There are several breeds of dog that commonly have a red and white coat coloration. Some of the most popular red and white dog breeds include the Beagle, Australian Cattle Dog, Border Collie, Brittany Spaniel, English Setter, Irish Setter, American Foxhound, and Dalmatian.
Beagle
One of the most recognizable breeds with a red and white coat is the Beagle. The Beagle is a small scent hound that originated in England. They have a muscular build, floppy ears, and a broad head. The most common Beagle coat colors are tri-color (black, tan, and white) and red and white. Red and white Beagles have a white base coat with large red/orange spots. The red areas can range from a light tan to a dark, rusty red. White should make up more than 50% of the coat. Some Beagles are lemon and white, where the red areas are diluted to a lighter yellow or lemon shade.
Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog, also called the Blue or Red Heeler, is another dog breed that comes in red and white. This working dog was developed in Australia to help herd cattle on ranches and farms. They have very high energy levels and are extremely intelligent. An Australian Cattle Dog’s coat is short, dense, and weatherproof. Red Heelers have a solid red base coat with white markings on the face, chest, legs, and tip of the tail. The red can range from a light ginger to a deep rusty red. The white areas help reflect the sun when working long hours herding livestock in the Australian outback.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is arguably the most famous herding dog in the world. Their intelligence, stamina, and intense focus make them premier sheepherding dogs. Border Collies also come in a variety of colors, including red and white. They have a moderately long double coat with soft, dense underfur and longer guard hairs. The red and white Border Collie has a base white coat with red patches on the face, body, legs, and tail. The red varies from light tan to a rich, mahogany red. Some have small flecks of black mixed in with the red and white fur.
Brittany Spaniel
Originally from France, the Brittany Spaniel is a compact gun dog utilized for hunting and sport. They are closely related to Setters. Brittanys have a medium-length silky coat that lies flat. Common coat colors for this breed include orange and white as well as liver and white. The orange and white Brittanys have a pure white base coat with patches of dark orange. The liver and white dogs have a brownish maroon shade instead of orange. In both cases, the colored patches can be in various locations on the body and face.
English Setter
The elegant, high-spirited English Setter is a gun dog developed centuries ago in England for hunting gamebirds. They have a medium-length silky coat that feathers on the ears, legs, tail, and body. One of the coat colors seen in English Setters is white with chestnut markings. The chestnut ranges from a rich reddish-brown to a golden tan shade. English Setters with this coloration have a pure white base coat accented by large patches of chestnut on the face, body, and tail.
Irish Setter
Similar in appearance to the English Setter, the Irish Setter also works as a gundog and excels at bird hunting. This athletic breed has a long, silky red or mahogany coat. When combined with white markings, the coat is referred to as “red and white.” An Irish Red and White Setter will have a pale cream to white base coat with deep red patches on the face, body, and tail. The red is often described as a rich chestnut or mahogany shade. The white base coat will appear on the face, neck, chest, legs, and tail tip.
American Foxhound
Developed in the United States for foxhunting, the American Foxhound has a tall, muscular frame and short, dense coat. Their coat can be any color, but common patterns include tricolor, red and white, and black and white. The red and white American Foxhounds have a predominantly white coat with reddish-brown ticks and patches throughout. The shade of red varies from light tan to a deeper, mahogany tone. There are also American Foxhounds that appear tri-colored when the standard red is combined with random black ticks in the white coat.
Dalmatian
When most people think of a dog with white and red spots, the Dalmatian immediately comes to mind. This distinctive breed has short, sleek fur that’s pure white with black or liver-colored spots. However, when the black pigment is recessive, the spots can lighten to a reddish-brown shade. So some Dalmatians have a white base coat with bright red spots instead of black. The red spots may be tan, liver, or even a rich chestnut. These vibrant red spots mixed with the snow-white coat make Dalmatians truly eye-catching dogs.
Conclusion
There are many dog breeds that exhibit the handsome red and white coat pattern. Some of the most common include Beagles, Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies, Spaniels, Setters, Foxhounds, and Dalmatians. The red can range from a light tan to a deep mahogany or chestnut red. This distinctive coloration looks great on sporting dogs who need a coat that’s both visually striking and practical for the field or work.
| Breed | Coat Description |
|---|---|
| Beagle | White base coat with large red/orange spots |
| Australian Cattle Dog | Solid red base coat with white markings |
| Border Collie | White base coat with red patches |
| Brittany Spaniel | White base coat with patches of dark orange |
| English Setter | White coat with chestnut markings |
| Irish Setter | White or pale cream base coat with deep red patches |
| American Foxhound | Mostly white coat with reddish-brown ticks/patches |
| Dalmatian | Pure white coat with bright red spots |
