Brindle Whippet: Everything You Need To Know

Whippets come in an array of colours, and one of the most beautiful whippets you can ever find has a brindle effect. Brindle refers to a coat colouring pattern that occurs primarily in dogs and other domesticated animals such as horses, cats, and cattle.

Some individuals consider brindle whippets as tiger-striped because their coat patterns subtly seem like a tiger’s stripes. Typically, such whippets have dark markings that are more apparent when the whippet’s coat has a lighter colour.

When breeding brindle whippets, it is quite possible to get whippets with lightly coloured patterns on dark coats. Such whippets are reverse-brindle whippets and are very rare.

This article will look at what is a brindle whippet? It will also look at how to identify these brindle whippets and if these whippets are rare. For this and more information on this, read on.

Table of Contents

What Is A Brindle Whippet?

It refers to whippets that have brindle markings across their coats. Such whippets have varying markings and colours that are mostly distinct due to the whippet’s short, thin fur.

A whippet’s brindle only affects your furry friend’s appearance and doesn’t affect other aspects such as the whippet’s trainability or personality. Whippets are loving and affectionate companions regardless of their coat’s pattern.

Brindle markings on whippets can appear with black, white, and bluish markings, and some can have a combination of these three colours, giving it a tricolour appearance. However, most brindle whippets have a bicolour pattern.

A tricolour brindle whippet, commonly known as trindle whippet, may have two different colour shades on their bodies and a third marking colour. Trindle whippets are simpler to identify at a close range because some of their colours may appear similar from afar.

Nowadays, some breeders specialize in breeding brindle whippets; however, many individuals disapprove of this practice. Such whippet sellers prefer to make a profit over developing healthy, diverse, and quality puppies.

Brindle whippets don’t have one actual colour but rather a combination of them. Whippet genetics play a critical role in determining The pattern and type of colour present on the whippet’s fur.

Three primary genes can determine a whippet’s colour. One whippet gene influences the whippet’s primary colour—the other influences whether the whippet’s colour is recessive or dominant.

The final gene determines whether the fur’s colour will be concrete or have a mixed composition. After years of breeding, scientists have discovered that a specific whippet colour combination can result in puppies of particular colours.

For instance, two black whippets can bring forth various colour combinations, whereas two dun-coloured whippets cannot produce puppies with black, blue, fawn, or brindle markings.

According to whippet genetics, dominant or recessive inheritance can influence colours and markings on a whippet pup. A dominant colour refers to a whippet colouring that will appear primarily over other inherited colours unless this gene is missing entirely.

A recessive whippet colour refers to colouring that only appears when a whippet inherits two allele copies of this gene. Many colours and markings, such as brindle, are inherited through this recessive mechanism.

The gene for brindle markings generally appears on whippet puppies if the dominant black gene isn’t inherited. When it comes to brindle and fawn colours, whippets will preferably express the brindle gene over the fawn(red) gene.

What Does A Brindle Whippet Look Like?

Brindle occurrence is more common in short-haired dog breeds such as the whippet but can also occur in long-haired breeds such as the Dachshund.

Brindle whippets are those that have tiger-like stripes that have varying shades and marking styles. Brindle markings can occur in several colours ranging from black to blue and with different stripe intensity from bold to faint.

Some of the brindle colours associated with whippets include dun, black, blue, red, and fawn. These whippet colour shades may appear in several combinations that contribute directly to the whippet’s brindle appearance.

Some brindle colour combinations are prevalent in whippets, whereas others are non-existent. For instance, the liver dilutes brindle is common in other dog breeds, but it is entirely non-existent among whippets.

If you wonder how you can distinguish Brindle whippets from ordinary ones, here is a comprehensive look at two distinguishing features of brindle whippets.

The Markings

If your whippet has stripe-like markings that extend throughout its back, forehead, and on its legs, it is a brindle whippet. The markings’ colour may vary depending on your whippet’s parents.

Brindle whippets tend to have lightly coloured undersides extending from the fore-chest area to the whippets flank. The most prevalent brindle colours found in whippets have an orange background and dark stripes or colouring.

Other brindle whippets tend to display a light coat with grey or blue-looking stripes. These blueish stripes are slightly discoloured black pigments, a trait that whippet puppies inherit if both parents are carriers.

Some brindle whippets have markings all over their faces, while others have a white or black mask without stripes.

