What does a chocolate Chihuahua look like: distinctive features of the pet and how to choose a puppy

The Brown Chihuahua is a member of the largest and most popular Chihuahua family. A very active dog, this dog also has a very calm temperament.

When choosing a specific brown Chihuahua breed, it is important to consider its personality, what it can do for you, and how it responds to your lifestyle. Some dogs will need a lot of exercise and interaction, while others will be more peaceful.

The dog should be in its own environment and completely dependent on you. Being an intelligent dog, it should be taught to listen to your commands and also be able to obey any orders given to it. A dog that is fed up with its owners may develop aggression towards them, which can be overcome by carefully training the dog.

When purchasing a Chihuahua, always think about how you can improve your dog's life. If you're still traveling when you adopt your dog, consider an Indica strain. These dogs have a very strong character, which makes them extremely affectionate. They are also very energetic and respond well to having the feeder on the floor.

Origin story

Chocolate color was already found in ancient times among the ancestors of modern Chihuahuas, who were bred by the Toltecs and lived in the territory of modern Mexico.

Techichi, as the locals called them, were highly valued and considered sacred animals . For a long time, no one was allowed to keep them except the ruler, the highest nobility and priests.

The Spaniards, who came to the lands of the Indians in the 16th century, began to destroy the sacred dogs and the surviving Techichi had to go into the forests surrounding the ruins of former palaces and temples.

They lived there until the beginning of the 19th century, when local peasants saw them. The sight of the little dogs captivated them so much that they took them with them.

Techichi's descendants soon became the sweet and loyal pets they once were . But now it was a completely different breed.

Later, these dogs came to the United States, and then began to spread throughout the world.

Among them were animals with various colors, including chocolate. They can be considered the ancestors of all modern Chihuahuas with brownish coat coloring.

Read more detailed information about the origin of the Chihuahua here.

Dogs

The majority perceive familiar dogs normally, but are hostile towards strangers.

They bite extremely rarely, but bark often, which will provoke a response reflex in the animals. And this is already dangerous for the bullies themselves. Without any problems, you can keep more than one dog at home, preferably the same breed.

Marriage or breed?

The chocolate color of a Chihuahua is not considered a defect . On the contrary, it is highly valued by breeders.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

“Chocolate-colored Chihuahuas, without white markings or tan, are rare and highly prized. Their color can be of varying intensity: from pale coffee to the color of dark chocolate. But a dog that looks brown isn't always that way. It is not uncommon for black Chihuahuas to appear dark brown. Therefore, when buying a pet, you need to look at the shade of the nose and paw pads: in chocolate dogs they should be brown, matching the main color.”

Popular Chihuahua colors

Further in the article there are various colors of Chihuahuas and their names. All the following colors are approved by the National Club of the Breed. In addition, the colors are approved by the RKF - Russian Cynological Federation. This means that each of the following colors is recognized as a standard.

Ginger

The natural red coat color of Chihuahuas is practically never found as an independent color. Most often, red and white Chihuahuas are born. A snow-white tint is present in the chest, limbs and tail. Other varieties of red include red-black and red-brown. Red itself often appears in a lighter or more intense degree.

White

As with the red sneeze, a completely white dog is a huge rarity. Contrasting colors like the white and black Chihuahua are more common. The blue and white sneeze looks more gentle.

Cream

Chihuahua cream color can be either pale, like ivory, or can turn into a more saturated beige. Pure cream sneeze is valued among breeders because it looks aristocratic and gentle.

Beige

In fact, beige is the same cream, but more pronounced and deep. That is, the difference is only in shades. Such subtleties are sometimes difficult to recognize.

Grey

Gray Chihuahuas often have white chests and toes. It is easy to confuse gray sneezes with blue ones, because at first glance the latter also give the impression of a gray fur coat.

Black

Again, black Chihuahuas without impurities are born very rarely. Additional color is often located on the chest, muzzle, limbs and tip of the tail. Common combinations with black are:

1. Black and white. The first always acts as the main one, that is, it covers most of the Chihuahua’s body. This “cow” color on a Chihuahua looks funny. In addition, the black and white sneeze is considered a classic.
2. Black and red. This black and tan color looks impressive, especially when there is a third shade on the coat - milky. As a rule, it appears as spots on the chest.
3. Black and brown.

Brown (chocolate)

Brown and chocolate are slightly different things. The chocolate Chihuahua's fur has a reddish tint and overall the coloring looks deeper. Often the chocolate sneeze has white spots on the chest and limbs. There are chocolate and tan Chihuahuas with admixtures of other colors besides white.

