Chocolate Chihuahua! Complete Guide

You’re probably interested in having a Chihuahua and recently heard about the Chocolate Chihuahua. When it comes to the Chocolate Chihuahua, there are many color variants. Like other breeds, Chihuahuas can come in different coat colors, including the color white. Today, we’ll discuss specifically the Chocolate Chihuahua and what you can expect if you’re thinking about getting one.

What is a Chocolate Chihuahua?

While the name may sound like some candy or dessert, “Chocolate Chihuahuas” are actual dogs. Chocolate dogs aren’t that common, but the Chihuahua has Chocolate as one of its standard coat colors.

How did the Chocolate Chihuahua color come about?

Chocolate color is actually a diluted version of black. It comes from a recessive gene which is relatively common among Chihuahuas.

Instead of the traditional black, Chocolate Chihuahuas have chocolate-colored skin, nose, paw pads, lips, and eye rims — as if they really are made of Chocolate!

Chocolate Chihuahua physical appearance

Chocolate Chihuahuas are like any other Chihuahua, with a brown nose, paw pads, eye rims, and lips. There are certain variants of Chihuahuas based on size, coat pattern, and coat length.

Here’s a table to help you understand.

	Head shape	Coat pattern	Coat color	Coat length	Weight
Chocolate Deer Head Chihuahua	Deer-like	Solid, splashed, brindle	Brown, another color	Short, long	6-10 pounds
Apple Head Chocolate Chihuahua	Apple-shaped	Solid, splashed, brindle	Brown, another color	Short, long	Under 6 pounds
Chocolate Smooth Coat Chihuahua	Apple-shaped	Solid, splashed, brindle	Brown, another color	Short	Under 6 pounds
Chocolate Long-Haired Chihuahua	Apple-shaped	Solid, splashed, brindle	Brown, another color	Long	Under 6 pounds
Chocolate Teacup Chihuahua	Apple-shaped	Solid, splashed, brindle	Brown, another color	Short, long	Under 3 pounds
Chocolate Brown Teacup Chihuahua	Apple-shaped	Solid	Brown	Short, long	Under 3 pounds
Chihuahua Chocolate Merle	Deer or apple	Splashed	Brown, fawn, lilac	Short, long	Under 6 pounds

Chocolate Long Haired Chihuahua Puppies aren’t much different from the short-haired Chihuahuas, nor are Chocolate Teacup Chihuahua Puppies too distinct from regular-sized puppies. These differences become more noticeable as they age.

Some Chocolate Long Coat Chihuahua Puppies are rarer than others — like the Long Hair Chocolate Merle Chihuahua. These Chihuahuas have multiple colors on their bodies and carry the merle gene.

Unfortunately, the Chocolate Merle Long Haired Chihuahua suffers from numerous congenital disorders. This isn’t the case with most other coat colors.

Chocolate Chihuahua coat colors

It doesn’t matter what color fur a Chihuahua has. As long as its nose, lips, and palms are brown, it’s a Chocolate Chihuahua.

Here are some Chocolate Chihuahua color variants:

• Chocolate Brown Chihuahua: Chocolate or chocolate brown is a Chihuahua with only one color on its coat: chocolate. 
• Chocolate Brown Teacup Chihuahua: Teacup isn’t a color variation or different Chihuahua species, but it’s what we call a micro-sized Chihuahua.
• Chocolate Brown and White Chihuahua: Breeders sometimes mix other colors with chocolate to make attractive combinations. Throw in long hair, and their price can increase significantly. A Chocolate and White long haired Chihuahua would cost more than the same Chihuahua in a smooth or short coat.
• Chocolate Merle Chihuahua: A Chocolate Merle Chihuahua will have patches of lilac, red, blue, or some other color with chocolate. Since Chihuahuas don’t have gender-based size differences, a Chocolate Merle male Chihuahua looks the same as a female.
• Chocolate and Tan Long Haired Chihuahua: Chocolate tan is a rare coat color for long-haired Chihuahuas. It happens when a black-tan dog carries the chocolate dilution gene. 
• Chocolate Tri color Chihuahua: In Chihuahuas, having three colors instead of one can drive their prices much higher. 

Other than color varieties, Chocolate Chihuahuas also come in different markings.

Chocolate Chihuahua: 6 Types of Chihuahua markings

1. Black mask

A black mask Chihuahua is usually of a light color like white, fawn, or tan. However, some chocolate Chihuahuas may also have a black snout.

2. Merle marking

You will be fortunate to find the elusive Chocolate blue Chihuahua with merle markings. Be prepared to spend a fortune, though, as these dogs can cost up to $10,000.