The whippet’s base colour on its brindle can vary from a reddish to light cream hue. Whippets with lightly coloured coats tend to have a low red pigment intensity locus that affects their base colour but not the black pigment that creates the markings.

“Missing” Stripes

Some whippets, particularly those with a light brindle, can develop red spots that don’t resemble stripes. In such instances, the whippet may appear to be missing stripes; however, this occurrence is quite common.

Whippets with missing stripes can have them appearing on only one side and missing on the other one. Scientists are yet to comprehend why some brindle whippets show this trait, but many believe genetics can affect a whippet’s brindles.

Are Brindle Whippets Rare?

According to the American whippet club, whippets that aren’t bred intentionally for agility and related competitions are extremely rare in the US. Brindle whippets fall under this category and aren’t easy to procure unless you know a reputable whippet breeder.

On the upside, whippets tend to have a higher occurrence of brindles than other dog breeds such as the Jack Russell Terrier. Also, it’s much easier to find whippets in the UK since it’s their ancestral land.

Although brindle whippets are rare, the most common marking you can find out there is the classic tiger print. This brindle is where whippets have a reddish base colour and dark blackish markings.

On the other hand, blue markings on whippets are typically very light and rare. The blue colourations and markings on brindle whippets mainly occur on the face and nose areas.

Whippets that develop brindles with missing stripes are also extremely rare. Since such whippets can have various unconventional markings, some people love owning them because of their beautiful rare brindles.

Although some whippets’ brindles are popular and valuable because there aren’t many such pets, all whippets have a similar temperament and make excellent pets.

Selectively breeding whippets based on specific markings and colours only drive up the demand for particular whippets and discriminates against others. Such a situation isn’t favourable to the whippets nor the breeders.

Why Some People Go Crazy For Brindle Whippets

Whippets come in an array of colours, and one of the most beautiful whippets you can ever find is the brindle whippet. Brindle refers to a coat colouring pattern that occurs primarily in dogs and other domesticated animals such as horses, cats, and cattle.

Brindle is a beautiful pattern that manifests in numerous dog breeds, including whippets. Because of the variations you get with brindle whippets, your dog may appear different.

The tiger-like print may make the whippet seem like a wild animal, but it doesn’t affect your whippet’s love and affection. Whippets are loyal and caring hounds regardless of how they look on the outside.

Here are some of the leading reasons why people love brindle whippets:

Brindle Coloured Whippets Make Excellent Play Mates

Brindle whippets make the perfect playmates because their striped bodies help them blend with woody backgrounds. You will have fun playing with your tiger-striped whippet, and hide and seek will be more enjoyable.

Your whippet will be almost invisible when it’s exploring the woods or when standing on wooden flooring. Some whippets have pure white chests ensuring you always see it no matter how well it’s camouflaged.

Brindle Whippets Are Stunning And Have An Amazing Personality

Brindle markings make a whippet have a unique and attractive appearance. If you own a brindle whippet, you’ll always love and adore its striped body as it speeds about during walks.

Additionally, all whippets come with a calm loving temperament that everyone will love. Whippets are gentle towards children and other pets, making them loving, beautiful companions.

Tiger Striped Whippets Look Great

If you love your dog wild, then tiger-stripped whippets are an excellent way to go. These cuties have a jungle look but exhibit the same traits as other whippets.

Brindle Whippet Puppies

Brindle whippet puppies are some of the cutest pups you’ll ever set your eyes upon.

They’re small, cuddly and have the characteristics and temperament of larger whippets but have the unique brindle colouration in their coat.

Brindle whippet puppies are often a little more expensive than regular whippet puppies, this is because the brindle colour is a little rarer.

You can pay anywhere between £750 – £1500 for a brindle whippet puppy here in the UK, but be sure to purchase your pup from a reputable breeder that loves and takes care of the puppies.

As a whole brindle whippet puppies are very similar to normal whippet puppies. They need love, care, attention and will be your best friend if you let them.

Final Thoughts

Brindle whippets are beautiful canines that are normal whippets in a different coat. These whippets have varying markings and patterns on their bodies that make them elegant household pets.

These whippets may look aggressive, but they are gentle pets at heart. If you wish to own a brindle whippet, kindly remember that your furry friend needs proper training, vaccinations, and playtime.