“And then of course, you have your little spotted friends. Yes, I must say, such perfectly beautiful coats…”
Cruella de Vil may be the only person who wants a puppy coat — I dare to hope — but there’s no denying that spotted dogs are absolutely beautiful!
From the classic black-and-white Dalmatian to the stunning multi-colored bluetick coonhound, people can’t get enough of polka-dotted pooches like these.
Read on to learn more about 10 of our favorite spotted dog breeds!
1. Dalmatian
Popularized by the iconic Disney animated feature One Hundred and One Dalmatians, the Dalmatian is a handsome dog that was the preferred companion for firefighters in the 1700s.
Though the black and white coat is well known, liver-spotted and lemon Dalmatians also exist and both are as stunning as their black-and-white counterparts.
The Dalmatian’s high energy means he needs plenty of daily exercise and a great Dalmatian dog food, while his alert and high-strung personality means he needs plenty of socialization and training as a puppy to be a well-rounded dog.
2. Great Dane
No, that’s not a cow or a horse — it’s a Great Dane, the record-holder for the world’s tallest dog. These gentle giants come in a variety of colors, but the black and white harlequin pattern is a fan favorite
Gentle though they are, it’s recommended that owners new to the breed do thorough research on temperament and training before bringing such a big dog home.
The size and power of this breed make proper training and socialization critical. Plus, Great Danes are an expensive breed to own, with a host of health issues as a result of their enormous size.
3. English Pointer
The headstrong English pointer is a stunning gun dog who lives and breathes work. Bred to have strong prey and work drives, most English pointers are not suitable as family dogs and need substantial exercise and training to keep them happy.
Hunters in need of a working companion who want plenty of love will find all they need in the English pointer.
4. Australian Cattle Dog
Another dedicated workaholic, the Australian cattle dog (ACD) — colloquially known as the blue or red heeler — has a “roan” coat pattern, which means there’s a higher density of “ticking,” or colorful speckles and far less white space. Coat colors include blue, red, and tricolor.
Cattle dogs have an incredibly high prey drive and got their heeler nickname for their tendency to herd cattle by nipping their heels. Because of this behavior and their high energy, cattle dogs aren’t recommended for families with small children, nor for apartment life.
5. English Setter
English setters are one of the oldest gun dog breeds still in existence today. The breed’s popularity is understandable — in addition to being eager to please working dogs, they’re level-headed and live well with families if regularly exercised.
Their silky coats come in lemon, orange, black, and brown flecks, and require daily brushing to keep them tangle-free.
6. English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer spaniel is another loving hunting companion with a gorgeously spotted complexion. Some Springer spaniels only have ticking on the paws and muzzle and larger patches on their bodies, but others have a full ticking pattern.
These social butterflies thrive in families, but should be trained to control their energy from a young age.
7. American Hairless Terrier
Love spotted dogs, but not their fur? Great news — there’s a naked dog for that. The American hairless terrier has two variations, completely hairless or lightly coated, and they’re both as close to hypoallergenic as a dog can get.
You may need to rub a little doggie sunscreen on these little bad boys every day, but their feisty and fun personalities make the extra maintenance worth it.
8. Cocker Spaniel
If setters and springers are too big for your tastes, you may prefer the Cocker Spaniel. Both English and American varieties can have ticked coats, and they’re renowned family pooches.
They can be a little neurotic if not exercised, but the Cocker Spaniel (and the Cocker Spaniel mix) is an otherwise fantastic companion for the person with a little extra time to groom him.
9. German Shorthaired Pointer
Much like its English counterpart, the German shorthaired pointer (GSP) is a high-drive working dog who can become rambunctious and destructive if not properly exercised. The GSP’s coat comes in only two colors, solid liver and liver tick.
These high-energy dogs thrive in a home with plenty of space and someone to exercise them thoroughly. They make great running buddies!
10. Bluetick Coonhound
If you’ve ever wanted a dog that bays at the top of his lungs for no reason every thirty seconds, the bluetick coonhound is the breed for you.
These vocal hounds are through-and-through working dogs that absolutely need some kind of job to keep them satisfied. Without enough enrichment, bluetick coonhounds will become extremely vocal, destructive, and anxious. They are definitely not a quiet dog!
But for the dedicated hunter in need of an equally loyal and beautiful colleague, the bluetick coonhound is a dream come true.
Spotted Dog Names
Recently bring home the spotted dog of your dreams, but have no clue what to call him? About to settle for your kiddo’s suggestion of “Spot” and accept your fate? We might be able to help you out.
Here are a few names for spotted dogs to prevent you from being the Plain Jane of the dog park:
- Appaloosa
- Blemish
- Calico
- Cruella (101 Dalmatians, ft. built-in irony)
- Dapple
- Domino
- Dottie
- Freckles
- Giraffe
- Heifer
- Mancha / Manchita (“Spot” and “Little Spot” in Spanish)
- Mosaic
- Mötley (Crüe)
- Orion
- Patches
- Pepperoni
- Perdita (101 Dalmatians)
- Polka-Dot
- Pongo (101 Dalmatians)
- Pox
- Puzzle
- Rorschach
- Sketch
- Smudge
- Speckles
- Splash
- Splotch
- Sprinkles
Not a fan of any on this list? Check out our black and white dog names for more inspiration!
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Are you seeing spots yet? Tell us about your polka-dotted pooches in the comments below (or share photos via our uploader)!
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