be prepared to spend plenty of time outside. Malamutes love to run and play, though they’re also very happy to spend time with their owners. As with most intelligent dogs, Alaskan Malamutes also require a fair bit of training to keep in line. I had the pleasure of caring for an Alaskan Malamute for a whole weekend and it was the most active time of my life as I spent hours hiking just to keep this pooch happy.
Basset Hound
When it comes to classic white and brown dogs, the Basset Hound has to be near the top of the list. These floppy-eared hunting dogs have a number of different color schemes, but brown and white are almost always in their coloration. These dogs are smart, loveable, and a little more sedate than some of the other dogs on this list—a great combination.
While Bassets can undoubtedly be active, these white and brown dogs with their short coat become very laid back as they get older. Though they’re perfect family pets, they can also be a fantastic companion for older people who are looking for a pet that doesn’t mind spending more time on the couch. I’ve noted how the Basset dog breed loves kids and seems to be perfectly calm and docile as little humans play around them.
Beagle
The Beagle is another one of those dog breeds that quickly comes to mind when most people think about brown and white dogs. One of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, Beagles—and especially the smaller Pocket Beagles—are frequently brown and white.
Beagles are smart dogs that famously love families, but that doesn’t mean they’re always easy to care for. In fact, these brown dog breeds usually need a lot of exercise and some significant training in order to be their best selves, so try to keep that in mind. They’re bred to hunt so I would recommend playing hide-and-seek with them for mental stimulation.
Boston Terrier
Yes, this dog breed does come in brown and white coats. Though most Kennel Clubs will tell you that black and white is the preferred coloration, there are plenty of Boston Terriers that have a different color scheme. The good news, though, is that the difference in color doesn’t change the personality of these dogs.
Boston Terriers have a wide range of personalities. Most of them love to play, though many of them are surprisingly happy as lap dogs. No matter the personality, though, they tend to be fantastic pets for those who are willing to train them.
Cavanese
This toy breed isn’t technically recognized by every Kennel Club yet, but its adorable looks and cute coloration make it more than worth including here. A crossbreed of Havanese and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, these tiny dogs are energetic, loving, and adorable.
The keyword most owners use when discussing this breed is ‘affectionate’. These dogs love to be doted on and return the love of their owners with gusto. With that said, they can take some time to house train and they do require a fair bit of observation as puppies so they don’t end up getting into too much trouble.
Collie
The Collie is absolutely one of the most famous brown and white breeds. If you’ve ever seen Lassie, you already have a good idea of what this coloration looks like on this dog. With beautiful fur and a sunny disposition, these are absolutely wonderful dogs.
Collies are working dogs and that means that they’re both loyal and a little pushy. You’ll have to establish yourself as the boss to one of these dogs and you’ll soon have his undying respect. A great dog who loves time outside, these are also really fun family pets. This medium-sized breed was originally bred for herding and keeping the sheep shape, which is why they’re highly trainable even at a young age. Note that the Collie dog breeds are different from the Border Collies.
English Springer Spaniel
These Spaniels definitely have a darker shade of brown in their coloration, but their prominent chest fur and their unique looks make them a great addition to this list. These dog breeds are real people-pleasers that are absolutely meant to spend time with families or with other pets.
The great thing about this Spaniel is that it’s bred to work with people. That means that they’re not only easy to train, but that they’re great about getting to know new people. I often recommend this breed to people seeking a pet for the first time.
French Bulldog
While you might not immediately think of the Frenchie as a dog with a brown and white coat, the truth is that there are plenty of color variations within this breed. One of the most popular breeds in the United States, Frenchies are loyal pets who have no problems with families of any size.
The sad truth is that Frenchies, as a variation of the bulldog breed, suffer from plenty of health problems. As such, you’ll want to get familiar both with typical Frenchie health issues and with your local vet if you do choose to adopt one of these dogs with their white and brown coats. With that said, Frenchies make fantastic companions.
Jack Russel Terrier
There are few dogs that can match the energy of these classic brown dog breeds with a splash of white. The Jack Russel Terrier is one of those breeds that tend to get cross-bred with everything, and for good reason—they combine energy, athleticism, and great personalities in a way that makes them the perfect pets for those who have time to put up with their silliness.
