In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Are white Chihuahuas rare? We will also review all 29 colors and variations of a Chihuahua dog, and help you learn more about the future of this breed.
Are white Chihuahuas rare?
It is rare to find solid white Chihuahuas. They almost always have markings of another color on their body, for example, white-beige, white-cream, white-gold, or white-red.
An indication of whether you have a cream Chihuahua, which is a more common color, or a rarer white Chihuahua can be determined by looking at the dog’s nose and eyes. A white Chihuahua has lighter eyes than the usual dark luminous peepers of most colors and a pale nose in shades of pink or beige.
A dark nose indicates color genes that produce pigmentation, rather than coming from a truly colorless gene pool. They are uncommon because only two white parents can produce this snow shade without other color markings.
What color can Chihuahuas be?
These dogs can have such a wide range of colors that it is sometimes confusing to distinguish which is the official color of a dog; in fact, many chihuahua owners simply don’t know what color their pet is.
With slightly misleading or confusing names, such as the “blue chihuahua,” this can certainly be a challenge, especially when you’re not an expert.
List of colors and patterns of a Chihuahua
According to the standards of the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the International Cynological Federation (FCI), a chihuahua can be “of any color: solid, marked or dotted”, being black, chocolate, fawn, white and blue the main colors.
In general, nothing more and nothing less than approximately 30 colors and 11 different markings are recognized in this breed (some of them are combinations).
Let’s start with some of the more typical spot or mark patterns:
- Tricolor Chihuahua
As the name suggests, this coat is a combination of three colors. The primary colors that we can find under the tricolor brand are the variations of chocolate and black.
Typically, the dog will exhibit a tan on the ears, belly, eyes, legs, and the tip of the tail, as well as white color on the chest, legs, and face.
- Bicolor Chihuahua
A Chihuahua with this mark has colored spots only on the head, the base of the tail, and a small part of the back; the rest of its fur is white. These spots can be distributed differently, have different shapes, and cover more or less area on the body. The white coloration of the dog is due to the lack of pigments in its hair.
- Splashed Chihuahua
Compared to other chihuahua brands, this one, in particular, includes many colors; they appear as if they have been “splattered” all over the fur in a solid color. The most standard colors are white and tan.
3. Tuxedo Chihuahua
This type of marking refers to the coat that is dark in color combined with a white ring pattern on the neck, legs, and face.
- Blackbird Chihuahua
Some people mistake this pattern for color, but it is not. It is just a pattern that has mottled or marbled looking colors on the dog’s coat. The spotted chihuahua has a unique blue color to his eyes.
Blackbird is the only pattern or color combination not accepted by the FCI 3.
- Brindle Chihuahua
The markings on a brindle coat look like stripes that tend to be darker than the dog’s undercoat, similar to the fur of a tiger.
- Sand Chihuahua
This pattern can be found in any type of Chihuahua, but it is more prevalent in long-haired Chihuahuas. Typically, there is a darker topcoat and a lighter undercoat. A good example is a cream or sand haired chihuahua, mixed with black or gray hairs.
That said, now let’s see the list of possible colors and combinations in the Chihuahua breed:
7-10. Black Chihuahua
Black Chihuahuas have dark eyes and a black nose. As they grow, they begin to develop gray and white hairs on the face and body, especially around the muzzle; this can happen as soon as 1 year.
Although it is considered a solid color, finding a completely black Chihuahua is very rare. Most of the black specimens have some type of mark on the body.
Totally black-haired dogs do not usually stand out at dog shows as it is more difficult for judges to see their features and expressions. The same goes for trying to photograph them; very good light is needed to capture her expressive eyes.
An advantage of having a black chihuahua is that they do not show tear stains.
Black color combinations
Black and tan: mostly black coat with black spots over eyes, on cheeks, around muzzle, chest, and legs; very similar to the markings of a Doberman.
Black and tan with white markings – this is what is known as tricolor black; it is a very pretty chihuahua.
Black and White – Mainly black with white on the chest, face, and/or legs.
Black on White – Mostly white coat with hints of black on the body and/or face.
11 – 14. Chocolate Chihuahua
Chocolate is the term used to classify brown Chihuahuas. In this sense, there is some confusion, since the “brown” specimens may be in the group of the chocolate color or in the group of the fawn color; however, the fawn is more like tan, cream, or gold.
Something very important is that the chocolate gene blocks the black pigment in the nose and nails. Therefore, if you see a “brown” Chihuahua that has a black nose or nails, it should be classified as a fawn and not chocolate (these areas must be brown).
Chocolate color combinations
Chocolate and tan: mainly chocolate with tan markings on the eyes, around the muzzle and cheeks, on the chest and legs.
