Different international clubs and canine institutions in the world recognize over 400 dog breeds. These members of the canine population are distinguished by a plethora of features, including size, the shape of the body, ears, head, and tail. There are the hairless, the short-haired, and the long-haired. We have equally seen the single and double-coated dogs, but more importantly, many of these dogs are marked by special coat patterns that come in patched, speckled, splashed, or spotted forms. For this piece, we are going to explore the top 10 spotted dog breeds worldwide.
Table of Contents
1. Dalmatians
The Dalmatians are rightly one of the known spotted dog breeds. The breed is distinguished by beautiful polka dots that can occur as either black or brown. This arrangement of spots makes this striking dog instantly recognizable. Experts are yet to unravel the unique genetic recipe responsible for the spots on the Dalmatians, but we believe that it makes the breed even more special.
However, research has revealed that the Extreme Piebald gene which played a very important role in the breed’s spotty coat is also connected to increased chances of deafness in dogs. This may perhaps be the explanation of why over 12% of these beautifully spotted dogs experience hearing loss. Apart from impaired hearing, the Dalmatian breed is equally prone to periodontal disease, hip dysplasia, and several other health disorders like thyroid and bladder disorders, as well as kidney stones.
It is not all bad news about the artistic Dalmatians, this spotty-coated dog comes with a very amenable temperament, they are known to be playful, loving, devoted to family, and receptive to training.
2. Great Danes
The only other dog breed that comes very close to the perfect spots of the Dalmatian is the Great Dane. However, the breed generally occurs in a plethora of colors, but there is this special coat pattern that is exclusive to the Danes. Dogs with this special coat are called the harlequin Great Danes.
Physical attributes of the Harlequin Great Dane include a white coat randomly bathed with a plethora of very contrasting black spots. Compared to the Dalmatians, the spots of the Danes are a lot less uniform with regard to size, but their genetic foundation has a lot of similarities with that of the Dalmatians. What this means is that this beautiful spotted dog breed is equally susceptible to hearing impairment.
It may interest you to know that the great Danes are among the tallest dogs that ever lived. In fact, they are called the giants of the canine population but are blessed with a wonderful temperament. The breed is known to be gentle, calm, patient, and laidback, making it one of the best family pets around. However, this gentle giant is prone to elbow, shoulder, and hip dysplasia, no thanks to their great size. Another unpalatable fact about the Danes is that their life expectancy is sadly too short.
With that said, it is important to note that no other breed of canines comes close to the Dalmatians and the Harlequin Great Danes in spottiness. Other breeds may occur in splashed, splodged, freckled, or speckled coats. They come thus;
3. Pyrenean Mastiff
Though the Pyrenean Mastiff is also a giant dog, it is as gentle as the Danes. The dog has its roots in Spain, precisely the Aragonese Pyrenees where they are known to function as guards for the livestock. The body build of the Aragonese Pyrenees is best described as muscular, compact, and slightly rough, but contrary to the indications of its physical attributes, the dog is very agile.
The fur on the coat of the Pyrenean Mastiff is slightly rough and quite dense, offering it the perfect protection in arctic weather. The coat is white in color with either beige or black spots on its flanks, face, back, as well as the base of its tail. It is this distinct factor that puts the Pyrenean Mastiff on our list of spotted dog breeds.
4. English Setter
The English Setter earned a place among the spotted dog breeds due to its white, feathered coat spotting a mélange of darker hairs that gives rise to markings or patterns referred to as “Belton”. According to the standard of the AKC, these markings can occur as blue (white with black patterns or markings), liver, lemon, orange, or tricolor (blue Belton with tan points).
The affectionate and gentle disposition of the English Setter makes it a “people” dog. The pup is known to love pack life and loves to be in the company of others – both dogs and humans. The breed is one of the athletic canines around and thus, must be exposed to vigorous exercise on a daily basis.
5. Australian Shepherd
This is another energetic breed known for its strong guarding and herding instincts. The AKC also recommends constant vigorous exercise for the Australian Shepherd to release pent-up energy. The dog’s coat can be seen in black, red merle, blue merle, or red with white markings, as well as red without white markings.
