Isn’t it just amazing how “man’s best friend” comes in a variety of colors from which we can choose?
These black and tan dog breeds have been one of the popular colors, from small-sized pups like the Chihuahuas to medium and large dogs like the German Shepherd.
We’ve compiled a list of 25 popular black and tan dog breeds in this article, alongside a few facts and information to make your search a little easier.
The list has been broken down into small, medium, and large dogs.
Small Black and Tan Dog Breeds
Chihuahua
- Lifespan: 12 to 20 years
- Weight: 4 to 6 pounds
- Height: 6 to 10 inches
- Temperament: Loyal, cheerful, cautious, spirited
- Origin: Mexico
Chihuahua is one of the most popular lap dogs named after a city in Mexico and recognized by many kennel clubs, including the AKC.
Its black and tan coat color is just one of the many colors they can come in.
The breed is an excellent pet dog and an adorable size that makes them easy to carry around.
Chihuahuas are loyal dogs that enjoy the company of their owners and may display some signs of aggression if left alone for long.
These breeds may seem small in size but can be wary of strangers and may need early socialization to curb the act of being too protective of their territory.
Beagle
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
- Weight: 20 to 25 pounds
- Height: 13 to 16 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, peaceful, courageous, quiet
- Origin: England
Although more portable and sluggish, this short-haired pup, comparable to harriers, is known for its excellent scent-hounding skills that can easily distract it from other tasks.
It comes in various colors, of which plain black and tan are over.
They are gentle and playful dogs that get along with people; although they can be pretty cautious of strangers at first sight but easy to win over.
Beagles are not great at being watchdogs, nor are they easy to train as they can be so focused on scent trails once that scent is caught and will not easily let go.
Their friendliness with kids is part of why they make great family pets.
A regular but moderate amount of exercise help to keep them in shape as they may be prone to weight gain.
Dachshund
- Lifespan: 12 to 16 years
- Weight: 16 to 32 pounds
- Height: 14 to 19 inches
- Temperament: Playful, intelligent, courageous
- Origin: Germany
The physical appearance of the Dachshund is quite hilarious.
Its very short legs attached to its long body have earned it the name “sausage dog.”
They are cheerful dogs but are prone to displaying certain stubborn behavior due to their hunting background. This can make training a bit stressful.
They are moderately intelligent and can be hostile to strangers that come around their territory.
Their coat colors include deep red, red tan, and of course, black and tan.
Dachshund breeds are loyal to their owners and may just be the right small black and tan dog for you as an experienced owner.
Yorkshire Terrier
- Lifespan: 13 to 16 years
- Weight: 4 to 7 pounds
- Height: 8 to 9 inches
- Temperament: Agile, curious, attention seekers, high energy
- Origin: Yorkshire, England
This breed that comes in different colors, including black and rich tan, possesses a shiny and quality-textured coat.
They are high-energy dogs that are suitable in a home with teenagers.
Yorkshire Terriers are very protective of their territory, love attention, and are committed to training as they smartly catch up fast.
The breed barks a lot, which can be quite beneficial if used as guard dogs; it can be curbed through training and regular workout sessions.
Miniature Pinscher
- Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
- Weight: 8 to 10 pounds
- Height: 10 to 12 inches
- Temperament: Alert, independent, outgoing, friendly
- Origin: Germany
Due to its active and energetic nature, the Miniature Pinscher may require a large terrain for all its physical activities, making them more suitable for experienced owners.
The breed is quite stubborn but can bend to become obedient after training.
Miniature Pinschers make excellent guard dogs due to their alert and hostile nature at the sight of strangers.
Min Pin, as nicknamed, is one of those companion dog breeds that comes in a variety of coat colors, including black with tan points.
Although not so popular as official information about them began not more than 200 years back, they’ve been recognized by different notable bodies like the American Kennel Club and the Federation Cynologique Internationale.
Australian Silky Terrier
- Lifespan: 11 to 14 years
- Weight: 6 to 14 pounds
- Height: 9 to 10 inches
- Temperament: Cautious, energetic, playful
- Origin: Australia
The Australian Silky Terrier is one of the small black and tan dogs with a shiny, long, straight coat.
