Black dog breeds: 25 Best Dog Breeds with Black Coat

Are you looking for the next four-legged addition to your home but don’t know which breed to pick? In this article, we have broken down our favorite 25 black dog breeds to provide you with the best list to choose from. We have even separated the options into small, medium, and large dogs for you! So, if you are on the lookout for a dark-coated dog breed, look no further…

Small Black Dogs

Pug

One of the world’s most popular and lovable dog breeds, the pug can sport a black coat, although it is rarer than other colors. As such, black pug puppies can come at a premium. They have a history as the royal dog, originating in China, but are now common household companions. They are known for their happy and loving personalities, although they come with some common health problems.

Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher may come in a small package, but they pack a lot of feistiness into that mini frame. Experts believe they originally came about as a cross between Italian Greyhounds and Dachshunds. They make excellent family watchdogs in modern times and are very popular among toy breeds.

Dachshund

One of the most famous and popular dog breeds on the planet, the Dachshund, also known as the sausage dog, often comes with a black coat and tan markings. They are small dogs with short hair but a whole lot of personality. If there is one dog breed that absolutely guarantees other dog walkers will stop to say hello to your four-legged friend, it’s the Dachshund… and with good reason!

Jagdterrier

A little dog with a history of hunting, originating from Germany. They love to be stimulated throughout the day, so exercise, playtime, and mental puzzles are necessary for these pups. They are a pleasure to have around, but not the easiest dog in the world to train due to their stubbornness. They are also not ideal for households with cats or young children, so it is best to avoid them in those cases. But if you want a feisty and independent four-legged friend, then look no further.

Pomeranian

One of the most recognizable dogs on the planet, the Pomeranian can also come with a jet-black coat. However, because black Poms are rarer than the usual tan/cream puppies, they can be a little more expensive. The Pom is known to be a pocket rocket, so be prepared for a lot of energy despite their small size. They are perfect family pets due to their lovable nature and bags of personality.

Miniature Schnauzer

As the name suggests, this is the smallest of all the Schnauzers. They are around 14 inches tall and weigh just 20 pounds. Despite their size, they are very brave dogs and will defend their owners until the end of the Earth. They are also always on the lookout to please the ones they love. They can live happily with young children and other animals and do better in busier homes as they have a lot of energy to burn.

Medium Black Dogs

Schipperke

These beautiful, medium-sized dogs are fun pets around the home. They are also very clever dogs, which makes them easy to train. They were once used as ship dogs to catch rats and keep guard back in their home country of Belgium but are now lovable and entertaining household pets. They are also among the most beautiful black-coated dogs on the planet. Just look at them!

Scottish Terrier

If you are looking for a loyal dog to add to your family, you can’t get much more loyal than the Scottish Terrier. That being said, they are also very independent dogs which makes them stubborn and challenging to train. As long as you start training and socializing from day one, you should be fine. We recommend the Scottish Terrier to people without small pets or young children.

Border Collie

While the majority of Border Collie dogs have a mixture of black and white fur, some have a minimal amount of white in their coat. They have lots and lots of energy, which is why they are so often used for herding animals on farms. However, they make equally good family pets. We only recommend going for a Border Collie if you have owned a dog before, though. They are extremely clever and have near-limitless energy, which isn’t the easiest blend.

READ MORE: Border Collie Lab Mix

Poodle

One of the most recognizable dogs on the planet, the poodle can come with a jet-black coat if you look around. They are not only beautiful to look at but also ideal for anyone with allergies due to their lack of shedding. They are very clever dogs, which makes them very trainable and a pleasure to have around the home. There is a reason they have been used to create so many cross breeds throughout the years.

Affenpinscher

While these dogs are small with a total height of under a foot, they appear a bit larger due to their fluffy coats, including a wonderful mustache. They are very lively and excitable, so do best when you can provide them with lots of exercise and playtime to burn the energy off. They are very loyal and do well with both children and other animals, making them perfect for the family home. However, their fluffy coat does need regular grooming.

Puli Dog

If you want a dog that’s sure to stand out from the crowd, then the Puli Dog could be the one for you. There is no coat quite like the Puli Dog coat. They are often called the Mop Dog because of their dreadlock-type hair. Although such a thick coat covers them, the Puli Dog is very strong and athletic. They used to be herding dogs but are now great family companions.

Barbet Dog

Who doesn’t want a dog with a little goatee beard?! Originating from France, the Barbet is known for its gorgeous black coat with little gray beard. Believe it or not, they have been around for around 400 years! They used to be hunting dogs, used to scare birds out into the open, then collected the meat. They are very loyal family dogs these days, as well as being very clever. Just be warned, they can be tricky to train and need a strong owner.

