White Chihuahua: Complete Guide

White Chihuahua
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You’ve probably heard of the rare White Chihuahua and want to learn more about this dog breed. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about this adorable small dog, including their personality and temperament, common health issues like obesity, the length of their coat, and which dog breed White Chihuahuas are usually mixed with.

Let’s dive in and find out!

What is a White Chihuahua?

Chihuahuas come in numerous striking coat colors and combinations, but the rarest and most sought-after coat color is the solid white color. 

But why is this color so rare? And how do White Chihuahuas get their White coat? A White Chihuahua dog gets its coat color from a recessive gene.

“Recessive” means this gene easily gets dominated by other genes, and the Chihuahua rarely gets the pure white coat.

White baby Chihuahua

White baby Chihuahua weighs only 2.5 to 5.5 ounces and are 4 to 5 inches long. However, these tiny dogs grow rapidly. At nine months, their growth stops, but the weight keeps on increasing until they are full-grown.

Full grown White Chihuahua

A full-grown White Chihuahua weighs up to 6 pounds. They get about 9.5 to 15 inches long and 5 to 8 inches tall. White Chihuahuas mature at the 1-year mark, but they may not achieve that weight until they are 2 years of age.

Full grown White Chihuahua or adult White Chihuahuas can live to about 14 to 16 years, but they are susceptible to several health issues, which we will discuss later.

White Chihuahua Temperament & Personality

Contrary to popular belief, coat color doesn’t affect the Chihuahua’s personality. White Chihuahuas are just as protective, bold, energetic, and alert as other Chihuahuas.

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White long haired Chihuahua vs. White short haired Chihuahua

newborn white chihuahua puppies
Long Haired White Chihuahua

Chihuahuas have two official variants: the short coat and the long coat. A White long-haired Chihuahua is also called a White fluffy Chihuahua, and a small White fluffy Chihuahua looks exceptionally adorable.

A White long-haired Chihuahua puppy costs a bit higher than its short-haired counterpart.

Black and White long haired Chihuahua

Chihuahuas come in two coat types: the long coat and the short or smooth coat. A long hair black and White Chihuahua can have any proportion of the two colors— they can be predominantly black or predominantly white or a mix of the two colors.

White apple head Chihuahua vs. White deer head Chihuahua

There’s little difference between deer head and apple head Chihuahuas except for the skull shape, and they share similar coat colors. The deer head Chihuahua white coat color is just as rare as that of the apple head Chihuahua. 

Black and White deer head Chihuahua

Unlike pure white, the deer head Chihuahua black and white coat is pretty common. These Chihuahuas usually have a white chest and a black back, snout, and eyelids.

White teacup Chihuahua

chihuahua terrier mix black and white
Teacup Chihuahua Black and White

Teacup Chihuahua is what people call a smaller-than-usual Chihuahua. These miniature Chihuahuas fetch a high price simply because of their demand, and you can expect a price tag in thousands for all White teacup Chihuahua puppies.

All-White Chihuahuas are very rare; you’re usually more likely to find teacup Chihuahua in black and white color blends.

Will a White Chihuahua puppy change its coat color while growing?

Yes, a White Chihuahua puppy can change its coat color while growing. Melanin takes a little while to appear in young Chihuahua puppies. However, they only get small patches of other colors, and a pure White Chihuahua puppy will stay predominantly white for all of his or her life.

How many Chihuahua Colors are there?

The American Kennel Club lists 30 coat types for Chihuahuas. Common colors are black, blue, white, gold, liver, chocolate, silver, red, and fawn. Although we listed white and black as standard Chihuahua coat colors, a pure black or pure White Chihuahua is extremely rare. You are more likely to find white mixed with other coat colors.

White Chihuahua with other coat color:

Black and White Chihuahua

Black and White is a lovely coat color that you’ll often find on Chihuahuas. The ratio of black to white isn’t fixed, and a Chihuahua can be primarily black with a white spot on the chest to predominantly white with a black muzzle and eyes.

White Chihuahua with blue eyes

Blue eyes are often present in albino Chihuahuas, and some baby White Chihuahuas have blue eyes that turn dark as they grow older. But you can occasionally find them in adult White Chihuahuas.

Brown and White Chihuahua

Brown and White Chihuahuas usually follow the same patterning as black and White Chihuahuas. You can also have a White Chihuahua with brown spots.

White Chihuahua with brown spots

A White Chihuahua with brown spots has a predominantly white coat with brown spots. These spots can be fawn, red, chocolate, or tan color.

