While some dog breeds can have several coat colors according to their standard, others are systematically black. Pigments in the skin determine the color of a dog's coat. It is eumelanin that determines the color of black to brown hair. Here are different canine breeds whose coat is black, classified by size.
Small Black Dogs
1. Pug
There are different coat colors in the Pug (29 to 40 cm) such as sand, apricot, silver, white (albino) and of course black which remains quite rare.Be careful if it is about buying a puppy: the sand-colored pug is born practically black and its coat only lightens over time.
This flat-nosed breed from China was a favorite of emperors at the time. Today it is a very pleasant everyday companion, whether with adults or children. It is a robust but brachycephalic little dog, which therefore tolerates high temperatures poorly.
2. Lancashire Heeler
Originally from the United Kingdom, the breed is on the verge of extinction. Intelligent and affectionate, the Lancashire Heeler (25 to 31 cm) takes great pleasure in playing with children. Its black coat is short, smooth and waterproof.
3. Miniature Pinscher
The Miniature Pinscher (25 to 30 cm) has a short coat either two-tone black and tan, or one-color stag red or red-brown. Originally from Germany, it is believed that this breed originated from the crossing of a Dachshund and an Italian Greyhound.
The Miniature Pinscher turns out to be a good guard dog that shows a great deal of confidence and courage despite its small size. He likes his family and is curious about everything. Very sociable, he is a lively dog who likes to play with children.
4. Dachshund
If there are 3 standards for the Dachshund, it is the long-haired and short-haired breeds that are predisposed to wear a dark black dress. However, other colors are accepted: two-tone (brown, with tan markings in rust-brown or yellow), or harlequin-variegated (tabby or brindle) or single-tone (red, yellow-red, yellow).
The Dachshund is a very old dog whose origins date back 1500 years with J-C at the time of the Egyptian Pharaohs. Loyal and very attached to his master, he overflows with affection for his family. Loneliness does not suit him and he prefers to stay at his master's side. A former badger hunter, the forest remains his favorite domain.
5. Jagdterrier
Also called "German Hunting Terrier" and created by German hunting enthusiasts to become the perfect terrier in their eyes, the Deutscher Jagdterrier (33 to 40 cm) is rather recent (1920). This is how it is endowed with undeniable assets for hunting: a thick and dense coat to run in the brush and not to be cold in wet weather in winter.
His dress is most often black to go unnoticed in the forest, but it can also be dark brown or black and gray. From a line of hunters, he is the companion of only one master.
6. Schipperke
Originally bred as a pest hunter on barges and various boats, the Schipperke (30 to 34 cm) is a dog with dense, hard and abundant hair with a zain black coat.
Originally from Belgium, he is a very intelligent and courageous little dog that is not easily frightened. His head resembling that of a fox makes him endearing.
Although he is naturally wary of strangers, he is very affectionate with his family. However, he tends to want to express himself quite often and his high-pitched tone of voice can be irritating.
Despite his small size, he has energy to spare and you have to take him out several times a day at least in a large park to make him run.
7. Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier is a small dog (25 to 28 cm) with a rectangular body whose coat is rough and hard, ideal for hunting. The most common coat is black, but can also be wheaten and even brindle.
He is a very endearing dog because of his loy alty and the affection he shows to his family. He is a dog who likes to play with children but he is not the most patient of doggies. It will be essential to teach children to respect the animal.
8. Affenpinscher
Also called "Monkey Griffon" because of the crown of shaggy hair that surrounds its head and makes it look like a monkey, the Affenpinscher (24 to 29 cm) has a hard and thick coat on the whole body, the color of which is uniformly black.
Very playful, he loves all the members of the family with whom he is very affectionate. He is also fearless and few things manage to scare him.
Medium-sized black dogs
9. Black and Tan Coonhound
A very effective hound, the Black and Tan Coonhound has above-average flair. He also shows remarkable agility.
As its name suggests, the color of its dress is partially tinted with the color fire, more or less visible depending on the specimen. Measuring 58 to 68 cm with a lively character and a tenacious nature, he can live in an apartment provided that he is stimulated olfactorily and physically daily.
10. Portuguese Water Dog
Originally from the Algarve province in southern Portugal, the Portuguese Water Dog was appreciated for its swimming skills. He was a great help for fishermen to bring back nets, detect schools of fish and even serve as a messenger between different boats.
