Black and tan dogs come in all shapes and sizes! If you like this coat pattern, here are a few breeds that you can choose from.
What dog breeds are black and tan?
Dogs with black and tan markings are quite common. From the Rottweiler to the German Shepherd, here are the 10 most popular black and tan dog breeds.
Small black and tan dog breeds
Let's focus first on the small dog breeds with this stunning colour combination.
English Toy Terriers
The English Toy Terrier is another one of the smaller black and tan breeds. It's a close relative of the Manchester Terrier and was bred to hunt rats and other vermin.
As an athletic hunter, the English Terrier is exceptionally quick and agile. English Toy Terriers are energetic, loving, but they do like to bark a lot! Despite their friendly natures, the English Terrier is still quite rare, and is on the Kennel Club's vulnerable breeds list.
Australian Silky Terriers
The Australian Silky Terrier is a small black and tan dog. They bear a striking resemblance to the Yorkshire Terrier, although they're distinguished by longer and silkier coats.
They’re high energy, enthusiastic dogs that love to run and play. But they do have a quieter side. Once exercised, the Australian Terrier becomes much more laidback. They'll be happy to spend many hours snoozing on your lap! Their coats require lots of grooming. It's very prone to matting and tangling and should be brushed at least once a week.
Dachshunds
The Dachshund, also known as the sausage dog, comes in three varieties: wire, long, and smooth coated. Dachshunds can come in many different colours, but one of the most popular coat patterns is black and tan.
This dog breed originated from Germany, where it was used to hunt badgers, foxes and wild boar. This small dog breed is a great addition to the family and has become a popular breed in the UK. Not only are they cute, they are also very intelligent, playful and will quickly bond with its owner.
Medium black and tan dog breeds
Let's focus first on the small dog breeds with this stunning colour combination.
Australian Kelpies
The Kelpie is another black and tan dog from down under. A close relative of the Border Collie, the Kelpie is also part of the herding group. Like their relatives, they herd sheep, cows, and other livestock. They became renowned for their skills and were exported all over the world.
Depending on the parents, a Kelpie's black and tan coat can be rough or smooth. Either way, it is quite short and very easy to maintain. The Kelpie is a healthy, medium-sized dog. They grow to about 45cm in height and weigh up to 60lbs.
Beagles
Beagles have white on their faces and legs, but the rest of their fur has a very distinct black/brown pattern. Beagles can be traced back to the early 1800s, when their superior sense of smell and tracking abilities made them very useful hunting dogs.
Like most working dogs, the Beagle is lively, smart, and very single minded. Its a popular choice for many dog owners, mainly because of its small size, affable nature, and healthy disposition. Beagles have a lifespan of 12-15 years. Common health issues include hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and epilepsy.
Large black and tan dog breeds
Now let's have a look at the big dog breeds with this colour combination.
German Shepherds
One of the UK's most popular breeds, the German Shepherd was first used as a herding dog and then became a popular service animal for police and armed forces.
The German Shepherd is strong, quick, and very loyal. They're also one of the most intelligent breeds. This means they respond really well to the right kind of training methods. They tend to have large black patches on their backs and around the muzzle; the rest of their bodies are covered with light brown fur.
This well structured and healthy dog has a lifespan of 10-11 years. However, like all breeds, they're susceptible to certain health issues. These include joint problems, ear infections, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which is a degenerative disease that affects the pancreas (although this is very rare
Beaucerons
A fearless and loyal working dog, the Beauceron is another active and intelligent black and tan dog breed. The Beauceron was originally bred for herding.
The Beauceron stands between 61-70cm in height and weighs between 66-110lbs.
Dobermann
This powerful and large dog is very intelligent and extremely loyal. The Dobermann was bred to guard. They will need firm training and would be best suited to an experienced owner. They are very protective of their family, therefore they will need to be socialised early. The Dobermann loves to learn and needs a lot of mental stimulation.
The Dobermann, also called the Dobermann Pinscher, is muscular, strong and elegant. Its coat colour comes in different varieties: black & rust, blue and rust, fawn and rust and red and rust.
Rottweillers
This strong and powerful dog is a great guard dog. They were originally bred to drive cattle to the market. After that, the Rottweiler was used in the police and military. In dog shows, there are three colours which are accepted: black and mahogany, black and tan and black and rust.
The Rottweiler is calm, confident and has a natural instinct to protect its family. A Rottweiler's training must be firm, consistent and positive. Rottweilers need early socialisation and an experienced owner.
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a big softie. This Swiss dog was originally bred to herd and protect cattle, as well as pull carts.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is calm, intelligent and affectionate. They love to be around their family and are very protective of them. The Berner is easy to train and makes a great addition to the family.
What breed of dog is black, brown and white?
Here are some examples of tricolour dog breeds:
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Beagle
- Australian Shepherd
- Border Collie
- Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
What can I name a black and tan dog?
When choosing a name for a dog, think of their personality. Try choosing a name with two syllables and ending with a vowel. Here are a few suggestions that might help you find a name for your black and tan dog:
- Beagle: Anna, Bob, Pippa, Stan
- English Toy Terrier: Foxy, Jack, Pearl, Ricky
- Australian Silky Terrier: Cookie, Cadburry, Hailey, Pancake
- Austalian Kelpie: Bambi, Honey, Peanut, Tom
- Dachshund: Mocha, Pepsi, Sienna, Twix
- German Shepherd: Rose, Charlie, Teddy, Romeo
- Beauceron: Autumn, Bailey, Wonka, Zoe
- Dobermann: Amber, Braun, Sierra, Tanner
- Rottweiler: Buster, Peach, Summer, Woody,
- Bernese Mountain Dog: Bella, Brownie, Max, Lola
