Brown Chihuahua: Facts, Traits, Genetics & FAQs (With Pictures)

Cute brown Chihuahua in white flowers

With its sassy demeanor, fierce loyalty, and adorable appearance, the brown Chihuahua is a certified royal lap dog. Having a brown coat color certainly adds to its regal appeal, making it a stunning pooch.

Similar to other color variations, the brown Chi’s irresistible charm makes it a popular choice for a family pet.

A dog as delightful as the brown Chihuahua can easily win anyone over with its beauty and big personality.

If you want to know more about the captivating brown Chihuahua, keep reading! This guide will discuss everything essential about this cuddly pup — its genetics, traits, appearance, and more. Let’s begin!

What Is a Brown Chihuahua?

Adorable brown Chihuahua dog walking outdoors

A brown Chihuahua is a purebred Chihuahua that exhibits an all-brown coat color. Its coat shades can vary from light to dark brown and may also come in long or short variations. Brown Chihuahuas also have distinct brown noses and light brown eyes due to their inherited brown coat color genes.

A brown Chihuahua does not always come from solid brown Chihuahua parents. In truth, its brown coat color is determined by the combination of recessive genes it inherits from its parents.

As the chocolate Chihuahua possesses the same endearing personality traits as the typical Chihuahua, it comes as no surprise that it is a highly sought-after family companion.

This purebred dog can be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), Continental Kennel Club (CKC), and Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

Are Brown Chihuahuas Rare?

No, brown Chihuahuas are actually not a rare color variation of the Chihuahua.

In fact, they are among the most common colors of this breed, together with the cream, fawn, red, bi-color, and parti-color Chihuahuas.

As long as both parents carry the recessive versions of the brown color gene, a solid brown Chihuahua offspring will be produced.

As such, you do not need to worry if you’re eyeing one to get as a family addition. Chances are, you can easily find one from a trusted breeder or rescue.

Brown Chihuahua Appearance

Chocolate brown Chihuahua with white chest sniffs a yellow leaf

The brown Chihuahua appears identical to every other Chihuahua except for its coat color. This toy dog is between 5 and 8 inches in height and weighs around 3 to 6.5 pounds.

Its soft brown coat can either be long or short. A brown Chi may also be single or double-coated, and its color shade can range from dark brown to light brown.

In addition, it has a round apple-shaped head and large pointed ears. Brown Chihuahuas likewise have moderately short and slightly pointed muzzles with brown or beige noses and amber or light brown eyes.

Meanwhile, their chests are broad and deep, while their oval-shaped feet are small, with toes that are moderately set apart.

Furthermore, a chocolate Chihuahua’s tail is also somewhat long and is distinctly carried up in a single curl.

Overall, the physical appearance of the brown Chihuahua aptly reflects an adorable and graceful tiny companion.

Take a look at the various shades of brown in the video of a Chihuahua litter below:

Newborn Rich Chocolate Chihuahuas

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Brown Chihuahua Color Genetics

A brown Chihuahua dog sits and smiles

A Chihuahua will have a brown coat if it inherits a recessive copy of the brown gene (b) from both its parents. Brown modifies the black pigment called eumelanin and turns it into a lighter, brownish shade.

The brown gene is likewise responsible for the brown coloring of the nose and the amber color of the brown Chihuahua’s eyes.

As the brown coloring will only be expressed if there are two copies of the recessive brown gene, it is possible for Chihuahua parents with black coat colors to have brown Chihuahua.

As long as both parents are carriers of a recessive brown gene, a brown Chihuahua offspring can be produced.

In addition, the intensity of the brown coloring of the coat can also be affected by other genes, like the dilution gene.

The presence of these other genes can result in softer brown coat color, like what we see in a light brown Chihuahua.

Brown Chihuahua Temperament and Personality

Cute chocolate brown long hair Chihuahua dog walking slowly through a field

A brown Chihuahua is an extremely devoted, confident, and courageous family companion. Despite its small stature, the amount of joy and love it gives to its humans remains uncompromised.