Advantages and disadvantages

pros:

• Bright and beautiful color.
• They have an affectionate and affectionate disposition.
• They can live in a small apartment.
• They can become good guards who will drive away a robber with a ringing bark or attract the attention of neighbors.
• They cope well with a tray or diaper and do not need long walks.
• They train well.
• Simple coat care.

Minuses:

• They become attached to only one person.
• They need to be handled very carefully.
• They cannot be given to children under 11-12 years old.
• They may not get along well with a dog of a different breed.
• Quite jealous.
• They are not suitable for group training.
• Chocolate girls of mini and micro sizes are not intended for breeding.

Dogs of this breed love to be with their owners and have nothing against trips and travel..

Temperament

Although this is a decorative breed, it is still an accessory. Few dogs are so attached to their owners.

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The nature of the reaction to a stranger depends entirely on the temperament of the particular dog; the majority, of course, will greet him with noisy barking.

Dimensions, weight and other distinctive features

The height of a standard chocolate Chihuahua is usually 18-23 cm, and its weight is from 1.5 to 3 kg .

The body format is almost square, the physique is strong, and the muscles are well developed.

The head is round in shape, the forehead is convex, with a well-defined transition to a short muzzle. The eyes are dark and large. The ears are medium length, triangular, widely spaced. The nose is brown.

The neck is of medium length and not too wide. The back is straight, merging into a slightly sloping croup. The tail is undocked, medium in length, rather wide at the base, but tapering towards the tip.

Limbs are straight and parallel . The hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs.

NOTE!

The color can be of different lightness and saturation. Small white markings are not a fault.

A show dog must have a full set of teeth and a scissor bite only.

Long-haired Chihuahua. Care

They need more care than smooth-haired dogs, but less than other breeds. Constant brushing using a soft brush. Qualified grooming is not required.

Bathe with care so that liquid does not get into your ears. Dogs are not hypoallergenic and do shed.

Types of Chocolate Chihuahuas

Chocolate Chihuahuas, like other representatives of this breed, are divided into several types.

Smooth-haired

The fur of these dogs is short, smooth, shiny and at the same time soft (the pet is shown in the photo).

The undercoat is usually poorly developed.

Shorthair

The coat is similar in structure to smooth, but slightly longer.

Undercoat is optional.

Longhair

The soft, fine and long coat can be either completely straight or slightly wavy . It forms feathers on the ears, neck, tail and limbs.

The fur of long-haired Chihuahuas should neither bristle nor droop. The presence of undercoat is optional.

Mini

Externally they do not differ from standard dogs except for size: mini dogs should weigh from 1 to 1.5 kg.

Micro

The weight of these dogs ranges from 0.5 to 1 kg . Chocolate micros differ from standards in that they are more fragile and sensitive to weather conditions.

Cobby

They look strong and strong.

They have rather large heads with small, low-set ears, large, widely spaced eyes and a slightly shortened muzzle.

Dir

With their elegance and gracefulness, chocolate chihuahuas of the dir type resemble fawns . They have elongated, medium-sized heads, large ears set quite high and elongated muzzles.

Nowadays, it can be difficult to buy a chocolate Deer Chihuahua due to the fact that most breeders breed Cobby type dogs.

Categorical culling

This category includes dogs with physiological abnormalities that do not meet the standards of the Chihuahua breed. Most of the deficiencies do not affect the health of the dogs, but simply do not allow the dogs to become participants in exhibitions.

This is interesting: What determines the cost of a sneeze

Marriage is considered:

• poor functioning of the organs of hearing and smell;
• sparse hair, receding hairline;
• neurological disorders;
• hydrocephalus;
• lameness, swelling of the paws.

Diseases can be congenital and appear in pets in adulthood.

Life expectancy and health

The lifespan of standard-sized chocolate Chihuahuas averages 12-15 years.
The lifespan of smaller varieties is shorter and does not exceed 10 years.

These dogs may be predisposed to the following diseases:

• Respiratory tract diseases.
• Urolithiasis disease
• Hydrocephalus.
• Cataract.
• Demodecosis.
• Food allergies.
• Various dermatitis.
• Diseases of the teeth and oral cavity.

Like all other Chihuahuas, chocolate-colored dogs can have episodes of hypoglycemia..

Price examples

The cost of the animal also depends on the region where the purchase will be made. For example, in Moscow, a chocolate Chihuahua girl with documents will cost 35 thousand rubles if bought secondhand, and 40 thousand rubles if bought at a nursery.

A two-color boy with documents, but with a slight defect (legs that are not short enough) will cost 10 thousand rubles if bought secondhand, and 12-15 thousand rubles if bought at a nursery.

