9 Black and Tan Dog Breeds

Black and tan dogs are truly stunning and their unique colouring has made them popular as show dogs and companions. At Purina, we think black and tan dog breeds are simply wonderful, that's why we've created this list of our top 9 favourites.

Black and brown (or tan) is among one of the most striking colour combinations found in dogs. The two colours offer a stunning contrast which gives them a regal and smart appearance and once you see a dog of this hue, it's sure to make an impact.

From elegant Dobermans to fearless Miniature Pinchers, we've created this list of black and tan dog breeds which are as wonderful in personality as they are in looks.

1. Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is a strong and compelling black and tan dog that was originally bred to herd cattle to market. Due to their strength, they were also used to pull carts for butchers and farmers! Despite their often-fearsome reputation, this breed is very kind, loving and adores their people. Black and tan is the only hue you'll find this dog in and no other colour variations are currently accepted by The Kennel Club.

2. Doberman

Perhaps one of the most iconic black and tan dog breeds on this list, the Doberman is a striking and elegant dog from Germany that has roots in guarding. Highly intelligent and very active, these dogs are extremely gentle and are always at their happiest when they're part of a family. Aside from stunning black and tan they can also be blue and tan, fawn and tan and red and tan.

Black and tan is one of the most common colourings but they can also be found in all black, black and cream, black and red, black and silver, blue, grey, liver, sable and white.

4. Beauceron

The Beauceron is a smart and powerful black and brown dog that was bred for the purpose of wild boar herding - so as you can imagine, they're quite fearless! Their striking colouring with red (or tan) feet has given the Beauceron the nickname 'bas-rouge' which is French for 'red stockings'. This breed is very active so they're best suited to owners that have plenty of space and time to give them all the exercise they need.

5. English Toy Terrier

Resembling a pint-sized Doberman Pinscher, the English Toy Terrier skyrocketed to fame in the 1800s, thanks to their ability to keep rat populations down. They're relatively easy to train and full of energy so they make excellent companions for those who are willing to dedicate enough time to exercise and stimulation. What's more, English Toy Terriers are always black and tan in colouring, so you'll never find them in a different hue!

The most common colour you'll find the Dachshund in is black and tan, but they come in a whole array of different colours too.

7. Black and Tan Coonhound

The Black and Tan Coonhound hails from America and was developed to hunt raccoons. This black and tan dog breed is smart and kind and is happiest when they're out adventuring during the day and curling up on the sofa with their loved ones in the evening. One thing to be aware of is that they can be quite loud, they were trained to bark up trees to tell hunters where the prey was after all!

8. Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of all terrier types which is why they're often referred to as the 'king of terriers'. Created as a versatile hunting dog and commonly used to hunt rats and otters, these black and tan dogs are now cherished in homes across the country due to their goofy personalities and love to cause mischief. However, they're also highly independent and are prone to following their own directions, so they'll require lots of training.

9. Miniature Pinscher

If you're looking for a black and tan dog that's small with a huge attitude, then the Miniature Pinscher is the perfect choice. Bred as a German vermin hunter, this breed's smart appearance has made them very popular over the years, but you'll also need to bear in mind that they're little adventurers at heart! Miniature Pinschers are very curious and this nature often leads to them being particularly prolific escape artists. Aside from black and tan they can also be red or chocolate and tan.

That's our list of top 9 black and tan dog breeds! Looking for breath-taking dogs that resemble their wild relatives? Read our article on dog breeds that look like wolves, next.