The 19th-century breed, according to the American Kennel Club, is an offspring of the Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.
They are always alert of their environment and active, hence may need a large fenced area where they can do all the running and the playing they enjoy.
This breed may act independently than many other small-sized pups, but they are friendly and devoted to their owners.
However, they readily bark upon seeing strangers around.
English Toy Terrier
- Lifespan: 12 to 13 years
- Weight: 6 to 8 pounds
- Height: 10 to 12 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, stubborn, cautious, playful
- Origin: England
The English Toy Terrier possesses an almond-shaped eye and its striking black with tan coat color.
They are small-sized dogs known to be very active and initially used for rat baiting sports.
Like many other toy pups, the English Toy Terrier listed as one of the most susceptible UK breeds by the Kennel Club turns out intelligent and stubborn.
They can be pretty aloof to strangers like other terrier dogs.
Australian Terrier
- Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
- Weight: Approximately 14 pounds
- Height: 9 to 10 inches
- Temperament: Cautious, cheerful, courageous
- Origin: Australia
The Australian Terrier possesses short legs alongside a rough double-coated short fur.
They are known to be courageous and are friendly with people, other dogs, and pets.
They would never start a fight but would readily face any attacker.
The Australian Terrier was bred for companionship. Hence, they can do well around the home with an affectionate and cheerful attitude showing less aggression.
They are always alert and can be protective of their owners with all loyalty.
Prazsky Krysarik
- Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
- Weight: 3 to 8 pounds
- Height: 7 to 10 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, active, devoted, calm
- Origin: Czech Republic
PK is a small-sized toy breed with large-sized ears. They come in a short or long coat, of which black and tan is the major color variant.
The breed may seem small but are great at scent hounding. Their intense prey cravings urge them to go after small games like rats and squirrels.
They are characterized as calm, obedient, and intelligent with a playful nature.
The breed always enjoys affection from its human family and can be pretty dependable.
Jagdterrier
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
- Weight: 17 to 22 pounds
- Height: 13 to 16 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, friendly, dependable
- Origin: Germany
Also known as the German Hunting Terrier, the Jagdterrier is a small black, white and tan dog breed with smooth or rough fur.
Generally, all of the coat variants are known to shed.
Jagdterriers, as traditional hunting dogs, possess a high prey instinct.
They are intelligent, get along well with people, and can make good family companions.
However, you must watch their high prey instinct in the presence of other small home pets.
Lancashire Heeler
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
- Weight: 13 to 18 pounds
- Height: 10 to 12 inches
- Temperament: Cheerful, cautious, Intelligent
- Origin: England
The Lancashire Heeler possesses short legs, a long body, and an upright ear.
They are double-coated and have their coats come in various colors, including black and tan, although the American Kennel Club accepts the liver brown and tan.
These cheerful breeds get along well with their human owners and others around their territory.
They can be territorial and aggressive towards people they are not acquainted with.
Their playful and cheerful personality makes them good companion canines.
Black and Tan Medium Dog Breeds
Shiba Inu
- Lifespan: 13 to 15 years
- Weight: 18 to 22 pounds
- Height: 13 to 17 inches
- Temperament: Agile, alert, intelligent
- Origin: Japan
This Japanese dog breed easily looks like a fox and comes in various double-coated coat colors, including black with tan.
One fascinating feature of the Shiba Inu is its obsession with neatness, making it lick its paws and legs.
They were originally bred for hunting hence are always known to be alert. They also possess a high prey drive, which you need to note if you have small pets.
Shibas are easy to train and are known to express a happy or sad feeling with screams.
It turns out to be the smallest in the spitz group of dogs that originates from Japan.
Australian Cattle Dog
- Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
- Weight: 33 to 49 pounds
- Height: 17 to 20 inches
- Temperament: Energetic, intelligent, friendly
- Origin: Australia
The Australian Cattle Dog is playful and shows affection towards its family, forming a strong bond.
They are very protective of their family but can be quite wary of strangers until they are well acquainted with them, making them good watchdogs, although traditionally bred for herding cattle.
