Chihuahuas are adorable whatever color their coat is! These tiny dogs are full of character, fun, and love for their humans.
But have you ever thought about how many variations of Chihuahua coat colors exist? You might be surprised to know that there are lots!
Chihuahuas can come in short or long coats and a wide range of patterns, colors, and markings.
We’ll take a look in more detail at rare Chihuahua colors, as well as going over some of the more common options. Let’s get started!
Chihuahua Coat Basics
Chihuahuas can be short-haired or long-haired. They can come in lots of different colors.
There are 30 official colors recognized by the American Kennel Club and 11 different types of markings or patterns. However, there are also other variations that don’t meet the breed standard.
A Chihuahua’s coat color is determined by their genes. You will often hear the terms recessive genes and dominant genes, which are just types of genes a Chi can inherit from their parents.
Dominant genes can sort of ‘overrule’ recessive genes in some cases. Recessive genes can sometimes ‘dilute’ a dominant gene’s color to make a dog’s coat color lighter. For example, a dominant black gene can be diluted by recessive genes to make the dog’s coat color gray or blue.
It can all get a bit complicated, but basically, the genes a dog inherits from each of their parents decide their coat color. Just like how the genes we get from our parents determine how we look!
Breeding for specific coat colors can be tricky even for professionals. It’s also important to note that some genes for coat colors and patterns can be linked to additional health issues.
It’s vital to find a reputable breeder who breeds for health over looks if you’re looking for a Chihuahua puppy. After all, as dog owners we want our fur babies to be healthy and thrive – that’s what is most important!
9 Rare Chihuahua Colors and Markings
All Chihuahuas are cute but some of the rare Chihuahua coat colors really add something unique, making these dogs look particularly striking!
Since breeding for some of these rare colors can be difficult, they’re often much more expensive than common colors.
Now let’s take a look at 9 of the rarest Chihuahua coat colors and markings.
1. All White
Although finding white in a Chihuahua’s coat is quite common, a completely white Chihuahua with no other colored markings is rare. In fact, an all-white Chihuahua is believed to be the rarest Chihuahua color!
An all-white Chi is hard to breed for. Since they’re the rarest, they also tend to be some of the most expensive Chihuahua puppies to buy.
The same gene that causes a white coat color in dogs, can also cause deafness. This won’t happen in all white dogs, but it’s important to keep in mind that it is a possibility.
Unlike some of the other rare colors on our list, white is accepted by the American Kennel Club.
It’s important to note that white Chihuahuas are not the same as an albino dog, which is caused by a genetic disorder.
2. Merle
A Merle coat refers to the pattern rather than the color of the dog’s coat. Merle means that there are patches of darker fur set on a lighter background of the same pigment. You might sometimes hear this pattern referred to as ‘dapple’.
The Merle pattern is caused by a specific gene with one Merle allele. The pattern can come in a variety of colors and is beautiful to look at.
Although Merle occurs naturally in some dog breeds, it’s rare in Chihuahuas.
Many people believe that Merle isn’t seen naturally in Chihuahuas and that Merle Chis aren’t purebred (meaning they must have been crossed with another breed somewhere in their bloodline). However, the pattern is accepted by the American Kennel Club as part of the Chihuahua breed standard.
It’s important to note that the Merle gene is also prone to causing deafness and blindness in dogs. If a dog has two copies of the Merle allele (known as ‘double Merle dogs’) they are at higher risk for other health issues including skin problems and certain cancers.
3. All Black
It’s common to see a Chihuahua with black markings, or with a mostly black coat but different colored markings. However, as with the all-white coat, it’s rare to see a completely black Chihuahua with no other colored markings.
Black Chihuahuas are more expensive as they’re hard to breed. However, solid black Chihuahuas are accepted by the American Kennel Club.
Some people believe that black Chihuahuas are more likely to be stubborn or aggressive, but there’s no scientific evidence to suggest this.
4. Brindle
Brindle is another pattern rather than a specific color and is one of my personal favorites. It’s so beautiful to look at!
A dog with a brindle coat has irregular stripes of a darker color over the top of a base color of the same pigment. The pattern is sometimes described as tiger stripes. Brindle dogs can also have white markings.
This pattern can come in a wide range of colors, but the American Kennel Club only recognizes three Brindle colors:
- Blue Brindled Fawn
- Chocolate Brindled Fawn
- Fawn Brindled Black
It can be difficult to breed for a brindle coat in Chihuahuas, especially because there are no commercial tests available that can identify the Brindle gene. So, they’re pretty rare (and as we’ve learned, that means they’re fairly expensive)!
Thankfully, unlike the Merle gene, there are no significant health issues associated with the Brindle gene.
5. Lavender or Lilac
Lavender or lilac Chihuahuas sound magical and I have to admit they do look beautiful. But they’re not really lavender – remember we talked about ‘diluting’ genes earlier? Well, the lavender appearance is actually a diluted brown color that can appear to have a lavender or lilac hue in some lights.
