Jacksmom,
A brindle is striped like a tiger sort of pattern, generally tannish red with black stripes. A merle is a random pattern of spots/slashes usually black on various shades of grey. The brindle is an accepted coat pattern and breedable---the merle is a disqualifying coat pattern and they are not used for breeding by most reputible breeders because they carry the ressesive gene for deafness, and genetic eye disorders/blindness. Strider is a merle, although he is a mixed dane/wolfhound.
P.S. luvmydanes---You dane is very handsome
Stella