Top 20 Brown Dog Breeds

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There’s a lot to love about dogs, no matter what the color, but some dog owners are definitely more interested in dog breeds in shades of brown. With so many color options out there, you might want to think about narrowing down your dog choice by looking at specific colors and combinations.

A dog can still be considered brown even if its paws, ears, face, chest, and tail have small patches of non-brown color.

In this article, we will look at 20 brown dog breeds of all shapes and sizes to help you learn more about them.

1. Labrador Retriever

Breed Overview:

Origin: Canada (Newfoundland)
Height: 22-24 inches
Weight: 55-79 pounds
Activity level: Moderate to High
Grooming needs: Moderate
Shedding: High
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Low to Moderate
Kid-Friendliness: High
Typical price range: $800 to $1200
Potential health issues: patellar luxation, canine hip dysplasia (CHD), and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), which is canine elbow and shoulder dysplasia

The sweet-faced and lovable Labrador Retriever is America’s most popular dog breed. Their dense, hard coat comes in colors like yellow, black, and luscious chocolate. Labs are friendly, outgoing, and high-spirited pups who have more than enough affection to go around for a family looking for a medium to large-sized dog.

2. Poodle

Breed Overview:

Origin: Germany
Height: 15+ inches for Standard Poodle, 15 inches for miniatures, and 10 inches for Toys
Weight: 45–70 pounds for Standard
Activity level: High
Grooming needs: Moderate to High
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Tendency to bark: Moderate
Kid-Friendliness: Low to Moderate
Typical price range: $600 – $1500 for Standard and $1000 – $2000 for Toy and Miniatures
Potential health issues: hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, Addison’s disease, thyroid issues, hypoglycemia, bloating, and collapsed trachea.

Brown poodles are born dark and then fade as they get older, which produces gorgeous shades of cinnamon brown and coffee. Beneath that curly and low-allergen coat is an elegant athletic companion for all dog lovers. Poodles are eager, athletic, and wickedly smart dogs of remarkable ability. The Standard Poodle, in terms of size and strength, is athletic and a great family friend.

3. Siberian Husky

Breed Overview:

Origin: Siberia
Height: 20–24 inches
Weight: 35–60 pounds
Activity level: High
Grooming needs: Moderate to High
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Low, but a loud bread
Kid-Friendliness: Moderate to High
Typical price range: $800 to $1500
Potential health issues: Cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Corneal Dystrophy, and Dysplasia

Siberian Husky, a thickly coated, compact sled dog of medium size and great endurance, was developed to work in packs, pulling light loads at moderate speeds over vast frozen expanses. While brown Huskies are less common than black/white Huskies, they are not exceedingly rare. As born-pack dogs, they enjoy family life and get along well with other dogs. The Sibe’s innate friendliness renders them indifferent watchdogs.

4. Dachshund

Breed Overview:

Origin: Germany
Height: 8–9 inches for Standard and 5–6 inches for Miniature
Weight: 16–32 pounds for Standard and 11 pounds & under for Miniature
Activity level: Moderate
Grooming needs: Low to Moderate
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Moderate to High
Kid-Friendliness: High
Typical price range: $300 and $3500
Potential health issues: intervertebral disk disease, hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, leg-calve-Perthes disease, and Dachshund teeth issues.

A chocolate Dachshund has a beautiful coat that looks just like creamy chocolate. The rich brown color can occur on smooth, long, or wire-haired fur. The famously long, low body, ever-alert expression, and bold, animated personality of the Dachshund have made them so popular in the canine kingdom.

5. Border Collie

Breed Overview:

Origin: Anglo-Scottish border
Height: 18–22 inches
Weight: 27–45 pounds
Activity level: High
Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: High
Kid-Friendliness: Medium to High
Typical price range: $600+
Potential health issues: hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and hypothyroidism

The chocolate Border Collies are called brown by some. A lighter hue of this is termed ‘red’. The pattern is similar to black collies. Borders are among the canine kingdom’s most agile, balanced, and durable citizens. the most intelligent dogs in the world, the Border Collie can be a fine companion to those who love the outdoors and follow an active lifestyle.

6. Treeing Cur Dog

Breed Overview:

Origin: United States
Height: 18–24 inches
Weight: 30–60 pounds
Activity level: High
Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Low to Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Moderate to High
Kid-Friendliness: Moderate to High
Typical price range: $500 to $1,000
Potential health issues: Treeing Curs tend to have a lot of frequent health issues

The Treeing Cur comes in the colors black, red, brown, and brindle. This dog is a courageous hunter that uses its eyes, nose, and ears to track game and is one of the toughest and most agile treeing dogs. Besides its outstanding tree-planting abilities, it makes a great family companion.

