brindle

Brindle refers to a coat color pattern characterized by dark stripes or streaks over a lighter base color. The stripes are typically narrow and run along the length of each hair, producing a tiger-like appearance. The overall effect ranges from subtle overlays to bold, high-contrast markings, depending on background color and stripe density. Although most commonly associated with dogs, brindle patterns have been reported in other domestic animals as well.

In dogs, brindle is a recognized color variation in many breeds and can occur in several forms, from faint to strong contrast. The pattern is visible across the body and may be more or less pronounced on the face, neck, and limbs. Brindle can be a deliberate breeding goal in some lineages or arise as a variation within a breed. The appearance is cosmetic and does not inherently indicate health status or temperament.

Genetically, brindle results from the way pigment is distributed within individual hairs and across the coat. The trait involves interactions among pigment genes that regulate hair-banding, such as those affecting the agouti pathway, and is generally considered polygenic, with expression varying by breed and individual. Because of this complexity, there is no single Brindle gene universally responsible for the pattern.

Common dog breeds that display brindle include Boxers, Dutch Shepherds, Plott Hounds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Staffordshire Terriers, among others. While brindle is aesthetically distinctive and widely recognized, it is one of several color patterns used to describe canine coats.