Chihuahua colors are a little bit different from other dog colors. Among all Mexican dog breeds, Chihuahua dogs developed the biggest number of different coat colors.
Some of these Chihuahua colors are rarely found, so unethical Chi breeders often put higher prices on Chihuahua puppies that are colored in “rare colors”.
These alternate Chihuahua colors are allowed by the AKC. Stick around to find out more!
Chihuahuas come in a variety of coat colors, but the most common are chocolate, red, fawn, and cream. Some come in parti color combinations!
Additionally, a dense, sleek black-and-tan Chi color, with a patterned white chest, belly, and face became very popular.
1. Gold
The gold color of a Chihuahua derives from a red pigment that is also responsible for fawn and cream Chi colors. But, gold Chihuahuas are shinier and more lively in appearance than their fawn and cream counterparts.
Gold Chihuahuas can inherit smooth coats that are either long or short, ranging in color from intense to light golden brown/yellow.
Depending on the intensity of genes responsible for red pigment, gold Chis can inherit black, brown, or light brown noses and dark colored eyes.
2. White
The rarest of them all, an angel-like tiny dog, the light at the end of the tunnel — the white Chihuahua!
White Chihuahuas are, well, pure white. Simple as that. They do not have any markings nor patterns and they usually inherit black noses and dark brown eyes.
At first sight, a pure white Chihuahua looks light beige, but once you take a second look you’ll realize that it is white as snow. A purebred pure white Chihuahua should have the same colored coat as that in white dog breeds.
Another thing to keep in mind is not to confuse a white Chihuahua with an albino Chihuahua. Albino dogs are not your average healthy white dogs as they suffer from this congenital condition.
If a Chihuahua happens to be albino, it will have pink eye rims, pink nose, and blue or even red eyes!
3. Sable
Sable Chihuahuas are not as uncommon as white Chihuahuas.
The reason why sable color is very common in Chihuahuas is because of the dominant color gene. Sable Chis have fawn, silver, or chocolate colored hairs with black tips.
That is why there are three versions of sable Chihuahua coats: Chocolate Sabled Fawn, Black Sabled Fawn, Black Sabled Silver.
These color combinations can be splashed around different areas of Chi’s body. Having said that, sable color in Chis can be:
• Clear — whole coat colored in brown/black tipped hairs
• Tipped — brown/black tipped hairs across the back, tail, head, and muzzle
• Shaded —brown/black tipped hairs across the neck and back
Although sable is represented in the purebred Chihuahua, different Chi mixes, like the Chi Husky mix can also inherit sable coat color.
4. Silver
Chihuahua puppies that are born silver mostly resemble gray/blue Chihuahuas. What makes silver Chis different from gray and blue ones is that silver leans more towards lighter shades.
Most silver Chis inherit tanned markings above their eyes and white markings across their chest.
5. Blue
A blue Chihuahua is very rare, but its appearance will make you fall in love with it! The blue base color of the coat can range from charcoal gray to lighter gray — it all depends on that dilution gene we mentioned earlier: Blue & White or Blue Fawn.
Depending on how much the color has been diluted, the blue portion of the Chihuahua’s coat may be dark or lighter in hue.
Blue Chihuahua’s color is often compared to the Weimaraner coat colors.
6. Brindle
Brindle Chihuahuas are tiny dogs that proudly show their shiny coat that is covered in brindle tiger stripes.
Colors of the Boxer dog breed usually have black brindling in them! In several dog breeds, including the Chihuahua dog breed, purebred show dogs are encouraged to display the brindle pattern.
Depending on how certain color genes combine, brindle Chihuahuas can inherit different colored coats such as: Fawn brindled black, Blue brindled fawn, Chocolate brindled fawn.
Brindle Chihuahuas usually have black or liver colored nose and paw pads. Most dog lovers want a tiger striped dog of small size like the brindle Chi!
7. Black & Red
The black & red Chihuahua color is similar to the black and tan one. The red markings are distributed the same as in black and tan Chis, but they are darker in color.
Red markings are similar to chestnut red, liver or mahogany color.
8. Black & White
In this case, white coat is mostly located across the Chihuahua’s chest, legs, and paws.
The white may appear as silver, due to the lack of pigmentation. In other words, the white marking is not as intense as that we see in Border Collie colors.
9. Chocolate & White
A chocolate & white Chihuahua is a chocolate colored Chi with some splashes of white.
Its base is a darker chocolate color that gives remarkable shine to the Chihuahua’s smooth coat. White markings come like a cherry on top!
10. Chocolate Blue
Chocolate blue isn’t a very favored Chihuahua color, because it is regulated by a dilution gene that is linked to congenital health issues (deafness and blindness).
However, the chocolate blue Chihuahua is a gorgeous pup with a very soft coat!