Their short and double-layer coat usually comes in a variety of colors, including black and tan.
These cattle dogs are relatively easy to groom, requiring just brushing a few times a month.
They are intelligent and agile and may require regular exercise and training to keep them healthy and fit for whatever task there is.
Airedale Terrier
- Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
- Weight: 35 to 50 pounds
- Height: 22 to 24 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, stubborn, devoted,
- Origin: England
This notably funny-looking black and tan terrier dog breed is known to be the largest terrier dog.
Airedale Terriers have been employed as hunting dogs to hunt down big animals, birds, ducks, and also war, guard, or police dogs.
The king of terriers, as nicknamed, may be able to herd cattle well if properly trained; else, it can cause agitation among the animals.
They make great family companions and get along with other dogs and pets if they are brought up together.
However, they can sometimes act a bit stubborn and hard-headed.
Early training and socialization can put your intelligent Terrier on the right track to being a good and well-behaved breed.
Australian Kelpie
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
- Weight: 29 to 42 pounds
- Height: 15 to 20 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, even-tempered, energetic
- Origin: Australia
The Australian Kelpie happens to be the first discovered kelpie dog breed variant and has predecessors traced to be British.
They are not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club but are accepted by the United Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club.
They make great companion pets that do not require a tough hand for training as they are intelligent and devoted.
Australian Kelpies are not aggressive and will be at their best with enough physical and mental stimulation; else may display certain attitudes if left to feel bored.
Black and Tan Coonhound
- Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
- Weight: 40 to 75 pounds
- Height: 21 to 27 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, gentle, calm, stubborn
- Origin: United States
As the name implies, these are black and tan hunting dogs with floppy ears, hazel brown eye color, and coat markings similar to those of the Rottweilers or Doberman pinschers.
Black and Tan Coonhounds make great home companions with their calm and gentle nature.
However, as trailing canines, they can be intense during hunting and may be difficult to distract once their hunting drive has been activated.
They are moderately active and may require just a moderate amount of exercise like long walks or jogging.
The breed may be sometimes stubborn, but they get along with kids and can be quite withdrawn around strangers giving the howling or baying sounds.
Appenzeller Sennenhund
- Lifespan: 13 to 17 years
- Weight: 49 to 71 pounds
- Height: 20 to 22 inches
- Temperament: Energetic, cautious, strong
- Origin: Switzerland
The Appenzeller Sennenhund is speculated to be a descendant of the Roman Cattle pups.
With the breeds club founded in 1906, it became globally accepted as a distinct breed in 1989 as a herder for a flock of cattle.
They have been recognized by the United Kennel Club and Federation Cynologique Internationale.
They are an active breed that may require regular exercise, not just to keep fit but to help maintain their energy level.
Early training makes it more suited to family living, and they can be employed as guard dogs owing to their history as herding canines.
Large Black and Tan Dog Breeds
Rottweiler
- Lifespan: 8 to 10 years
- Weight: 77 to 132 pounds
- Height: 22 to 27 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, territorial, self-confident
- Origin: Germany
Rottweilers are a medium to large-sized double-coated breed with black and tan or reddish-brown color variations.
They are high-energy dogs traditionally used to herd livestock and pull carts but are currently being employed to work with the military as search and rescue dogs.
Rotties may require early training and socialization to get along well with other pets and humans as they may be quite hostile due to their hunting and guarding instincts.
An inexperienced owner may find it quite challenging handling such a self-confident breed that may need to be trained to know its place in the home.
German Shepherd
- Lifespan: 9 to 13 years
- Weight: 49 to 88 pounds
- Height: 22 to 26 inches
- Temperament: Devoted, enthusiastic, curious, territorial
- Origin: Germany
With a wolf-like appearance and long nose, German Shepherd dogs are loved by many individuals.
Although they can be very aggressive, your German Shepherd is bound to be loyal with early training and proper socialization.
They make great watchdogs as they can be aloof to strangers and are always willing to protect their owners.
The breed is intelligent and requires an average amount of exercise on a daily basis to keep it fit.