These Terriers are highly trainable, though they’re always going to be energetic. They are fantastic dog breeds for their families even if they can be skittish around strangers, though many Jack Russel Terriers do also need to be introduced to new dogs with a bit of care. I always remind people interested in this dog breed that the Jack Russell Terrier is a high-energy dog that needs at least 90 minutes of exercise every day.
Lagotto Romagnolo
This Italian water dog is not the most common dog breed in the United States, but it does have a uniquely brown coat with a blend of white dog shading scheme. These medium-sized dogs look like they’re stuffed animals, but they’re actually fairly tough working dog breeds who love to be outside.
This brown and white dog breed is also fairly long-lived, with an average lifespan of between fifteen and seventeen years. That makes the dogs a fantastic choice for those who are looking for a long-term companion, especially if they also want to spend time with a dog who loves to be in the water and who prefers to be active.
Magyar Agar
Another somewhat unique breed, these sighthounds actually originate from Hungary. Most of them are brown all over, but there are actually many who come in brown and white dogs’ color schemes. Excellent hunters, these dogs have also found a niche as fantastic companions.
The word that best describes these white and brown dogs is docile. They are loving, affectionate, and ultimately very gentle. This is definitely at odds with innate abilities to be effective on the hunt, but these qualities make them fantastic dogs for families and for those who need a little emotional support.
Papillion
These tiny dogs are best known for the ears that give them their name. Papillions may only weigh a few pounds, but these dogs are actually much tougher than you might expect. As a matter of fact, these dogs tend to be much less fussy than other toy breeds.
Perfect dogs for just about every situation, these dogs are also amazing athletes. Consistent winners in agility contests, they’re happier running around than anything else. Even with that said, they also know when it’s time to quiet down and spend time with the people they love the most.
Saint Bernard
Generally healthy and one of the bigger dog breeds in the world, Saint Bernard is also one of the brown and white dogs that’s probably the most famous for its coloration. These huge dogs were bred to work and specifically to help save human lives. Though they don’t come with a small barrel of brandy, these dogs with their white and brown coats can be great family pets for those who have time to raise them properly.
The biggest challenge of raising this type of dog breed is the size. They’re naturally friendly and active, but this means that they can also be dangerous because they don’t realize how big they are. With a little support, though, they can be great pets.
Shih Tzu
These elegant dogs are known for their long, luxurious double coat. Available in several color schemes, these dog breeds are commonly brown and white. Though they are among the dogs that take the most maintenance to keep looking their best, these dogs are also fine pets.
A good family dog, the breed is a true lap dog. These royal dogs were originally bred to sit around and look good, so most of their descendants have the same sort of behavior. Great with kids and skittish adults, these are dogs who love to spend time at home with the whole family. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969, these dog breeds have a mix of white, black, and brown markings.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of dog is brown and white?
There are many different types of white and brown dog breeds. Not counting the dozens of different hybrids and cross-breeds that are out there, there are at least fifteen separate breeds of dogs that have this kind of coloration. White and brown dog breeds range from the Jack Russell Terrier and Papillion at the small dog end all the way up to Alaskan Malamutes and St. Bernard’s at the larger end. Almost anything that’s bred with a breed that has a brown and white color scheme can have puppies that end up brown and white, though the coloration won’t always breed as true as some might hope.
2. Are tricolor dogs rare?
Tricolor dogs aren’t especially rare, at least in some breeds. As you might expect, there are definitely breeds that have a lot of tricolors and there are just as many breeds that tend only to have single-color dogs. As such, it’s a good idea to look at whether or not a particular breed tends to have multiple colors in its coat before you stop to think about whether your dog’s color is rare.
3. What dog is closest to a Direwolf?
The dogs that HBO used as stand-ins for Direwolves were Northern Inuit Dogs. Other dogs that tend to look similar are Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies. If you’re looking for something that looks like a baby Direwolf, an Alaskan Klee Klai might be closer. As always, though, dogs that are bred with wolves tend to look an awful lot like wolves and act like one too! While I do love dogs and am used to caring for active ones, I really do not recommend half-wolf dogs as they can be tough to care for. It would be a disservice to you and to the dog!
4. What is a piebald dog?
Piebald dogs aren’t bald; instead, they are dogs who have white spots. As such, a piebald dog might actually be a dog that has a brown coat but who also has unpigmented spots all over its body. Piebald dogs will generally be either brown dogs or black dogs, but they will always have white areas that tend to vary in their distribution.