Large Black Dogs

Great Dane

The king of the large dogs, the Great Dane can also come with a black coat. They are 30 inches tall and weigh around 180 pounds, so you will certainly be welcoming a whole lot of dog into your home. However, despite their intimidating size, they are known as one of the calmest and most chilled-out dogs in the world. The only downside to these big lovable animals is their nickname, ‘the heartbreak dog’. That’s because they have an average life span of just 7 years.

Coonhound

This large dog comes in a mixture of black and tan color and are known to have a very upbeat personality. They are very athletic dogs, which is why they have a history of being used as trackers. But they also make great family pets if you’re looking for a calm and chilled-out dog that just goes with the flow and lives life to the fullest. However, they are best for busy family homes as they can become destructive and loud if left on their own for any extended period of time.

Doberman Pinscher

There is a reason the police and military often use these dogs their muscular build makes them perfect for manual work. It has also been shown that when people think of the term ‘black dog’, the Doberman is one of the most common ones we think of. Although they may seem intimidating, the ‘aggressive’ stereotype is not a fair one at all. They are very clever dogs, which makes them a pleasure to train. They love nothing more than getting exercise, so if you are an active family, look no further.

READ MORE: The Best Dog Food for Dobermans (Vet Approved Review)

Cane Corso

The Cane Corso has a rich history and a great place in modern-day hearts. Also known as the Italian Mastiff, this dog used to be a royal guard back in Ancient Roman times and still retains those guardian talents. They are among the most loyal dogs on the planet, even if they are somewhat aloof with strangers. They are very clever, brave, loyal, and easily trained, which makes them the perfect addition to your home.

German Shepherd

Not everyone knows this, but some German Shepherds also come with jet-black coats. Most people associate the German Shepherd breed with black and tan coat colors, but genetic mutations can result in jet-black pups in certain litters. This dog loves being a part of a family and is fiercely loyal when protecting the ones they love. They need lots of exercise due to their history as working dogs.

Curly-coated Retriever

As the name suggests, this dog is similar to the normal flat-coat retriever, just with curlier hair. This is a very robust breed of dog, with a thick coat to protect against the water, cold, and brambles. They are often used as shot dogs to collect fallen birds when hunting, but they can also be lovely family companions. While they are loving sweethearts, they can also be stubborn, so training may not come easy.

Rottweiler

This is a loved breed in the United States, often used as a guard dog for the family home. They are 27 inches tall, muscular, brave, and fearsome. Put it this way, no one is going to mess with you when you have a Rottweiler sat in the garden. While the majority of their coat is black, they can have hints of rust here and there. And although their reputation proceeds them, they are actually very loving and calm to have around the home.

READ MORE: Rottweiler Pitbull Mix

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador is one of the most popular pets in the world, and with good reason! They are at the top of the American Kennel Club list regarding family dogs and have done so for nearly 30 years! They are a pleasure to have around the home, play well with children, can live with other animals, are sweet, loving, trainable, and just perfect treasures.

Dutch Shepherd

A very energetic and athletic dog, often used for herding purposes. They are extremely clever and can be very independent dogs, which makes them great workers but also hard to train. Despite this, they are also wonderful family pets, as long as you have the patience to teach them. They are heavy shedders, so watch out for that. While black is far from the most common coat color, they are out there if you want one.

Beauceron

This is a rather rare dog breed, but a beautiful one nonetheless. They are gentle giants and always do their best to show love to their owners. Originally, they were created to herd animals, which is why they are so quick and strong. However, it also means they are pretty easy to train. Not the best pet for a first-time owner because they do like to display dominance at times. As long as you train them from an early age, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Swedish Lapphund

If you are looking for a clever, loving, entertaining, and playful dog to have around the house, look no further than a Lapphund. Originating from Sweden, these canines are the perfect human companion. However, we recommend them to families who are able and willing to give their Lapphund a lot of attention. They require lots of exercises and grooming too, so be prepared for that.

Newfoundland

One of the big friendly giants of the animal kingdom, the Newfoundland is just a gentle pleasure to have around the place. They are around 28 inches tall and 150 pounds in weight. They are more than happy living with other animals and young children, which is why they are often referred to as a ‘nanny’. They are loyal, dependable, and loving, although they don’t like strangers getting too close to their loved ones. They also take a fair bit of grooming due to their thick coat.

And there we have it… our list of the 25 best black-coated dogs out there for you to enjoy. We recommend researching each breed even further before taking them on, but this article should give you some idea of the ones you love!

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