14 Best Black-and-Tan Dog Breeds

By
Laura Mueller
Laura Mueller and Reggie
Laura Mueller
Laura Mueller is a well-regarded animal rescue expert and writer with nearly a decade of experience in animal advocacy. Laura is the former editor of Tails Pet Magazine and volunteers in animal rescue, including Chicago’s Anti-Cruelty Society and Starfish Animal Rescue.
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Updated on 03/23/21
Rottweiler smiling with its tongue out

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A black-and-tan color combination can be found on a variety of dog breeds. For some breeds, it's their trademark coloring, with other coat appearances being much less common. And for other breeds, it's simply one of several potential looks. Black-and-tan dog breeds come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and temperaments. Some of these breeds are athletic hunters while others are loyal protectors. Plus, some have short, smooth coats while others sport shaggier fur. What unites these dogs is their shared coloring.

Here are 14 dog breeds that can come with black-and-tan coats.

Tip

Coat color doesn't affect a dog's personality. It's important to remember that every dog is different, despite having a similar appearance to certain other dogs, and will require an individualized approach to training and socialization.

  • 01 of 14

    Black and Tan Coonhound

    Black and tan coonhound braying

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    One of six coonhound breeds, black-and-tan coonhounds are outgoing and eager to make friends with anyone who comes around (including kids, strangers, and other dogs). Aside from hunting, they also have some other notable skills, including the ability to howl in a most impressive manner. Their coat sheds a moderate amount and requires a weekly brushing to remove loose fur and dirt.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 23 to 27 inches

    Weight: 75 to 100 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Black coat with tan accents; long nose; velvety soft ears

  • 02 of 14

    German Shepherd

    German shepherd with tennis ball

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    The German shepherd's notable athleticism and intelligence make it an ideal pick as a service animal or law enforcement dog. German shepherds also make fantastic family pets if you can put up with their plentiful shedding. These dogs need brushing every few days to keep their coat free of mats. But their coat does stay pretty clean, so they typically only need baths once or twice a month.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 22 to 26 inches

    Weight: 60 to 100 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Coarse medium-length double coat; typically black and tan but can also be found in black and cream, black and red, black and silver, solid black, gray, and sable

  • 03 of 14

    Dachshund

    Black and tan dachshund standing

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    The low-to-the-ground dachshund often comes with a black-and-tan coat. This popular dog breed is known for being energetic, lovable, and spunky. Their coat sheds a moderate amount. The shorthaired variety needs a weekly brushing while the dachshunds with a longer coat could use brushing every two to three days to remove tangles.

    Breed Overview

    Height: Standard: 8 to 9 inches; miniature: 5 to 6 inches

    Weight: Standard: 16 to 32 pounds; miniature: up to 11 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Coat varieties include smooth (shorthaired), longhaired, and wire-haired; traditional black-and-tan coloring or other colors, including black, tan, fawn, beige, blue, chocolate, and red

  • 04 of 14

    Rottweiler

    Smiling Rottweiler sitting

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    The Rottweiler is a large and muscular black-and-tan dog breed with a sweet spirit that goes against its reputation as a tough dog. Kid-friendly and affectionate, Rotties can be found both in family homes and assisting law enforcement departments. These dogs are medium shedders and just require basic grooming. A weekly brushing, along with a bath once or twice a month, should suffice.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 22 to 27 inches

    Weight: 80 to 130 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Short double coat; can be black with tan, rust, or mahogany accents

    Continue to 5 of 14 below.
  • 05 of 14

    Doberman Pinscher

    Doberman pinscher headshot

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    The Doberman pinscher is a highly affectionate and loyal dog breed. It can be trained as a guard dog due to its protective nature, but overall it’s quite a gentle breed. The sleek Doberman coat is easy to groom and sheds at a moderate rate. A weekly brushing or even just rubbing the coat with a wet towel will keep it looking fresh.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 24 to 28 inches

    Weight: 65 to 100 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Short, smooth coat; comes in black and tan, red, blue, or fawn with rust markings

  • 06 of 14

    Miniature Pinscher

    Miniature pinscher sitting on grass

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    Despite looking like a tiny Doberman, the miniature pinscher isn’t actually a descendant of the Dobie—its history actually precedes the Doberman. Miniature pinschers and Dobermans do, however, share their strength and athleticism, along with their black-and-tan coats. These little dogs tend to be low shedders and just require a weekly brushing.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 10 to 12.5 inches

    Weight: 8 to 10 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Shorthaired coat; commonly found in black and tan, solid red, or stag red (red with some black hairs)