An adult white girl with documents will cost 4 thousand rubles, a boy 6 thousand rubles, if bought through private advertisements.

Does a puppy's color change as it ages?

If the Chihuahua puppy's coat is already a rich brown color, then its color will change little, except perhaps become a little darker and brighter.

In light-colored brownish puppies, the coat may change and become darker . It is also possible for lightening to appear in the form of blurred tan if the dog’s undercoat has a fawn tint.

They are born brown, but then puppies of chocolate sable color and sometimes black dogs change color.

As a rule, by 3 months such puppies are already beginning to acquire their permanent color and it can be difficult to confuse them with true chocolate babies.

How do you get the desired color when crossing?

First of all, you need to thoroughly study the pedigree of both partners in order to understand which pigment is dominant in the dog’s ancestors. To correctly predict the color of the future offspring, you need to take into account the color of the parents’ fur coat:

1. For example, if mom and dad are chocolate, then the puppies are likely to be red or black. But not gray.
2. And if future parents have sable or cream fur, then they almost always give birth to sable or cream puppies, respectively.
3. Brown pets give birth to brown babies. You won't be able to get any coals. The same applies to red representatives of the breed.
4. Gray or purple Chihuahuas give birth to yellow or sandy puppies.
5. And red-haired pets always give birth to red-haired babies, because the “redness” gene is dominant.

There is another type of Chihuahua color called “merle,” or otherwise marbled. Marbled sneezes are native to America. Despite the unusual spotted appearance, "merle" is not recognized by the RKF (only in the case of Chihuahuas). And this is due to frequent health problems in such pets. For example, marbled sneezes often have problems with their eyes and hearing. And sometimes it even happened that marbled chihuahuas had no eyes or ears.

Rules of care

A long-haired dog needs to be combed once a day, while a smooth-haired dog needs brushing 2-3 times a week.

Nails should be trimmed as needed . Your pet's eyes, ears and teeth should be examined every day and cleaned regularly.

Already in cool weather, the pet needs to be dressed in a blanket or sweater. In the rain you will need waterproof overalls or a raincoat, and in the winter - insulated overalls or a suit.

How to choose the right clothes for a Chihuahua, read here.

Vaccinations
and deworming must be done strictly according to schedule .
There is no need to bathe your pet unnecessarily: these dogs easily catch colds in the presence of the slightest draft.

Training

The temperament (which runs the gamut of breeds) of a particular dog influences its propensity to be trained. But the general verdict is this: it will not be difficult to train a puppy to the main command base.

But this breed is not intended for the level of a border collie. The difficulty for the breed comes from learning manners. In any case, owners need to be patient.

There are three reasons why training difficulties arise:

• due to a small bladder;
• Due to its small size, the dog can mischief anywhere without being noticed. Subsequently, the uncorrected habit remains;
• they have primitive behavior as a consequence of their character.

How to choose?

A chocolate Chihuahua puppy can be found in a kennel or from a breeder.

In order to be sure that a pure chocolate or chocolate and white pet will not fade, you need to look at the color of its nose, paw pads and undercoat color. If they are colored brown, then this is a chocolate puppy.

What else should you pay attention to?:

• Even the slightest signs of illness are unacceptable.
• Activity: the puppy should be cheerful and active.
• Character: the baby should be friendly and calm towards people.

IMPORTANT!

If a puppy comes up to meet you and does not show signs of aggression or fear, then it means that he has a stable psyche and a friendly character.

The chocolate color looks very beautiful.

There are many variations of it: from very light to dark chocolate color . Chihuahuas of this color are in great demand, which is why more and more breeders are starting to breed them.

This is good for the breed. And, if previously it was believed that among brown dogs there were few individuals with good external characteristics, now among chocolate Chihuahuas there are many animals with excellent exterior.

Prohibited color

Despite the variety of shades of wool, there is a color that falls under categorical rejection. This color is merle, also known as merle.

Animals with this color palette of coats have coats that are unevenly colored gray or beige, which is why the marbled effect occurs, which is why the gray Chihuahua is a prohibited species. The eye color of these dogs is dull blue.

Important! For the first time, a dog of this color appeared in the 90s in a US kennel. The gene showed itself to be dominant. It is believed that the Chihuahua acquired it from another breed as a result of accidental mating, and not an error during breeding.

Merle coat color for Chihuahuas is a sign of marriage

What to feed a chihuahua

To avoid low blood sugar levels, you need to feed your dogs regularly. It is quite enough for owners to have sugar or honey for their dog.

If necessary, rub them on the palate and gums for faster absorption. Symptoms: drowsiness, uncoordinated movements, distracted gaze, neck twitching.