Various theories exist about the breed's origins and how it derived its name, one being that the name refers to the spotted appearance of the breed since the Afrikaans word "Kolbroek" can be translated into "spotted pants" in English.
Izinkolelo ezihlukahlukene zikhona mayelana nemvelaphi yokuzalwa nokuthi zithatha kanjani igama layo, enye ngokuthi igama libhekisela ekubukeni okubonakalayo kohlobo kusukela ngegama lesiBhunu elithi "Kolbroek" lingashintshwa ngokuthi "ibhulukwe elibonakalayo" ngesiNgisi.