Deciphering The Color Codes

Any color - solid, marked or splashed. What exactly does that mean you may ask?

• Marked means a solid color with a few markings or patterns on the face or body.
• Splashed means patches of colors on a white body.

The main colors are Black, Chocolate, Fawn, White and Blue. Within each group of main colors, there are also combinations of colors, markings and patterns.

The Black Color Group

Black is the most dominant color gene and also one of the the most common colors for Chihuahuas. Solid black with no white markings is the least common. Normally all solid dogs have some sort of white marking. Black Chihuahuas have dark eyes and a black nose. They often show gray and white hairs throughout the face and body as they mature, especially around the muzzle. The black group can have several types of markings and patterns:

Black & Tan: This is like the markings of a Doberman. The chihuahua is mostly black with tan patches above the eyes, on the cheeks, around the muzzle, chest and legs.

Black & Tan with White Markings: Also called a black tricolor.The white markings are also called irish marked where the chest, legs, neck ring, and blaze are white.

Black & White: This is mostly black with white on the chest, face, and/or legs.

Black Spotted on White: This is a mostly white chihuahua with splashes of black on the body and/or face. Some can have fawn or tan markings too, making it a black and white tricolor combination.

The Chocolate Color Group

Chocolate is the term used for brown Chihuahuas. This brown color can range from dark like a chocolate bar to a lighter shade of reddish brown. The gene that produces the chocolate color dilutes the color black. The chocolate gene blocks the black pigment in the nose and toenails. So if you see a chocolate Chihuahua that has a black nose or toenails, it should be called fawn and not chocolate. Chihuahuas in the chocolate group also have brown noses, nails and even brownish eyes and can have several types of markings and patterns:

Chocolate & Tan: This is mostly chocolate with tan markings above the eyes, around the muzzle and cheeks and on the chest and legs.

Chocolate & Tan with White Markings: Just as described above but with additional white markings on the face, chest, legs and tail. Also called a chocolate tricolor.

Chocolate & White: This is mostly chocolate with white on the chest, face, and/or legs.

Chocolate Spotted on White: This is a mostly white chihuahua with splashes of chocolate on the body and/or face. Some can have fawn or tan markings too, making it a chocolate and white tricolor combination.

The Fawn Color Group

Fawn is the group that the majority of Chihuahuas can be placed into. It is the most common color and has a range in shades. The Chihuahua Club of America defines fawn as "A brown, red-yellow with hue of medium brilliance." The shades within the fawn family from lightest to darkest are:

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

Fawn is the term used for the dominant body color and it is called fawn because it's the color of a baby deer. Tan is the term used for the color of a marking, not the dominant color. The color combinations possible here are:

Fawn & White: Mostly fawn with white markings on face, chest, and/or legs.

Fawn Spotted on White: This is a mostly white chihuahua with splashes of fawn on the body and/or face.

Black Sabled Fawn: Mostly fawn with a little bit of black through the coat, usually on the back and/or tail.

Chocolate Sabled Fawn: Mostly fawn in color with a bit of chocolate through the coat. The nose and nails could be chocolate as well.

Blue Fawn: Fawn with a blue tint and usually blue muzzle. When blue fawns are puppies the blue color is more evident. The fawn appears as they get older.

The White Color Group

Solid white chihuahuas are not very common. Usually, when a Chihuahua appears to be soild white, there are markings of cream somehwere on their body. White Chihuahuas can have black noses and toenails or a lighter color such as beige or pink. Solid white Chihuahuas usually have pale noses, eyes rings and lightered colored eyes.

With white as the dominant body colors, the markings may be in the standard colors of fawn, cream, gold or red.

The Blue Color Group

Blue is a dilute of black is actually the official term for gray. It can vary is shades from silver to dark steel. Chihuahuas in the blue group also have blue noses, nails and sometimes eyes and can have several types of markings and patterns:

Blue & White: Mostly blue with white markings on face, chest, and/or legs.

Blue & Tan with White Markings : Just as described above but with additional tan markings above the eyes, around the muzzle and cheeks and on the chest and legs. Also called a blue tricolor.

Blue Spotted on White: This is a mostly white chihuahua with splashes of blue on the body and/or face. Some can have tan or cream markings too, making it a blue and white tricolor combination.

Be sure to check our Chihuahua of Many Colors Gallery for examples of the different colors and markings.