Average size (43 to 57 cm), its coat is generally black and sometimes brown or white. Docile and sociable, he adapts very well to family life. Intelligent and dynamic, he likes to be stimulated physically and mentally. As his name suggests, water is an important element for him and bringing him regularly near a lake, for example, is ideal so that he can bathe there happily.
11. Australian Kelpie
The Australian Kelpie is originally a herding dog from Australia. Very hardworking and disciplined, he plays many other roles with the police and customs forces and as an assistance dog.
Her dress is most often black or chocolate in color and her coat is medium length with a fairly soft undercoat. The Australian Kelpie is a suitable dog for an experienced handler due to its need to be kept busy to feel good. He is also very good at agility and other canine sports.
12. Black Norwegian Elkhound
This is a very old dog bred at the time to protect herds from wolves and bears and also to hunt. There is a standard for the Gray Norwegian Elkhound. If their names are identical, apart from the color of their dress, they remain totally different specimens in appearance and character.
The Black Norwegian Elkhound is an independent dog, although it appreciates the company of its master as well as that of children. It is a very active animal that needs to exert itself on a daily basis.
13. Labrador Retriever
Originally black, the Labrador Retriever can also wear a sand-colored coat (nowadays the most common) or brown. It is a dog is massive and muscular (54 to 57 cm) originating in Great Britain well known for its faculties to the assistance to the handicapped and blind people. He also excels in other areas thanks to his above-average intelligence.
He gets along wonderfully with humans and all kinds of animals. He is very patient with children, even the youngest ones. Without any aggressiveness, he still plays his role of protector with them. It was bred at the time to assist fishermen and then hunters of flying game, hence its great interest still today in water.
14. Rottweiler
The Rottweiler (56 to 68 cm) is one of the most popular breeds in the United States and is among the oldest.Originally bred to guard herds and houses, he has kept this instinct which he assumes very well thanks to his limitless courage. Despite this, he is a peaceful, calm, affectionate dog with unfailing loy alty. The Rottweiler's coat is black with well-defined fire-colored markings. To maintain his muscle mass and guarantee his mental balance, it is important to take him for a walk several times a day.
15. Altdeutscher Schäferhund
This breed is also called "Old German Shepherd" , descendant of the German Shepherd. While its coat is usually black and tan (and other variations), it can also be completely black.
He is an intelligent dog, sure of himself and close to his master. Above all, a working dog, it is important to stimulate him regularly so that he feels useful to his family. A sports master who practices caniVTT, for example, is obviously ideal for this dog.
16. Croatian Shepherd
The Croatian Shepherd (43 to 50 cm) is said to have been bred in the eastern part of Slavonia in Croatia, in order to play the role of herding and guard dog. But other versions contradict this last one
Her dress is black and may possibly contain some white spots. His hair is medium-long and wavy, even curly. It is a dog with multiple qualities, which is close to the Border Collie: intelligent and lively, loyal, eager to please its master.
Large Black Dogs
17. Great Dane
This is one of the largest canine breeds in the world (72 to 90 cm) and it is certain that it takes a minimum of space to adopt such a dog. The Great Dane wears a mostly black dress with a short coat. However, other colors are accepted by the standard, namely fawn, brindle, white variegated with black (harlequin) and blue.The variegated gray is not recognized.
If he impresses with his size, he is nonetheless a very pleasant dog to live with, both with adults and children and his congeners. You should know that the life expectancy of such a dog is very short since it generally does not exceed 8 years.
18. Dobermann
Tall (63 to 72 cm) and muscular, the Dobermann is an active dog that likes to be stimulated. This intimidating-looking working dog is highly intelligent, allowing him to often be on the side of law enforcement and security.
In reality, this animal wears a black and tan dress and sometimes brown and tan. His hair is short, tight and smooth. Well educated, the Dobermann is sociable, attached to his family and very gentle with children. Daily outdoor physical exercise is an absolute necessity for this energetic animal.
19. Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is an impressive dog by its size (60 to 68 cm) and by its alert posture. The short coat of the Cane Corso most often comes in black, but also sometimes in red and various shades of gray and fawn.
Suited for guarding, he knows how to be a deterrent to strangers. Large spaces and sports activities are necessary for this dog who likes to be stimulated.
20. Curly-Coated Retriever
The Curly-Coated Retriever is a large dog (62 to 70 cm) similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever, except for its curly coat. A high-level hunting dog and an excellent swimmer, his little curls protect him from the humidity, even in very cold weather. Its fur is black or liver.
Like most Retrievers, he is a sociable and friendly dog who gets along well with humans and his fellow dogs. He also really likes to play with children.