grizzle

Grizzle is a coat coloration used to describe animals whose fur or hair contains a mix of white and darker pigments, producing a gray, salt-and-pepper, or mottled appearance. It is a descriptive term rather than a taxonomic category and is applied across multiple species rather than to a single breed. The grizzle effect can result from different genetic mechanisms that cause intermingling of pigment-producing hairs or uneven pigment distribution during hair growth, so the exact look can vary widely.

In dogs and other mammals, grizzle often appears as a speckled or subtly striped effect where lighter hairs are interspersed with darker ones, giving a softened gray overall look. In cattle, grizzle coats typically involve a blend of black or dark hairs with white, yielding a pale gray body tone. Horses, goats, and some other livestock may also be described as grizzle when their coats show a similarly mixed pattern. In birds and poultry, grizzle can refer to plumage with alternating light and dark feathers. Because grizzle describes appearance rather than a fixed genetic line, specific coloration can differ by breed, population, or individual.

Related terms include salt-and-pepper, which emphasizes mixed neutral tones, and brindle, which describes a pattern of streaks or bands produced by different genetic mechanisms. The term “grizzle” is commonly used in breed standards and standards-based descriptions to convey a non-uniform grayish coloration rather than a precise color code.