Brindle dogs are often overlooked due to their distinctive coloration. For years people have associated the brindle coloring as hallmarks of an aggressive dog. This is not a sign of aggressive temperate. It is a misconception that stems for the notaries aggressive behavior of the Brindle Pit Bull dog breed, which like the name suggests is one of many brindle colored dogs.
Let’s learn more about the good the bad and the misconceptions of brindle dogs, and answer the top 7 questions about Brindle Dogs.
What Makes A Dog Brindle Color?
Brindle color is the result of genetic inheritance. In genetics, there are recessive (non-dominant) and dominant alleles. The brindle pattern in dogs is a result of genetic inheritance, with some al·lele, ( Click To Read the definition of alleles) being dominant over others.
The allele responsible for the brindle pattern is recessive to an allele that produces a dominant black or puce coat color, resulting in a dark coat with black or brown stripes. However, this same brindle allele is dominant over an allele that determines a golden to red color shade, resulting in a coat with golden or tan shades.
These markings are commonly likened to a tiger’s stripes but blend more subtly between the different brindled colors. Brindle coats usually exhibit two pigments:
- **Phaeomelanin** – this is a red/yellow pigment that makes up the base of the coat.
- **Eumelanin** – this is a black/brown pigment that makes up the stripes.
Dog Answers On Top 7 Brindle Dog Questions?
- Are Brindle Dogs Aggressive?
Brindle dogs encompass a range of different breeds, each with its temperament, yet canines bearing this distinctive coloration on their coats are often regarded as aggressive. However, aggression is not a trait specific to brindle dogs. There is no empirical reasoning behind this generalization, as there is very little correlation between the color of a dog’s coat and its temperament.
2. Can Purebred Dogs Be Brindle?
Have you ever wondered if purebred dogs can have a brindle coat? Well, it all boils down to their genetics. If a dog carries the brindle gene, it will have a brindle coat. However, only certain breeds carry the said gene. Keep in mind that the brindle gene is recessive to the black-colored gene, which means that many dogs that carry the gene will be black or multicolored
3. Do Brindle Dogs Have Health Issues?
Brindles are affected by the ailments common to all dogs in general and are also at risk for viral infections if they are not vaccinated. However, no known health issues specific to brindle dogs have been observed. The gene mutation that results in the brindle coloration is harmless and does not affect canine health as the merle gene does.
4. Why Are Brindle Dogs Not Liked?
The Brindle Pit Bull is primarily responsible for the prejudice against brindle dogs that persists to this day. Pit Bulls are dogs with a ferocious reputation. This is a result of the fact that they were bred and trained for blood sport. The breeds within this grouping known as Pit Bulls were developed by crossing bulldogs and terriers. Early on, bulldogs were used in bull-baiting and dog fighting, but breeders were dissatisfied with their performances because they were generally heavy and slow. Experimental crossings with the lighter and more agile terriers eventually resulted in the creation of breeds that could be trained into being very vicious and athletic fighters.
5. Is Breeding Brindle Dogs Hard?
It can be. When breeding for a brindle color in dogs, it’s important to keep in mind that both the sire and dam must be brindle in order for the offspring to have a high chance of being brindle. This is because both parents need to carry the brindle gene (BB) for it to be passed down. If one parent is non-brindle (Bn), then the offspring may not be brindle.
6. Do Brindle Dogs Live Longer?
While this may not be the case in every dog breed. Researchers found that the longest-lived dogs among all colors and patterns of Corsos were black brindles, which had a median age of 10.3 years. The median age at death of Cane Corso dogs was found to be 9.29 years. So the evidence shows that brindle dogs will live to make many happy memories
7. Are All Brindle Dog Breeds Temperaments Similar?
No. There is a mosaic of dog temperaments in brindle dog breeds. And while some entrants were indeed bred for aggression, others are known for a range of traits, including affectionate, cheerful, and friendly. Moreover, the dog fighting breeds have also become excellent companions of late. They are capable of showing affection, gentleness, and loyalty toward their owners. And all these without aggression.
25 Dogs Breeds With The Brindle Gene
Here is the Most Popular 25 dog breeds that have the brindle gene? This coloration is rare to find in some other breeds not mentioned here, or in mixed breeds. The below list includes both dogs originally bred for bloodsports and those that are known to have a affectionate and friendly temperament:
- Akita
- American Bulldog
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Anatolian Shepherd
- Basenji
- Boxer
- Bull Terrier
- Bullmastiff
- Cairn Terrier
- Cane Corso
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Dachshund
- Dutch Shepherd
- English & American Mastiff
- French Bulldog
- Glen of Imaal Terrier
- Great Dane
- Greyhounds
- Irish Wolfhound
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Mountain Cur
- Plott Hound
- Presa De Canario
- Treeing Tennessee Brindle
- Whippets
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