Brindle Vs Reverse Brindle

While a regular brindle pattern occurs when dark stripes appear over a lighter-colored background, a reverse brindle pattern switches the prominence of the coloring, so light stripes appear to sit on on a dark-colored background.

Similarities Between Brindle And Reverse Brindle

Both brindle and reverse brindle coats have more than a single color. Most animals have a single solid coat color. However, brindle animals have coat that consists of more than one color. One color for the base coat and another color for the stripes.

A brindle coat may be tri-colored in rare cases, with stripes or patches appearing in two colors. The most common brindle color pattern features a shade of red as the base coat color with black stripes.

However, brindle and reverse brindle coat coloring vary greatly. Some brindle animals may have tan, silver, or blue markings.

Parents of animals carry the genes that determine the color of their coats. However, it is difficult to determine the carriers of both brindles and reverse brindle coats.

No scientific test can determine whether an animal carries the genes of these unique color coat patterns.

Animals that carry these genes can only be identified during breeding. A lot of animal breeds can carry the genes that develop these unique coat colors. However, identifying the exact animal that carries the brindle or reverse brindle color gene can only be done during breeding.

The stripes on the brindle and reverse brindle coats run vertically. These stripes change the texture and pigmentation of a coat. Brindle and reverse brindle color codes and patterns are very diverse hence unique. However, some brindle coats may have small spots or large patches of alternating color.

Animals can also have a variety of brindle and revere brindle coat patterns. These brindle coat patterns include red brindle, brown brindle, fawn brindle, and blue brindle.

Still, there can also be a combination of white with any of the four brindle patterns.

Brindle and reverse brindle animals are available in a very wide array of characteristics. It is important to note that brindle and reverse brindle are not animal breeds but rather coat patterns. Brindle and reverse brindle animals are therefore available in different sizes, personalities, and breeds.

In each category of animals, a few breeds may have the brindle or reverse brindle coat pattern. Therefore, we cannot describe a brindle or reverse brindle animal in terms of its personality, size, or breed.

A genetic trait in the parents of an animal causes the brindle and reverse brindle color patterns. Gene series in the animals’ DNA determines their color coats. These are the same genes that cause coats to behave in either solid or brindle color patterns.

The parents’ specific genes will determine the color of an animal’s coat. Both the genes from the male and female will determine whether the offspring will have a brindled coat pattern or not.

Whether brindle or reverse brindle, the type of brindle does not affect an animal’s coat features. Different types and breeds of animals have various features on their coats.

Some animals have hairy coats, smooth coats, wire-haired, curly, and short-haired coats. These coats have different features that are not affected by the brindle and reverse brindle patterns.

For example, a dog breed may have a reverse brindled smooth coat, while the same breed has a smooth brindled coat.

Both brindle and reverse brindle color patterns may have different strip variations. The stripes’ width and length can vary significantly on different animals from the same breed. Identifying the genes responsible for the variation may also be challenging.

The color of the stripes may also vary greatly on the same breed. Curly, wiry, and long fur may make the stripes less visible, hiding the brindle or reverse the pattern. Even on the same breed, the stripes may vary in color.

This variation may make it easy or difficult to identify a brindle because of the visibility of the stripes. However, stripe variations on smooth short-haired coats are easily identifiable. Stripes become obscured by long fur.

Brindles with stripes that seem to be broken into spots and shorter stripes are known as merle. The merle pattern is possible on both brindles and reverse brindles.

Some strip variations may also cause missing stripes on both brindles and reverse brindles. However, missing stripes are common in light brindles.

Similarly, brindle and reverse brindle coats can have different base colors on the same breed. You can have different variations of a red base coat or a cream coat. This variation usually is due to the intensity, which dilutes the Phaeomelanin without affecting the Eumelanin.

Dilute and liver bindles are also available on both brindles and reverse brindles. In dilute brindles or reverse brindles, the base color is relatively light. Dilution affects Phaeomelanin. Liver brindles may also occur in both brindles and reverse brindles.

However, liver brindles are not common. When dilution and liver genes combine, the result is an Isabella brindle. Isabella brindles and Isabella reverse brindles are difficult to differentiate from a solid Isabella.

Both brindle and reverse brindle patterns may have a mask. The mask is found in the area covering the muzzle. Sometimes, the mask may cover the ears too. Brindle masks are common irrespective of the animal breed.

What Are Some Reverse Brindle Breeds?

Only certain breeds can have brindle or reverse brindle coats. Below, we will discuss how this occurs and which breeds fall into this category.

What Is The Difference Between Brindle And Reverse Brindle?

A brindle coat pattern occurs when dark-colored stripes appear on a light-colored coat. The lines are irregular and darker than the background color of the coat. Brindle coats on animals can either be consistent over the entire coat or in patches.

On the contrary, reverse brindle occurs when light-colored stripes appear over a dark-colored coat. Animals with reverse brindle usually appear to be black or have a fawn brindle over a background.

In reality, the background coat is fawn or light in color. However, dark stripes are so noticeable that they give a darker appearance to the coat. The coat’s color nearly appears solid, making the coat look like dark color.

The main difference between brindle and reverse brindle is the base color coat and the color of the stripes. The base color coat of brindle is light, while that of a reverse brindle is dark.

FAQ

What color is reverse brindle?

Reverse brindle is a coat color in specimens of certain dog breeds. Dog with reverse brindle coats typically appear to be mostly black or to have fawn brindling on a black background. So-called reverse brindle actually is brindling so heavy that it produces this effect.

Why do they call it brindle?

Why are some dogs brindle? A dog’s genetics determine if it will have a brindle coat. To be brindle, a dog must carry the brindle gene—and only certain breeds do. However, the brindle gene is recessive to the black-colored gene, which means that many dogs that carry the gene will be black or multicolored.