Brown Chihuahuas bond well with their family members and get particularly attached to their special persons. Due to this, they are prone to developing separation anxiety if they are away from their humans for too long.

And while chocolate Chihuahuas are not naturally very patient with small children and other pets, with proper training and socialization, these dogs can learn to behave well around them.

As tiny watchdogs, they are wary of strangers and will not hesitate to bark loudly to express their dislike for unknown people.

Meanwhile, a securely fenced yard is needed to keep a brown Chihuahua safe and prevent it from running away to chase small animals due to its moderate prey drive.

All things considered, a well-trained and socialized brown Chihuahua is a delightful family companion with its charming personality and deep devotion to its loved ones.

Brown Chihuahua Lifespan and Health Issues

Cute brown chocolate Chihuahua puppy smiling

Brown Chihuahuas are generally healthy dogs that can live for 14 to 16 years, similar to other Chihuahuas. Although they are considered healthy, they can still be prone to certain illnesses.

The following are the health problems of a brown Chihuahua:

  • Patent Ductus Arteriorsus: Patent ductus arteriorsus is a heart ailment that occurs when the brown Chihuahua’s blood vessel passage called ductus arteriorsus fails to close at birth, causing an enlarged heart, which if left unchecked, can lead to heart failure.
  • Patellar Luxation: When a brown Chihuahua’s kneecap slips out of place, it is said to suffer from patellar luxation. This causes pain, difficulty in movement, and arthritis.
  • Idiopathic Epilepsy: Idiopathic epilepsy is a series of seizures experienced by the brown Chihuahua. These genetically-linked seizures have an unknown cause and manifest symptoms such as stiffening and loss of consciousness.
  • Tracheal Collapse: A collapsed windpipe causes breathing difficulties in brown Chihuahuas. This condition is known as tracheal collapse, and dogs suffering from this condition experience a harsh, dry cough.

While certain illnesses cannot always be prevented, a balanced lifestyle, together with regular check-ups with the vet, greatly help in enabling your chocolate Chihuahua to spend a long and healthy life with you.

RELATED: Chihuahua Lifespan: How Long Do Chihuahuas Live?

How Much Does a Brown Chihuahua Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses

The price of a brown Chihuahua puppy is usually between $400 and $1,500. For show-quality brown Chihuahuas, they may even range from $3,500 to $5,000.

On the other hand, adoption fees for this pooch range from $300 to $600. This option is not only considerably less expensive but also allows an abandoned brown Chihuahua to find a new loving family.

Aside from the purchase price of the puppy, you also need to set aside funds for the expenses you will incur once your pup arrives home.

Below are the initial expenses of a brown Chihuahua:

Type of ExpenseCost
Food and Treats$50 – $80
Food and Water Bowls$10 – $25
Bed$30 – $150
Crate$30 – $200
Leashes and Collars$15 – $50
Toys$20 – $30
Grooming Essentials$30 – $150
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications$50 – $200
Initial Vet Visits$100 – $300
Initial Vaccine Shots$75 – $200
Neutering or Spaying$50 – $500
Dog License$10 – $20
Microchip$40 – $60
Miscellaneous Supplies$15 – $30
Total Initial Cost$525 – $1,995

Further, to help mitigate the high cost of the medical expenses of a brown Chihuahua, you can consider getting your pup insurance coverage.

Indeed, owning a chocolate Chihuahua comes with a serious financial responsibility. You need to prepare well and ensure that you can properly provide for your pup’s needs.

Meanwhile, if you’d like to know more about the other costs that come along with raising and caring for a brown Chihuahua, here is a Chihuahua price guide for your reference.

RELATED: How Much Does a Chihuahua Cost? (2023 Price Guide)

Places to Find Brown Chihuahua Puppies for Sale and Adoption

Two brown Chihuahua puppies for sale and adoption

To acquire a brown Chihuahua puppy with good health and temperament, it is crucial that you source one from a trustworthy breeder.

Reputable breeders perform genetic testing and raise their puppies ethically in a suitable environment.