Unfortunately, the Chocolate Merle Chihuahua is prone to congenital blindness and deafness.

3. White marking

White marking doesn’t influence a Chocolate Chihuahua’s health, but extreme piebald may cause deafness and blindness.

4. Sabling

Sabling is when the dog has a light-colored coat with dark-colored tips. Sabling is more noticeable in long-haired Chihuahuas.

5. Tan marking

Chocolate & tan Chihuahua has a predominantly chocolate coat with tan markings. The AKC lists tan marking under common Chihuahua coat colors, but it doesn’t consider them a breed standard.

Nevertheless, a Chocolate and Tan Chihuahua may still qualify for AKC-organized dog shows. For a Chihuahua, chocolate and tan coat color may cost different from plain chocolate. Chocolate and tan Chihuahua puppies sometimes go for a higher price than solid chocolate.

6. Black brindling

A Chocolate Brindle Chihuahua will have a chocolate coat with black tiger-like stripes. Black brindling is standard for Chihuahuas.

Chocolate Chihuahua coat color changes

A Chocolate Chihuahua puppy loses its baby fur and grows an adult coat when it reaches puberty. This change may not be very noticeable, with denser hair taking the place of smooth fur.

However, your Chocolate Chihuahua puppy can have different colors and patterns appear on their coat.

Do Chihuahua coat colors affect their health?

The genes responsible for giving Chihuahuas specific coat colors are also the ones that give them health issues.

Chihuahuas with piebald and merle genes frequently suffer from deafness and blindness.

Chihuahuas with diluted colors like blue and chocolate are also more prone to Color Dilution Alopecia.

Sometimes, breeders reproduce rare coat colors by irresponsible breeding practices, causing several genetic diseases to pass on to the next generation.

Chocolate Chihuahua eye colors

Acceptable eye colors for Chocolate Chihuahuas include dark and ruby. The dark color looks black but is actually dark brown. Ruby is when the Chihuahua’s eye shows a reddish hue under certain light conditions.

Some Chihuahuas also have blue, light, and heterochromatic eyes. Heterochromia is when the dog has two different-colored eyes. Unfortunately, the AKC doesn’t recognize these shades.

Chocolate Chihuahua size, height, and weight

The AKC Chocolate Chihuahua standards dictate that a Chocolate Chihuahua must be 5 to 8 inches tall and weigh no more than 6 pounds.

Chihuahuas over 8 inches and 6 pounds exist, but you can’t register them with the AKC. 

Chocolate Chihuahua size

Size group	Toy
Height	5-8 inches
Weight	Under 6 pounds

Chocolate Chihuahua temperament and personality

Chihuahuas are famous for their big-dog attitude. However, they treat their owners with love and adoration and like nothing better than laying on top of their owners’ bellies or sitting on their lap.

Chocolate Chihuahuas are not very friendly with strangers and make excellent watchdogs. They’ll bark incessantly if they see someone suspicious.

Do Chocolate Chihuahuas get along with other pets?

Chihuahuas can behave pretty well around small pets as long as they get socialization training early in their lives. Cats get along great with Chihuahuas and are the perfect pet to have alongside them. 

Chocolate Chihuahuas need socialization to get along with bigger pets. They don’t care that they’re smaller than every other dog, and they aren’t afraid to get physical with an animal several times their size.

This hot-headedness can land them into trouble with other dogs.

Chocolate Chihuahua training

Obedience training and socialization are necessary for Chocolate Chihuahuas. Since these dogs spend all their time on your lap and furniture, they’d also need potty training.

All these are best given to your Chocolate Chihuahua when he or she is young. These dogs can be pretty stubborn but appreciate the attention and mental stimulation training sessions bring.

Chocolate Chihuahua exercise requirement 

Chihuahuas are tiny dogs with high stamina, but they don’t need a lot of exercises. 20 to 30 minutes of activity a day should keep their energy in check. Since these dogs have breathing issues, avoid taxing activities like running and jogging for more than 30 minutes.

Chocolate Chihuahua grooming and cleaning

Chocolate Chihuahuas are easy to groom due to their small size and low shedding. Short-haired Chihuahuas shed a bit more than those with long hair. On the other hand, long-haired Chihuahuas need frequent brushing to get rid of tangles.

Brushing your Chocolate Chihuahua’s teeth is a vital part of their grooming. These dogs have small teeth packed closely together. Failing to maintain adequate hygiene can result in plaque buildup, which can cause cavities, gum diseases, and tooth decay.

Is Chocolate Chihuahua hypoallergenic?

No, Chocolate Chihuahuas are not hypoallergenic dogs. However, they’re not the worst breed for people with dog allergies. Chihuahuas are moderate shedders, and someone who only has a mild allergy to dogs can tolerate their presence.