7. Basset Hound

Breed Overview:

Origin: France
Height: 11–15 inches
Weight: 44-64 pounds
Activity level: Low to Moderate
Grooming needs: Moderate
Shedding: Moderate to Heavy
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Moderate
Kid-Friendliness: High
Typical price range: $800 to $1,500
Potential health issues: Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD), gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia, thrombopathy, entropion, otitis externa, ectropion, glaucoma, von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD), and canine hip dysplasia (CHD)

Basset hound dogs have different distinct colors and markings, and they may be white, brown, or even black in color. This instantly recognizable breed is a perennial favorite of dog lovers all over the planet. This low-slung and low-key hound can sometimes be stubborn, but the bloodhound’s nose is the most accurate.

8. Chihuahua

Breed Overview:

Origin: Mexico
Height: 6–10 inches
Weight: 3.3 – 6.6 pounds
Activity level: Moderate
Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: High
Kid-Friendliness: High
Typical price range: $800
Potential health issues: dental issues, tracheal collapse, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), eye infection, luxating patella (when the kneecap tends to move out of its normal position)

The Chihuahua in brown or chocolate is not rare and can range from a rich mahogany shade to a brown so dark it almost looks black. This is a tiny dog that is known for its huge personality. The Chihuahua is a national symbol of Mexico and is among the oldest breeds of the Americas, with a lineage dating back to the ancient kingdoms of pre-Columbian times.

9. Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Breed Overview:

Origin: United States
Height: 21-26 inches
Weight: 55-80 pounds
Activity level: High
Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: High
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Moderate
Kid-Friendliness: High
Typical price range: $800 to $1,500
Potential health issues: gastric torsion and canine hip dysplasia (CHD)

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a peerless duck dog of the Mid-Atlantic, and is known as an American original who embodies the classic traits of a good retriever. They are solid-colored, either chocolatey brown, sedge, or dead grass, with keen yellow-amber eyes that nicely complement their coat. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is famous for its waterproof coat.

10. St. Bernard

Breed Overview:

Origin: Italian-Swiss border
Height: 26-35 inches
Weight: 120–180 pounds
Activity level: Low to Moderate
Grooming needs: Moderate
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Low
Kid-Friendliness: Moderate to High
Typical price range: around $1,500
Potential health issues: CHD, gastric torsion, entropion, ectropion, elbow dysplasia, osteosarcoma

The coat of a Saint Bernard can be red, reddish-brown, tawny, or brown, but it always has white spots on the chest, neck, nose, paws, and tail. Saint Bernard is the genial giant of the Swiss Alps and is among the world’s most famous and loved breeds. Their huge head, wrinkled brow, short muzzle, and dark eyes, give this breed the intelligent, friendly expression that was such a welcome sight to stranded Alpine travelers.

11. Mountain Cur

Breed Overview:

Origin: United States
Height: 16-24 inches
Weight: 30–60 pounds
Activity level: High
Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Low to Moderate
Kid-Friendliness: High
Typical price range: around $500
Potential health issues: skin irritations and infections

Mountain Curs are rugged, medium-sized dogs covered in short, rough coats that normally come in brown, black, brindle, and yellow. The Mountain Cur is a hunting dog with a good treeing instinct and was a crucial part of the cultures of early pioneers, settlers, and homesteaders. They are very courageous fighters and extremely intelligent, doing whatever job their owner desires.

12. Great Dane

Breed Overview:

Origin: Germany
Height: 28-34 inches
Weight: 99–200 pounds
Activity level: Moderate
Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Low
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Low
Kid-Friendliness: High
Typical price range: $1800 to $3000
Potential health issues: Gastric Torsion, Heart Disease, Cancer, Hip Dysplasia, Wobbler’s Syndrome, Hypothyroidism

Great Danes in brown are an expression of a recessive gene existing in all carrier dogs of the breed. However, brown or chocolate Great Danes are not included in the seven standard coat colors for Great Dane breed dogs. This easygoing breed is a total joy to live with, but owning a dog of such striking size, weight, and strength is a commitment for any owner.

13. Belgian Malinois

Breed Overview:

Origin: Belgium
Height: 22-26 inches
Weight: 44–66 pounds
Activity level: High
Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Moderate
Kid-Friendliness: Moderate
Typical price range: $1500 – $3000
Potential health issues: hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, cancer, epilepsy, autoimmune thyroiditis, and retained testicles.

The Belgian Malinois standard coat colors are fawn, fawn sable, mahogany, brown, and red sable. Along with these colors comes their signature black masking. The smart, confident, and versatile Belgian Malinois is a world-class worker who forges an unbreakable bond with his owners. This breed needs the pleasure of his family’s company or he is deprived of his very reason for being.

14. Havanese

Breed Overview:

Origin: Cuba
Height: 9 inches
Weight: 9.9 – 16 lbs.
Activity level: Moderate
Grooming needs: Moderate
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Tendency to bark: High
Kid-Friendliness: High
Typical price range: $1,000 to $1,500
Potential health issues: eye disorders, chondrodysplasia, deafness, heart murmurs, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (which affects the hip joint), and patellar luxation.

