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17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds

 
Josie F. Turner
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. Updated: November 11, 2019
17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds
Dogs

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There are about 400 dog breeds recognized by different institutions and international clubs. What distinguishes them? Size, shape of the head or ears and type of coat are some of key features. When it comes to coats, some breeds have a single color while others have spots, speckles or other markings.

AnimalWised is here to help you discover the 17 best spotted dogs. Most dogs have fur patterns that combine more than one color. In our list are dogs with spots of varying sizes that appear on the background of a dominant fur color, as well as dogs with speckled coats.

You may also be interested in: Dogs With Floppy Ears - Floppy-Eared Dog Breeds

1. Pyrenean Mastiff

This gentle giant of a dog is native to the Aragonese Pyrenees in Spain, where it is used to guard livestock. It has a compact, muscular and slightly rough body, though it is surprisingly agile. The Pyrenean Mastiff has thick, heavy fur, which offers ideal protection from the cold. It is a white dog with black spots or beige spots on the face, flanks, back or on the base of the tail.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 1. Pyrenean Mastiff

2. Brittany

This is a medium-sized, energetic dog, originally from the Brittany region in northwestern France. It has a sturdy and proportionate body, with a round head with droopy rectangular ears. The Brittany has short, straight fur. Its coat is usually white with black, liver or orange spots.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 2. Brittany

3. Bracco Italiano

The Bracco Italiano is a large spotted dog suited to hunting. In fact, it was bred for that purpose hunting in the Middle Ages. It's body is lean, with balanced proportions. It has slender but muscular legs, perfect for chasing prey, and its ears are long and thin. It has a short, dense coat usually white with orange or chestnut spots. Some individuals also have roan coats.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 3. Bracco Italiano

4. Gos Rater Valencià

The Gos Rater Valencià (sometimes known as the Valencian Ratter) is a small spotted dog that was developed to control rat populations. It is originally from Valencia, Spain, where its existence has been documented since the 16th century. This is a muscular and slender breed. It has raised triangular ears and an elongated snout. It has short, white hairs with black spots or tan spots on the flanks and head.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 4. Gos Rater Valencià

5. Parson Russell Terrier

This breed of terrier is native to Birmingham,in the United Kingdom, where it was developed in 1863. It is a small spotted dog with solid legs and a high tail. It has a short snout and small ears, which fall slightly forwards. The Parson Russell Terrier's coat is short and bushy. It is a predominately white with black or brown spots around the eyes and ears.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 5. Parson Russell Terrier

6. Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz

The Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz (sometimes called the Spanish Jack Russel) is a breed native to Jerez and Cádiz in Spain. It was developed to eradicate rats and mice in wine cellars, but currently serves as a companion dog. It is a medium-sized and slender dog, with a thin tail. It has short, fine, white fur with brown or black spots on the neck and head. Some individuals are speckled dogs, with small flecks all over the body in addition to the characteristic spots on the face.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 6. Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz

7. English Greyhound

The English Greyhound is another popular large spotted dog, native to Britain. In ancient times it was used as a hunting dog. It has a strong, streamlined body with long graceful legs. The Greyhound's coat is short and may vary in color. However, the most commonly found are white dogs with spotsin varied tones, in addition to some speckled areas.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 7. English Greyhound

8. German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Shorthaired Pointer, originally bred as a gun dog, is an energetic breed known for its ‘noble’ appearance. It is large and muscular, with an elongated head and droopy ears. Individuals appear in many different colors and tones, but the most common variety is white with black or brown spots on the chest and legs, in addition to large spots on the flanks.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 8. German Shorthaired Pointer

9. English Pointer

This is a medium-sized dog first developed in Britain in the 17th century. It is a slender breed, known for its intelligence and curiosity. The English Pointer has smooth and very short fur. It is usually white with brown, reddish or liver spots distributed on the head and flanks. The fur on its legs is often speckled.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 9. English Pointer

10. Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is another small spotted dog from the terrier family. Originally bred for fox hunting in the United Kingdom, it has an elongated body and short legs. An energetic dog, it loves games and outdoor activities. This breed has a short and smooth coat. It is usually white with black spotsor reddish spots on the flanks and head.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 10. Jack Russell Terrier

11. Dalmatian

Having read this far you must be wondering about one spotted dog breed that is better known than all others: the Dalmatian. Thanks to Disney's 101 Dalmatians, the Dalmatian is the most popular spotted dog in the world. It is an active, affectionate dog, first bred in Croatia in the 17th century. It has a rectangular and well proportioned body, as well as characteristically drooping ears. It has a short, soft white coat usually covered in black spots, although some individuals have brown spots.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 11. Dalmatian

12. Norrbottenspets

The Norrbottenspets is a breed from Sweden, where in the past it was used as a hunting dog. It is a small spotted dog with a compact and proportionate body. It is characterized by its raised, pointed ears. The Norrbottenspets has a smooth, semi-long coat. It is usually white with reddish spots on the back, flanks and head.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 12. Norrbottenspets

13. Bull Arab

The Bull Arab is a spotted dog from Australia, where it was developed as a hunting dog. Like other bull breeds, it is characterized by a sturdy but agile body. It is known for its intelligence and physical endurance. The Bull Arab's coat is short and appears in a variety of colors. The most common is white with reddish spots all over the body.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 13. Bull Arab

14. Tenterfield Terrier

This spotted terrier is also from Australia, where it was first bred in the 19th century. It is a small dog characterized by a slender body with long legs. It has a strong personality and requires adequate socialization. The Tenterfield Terrier's coat is short and smooth. It is usually a white dog with black, tan or liver spots on the flanks and head.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 14. Tenterfield Terrier

15. Pachón Navarro

The Pachón Navarro is a Spanish dog originally from Navarra. It is a large spotted dog, capable of reaching up to 30 kilos, originally raised for hunting. It has a broad head and droopy ears. Its coat is short and white with reddish or chestnut flecks all over, in addition to larger spots on the face, ears and back.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 15. Pachón Navarro
Image: handsomedogs.com

16. Carea Leonés

The Carea Leonés (or Leonese Shepherd) is another Spanish dog with spots, bred for herding sheep. It is medium-sized with a long snout and floppy or erect ears, depending on the individual. It has a strong, muscular body with an upward curling tail. The Carea Leonés has a semi-long and smooth coat. It has white or grey fur speckled with liver or black spots. There are also some all-black specimens.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 16. Carea Leonés
Image: dogalize.com

17. English Setter

This breed is native to England and is known for its good looks. It has a compact and proportionate body with strong legs and a slightly curved tail. Its snout is elongated and its ears can be either long or short. The English Setter's coat is semi-long on most parts of its body but on the tail, chest and abdomen it grows very long, almost reaching the ground. It is a white dog with black, reddish or blue spots.

17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds - 17. English Setter

Other breeds of dogs with spots

In addition to these, here are some other breeds of spotted dogs:

  • German Pointer (longhaired, shorthaired and wirehaired)
  • English Cocker Spaniel
  • Central Asian Shepherd Dog
  • Catahoula Leopard Dog
  • Braque Francais
  • Bluetick Coonhound
  • American Leopard Dog
  • Irish Red and White Setter
  • Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
  • Stabyhoun
  • Welsh Springer Spaniel
  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
  • Whippet

If you want to read similar articles to 17 Best Spotted Dog Breeds, we recommend you visit our Comparisons category.

Bibliography
  • American Kennel Club English Setter .
  • American Kennel Club Norrbottenspets
  • Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Pyrenean Mastiff .
  • Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Breton Spaniel .
  • Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Italian bracco .
  • Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Parson Russell Terrier
  • American Kennel Club. Greyhound .
  • Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Jack Russell Terrier
  • Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Dalmatian
  • Royal Canine Society of Spain. Valencian Mousetrap (Gos Rater Valencià) .

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