To achieve this color, both parents need to have a recessive gene and even then, this lavender hue isn’t always guaranteed. So, these Chihuahuas are very rare and incredibly hard to breed for.
The lavender or lilac color isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club, so if you have one of these Chis they can’t compete in the show ring.
The genes that create the lavender color can cause health issues, including color dilution alopecia (CDA). CDA causes hair loss and itchy or flaking skin. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for this condition.
6. Blue
Similarly to lavender or lilac, blue Chihuahuas aren’t actually blue (although it would be fun if they were)! The color is a diluted black and appears as a sort of grayish-silvery coat with a blue hue in some lights.
Blue Chihuahuas have a very striking appearance. They often have blue paws, eyes, and noses which adds to their distinct look.
Like with the lavender color, breeding for a blue Chihuahua is difficult because both parents need to have the recessive dilute gene to lighten a black coat to blue. They’re very sought after and extremely expensive!
Unlike lavender, the blue color is accepted by the American Kennel Club. They recognize several blue color combinations which are shown below:
- Blue & Tan
- Blue
- Blue & White
- Blue Brindled Fawn
- Blue Fawn
- Chocolate Blue
Like lavender Chis, blue Chihuahuas can struggle with color dilution alopecia (CDA) which causes ongoing skin issues, itching, and hair loss.
7. Silver
Silver Chihuahuas are very similar to blue and lavender Chis because they are also created with a diluted gene from black pigment. They aren’t really silver – they’re a light gray with some white hairs, which creates a sort of shiny, silver appearance.
The silver-colored coat is stunning to look at! Like the blue and lavender Chis, this color is hard to breed for which makes puppies expensive.
Silver Chihuahuas do meet the breed standard, with the Kennel Club accepting the following combinations:
- Black & Silver
- Black Sabled Silver
- Silver
- Silver & White
The dilution gene for the silver color can cause color dilution alopecia (CDA) as with lavender and blue Chihuahuas.
8. Black Mask
Some Chis have black colored fur around their face called a mask. It’s called that because (you guessed it), it looks like a mask!
The mask is usually found on the muzzle and up around the dog’s eyes. It’s quite rare to see and gives a unique appearance!
This mask is caused by a specific gene known as a mask allele on the E locus.
The American Kennel Club accepts a black mask, as well as a black mask with white markings.
9. Blue Mask
The blue mask is pretty much the same as the black mask, except dogs with a blue mask have the dilution gene which makes the black appear blue.
Dogs with a blue mask will have the mask gene as well as the dilution genes for a blue coat.
Chihuahuas with a blue mask are accepted by the American Kennel Club as part of the breed standard.
Common Chihuahua Colors
Now that we know the rarest Chihuahua colors, what about the most common?
Well, Chihuahuas can come in a wide range of other colors but the most commonly seen include:
- Chocolate
- Black (but not solid black)
- Fawn
- Red
- Cream
- Brown
- Mixed colors (such as black and tan or fawn and white)
Which Color Chihuahua Should You Choose?
When it comes to choosing a Chihuahua color, it really depends on your personal preference. It’s also important to take potential health issues associated with some colors and patterns into account.
Whichever color you choose, ensure you find a reputable breeder or adopt a Chihuahua from a rescue center. It’s a true privilege to give an unwanted Chihuahua a new, loving home. My furbaby is a rescue and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done!
At the end of the day, all Chihuahuas are beautiful. Whatever their color, they will all have that wonderful Chihuahua personality we know and love.
FAQs
What is the rarest Chihuahua color?
All white Chihuahuas with no other markings are the rarest Chihuahua color.
What is the most popular Chihuahua color?
Black (with other markings), brown, cream, fawn, and red are the most popular Chihuahua colors.
Are Merle Chihuahuas rare?
Yes, Merle Chihuahuas are hard to breed for and are rare to see. Merle is a pattern rather than a color, causing patches of darker fur on top of lighter fur of the same pigment.
Unfortunately, the gene that causes the Merle pattern can also cause some health issues so it’s important to keep this in mind.
How rare are blue Chihuahuas?
Blue Chihuahuas are fairly rare because both parents need to have a recessive dilute gene in order to create a blue puppy.
These Chis aren’t actually blue – they’re a diluted black that appears as a silvery blue hue.
What’s the most expensive type of Chihuahua?
All rare Chihuahua colors are expensive to buy because they’re typically hard to breed for, which means more work for the breeder. Usually the rarer the color, the more expensive they are.
For example, white Chihuahuas can cost $1500 and upwards. Some blue or lavender Chihuahuas can cost as much as $10,000 (although I’ve never actually seen one on offer that cost that much).
Chihuahuas marketed as ‘teacup Chihuahuas’ are often the most expensive. However, teacup Chihuahuas aren’t a separate breed. They’re just Chihuahuas on the lower end of the weight range that are marketed as ‘teacup’.
Are some colors linked to health issues?
Yes, unfortunately, some Chihuahua colors are linked to health issues. The Merle gene can cause deafness and blindness. Dilute colors like lavender, lilac, blue, and silver can cause color dilution alopecia which leads to hair loss and skin problems.