GSDs come in different variants and are notably among the dog breeds with black and tan markings.
Doberman Pinscher
- Lifespan: 9 to 12 years
- Weight: 71 to 99 pounds
- Height: 25 to 28 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, fearless, loyal, trainable
- Origin: Germany
The Doberman Pinscher was originally bred to be working dogs but is perceived as fierce and aggressive.
However, recent breeders have made them less of an aggressive breed. The intelligent canine has become more loyal and gentle.
Although not precisely suitable as home companions, they can be excellent guard dogs ready to defend their owners.
They have been employed as search and rescue dogs.
Dobies possess a moderately long tail, dropping ears, which are often cropped, and a short but shiny coat.
They may not be one of the oldest breeds but have gained popularity and recognition in various Kennel Clubs.
Tibetan Mastiff
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
- Weight: 70 to 150 pounds
- Height: 24 to 26 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, aloof, protective, hard-headed
- Origin: Tibet
The Tibetan Mastiff is an old large dog breed used to guard livestock.
The breed is not suitable for apartment living; hence, it can be kept in a fenced yard with other companion pups.
Tibetan mastiffs get to sleep during the day and stay alert all night.
The breed requires an experienced hand, early socialization, and training as they may prove stubborn and strong-willed.
They can be the right family pup to the owners who understand canines’ psychology.
Fun Fact: A Tibetan Mastiff was sold at $1.5 million in 2011, breaking a record as the most expensive dog globally.
Beauceron
- Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
- Weight: 66 to 100 pounds
- Height: 24 to 28 inches
- Temperament: Energetic, intelligent, gentle, cautious
- Origin: France
This medium-sized pup is traditionally used in France as a watchdog and a herding dog for sheep, cattle, and goats.
The Beauceron is a muscular breed, relatively fit, gentle and friendly. However, they can be aloof to strangers due to their exceptional guarding instinct.
They perform excellently well in socializing when they are raised in that manner and can easily be trained.
This breed is enthusiastic about learning even though their assimilation is quite slow, thus, it may require patience.
American Foxhound
- Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
- Weight: 55 to 71 pounds
- Height: 21 to 25 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, devoted, loving
- Origin: United States
The Foxhound dog breed has various strains, but the American Kennel Club recognized one in 1886.
They have long legs, wide ears, usually brown eyes, and different coat colors, including black, white, and tan markings.
American Foxhounds are loyal, easy-going, and known to do well with kids, other dogs, and pets.
They tend to be shy or reserved when faced with strangers. Your Foxhound requires lots and lots of exercise to maintain its high energy level.
Bernese Mountain Dog
- Lifespan: 7 to 8 years
- Weight: 70 to 150 pounds
- Height: 23 to 28 inches
- Temperament: Energetic, calm, protective
- Origin: Switzerland
This high-energy dog is bred to be less of an aggressive or shy breed.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are very energetic and require lots of exercise to help keep them satisfied and calm.
They make great guard dogs to their territory and get along well with children and other dogs they are acquainted with.
The breed gives a stubborn and wary attitude towards strangers.
Bernese is a large double-coated mountain dog with a muscular built, straight legs, and bushy tails.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are among the black, white, and tan dog breeds. They have been employed traditionally as working dogs.
Hovawart
- Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
- Weight: 66 to 110 pounds
- Height: 23 to 29 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, reserved, active
- Origin: Germany
Hovawerts are good watchdogs as they have been once used as a watchdog in a farm setting.
The breed requires regular exercise and training throughout its existence as a working breed.
They can be pretty friendly and devoted to their owners but give off a conservative attitude towards strangers.
Final Thoughts
Coat color may not be the major determinant for choosing a pooch companion.
But if it is, then one of these black and tan dog breeds on the list can make it up to becoming your next pet.
Many of these canines have a natural temper, while some may require intense or early training and socialization.
Nonetheless, every pup needs training and socialization to be in their best behaviors with their human owners.
Other practices like healthy feeding, grooming, checkups, and exercise, would make your pup stay healthy and live out its lifespan with you.
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