  • 07 of 14

    Airedale Terrier

    Airedale terrier sitting in field

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    These wire-haired dogs are often called the King of Terriers, though their origin actually lies with working-class farmers and factory employees in northern England. A mix of several different breeds, Airedale terriers are highly intelligent and a little bit stubborn, with a big personality that often puts them at the center of attention. Airedales are moderate shedders and benefit from a weekly brushing to remove loose hair.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 21 to 24 inches

    Weight: 40 to 65 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Hard, wiry, dense, straight, short topcoat; softer undercoat; comes in mix of black and tan

  • 08 of 14

    Jagdterrier

    Jagdterrier standing outside

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    The Jagdterrier (pronounced “yack terrier”) shares the Airedale's affinity for both work and play. Highly social and easy to train, this breed might not be well-known, but it is well-suited to life as a loving family pet. A weekly brushing and a bath once or twice a month are typically all this dog needs to look its best.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 13 to 16 inches

    Weight: 20 to 22 pounds (male); 17 to 19 pounds (female)

    Physical characteristics: Dense black-and-tan coat; fur can be hard and rough or soft and smooth; also found in dark brown or grayish-black colorings

    Continue to 9 of 14 below.
  • 09 of 14

    Australian Kelpie

    Australian kelpie lying down

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    Kelpies are sort of a mix in appearance and temperament between a border collie and an Australian cattle dog, though they tend to be smaller than both. Mild-mannered but full of energy, they love to run around and play and are usually eager to have a job to do. These dogs are not suited to a home where the owners lead a sedentary lifestyle. Their easy-care coats need a weekly brushing to remove dirt and loose fur.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 17 to 20 inches

    Weight: 25 to 45 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Muscular build; double coat that has a hard, straight, short, water-resistant topcoat; coat colors come in black, black and tan, red, red and tan, fawn, chocolate, and smoke blue

  • 10 of 14

    Russian Toy

    Russian toy dog standing

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    These tiny pups give chihuahuas a run for their money when it comes to size. Russian toys aren't easy to find in the U.S. and weren’t much known outside of Russia until a few decades ago. These petite pups are low shedders. The shorthaired variety can do with a weekly brushing while the longhaired variety should be brushed every day or two to prevent mats.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 8 to 11 inches

    Weight: Up to 6.5 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Smooth and long coat; comes in black and tan, brown and tan, blue and tan, or red with or without black or brown

  • 11 of 14

    English Toy Terrier

    English toy terrier standing outside

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    This small black-and-tan dog breed is known for its expert rat hunting skills, though it also will hunt practically any animal that's smaller than it is. That means it's not suitable for homes with small animals as pets. Still, this dog is very low-maintenance in the grooming department. Its smooth coat needs a weekly brushing or rubbing with a wet towel to remove dirt and loose fur.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 10 to 12 inches

    Weight: 4 to 12 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Short and smooth coat; traditional black-and-tan coloring

  • 12 of 14

    Beauceron

    Beauceron sitting outside

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    The Beauceron is the largest of the French sheepdog breeds, and it has a long history of herding sheep and cattle in the French countryside. These dogs are affectionate, smart, and energetic, meaning they require a lot of mental and physical stimulation. They’re moderate shedders but tend to shed profusely in the spring and fall. A brushing once or twice a week should suffice for them.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 24 to 27.5 inches

    Weight: 70 to 110 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Short, coarse, and dense coat; two color combinations of black and tan or black and harlequin (a mix of gray, black, and tan)

    Continue to 13 of 14 below.
  • 13 of 14

    Appenzeller Sennenhund

    Appenzeller Sennenhund outside on grass

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    The Appenzeller Sennenhund comes straight from the Swiss Alps. It was bred for farm work, herding animals, pulling carts, and guarding property. Although these dogs are more tricolor than strictly black and tan, the dominant colors are black and tan. These dogs are high shedders and should be brushed regularly to capture loose fur before it ends up on your furniture and clothes.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 20 to 22 inches

    Weight: 50 to 75 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Short, straight double coat; tricolor combination of black or brown with white and tan markings

  • 14 of 14

    Lancashire Heeler

    Lancashire heeler sitting

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    Lancashire heelers are feisty and full of personality, despite their small size. Originally from the U.K., you won’t find them much in the U.S. They tend to be quite affectionate with their families, though they can be wary of strangers. These dogs are medium shedders, and their coats typically aren’t prone to matting. A weekly brushing and baths once or twice a month should be fine.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 10 to 12 inches

    Weight: 10 to 17 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Thick, short, hard, weather-resistant top coat; comes in black and tan or liver and tan; fine undercoat

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