Though the Australian Shepherd’s temperament does not endear it to strange faces, the dog still earns the distinction of being described as a “people” dog that just loves to be in the company of its family members.
6. American Hairless Terrier
Though the American Hairless Terrier comes with a hairless coat, it is counted among the spotted dog breeds for its remarkably spotted body – its coat can have combos of pink and black, pink and grey, pink, and red, as well as pink and gold. People often mistake the pup for the hairless Chihuahua as a result of its coat that is completely devoid of hair.
The American Hairless Terrier has its origin in the United States of America, it is a breed of feist developed Terrier. The forebear of the breed was a single Rat Terrier born in Louisiana in 1972. Note that the progeny of this Rat Terrier was actually bred for their hairlessness. With regards to temperament, the American Hairless Terrier can be quite intelligent, alert, lively, loving, and very playful. They have a relatively long life expectancy and can live from 14 to 16 years. For height, the adult measures between 18 – 46 cm, weighing around 2.5 – 12 kg.
7. Braques Français
This dog is one of the spotted dog breeds used for hunting. They descended from a very old type of gundog that was used for pointing out the exact location of game birds while on hunting expeditions with their owners who were mostly hunters. They are more popular in their native France and it is hard to see them outside the shores of the country.
Scientifically, the Braques Français are referred to as Canis lupus familiaris. This athletic, sociable, and obedient pup can come in a white or chestnut brown coat with brown or wine speckles on most parts of the body, except the head which is usually brown. The French dog often has one or more large brown spots amid the speckled parts. The female stands from 47–56 cm in height weighing 17–25 kg while the male comes a bit taller at 47–58 cm with the same body weight as the female.
8. African Wild Dog
Also known as Cape hunting dog, African Hunting dog, the Painted Wolf, Ornate Wolf, Spotted Dog, and Painted Hunting Dog, the African Wild Dog is scientifically called Lycaon pictus. It is a huge spotted dog breed that is widespread in Africa, inhabiting the continent’s lightly wooded areas, as well as the savannahs.
The coat patterns that place it on the list of spotted dog breeds are mostly located on the trunk and legs with a mix of brown, white and black colors. One of the endangered species, the adult African Wild Dog can weigh up to 22 kg in body mass.
9. English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel dog belongs to the Spaniel family and is traditionally used for the purpose of flushing out games, as well as retrieving them. The breed is quite handsome in appearance with very large tufted ears. Its major function of game retrieval makes it a gun dog, but you would be surprised by the dog’s wonderful temperament. When the English Springer Spaniel is not hunting game in the forest, it exhibits an intelligent, affectionate, alert, cheerful, excitable, attentive, and active nature.
The breed is considered to be one of the spotted dog breeds for its coat that come in mixtures of liver & white, red & white, orange & white, lemon & white, black & white, and tri-colors. The life expectancy of the breed is 12 years, but we have seen a good number of them that lived up to 14 years of age. The males of the species come with a weight that ranges from 20 to 25 kg, but the females can only weigh from 18 to 23 kg.
Read Also: 15 Exotic Dog Breeds That Will Definitely Blow Your Mind
10. Carea Leonés
To conclude our list of spotted dog breeds, then the Carea Leonés must be given a mention. Also called, Leonese Shepherd, the breed is indigenous to Spain where it was bred for sheep herding. The pup comes in a smooth and semi-long coat bathed with spots. Though we have seen several of them sporting all-black specimens, there are some grey or white-furred Carea Leonés that are speckled with black or liver spots.
This spotted dog breed is a medium-sized pup with an extended snout; however, there are individual differences in the ears which can appear erect or floppy. The tail is upward and curly, tapered to a muscular body.
Recap Of Spotted Dog Breeds
- Dalmatians
- Great Danes
- Pyrenean Mastiff
- English Setter
- Australian Shepherd
- American Hairless Terrier
- Braques Français
- African Wild Dog
- English Springer Spaniel
- Carea Leonés