Which dog breeds have spotted coats? Out of 162 breeds in our database, 9 have a spotted, ticked, roan or belton pattern in their standard colors. Only one of them, the Dalmatian, has true spots. The rest are speckled, ticked or roaned, which is a finer mix of colored and white hairs.
This guide goes through each breed with its size, weight, lifespan and temperament from our breed data, plus one thing to know before you bring one home. If you are comparing several, the dog breeds by trait finder lets you combine traits, and the dog breed comparison tool puts two breeds side by side.
Dalmatian
The Dalmatian is the one true spotted breed on this list, and the dog most people picture first. Puppies are born white, and the black or liver spots appear over the first weeks. The AKC lists two colors, black and white or liver and white, so the spots are the pattern and not a separate color.
The Dalmatian is a large breed in the AKC Non-Sporting Group. Adults weigh 45 to 70 lb (20 to 32 kg) and stand 19 to 24 in (48 to 61 cm) at the shoulder. The lifespan in our data is 11 to 13 years, and the AKC describes the temperament as dignified, outgoing and smart. The AKC rates shedding 4 and grooming needs 2 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Short, smooth hair is easy to keep clean, but it sheds, and white hairs show on dark clothes and furniture. Hearing loss is a known concern in the breed, so ask any breeder about hearing tests. Our post on why Dalmatians are not more popular covers the other side of owning one.
Australian Cattle Dog
Cattle dogs are born mostly white, and their color comes in as they grow. Adults are mottled or speckled: the colors in our data are blue, blue mottled, blue speckled, red speckled, red mottled. The speckling is fine enough that from a distance a blue heeler looks steel gray. The puppies in the photo show the blue speckled coat.
At 35 to 50 lb (16 to 23 kg) and 17 to 20 in (43 to 51 cm) tall, the Australian Cattle Dog counts as a medium dog (in the AKC Herding Group). Expect 12 to 16 years of company, and a temperament the AKC sums up as loyal, intelligent and tenacious. The AKC rates shedding 3 and grooming needs 1 on a scale of 1 to 5.
This is a working herding dog from Australia, and it wants a job. The AKC data lists 90 to 120 minutes of exercise a day, so plan for more than a stroll around the block.
Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick gets its name from its coat: a white background heavily ticked with black, which reads as blue. In our data the colors are blue ticked, blue ticked and tan. The AKC glossary defines ticking as "small, isolated areas (smaller than spots) of black or colored hairs on a white background."
The Bluetick Coonhound is a large breed in the AKC Hound Group. Adults weigh 45 to 80 lb (20 to 36 kg) and stand 21 to 27 in (53 to 69 cm) at the shoulder. The lifespan in our data is 11 to 12 years, and the AKC describes the temperament as devoted, smart and tenacious. The AKC rates shedding 3 and grooming needs 2 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Coonhounds follow scent, and a Bluetick that catches a trail will ignore you. Use a leash or a secure fence, and expect a loud voice: the AKC barking score is 4 out of 5.
Brittany
The Brittany's standard colors are orange and white, liver and white, orange roan, liver roan, tricolor. The roans are a fine mix of white hairs with orange or liver hairs, while the plain orange and white and liver and white dogs show larger patches with some ticking. The coat is short and wavy.
At 30 to 40 lb (14 to 18 kg) and 17.5 to 20.5 in (44 to 52 cm) tall, the Brittany counts as a medium dog (in the AKC Sporting Group). Expect 12 to 14 years of company, and a temperament the AKC sums up as bright, fun-loving and upbeat. The AKC rates shedding 3 and grooming needs 3 on a scale of 1 to 5.
A Brittany is a bird dog, built to work all day in the field. The AKC data puts exercise at 90 to 120 minutes daily, and a bored one will find its own entertainment.
English Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker has four roan colors in our data (blue roan, orange roan, liver roan and lemon roan), next to the solids: black, liver, red and golden. The AKC glossary describes roan as "the fine mixing of colored hairs with white hairs," so a blue roan is a coat of black and white hairs.
The English Cocker Spaniel is a medium breed in the AKC Sporting Group. Adults weigh 26 to 34 lb (12 to 15 kg) and stand 15 to 17 in (38 to 43 cm) at the shoulder. The lifespan in our data is 12 to 14 years, and the AKC describes the temperament as energetic, merry and responsive. The AKC rates shedding 3 and grooming needs 3 on a scale of 1 to 5.
The medium double coat has feathering on the ears, chest and legs, which tangles easily. Brush often and check those drop ears for dirt and moisture.
English Setter
Belton is the English Setter's own word for ticking or roaning, and it is the pattern this breed is known for. The colors in our data are blue belton, orange belton, lemon belton, liver belton, tricolor. The flecks of color on a white coat are the whole look.
At 45 to 80 lb (20 to 36 kg) and 23 to 27 in (58 to 69 cm) tall, the English Setter counts as a large dog (in the AKC Sporting Group). Expect 11 to 13 years of company, and a temperament the AKC sums up as friendly, mellow and merry. The AKC rates shedding 3 and grooming needs 3 on a scale of 1 to 5.
