Have you ever noticed a Chihuahua with a tiger-striped coat pattern and wondered if there’s a new Chihuahua breed?
No, it’s not a new breed. What you saw was a Brindle Chihuahua.
Brindle refers to the color and patterns on the Chihuahua’s coat, not the breed.
The coat pattern of this loveable pint-sized friend doesn’t influence the Chihuahua breed’s personality.
Chihuahuas are endearing, intelligent, and spunky dogs that are cherished by their owners for their striking features, engaging demeanor, and small stature.
Read on to learn all about what it takes to love and care for a Chihuahua.
What is a Brindle Chihuahua?
Brindle is a unique coat pattern that’s characterized by darker-colored streaks, most commonly black, on a lighter base color.
The coat is often referred to as tiger-striped because the pattern creates noticeable and highly pronounced stripes on the dog.
The most common Chihuahua brindle coats are a blend of black and brown – either brown on black or black on brown – but there are some patterns with black on white.
A brindle Chihuahua’s coat can be characterized as “striped,” “splattered,” or “speckled.”
The black stripes in brindle coats can look thick or soft in appearance.
A Chihuahua with a thick brindle pattern will have an overall darker coat appearance, whereas a Chihuahua with a soft brindle pattern will have a more blended coat appearance.
For more information on brindle breeds, check out our Best Brindle Dog Breeds guide!
Are Brindle Chihuahuas Rare Dogs?
According to the American Kennel Club breed standard for Chihuahuas, 3 variations of brindle coloring are acceptable:
- Chocolate Brindle Fawn
- Blue Brindle Fawn
- Fawn Brindle Black
That said, when it comes to Chihuahuas, the brindle coat is rather uncommon as one or both parents must carry the recessive gene in order to produce the coat pattern.
If one parent has a solid color coat while the other has a brindle coat, it’s more likely their puppies will be born with a solid coat.
If one parent has a brindle coat and the other has a sable coat (which is a coat pattern with gray, silver, tan, golden, or yellow), it could produce some beautiful brindle-coated puppies.
How Much Does a Brindle Chihuahua Cost?
Chihuahua puppies with regular coats that are purchased from reputable breeders often cost between $500 and $1,500.
These fees are prone to fluctuate based on factors like the location and reputation of the breeder.
Because the brindle coat on a Chihuahua is rare, breeders often spike their prices, upwards of $3,000, when selling brindle-coated puppies.
The good news is a short search will turn up a handful of them available for adoption or sale for roughly $500.
Where Can I Buy a Chihuahua?
Chihuahuas can be found all over at varying prices, but we recommend buying from an AKC registered breeder.
REMEMBER: This does not guarantee the ethics of the breeder, but it does offer the reassurance that you’re not buying from a puppy mill.
In addition, the breeder will be able to offer you the pedigree papers for your Chi.
We also recommend that you search for adoptable Chihuahuas in your area. You may even get lucky and find a brindle Chi for a great price!
In addition to checking your local animal shelters, we recommend contacting national breed rescue organizations including The Chihuahua Club of America, Chihuahua Rescue, and the Rescue Me! Chihuahua adoption map.
Many people are afraid to rescue a dog because they worry about the temperament and habits of a dog that has reached adulthood and been surrendered for adoption.
However, we have found that rescued dogs can be some of the most affectionate, loyal, and eager-to-please dogs that we work with.
Read our related article, Why Are So Many Chihuahuas in Shelters Today? Chihuahuas are one of the most common dogs in shelters and we explore why.
What Coat Types Do Brindle Chihuahuas Have?
When it comes to the appearance of Chihuahuas, there are two primary coat types.
Some have a smoother, shorter coat, and others have a longer, thicker coat.
Smooth coats fit tightly to the body, are shiny, and have a frill of long, dense hairs that wrap around the neck.
Long coats feature softer, flat, or somewhat curled fur with an ear fringe and a frilled tail.
Chihuahuas with long-haired coats commonly have ruffles around their collars with longer fur on their paws, legs, and tummy.
No matter which coat a Chihuahua has, they’re some of the most adorable pint-sized dogs you can find.
Brindle Chihuahua Personality
The Chihuahua breeds are excellent lap dogs and they can’t seem to get enough affection, attention, and time with their human companions.
You can find them curled up in a corner, tucked in a blanket, or basking in a ray of sunshine on the floor or couch.
Chihuahua’s are exquisite communicators who will alert you at the first intriguing or unusual happening around the house.
Their strong demeanor and terrier-like dispositions make them superb watchdogs, though they must be trained to curb yapping.
Make sure to socialize your Chihuahua puppy so he or she grows up with the ability to adapt to new things, including humans, animals, and environments.
