Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)

The brown dog tick can be found throughout the entire world. It is endemic throughout the United States, but is most often seen in warmer southern areas. It is capable of transmitting the causative agents of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and possibly Erhlichiosis. Though their primary hosts are dogs, they will feed on other mammals including humans.

Brown dog ticks can be identified by their reddish coloration and small size. The dorsal shield is undecorated and the mouthparts are short and hexagonal, similar to the American dog tick.

The Dog Tick's Lifecycle

A special feature of the brown dog tick is that its life cycle does not follow the seasonal pattern as that of most other ticks. Brown dog ticks are capable of reproducing at any time of the year and are often active during all four seasons. They are known to infest homes, where they can continuously breed and quickly become a major pest control concern.

Brown dog tick populations can grow very quickly, especially in kennels or houses with multiple pets. It is important to deal with an infestation of ticks as soon as possible, to avoid tick bites and potential infection.

Canine Diseases Carried By Dog Ticks

The bacteria often carried by brown dog ticks can cause several diseases in domestic dogs, including canine ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis) and canine babesiosis (Babesia canis). Worldwide, the dog tick is known as one of the most dangerous disease vectors for dogs.