There are several breeds of dog that commonly have brown and white fur. Some of the most popular brown and white dog breeds include the Beagle, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Brittany, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, Pointer and more.
Beagle
The Beagle is a scent hound breed that originated in England. These dogs typically stand 13-16 inches tall and weigh 18-30 pounds. Beagles have a short, dense coat that is almost always tricolor – a combination of black, brown and white. The brown and white areas can vary quite a bit among individual dogs. Some Beagles are mostly white with large brown spots, while others have more equal amounts of brown and white. The brown patches are often interspersed with white areas. Their expressive eyebrows are also typically brown. The brown, black and white coat pattern is a hallmark of the Beagle breed.
Boxer
The Boxer is a medium-large breed that was developed in Germany in the 19th century, originally as a guard dog. Full-grown Boxers stand 21-25 inches tall and weigh 55-70 pounds. Boxers have very short, shiny coats that lie tight to their body. The most common coat colors are fawn and brindle, both of which can have varying amounts of white markings. It is also possible, although less common, to get Boxers with primarily white coats and brown patches. The brown and white Boxers will often have a brown mask on their face and sometimes brown spots on their body.
Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is an American breed that originated around 1870. These small dogs were the first non-sporting breed to be developed in the United States. Bostons grow to about 15-17 inches tall and 10-25 pounds. They have a short, slick coat that requires minimal grooming. The AKC breed standard calls for Bostons to be either black, seal brown or seal brown and white. Seal brown is a dark brown or nearly black shade. Bostons that are not solid black will have white markings on their face, chest, and sometimes feet. The brown and white areas are well-defined.
Brittany
The Brittany is a medium-sized gun dog from the Brittany region of France. Brittanys stand 17.5-20.5 inches tall and weigh 30-40 pounds. They have a medium length dense coat that comes in various brown and white patterns. Some Brittanys are predominantly white with large brown patches, while others have more equal amounts of brown and white areas interspersed. There are also Brittanys that are liver colored, which is a brownish red shade. Liver and white Brittanys may be mistaken for brown and white at first glance.
English Setter
The English Setter is a medium-large gun dog originally bred in England. These dogs stand 23-27 inches tall and weigh 45-80 pounds. English Setters have a medium length silky coat with feathering on the legs, tail, ears and chest. The most common color is blue belton, which is white with large black patches that may contain flecks of blue. However, English Setters can also come in tricolor (black, white and brown), as well as liver and white. The liver brown patches stand out nicely against the white background.
English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel was bred as a gun dog in England in the 19th century. They grow to about 19-20 inches tall and 40-55 pounds. English Springers have a medium length coat that comes in black or liver brown with white markings. The brown and white dogs will have a brown base color with white areas on the face, chest, legs and underside. The brown can range from light to very dark chocolate shades. There are also rare “tricolor” Springers with tan markings on the eyebrows, muzzle and legs.
Flat-Coated Retriever
As the name suggests, the Flat-Coated Retriever was developed in England to be a gundog and water retrieving breed. These dogs stand 22-24 inches tall and weigh 55-75 pounds. Flat-Coats have a dense, woolly medium length coat that is always black or liver brown in color. The liver brown and white dogs will have a light or dark brown base coat with white markings on the chest, toes, chin and tail tip. The distribution of white areas helps define the classic look of the breed.
Pointer
The Pointer, sometimes called the English Pointer, is another gun dog breed that originated in England. These athletic dogs stand 24-28 inches tall and weigh 45-75 pounds. Pointers have short, dense coats that come in liver, black, lemon or orange colors, sometimes with white markings. The liver brown and white pointers have a brown base coat with white on the chest, feet and face. The liver brown can range from light tan to a deep reddish brown.
Other Brown and White Breeds
Here are some other breeds that may have brown and white coat colors:
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Curly-Coated Retriever
- Dachshund
- Dalmatian
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Gordon Setter
- Irish Setter
- Portuguese Podengo
- Pudelpointer
- Stabyhoun
Why Do Some Breeds Have Brown and White Coats?
Most dog breeds with brown and white coats were selectively bred to have those color patterns. Reasons breeds may have been developed to have brown and white coats include:
- Camouflage – Many gun dogs and hunting breeds have brown/white coats to help them blend into field environments when working.
- Aesthetics – Some breeds have signature looks defined by distributions of brown and white areas.
- Identification – Solid white dogs can be difficult to see, so brown markings help. Liver brown stands out well against white.
- Health – Some breeds prone to deafness and other issues tend to have more white, so brown is introduced.
- Random chance – Some breeds ended up with brown/white coats unintentionally.
Genetics of Brown and White Coats
The specific genes that cause brown and white coat patterns in dogs are not completely understood. However, it is known that:
- The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene helps determine whether a dog is brown/red or black.
- The Agouti gene regulates the distribution of black or brown across the body and causes ticking.
- The piebald gene S results in white spotting and irregular white patches.
The distribution of white areas is likely caused by the interaction of several genes and random chance during development. Selective breeding perpetuated coat patterns that breeders favored in each breed.
Health and Care of Brown and White Dogs
In general, brown and white dogs have the same health and care needs as their solid-colored counterparts. Some tips for keeping your brown and white dog happy and healthy include:
- Groom regularly using a slicker brush and comb to remove loose hair.
- Check ears weekly for signs of infection.
- Trim nails every few weeks.
- Brush teeth frequently.
- Protect white areas from sunburn.
- Have annual vet checkups and keep up with preventatives.
- Feed a high quality diet appropriate for dog’s size and activity level.
- Provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
Pay extra attention to any health issues your particular breed may be prone to, such as ear infections, hip dysplasia or eye problems. With good preventive care, your brown and white dog can be your happy, healthy companion for years to come.
Conclusion
Brown and white coats are very common among certain dog breeds, including Beagles, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Brittanys and more. These breeds have signature coat patterns with various distributions of brown and white areas. Selective breeding for camouflage, aesthetics, health and identification led to the perpetuation of brown and white coats in many breeds. With proper care and nutrition, your brown and white dog can live a long, fulfilling life.