This will also minimize the chances of engaging the yippy bark. A confident, trained, and well-socialized Chihuahua is a treasure.
In general, Chihuahuas form a strong attachment to a single person, while regarding other family members with a more stand-offish affection.
When correctly introduced, they are known to warm up to people, but this will only happen on their own timetable, so it’s best not to push them into an uncomfortable situation.
Training
Right from the get-go, it’s ideal that you make it clear to your little Chihuahua that you’re the boss so they know who to obey.
Don’t allow your Chihuahua puppy to behave in a way that’s inappropriate for an adult dog.
If you allow it, their strong temperaments will escalate to domination, making them very hard to live with.
Behavior training and dominance training goes a long way with spunky little Chihuahuas.
Chihuahuas are prone to adopt undesirable habits like excessive barking, chewing, and picky eating habits – especially if they are bored and receive little attention from their beloved owners.
Give them as much love and attention as you can, keep their minds busy, and establish unwavering household roles so your Chi will thrive.
Living With a Brindle Chihuahua
Due to their small stature and lapdog demeanor, Chihuahuas are the ideal dog breed for smaller living arrangements like apartments, condos, and townhomes.
Chihuahuas are too small to enjoy inclement weather, so you must buy your dog a warm coat to keep it safe outdoors.
Chihuahuas can be very easy to keep indoors because they can be trained to use a potty pad or indoor dog litter box.
This is perfect for you and your Chihuahua if you want to avoid waiting for them to do their business when it’s a chilly winter day.
Given their size, never leave your Chihuahua by itself outside as this makes them more susceptible to getting attacked by other large animals and birds including hawks, eagles, and owls.
Keep a watchful eye at all times to ensure your little buddy is safe and sound.
Caring for Your Brindle Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are low-maintenance dogs.
Although both short and long coats shed and require bathing and brushing, it’s still minimal compared to other dog breeds.
We recommend that you brush your Chihuahua once a week, especially long-haired coats to avoid knots and matted fur.
We love to use a grooming mitt on our short-haired Chihuahuas to keep shed fur to a minimum throughout the week.
At a minimum, it’s advised that you brush their teeth every other day as poor oral hygiene can contribute to other health issues.
Their nails should be cut or ground about every 3 months to keep them from getting too sharp.
Also, wipe away any tear stains with a soft, warm (damp) cloth or a tear stain cleaner.
Because of their size, Chihuahua’s do not handle the cold very well, which leads them to shiver. This can also happen when they are anxious or excited.
Whatever the case, your pup would be thrilled to get all dolled up with a trendy Chihuahua dog coat.
Chihuahuas have an increased risk of becoming overweight, so make sure to feed them high-quality food based on their age and the appropriate amount.
While indoor exercise can be plenty for the tiny Chihuahua, it’s important to get a lazy Chi off the couch for games at least once a day.
Exercising Your Brindle Chihuahua
You may be surprised by the energy levels of a Chihuahua, even your senior-aged friend. Chihuahuas need approximately 20-30 minutes of activity a day.
This is easy to meet as they love to go for walks, play fetch (with a very tiny ball), scamper about the yard, or follow their favorite humans around the house.
That said, this dog breed is known to go until they drop, so don’t allow them to overexert themselves and make sure they have a cool place to rest after with plenty of water.
This is especially important when having fun outdoors in summer weather.
Chihuahuas are extremely intelligent and learn things rather quickly.
They are even known to participate in agility and obedience contests with the same zeal and achievement as bigger breeds, and they stay inquisitive and brave their whole lives.
Brindle Chihuahua Health Concerns
Chihuahuas are, on the whole, a healthy breed and may live to be at least 10 years old and up to 18 years old.
Just like any other dog breed, they may develop health problems as they become older.
Heart diseases such as Congestive Heart Failure, patellar luxation (loose kneecaps), hypoglycemia, and epilepsy are all possible health risks to be mindful of.
Regular veterinarian checkups are vital for keeping your Chi in good health for its lifetime.
Before you take your beautiful brindle-coated Chihuahua puppy home with you, be sure the breeder completed all of the required health tests.
If you go with the adoption route, make sure you get any and all medical information available for your vet records.
Final Thoughts
Although Chihuahua coats come in a wide variety of patterns and colors, brindle is one of the least common coat patterns for this breed.
No matter the coat pattern, your Chihuahua will never cease to want to impress you with their intellect and love you with their warm cuddles and lap dog personality.
A brindle Chihuahua is a head-turner, while their captivating and expressive temperament is particularly enticing.
Given they are certainly adorable, extremely affectionate, and unquestionably sassy, it’s no surprise they’re highly beloved.