Tan and White Chihuahua

Tan is a lighter shade of brown. A tan and White Chihuahua is a common sight, and this isn’t a scarce Chihuahua coat color.

Black and White Chihuahua mix

Mixing a Chihuahua with another dog breed can result in a black and White Chihuahua puppy if both parents have those colors.

Blue and White Chihuahua

A blue and White Chihuahua may sound exotic, but the blue on Chihuahuas is more of a diluted black rather than the color of the sky. Blue and White Chihuahuas are somewhat rarer than black and White Chihuahuas.

Fawn and White Chihuahua

Fawn often combines with White in Chihuahuas, and you’ll have no trouble finding a fawn and white long-haired Chihuahua or a short-haired one.

It’s challenging to tell White and fawn Chihuahua puppies apart from tan and White Chihuahua puppies, but the difference is noticeable. Fawn has an orange hue, whereas tan is a lighter shade of brown.

White Chihuahua mix

Jack Russell Chihuahua mix black and White

A white Jack Russell Chihuahua mix is twice as big as a pure Chihuahua, but it’s just as adorable.

A Jack Russell Chihuahua mix: white coat can be solid white or bi or tri-colored.

White Chihuahua poodle mix

Pure White Chihuahua poodle mixes are rare, but you can find this adorable dog in white combinations.

White Chihuahua terrier mix

A Chihuahua terrier mix white coat comes when both parents are white. Aside from the Jack Russel Chihuahua mix we discussed above, you can also go for the White rat terrier Chihuahua mix or a more common rat terrier Chihuahua mix black and white coat color. 

A White terrier Chihuahua mix shouldn’t be difficult to find. But if you’re having a hard time, you can go for a Chihuahua terrier mix in black and white combo.

White Pomeranian Chihuahua mix

It’s not that difficult to find a Pomeranian Chihuahua mix White coat. They also come in multiple color mixtures.

Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix black and White

A black and white Shih Tzu Chihuahua mix is pretty easy to find as this coat color appears in these dogs regularly.

White Yorkie Chihuahua mix

The White Yorkie Chihuahua mix is a Chorkie, which is an adorably fluffy dog that rarely has a pure white coat. These dogs usually come in combinations of fawn.

Papillon Chihuahua mix black and White

The Papillon Chihuahua is another designer toy breed created to combine the cuteness of two adorable dogs. These dogs frequently come in black and white colors.

Maltese Chihuahua mix black and White

A Maltese Chihuahua mix can have long straight, long curly, or short hair like either of its parent. Black and white are standard Mal-Chi colors.

Albino Chihuahua vs. pure White Chihuahua: What’s the difference?

A pure white or snow White Chihuahua is different from an albino Chihuahua because it isn’t void of pigmentation. Albino Chihuahuas have pink noses instead of black, with pink or blue eyes instead of dark brown.

Shady sellers often try to pass albino Chihuahuas as snow White Chihuahuas. So, if you’re in the mood to adopt or buy a small White Chihuahua puppy, make sure to check for albinism.

Are White Chihuahuas rare?

Chihuahuas come in many coat colors, patterns, and blends. The natural color of these dogs is fawn, and white mostly appears in combination with another color.

However, the most unique and unusual Chihuahua coat is pure white. As you can understand, unique means expensive, and the rare White Chihuahua can go for thousands of dollars.

Do Kennel Clubs accept the White Chihuahua?

The American Kennel Club (AKC) accepts Chihuahuas of all colors as long as they are healthy and fulfill other physical criteria. However, the AKC doesn’t consider pure white as a standard coat color for Chihuahuas.

The United Kennel Club (UKC) of the UK accepts all coat colors except merle as long as the dog is healthy and fits the signature Chihuahua characteristics.

Do note that both kennel clubs consider albino Chihuahuas defective and discourage their breeding.

White Chihuahua lifespan

White Chihuahuas can live for as long as 14 to 16 years. If you care for them right, they can even grow as old as 18 years.

White Chihuahua health issues

Unethical breeders put rare appearance over a dog’s health by practicing overbreeding, inbreeding, and partnering genetically imperfect dogs. This practice results in puppies that suffer from congenital problems that shorten their lifespan.

White Chihuahuas can also carry genetic issues due to questionable breeding practices. In addition, they suffer from all the common ailments of the Chihuahua breed. Here are some usual health issues White Chihuahuas face.

