Dog Coat Patterns
Although there are a wide variety of dog colors, the patterns give us an even broader range of colors & combinations. Some patterns are breed-specific, while others can be found across many breeds.
The genetics of color is beyond us, but here are some of the basic patterns those genes produce with real examples.
A white base coat with tiny spots over most of the body giving the impression of blue, yellow or orange colors.
A coat with two colors.
Refers to the red and white coloring of certain spaniel breeds.
Marbled blue, grey & black.
A lighter background with a fine and fairly even mix of black stripes.
Mottled markings of several different colors.
Large black or blue splotches on a white background coat.
White base coat with tan and/ or black patches on the head, back, legs & tail.
A white base coat with a second color blanketing the body, & part of the neck, head, tail & legs.
A fairly even mixture of black and white hairs which give a salt and pepper look to the coat.
An even mixture of colored & white hairs
A light background coat (usually gold, silver or tan) with black tips – often accompanied by a black mask.
A coat with three distinct colors.
Black dog with white pattern on chest, chin and feet resembling a tuxedo and spats. Most commonly found in the Boston Terrier.
Markings similar to those of Rottweilers or Dobermans, with a different color on the legs, eyebrows, beard & mustache, inside of ears and under tail.
Has a white foundation coat with spots or patches of another color. They can be found in a variety of different colors.
Need More Color?
Be sure to check out the basic dog colors too.
what about phantom, and parti-color?
Hi Rae,
Thanks for the info, we’ll be sure to add them.
Thanks <3 I have a phantom poodle and I could lend pictures if you like.. Or if you look them up you can find some really nice ones phantom and parti are mostly poodles/shihtzu & poodle mixes I believe. Phantom can stem from parents who are parti-colored or brindle. Or one of each. Phantom looks like the markings of a rotty/rottweiler. But isnt just red and black. Can be any coloration. The dog could be white and the markings could be brown, or the dog could be grey and markings black? ect. Parti-colored is mostly white, with patches of color.
good photos btw
examples http://www.teacuppoodles.us/Jpegs/gwen-phantom.jpg ; http://www.htpoodles.com/poodles_page_pics/phantom_02.jpg http://lianasphantompoodles.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/IMAGE_052.206175132.jpg – Phantoms
Parti color examples:
http://www.happy-havanese.com/danielle.jpg Parti colored havanese.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images21/StandardPoodleDylanPartiColoredRescue2.jpg Parti colored poodle.
http://www.caninest.com/images/parti-poodle-1.jpg Parti-colored poodle in brown
Rae you are awesome, thank you!
No problema I love Poodles <3
I have a dog that I rescued and he looks very similar to the dog in the photo for the brindle coat submitted by Neil K. would anyone know what breed this dog is? I would really like to know.
Thanks for adding my phantom & parti-colored suggestion!
yw rae.
@krystyna the pic says it was taken in Chile, could be a Chilean breed or could be a mutt. He’s pretty cute though.