Chocolate and tan with white markings: The tri-color chocolate combination has the same markings and patterns as the previous mixture, but with white on the face, chest, legs, and tail.
Chocolate and white: mostly chocolate with white markings; if there is a tan or fawn mix, then it is tricolor.
Chocolate on White: This is a mostly white chihuahua with chocolate sprinkled on the body.
15 – 22. Light brown Chihuahua
Fawn is the term to describe Chihuahuas that are fawn or very light brown in color. The AKC defines it as a reddish-yellowish brown, with a medium gloss shade.
This is precisely the color that we see in the fur of small fawns, hence the name was adopted for the specimens of this group.
It is the color that almost always comes to mind when we think of the Chihuahua breed.
Fawn color variations
Cream: beige or blond fur.
Fawn: shade closer to tan.
Golden: almost like honey; it is brighter than the fawn.
Red or mahogany: dark and lovely color, similar to the Irish setter; it can range from a dark orange shade to a brown shade.
Fawn with white: mostly fawn with white markings on the face, chest, and/or feet.
Fawn over white: mostly white chihuahua with hints of beige on the body and/or face.
22 – 26. White Chihuahua
As we mentioned, it is rare to find completely white Chihuahuas. They almost always have marks of another color on their body, for example, white-beige, white-cream, white-gold, or white-red.
The nose and nails of these dogs can be black or a lighter color, such as beige or pink.
27 – 29. Blue Chihuahua
Many people are confused by this color because they do not know that blue is actually the official term for gray, and it can vary from silver to dark steel. The true blue Chihuahua has a blue-gray nose, nails, paw pads, and eye rims.
Something very important to know about this type of Chihuahua is that pure blue dogs, not just Chihuahuas, are commonly associated with alopecia (baldness).
As the owner of a blue Chihuahua there is not much you can do about it, but it is advisable to feed it a high-quality diet, rich in essential fatty acids.
It should be noted that not all blue Chihuahuas develop alopecia. It has been observed that the risk decreases markedly in those who exhibit some combination of blue with another color.
Blue color combinations
Blue and Tan: Mostly blue, with tan spots on the legs, around the ears, and/or above the eyes.
Blue and white – The face, chest, legs, and tail should be white, with the rest of the coat mostly blue.
Blue and tan with white: one of the most striking tricolor patterns that we can see in this breed; the coat is blue, except for the contour of the eyes and the lower part of the legs which are tan, as well as the muzzle, the central part of the face, the legs and the tip of the tail which are white; Depending on the specimen, the belly, chest, and legs can be tan or white.
Conclusions
If you want to buy a Chihuahua puppy and you prefer a particular color, it is advisable to start looking for a good breeder in advance to ask if they have plans to breed that color in question.
Experienced breeders tend to breed their specimens carefully to produce litters of the desired color. Still, remember that Mother Nature has the last word.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!
FAQ on Are white Chihuahuas rare?
What is the most expensive chihuahua color?
A reputable breeder should not base the price of their puppies on color; however, colored Chihuahuas considered “rare” are known to be the most expensive. This includes jet black, brindle, or variegated, diluted tones such as blue and lavender, and especially white.
Does color really matter when it comes to a chihuahua?
Not much. Actually, the choice of color depends on your personal taste. In this breed, none is considered better than another. In fact, all colors, brands, and combinations are well received at official competitions and exhibitions.
What are the rarest chihuahua colors?
These are the least common, or most difficult to achieve, colors in Chihuahuas’ coat:
Pure white – Hands down, this is the rarest of all. For a Chihuahua to be truly white, it cannot show traces of cream or tan in its hair. The only colored parts on this dog are the nose and nails (in black), as well as the eyes and nose (in pink or light beige). It is not a common color because only two pure white parents can produce this snowy shade without any other markings.
Solid Black – Solid black Chihuahuas, without any hint of another color, are hard to come by. Most of the time the coat is black combined with white or tan.
Lavender / Lilac – This shade is a variation of the deep brown color. When the chocolate is diluted into a light grayish wash, a lavender chihuahua is said to have come out. Considering that one of the parents must have the dilution gene, lilacs are quite difficult to produce, even from two dogs of the same color.
Tabby – The tabby pattern is presented in a striped pattern or as a color contrast on a black base. According to the American Kennel Club, the official brindle has a combination of fawn with blue, fawn with chocolate, or fawn with black.
Can Chihuahuas change color?
It is not uncommon for Chihuahuas’ fur to change color during the first two years. This usually occurs as the skin prepares for the emergence of the adult coat. For example, sable may lighten or darken, brindle may fade or deepen, and tan may lighten to beige or lighten to a golden hue.
References
Msdvetmanual.com
Thesprucepets.com