The medium, silky coat feathers on the legs, belly and tail. Expect regular brushing, and a lot of it after a walk through brush or burrs.
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in liver, liver and white, liver roan, black, black and white, black roan. The roan versions have white hairs mixed through a liver or black coat, which gives a speckled, slightly frosted look. Its cousin the German Wirehaired Pointer has a wiry coat, and you will find it in our wire-haired dog breeds list.
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a large breed in the AKC Sporting Group. Adults weigh 45 to 70 lb (20 to 32 kg) and stand 21 to 25 in (53 to 64 cm) at the shoulder. The lifespan in our data is 10 to 12 years, and the AKC describes the temperament as friendly, smart and willing to please. The AKC rates shedding 3 and grooming needs 2 on a scale of 1 to 5.
The short, smooth coat takes little work, but this is a high-drive sporting dog. The AKC data lists 60 to 120 minutes of daily exercise.
Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto pairs two traits from this series: a curly coat and roan colors. Its colors in our data are off-white, brown, orange, brown roan, orange roan, white, so the brown roan and orange roan dogs carry a ticked pattern under the curls. It started as a water retriever in Italy and is now best known as a truffle-hunting dog.
At 24 to 35 lb (11 to 16 kg) and 16 to 19 in (41 to 48 cm) tall, the Lagotto Romagnolo counts as a medium dog (in the AKC Sporting Group). Expect 15 to 17 years of company, and a temperament the AKC sums up as affectionate, keen and undemanding. The AKC rates shedding 1 and grooming needs 2 on a scale of 1 to 5.
It has the lowest AKC shedding rating (1) and is on the AKC list of breeds that tend to suit people with allergies, but the curls still need regular care. See our curly-haired dog breeds for the others.
Spinone Italiano
The Spinone's colors are white, white and orange, orange roan, brown roan. The roans are a mix of white hairs with orange or brown hairs, over a coat that is wiry, dense and a little shaggy, with bushy eyebrows and a beard.
The Spinone Italiano is a large breed in the AKC Sporting Group. Adults weigh 62 to 86 lb (28 to 39 kg) and stand 22 to 27 in (56 to 69 cm) at the shoulder. The lifespan in our data is 10 to 12 years, and the AKC describes the temperament as sociable, patient and docile. The AKC rates shedding 3 and grooming needs 2 on a scale of 1 to 5.
The beard collects food and water, so wipe it after meals. See our wire-haired dog breeds for more on caring for a wiry coat.
What is the difference between spots, ticking and roan?
The words overlap, so the AKC glossary helps. Ticking is "small, isolated areas (smaller than spots) of black or colored hairs on a white background." Roan is "the fine mixing of colored hairs with white hairs." Belton is the English Setter's version of ticking or roaning.
Across the 9 breeds above, 6 list roan or belton colors and 2 list ticked, mottled or speckled coats. The Dalmatian is included for its spots, even though the AKC lists its colors as black and white or liver and white. By AKC group the breeds split as Sporting (6), Herding (1), Hound (1), Non-Sporting (1).
We leave out tricolor and parti-color dogs, whose patches are large and not spotted. For marbled patches of diluted color, see our guide to dog breeds with merle coats. This article sticks to what the AKC glossary and breed pages say and does not go into the genetics of each pattern, which differ from breed to breed.
Sources:
- American Kennel Club: Glossary of breed standard terms
- American Kennel Club: Dog breeds directory and breed trait ratings
All 9 spotted dog breeds at a glance
| Breed | Size | Weight | Lifespan | Pattern in standard colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Cattle Dog | Medium | 35-50 lb | 12-16 years | blue mottled, blue speckled, red speckled, red mottled |
| Bluetick Coonhound | Large | 45-80 lb | 11-12 years | blue ticked, blue ticked and tan |
| Brittany | Medium | 30-40 lb | 12-14 years | orange roan, liver roan |
| Dalmatian | Large | 45-70 lb | 11-13 years | black and white or liver and white |
| English Cocker Spaniel | Medium | 26-34 lb | 12-14 years | blue roan, orange roan, liver roan, lemon roan |
| English Setter | Large | 45-80 lb | 11-13 years | blue belton, orange belton, lemon belton, liver belton |
| German Shorthaired Pointer | Large | 45-70 lb | 10-12 years | liver roan, black roan |
| Lagotto Romagnolo | Medium | 24-35 lb | 15-17 years | brown roan, orange roan |
| Spinone Italiano | Large | 62-86 lb | 10-12 years | orange roan, brown roan |
Conclusion
A spotted coat can mean very different dogs: a short-haired Dalmatian, a curly Lagotto, a shaggy Spinone, a speckled cattle dog. Pick by size, energy and coat care first and by pattern second. If you like a distinctive look from the other end of the body, see our list of dog breeds with white-tipped tails, or try the dog breed selector to narrow the field by lifestyle.
If you want marbling instead of flecks, merle breeds are the next place to look, and brindle breeds offer a striped alternative.