Chocolate Chihuahua food and diet 

Giving a precisely calculated diet to your Chocolate Chihuahua is vital. These dogs are prone to weight gain if they overeat. On the other hand, too little food will not give them enough energy and can send them into hypoglycemic shock.

The vet will tell you exactly how much food your Chocolate Chihuahua needs in a day. Ensure that the food is free from toxic ingredients, unhealthy substances, sugars, and unnecessary fats.

Break it down into two meals, and feed your Chihuahua before taking him or her out for exercise.

Chocolate Chihuahua common health issues

Despite having a lengthy lifespan, Chocolate Chihuahuas can face numerous health issues throughout their lives. Some are congenital, whereas some develop with age.

Here are six common health issues Chocolate Chihuahuas face.

1. Patellar luxation

Patellar luxation is when the Chihuahua’s knee joint fails to develop correctly and cannot hold the leg and thigh bones in line. This misalignment causes the affected knee to dislocate randomly.

2. Breathing issues

Chihuahuas belong to a group of dogs with narrow and congested nasal pathways that can make breathing tedious. Chihuahuas often suffer from respiratory issues like reverse sneezing, tracheal collapse, brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS), and more.

3. Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a fluid buildup in a Chihuahua’s skull. This fluid buildup can put pressure on the brain and lead to several neurological issues.

4. Hypoglycemic shock

Hypoglycemic shock is when the Chocolate Chihuahua’s body runs out of blood sugar too quickly, leading to loss of consciousness. It happens when they’re doing physical activities on an empty stomach.

5. Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy is when the Chihuahua’s heart’s muscles degenerate, preventing the heart from contracting correctly. This condition causes heart enlargement and loss of pumping efficiency. 

6. Bladder stones 

Calcium and other salts form stones in Chihuahuas’ kidneys and get passed along their urine. When they get to the narrow pathways of their bladder, they can get stuck and obstruct urine flow. 

Chocolate Chihuahua lifespan 

Chihuahuas have a very long lifespan. The Chocolate Chihuahua, despite its disposition to certain health issues, lives for 14 to 16 years on average.

However, it’s usual for Chihuahuas to live beyond that. The oldest Chihuahua on record lived to the ripe old age of 20.

So, with regular health checkups and proper care, a Chocolate Chihuahua can live for up to two decades.

Chocolate Chihuahua adoption

Chocolate is a fairly common Chihuahua color, and with some luck, you can find a Chocolate Chihuahua up for adoption in a nearby shelter.

Adoption isn’t just rewarding; it’s also lighter on the pocket. The downside is that you usually get an adult dog and won’t know anything about its temperament or health.

Chocolate Chiwawa puppies for sale

It’s pretty easy to find a Chocolate Chihuahua for sale near your city with the power of the internet. Say you want to find Chocolate Chihuahua Puppies for sale in Illinois. You can check out popular websites like uptownpuppies, puppyfind, and pupcity.

Select “Illinois” in preferred location or search filters, and they’ll list all the Chocolate Chihuahuas available in that area.

Chocolate Chihuahuas can have different costs depending on their other physical characteristic. Here are some popular variations and their prices.

Chocolate Long Haired Chihuahua Puppies for sale: Although long-haired Chihuahuas are rarer than short-haired Chihuahuas, you can find one in the $500 to $1,500 bracket.

Chocolate Brown Chihuahua puppies for sale: Plain chocolate brown color isn’t scarce, and you can find a Chocolate Brown Chihuahua for sale easily within the $500 to $1,200 range.

Chocolate And Tan Chihuahua Puppies for sale: These Chihuahuas are rare and cost higher than plain brown Chihuahuas. Expect to find a Chocolate and Tan Chihuahua for sale at over $1,500.

Chocolate Teacup Chihuahua Puppies for sale: Teacup Chihuahuas cost more than regular Chihuahuas because of their high demand, and you’ll find a Chocolate Teacup Chihuahua for sale for $2,000 and above.

In the case of rare pedigrees, you may come across a Tiny Chocolate Chihuahua for sale for as high as $12,000.

Chocolate Merle Chihuahua Puppies for sale: Merle is a rare Chihuahua color, which is why you can expect to find a Chocolate Merle Chihuahua for sale between $2,000 and $10,000.

Is the Chocolate Chihuahua right for me?

The Chocolate Chihuahua is an ideal lap dog and pet for houses with limited living space. They only love one person in the family and don’t do well around kids. If you fulfill these requirements, the Chocolate Chihuahua is for you.

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The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua_(dog)

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chihuahua/