Patz Dogs

Chihuahua Coat Colours Explained

Patz Dogs walks you through the many coat colour groups recognised in Chihuahuas, from solid black to the softest fawn, so you can better understand the look of this tiny breed.

The Black Colour Group

Black is one of the most common colour groupings for Chihuahuas in the United States. These dogs typically have dark eyes and a black nose. As they grow older, grey and white hairs often appear on the face and body, particularly around the muzzle, and this can begin as early as one year of age. One practical bonus of a black Chihuahua is that tear stains are far less noticeable.

Solid black coats tend to fare poorly in the show ring, since judges find it harder to read a dog's features and expression, and the same challenge applies to photography. Strong lighting is needed to capture those very expressive eyes.

Black Combinations

Black and Tan – Similar to Doberman markings: mostly black with tan patches above the eyes, on the cheeks, around the muzzle, and on the chest and legs.
Black and Tan with White Markings – Known as a black tricolor, and a very attractive combination.
Black and White – Largely black with white on the chest, face and/or legs.
Black Spots on White – A mostly white coat with splashes of black on the body and/or face.

The Chocolate Colour Group

Chocolate is the term used for brown Chihuahuas. A brown dog may fall into either the chocolate group or the fawn group, since fawn is closer to tan, cream or gold. The chocolate gene suppresses black pigment in the nose and toenails, so a brown Chihuahua with a black nose or black toenails should really be classed as fawn rather than chocolate.

Chocolate Combinations

Chocolate and Tan – Mostly chocolate with tan markings above the eyes, around the muzzle and cheeks, and on the chest and legs.
Chocolate and Tan with White Markings – The chocolate tricolor, carrying the same markings and patterns as above plus white on the face, chest, legs and tail.
Chocolate and White – Mostly chocolate with white markings. If tan or fawn is also present, the dog is a tricolor.
Chocolate Spots on White – A mostly white Chihuahua with chocolate splashes across the body.

The Fawn Colour Group

Fawn is the correct term for a tan or light brown Chihuahua coat. The Chihuahua Club of America describes fawn as “a brown, red-yellow with hue of medium brilliance.” Tan, by contrast, refers to the colour of a marking rather than the dominant coat colour. The name fawn comes from the colour of a baby deer, and there are several shades within the family:

Cream – beige or blonde
Fawn – closest to tan
Gold – almost like honey
Red – dark and rich, like an Irish Setter

Fawn Combinations

Fawn with White – a fawn Chihuahua with white markings on the face, chest and/or legs.
Fawn Spotted on White – a mostly white Chihuahua with fawn splashes on the body and/or face.

The White Colour Group

Solid white Chihuahua coats are rare, and these dogs usually carry markings in other colours on their bodies. Those markings may be fawn, cream, gold or red. White Chihuahuas can have black noses and toenails, or lighter tones such as beige or pink.

The Blue Colour Group

This term confuses many people. Blue is actually the official name for grey, and it can range from silver through to dark steel. Pure blue dogs, and not only Chihuahuas, are commonly linked with a serious condition called alopecia (balding). There is little that can be done medically, though feeding a high-quality diet rich in essential fatty acids may help. Not every blue Chihuahua develops alopecia, especially when the blue appears as part of a combination — the blue and white with tan tricolor is particularly striking.

Keep Exploring

Head back to the main page, dig deeper into the breed, or browse the puppies we currently have available.

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