1. Congenital deafness

White Chihuahuas are more prone to being born deaf or developing deafness later. The likelihood of this happening increases if the dog is bred unethically. Deaf White Chihuahuas also suffer from sight issues and need special care throughout their lives.

2. Blindness

Blindness is a predominant issue in white dogs. Due to their reduced pigmentation, their eyes don’t have the necessary protection against ultraviolet light. As with deafness, the eye issues in White Chihuahuas are more likely if they were bred irresponsibly.

3. Tooth decay

Tooth and gum issues are prevalent among small dog breeds—including the White Chihuahua. Due to their small and closely packed teeth, plaque and tartar are easy to build up and can be hard to clean. This buildup leads to tooth and gum infections. 

4. Hydrocephalus

Chihuahua puppies have a natural opening in their heads. Hydrocephalus is when spinal fluids start seeping through this opening into their brains. This condition can be deadly and requires comprehensive treatment, sometimes surgery.

5. Kidney and bladder stones

Kidney or bladder stones are tiny mineral deposits that get lodged inside the urinary tract. Senior male White Chihuahuas have narrow urethras and often suffer from bladder or kidney stones. These stones can grow quite big and lead to intense pain and urethral infection.

6. Hypoglycemia

White Chihuahuas are tiny dogs with a fast metabolism that often causes them to run out of blood sugar suddenly. This blood sugar drop can send their bodies into shock and make them collapse from weakness. Hypoglycemia can be lethal without immediate treatment.

7. Patellar luxation

Patellar luxation means loose kneecaps. White Chihuahuas and other small dogs often suffer from patellar luxation and frequent knee dislocation. This dislocation can lead to arthritis, which worsens with age.

8. Pulmonic stenosis

White Chihuahuas are vulnerable to several heart diseases, one of which is Pulmonic Stenosis, or Heart Murmurs. It occurs when their pulmonic valve is too narrow or obstructs the blood flow to the lungs. This condition requires surgical treatment.

9. Tracheal collapse

White Chihuahuas have a unique skull shape that makes for a very congested respiratory tract. This narrow and tightly packed nasal path can cause the trachea, held up through tiny rings, to collapse and make breathing extremely difficult.

10. NME

Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis (NME) affects the central nervous system of a White Chihuahua. Dogs suffering from this condition often move in circles and would start having seizures as the condition worsens. Unfortunately, this disease has no cure.

You might also like: Why Does My Dog Walk In Circles Around Me?

How to care for a White Chihuahua

Despite their susceptibility to several diseases, White Chihuahuas can live a long and healthy life if their owner takes proper care of them. Some issues affect these dogs more than others, and you should be aware of these to help your little canine companion stay healthy and happy.

1. Regular brushing

Dental hygiene is vital in prolonging your White Chihuahua’s life. Without adequate dental care, your White Chihuahuas will suffer from periodontal issues, which will affect their food intake and make them weak.

2. Frequent vet visits

Keep vet visits regular if you have a White Chihuahua. Frequent medical checkups will help keep track of the Chihuahua’s health and catch any disease before it propagates and worsen.

3. Spay and neuter

Both male and female White Chihuahuas can suffer from several diseases—including cancer—if they’re not neutered or spayed. Have them fixed if you don’t want them making puppies.

 4. Careful feeding

Feeding a White Chihuahua too little would risk hypoglycemia, whereas feeding them too much would lead to obesity. White Chihuahua owners should give their dogs a high-quality, balanced meal twice a day.

5. Prevent temperature extremes

White Chihuahuas get shaky when cold, so use a doggy sweater to keep them warm during winter. They’re also sensitive to intense sunlight, so schedule outdoor playtime in the evening or early morning.

Do White Chihuahuas shed?

Short-haired White Chihuahuas shed much more than their long-haired counterparts. However, you can control their shedding by regular brushing.

White Chihuahua price: How much does a White Chihuahua cost?

Chihuahuas can be expensive; a purebred Chihuahua pup of any color costs upwards of $800. However, an all-White Chihuahua is extremely rare and can easily fetch a price north of $2000.

Shop and adopt: White Chihuahua for sale

Buying rare pets can often lead you to greedy breeders and puppy mills. Fortunately, there are reliable sources for you to get a White Chihuahua guilt-free. Some of these are:

Is a White Chihuahua right for me?

A White Chihuahua makes an adorable, protective, loving, and bold pet that you can carry with you anywhere. If you can ensure proper healthcare and protection from elements, a White Chihuahua is the perfect dog for you.

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
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://now.tufts.edu/articles/dental-disease-cats-dogs

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