The distinctive features of the Havanese include a curled-over tail and a gorgeous silky coat, which comes in a variety of colors. The chocolate color in Havanese is a genetically recessive trait that is rare. This is the only dog breed native to Cuba and they are cheerful little dogs with a spring in their step. These lively and sociable companions are becoming especially popular with American city dwellers.

15. English Cocker Spaniel

Breed Overview:

Origin: England
Height: 14–17 inches
Weight: 26–35 pounds
Activity level: High
Grooming needs: Moderate to High
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: High
Kid-Friendliness: High
Typical price range: $1,000 to $1,800
Potential health issues: progressive retinal atrophy, patellar luxation, cataracts, hip dysplasia, juvenile-onset renal failure, hypothyroidism, and, in particolors, hearing loss.

Chocolate Cockers are born white-brown and turn darker after a few weeks. Sometimes brown is also known as liver, but it may not be as common as some of the other Spaniel colors. The medium-length coat is silky to the touch, no matter what color it comes in. Cockers are upbeat and mellow at home, yet this bird dog is widely admired for his delightful personality and irresistible good looks.

16. Boxer

Breed Overview:

Origin: Germany
Height: 21–25 inches
Weight: 55–71 pounds
Activity level: High
Grooming needs: Low to Moderate
Shedding: Low
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Low
Kid-Friendliness: High
Typical price range: $500–$2,500
Potential health issues: cancers, heart conditions such as aortic stenosis and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (the so-called “Boxer cardiomyopathy”), hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia

The most regularly seen coat colors are brown, tan, yellow, and black on a boxer. Mostly, you will see the breed with extra black or white markings set against the base coat color. The dark brown eyes and wrinkled forehead give the face an alert, curious look, and the coat can be fawn or brindle with white markings. Boxers are bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous. The Boxer has been among America’s most popular dog breeds over the years.

17. Lagotto Romagnolo

Breed Overview:

Origin: Italy
Height: 16–19 inches
Weight: 11–16 pounds
Activity level: High
Grooming needs: High
Shedding: Low
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Tendency to bark: Moderate
Kid-Friendliness: Moderate to High
Typical price range: $3,000–$5,000
Potential health issues: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, juvenile epilepsy, cataracts.

Lagotto Romagnolo is known for wooly curls that cover the body head to tail, crowned by a lavish beard, eyebrows, and whiskers. Brown puppies are born white-brown and turn darker after a few weeks. The Lagotto Romagnolo is Italy’s adorable ‘truffle dog,’ and it has a curly coat and lavish facial furnishings. This breed is a durable worker with a nose that sniffs out truffles, which are a dainty and pricey delicacy.

18. Pomeranian

Breed Overview:

Origin: Pomerania (a region in north-west Poland and north-east Germany)
Height: 7–12 inches
Weight: 3–7 pounds
Activity level: Moderate
Grooming needs: Moderate
Shedding: Low to Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: Moderate
Kid-Friendliness: High
Typical price range: $500 to $6,000
Potential health issues: luxating patella and tracheal collapse

The chocolate Pomeranian is also often referred to as brown. Both chocolate and brown colors are the official and correct terminology for this colored breed. The little Pomeranian, long a favorite of royals and commoners alike, is known as the ideal companion. Their beautiful coat, smiling, foxy face, and animated personality have helped them become one of the world’s most popular toy breeds.

19. Doberman Pinscher

Breed Overview:

Origin: Germany
Height: 24-28 inches
Weight: 71–99 pounds
Activity level: High
Grooming needs: Low
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Tendency to bark: When necessary
Kid-Friendliness: Moderate
Typical price range: $1500 to $2500
Potential health issues: hip dysplasia, Von Willebrand’s disease (vWD), hypothyroidism, Wobbler’s syndrome, narcolepsy, and albinism.

Though they are often called red in color, they are really a dark reddish-brown. Most owners call them what they are and refer to them as brown Dobermans. Doberman Pinscher is one of dogkind’s noblemen. This immeasurably fearless and vigilant breed stands proudly among the world’s finest protection dogs.

20. Affenpinscher

Breed Overview:

Origin: Germany, France
Height: 9–12 inches
Weight: 6.4–13 pounds
Activity level: Moderate
Grooming needs: Low to Moderate
Shedding: Low
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Tendency to bark: Low
Kid-Friendliness: Moderate
Typical price range: $500
Potential health issues include: luxating patellas, eye diseases, hip dysplasia, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

The Affenpinscher comes in colors like black, gray, silver, brown and tan, or red, which ranges from brownish to an orangey tan. Their dense, harsh coat is described as shaggy but considered neat. This breed is loyal, curious, and famously amusing. This almost-human toy dog is brave in all proportions to his size.

Final Thoughts

Brown dogs are truly beautiful and their unique coloring has made them popular as show dogs as well as companions. Whether you are searching for a brown breed out of curiosity or because you are ready to adopt, we hope this article has helped with your decision.

Top 20 Brown Dog Breeds