To help you find a brown Chihuahua puppy, I have listed some reputable breeders below that you can reach out to.

The following are some reputable breeders where you can find a brown Chihuahua puppy for sale:

  • Salem’s Finest AKC Chihuahuas – Salem’s finest AKC Chihuahuas prioritizes the health and temperament of the Chihuahua puppies they raise. Their brown Chihuahua puppies are exposed to a puppy culture curriculum and are genetically health-tested.
  • ChiWowTown Chihuahuas – This is a hobby breeder of various Chihuahuas, such as the brown Chi. ChiWowTown Chihuahuas is focused on raising puppies that are healthy, well-tempered, and well-socialized. The puppies are raised in the owner’s home and fed organic food.
  • Loucan’s Chihuahuas – Loucan’s Chihuahuas offers pet-quality Chihuahua puppies. All their puppies, such as their brown Chihuahuas, come with a one-year health guarantee and are vaccinated, dewormed, and vet-checked. They are likewise desensitized to noise and grooming.

You can also check our 10 best Chihuahua breeders to get additional options in your brown Chihuahua puppy search.

RELATED: 10 Best Chihuahua Breeders (2023): Our Top 10 Picks!

To find useful tips on safely purchasing your puppy online, you can also read our puppy buying guide.

If you prefer to adopt a brown Chihuahua, below are some rescues you can contact:

  • Chihuahua Rescue & Transport – Chihuahua Rescue & Transport is focused on saving abandoned Chihuahuas like the brown Chihuahua and places them in temporary homes until they get adopted. Rescued dogs are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped.
  • Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego County – Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego County is a foster-based rescue that cares for abandoned and injured Chihuahuas like the brown Chihuahua and other small breed dogs. In addition, this rescue provides education and counseling for new adopters.
  • Limbo Chihuahuas – Limbo Chihuahuas is a rescue dedicated to saving unwanted Chihuahuas from being euthanized at high-kill shelters. This rescue also provides assistance with Chihuahua training issues. Rescued pups are vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped.

To get more options, head over to our 10 best Chihuahua rescues. And as you prepare to adopt, equip yourself with good knowledge and pointers on getting approved as a new pet parent with our ultimate dog adoption guide.

There are also ways to get a brown Chihuahua puppy for free. Find tips in our article on how to find free puppies in your area.

RELATED: 10 Best Chihuahua Rescues for Adoption (2023): Our Top 10 Picks!

Dog Name Ideas for Brown Chihuahua Puppies

Choosing a name for your new brown Chihuahua is one of the most fun parts of getting to own one. You can get as creative as you want when selecting what to call your pooch.

It is best to choose a name that is short and easy to pronounce. Avoid names that are too common like “Buddy” and those that sound similar to commands like “sit” and “come.”

That said, I have listed some possible name options for your new brown Chi.

Below are dog name ideas for female brown Chihuahuas:

  • Amber
  • Ava
  • Bella
  • Ellie
  • Hazel
  • Honey
  • Lady
  • Lucy
  • Maggie
  • Mocha
  • Peanut
  • Penny
  • Sophie
  • Stella
  • Tawny

Below are some dog name ideas for male brown Chihuahuas:

  • Beaver
  • Biscuit
  • Chester
  • Choco
  • Cliff
  • Coffee
  • Copper
  • Dash
  • Finn
  • Hugo
  • Jax
  • Teddy
  • Theo
  • Toffee
  • Woody

Whatever name you ultimately decide on, your brown Chihuahua pup will proudly own it with all its sassy personality and charm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brown Chihuahua sitting on the grass in the park

What Is the Rarest Color of Chihuahua?

White is considered the rarest color of Chihuahuas. This color variation is hard to come by as producing it would require breeding two white Chihuahuas.

In addition, it can take several generations to correctly breed a solid white Chihuahua. The meticulous process of producing it makes this color extremely rare, along with merle, black, and blue.

What Is the Most Common Chihuahua Color?

The most common colors of Chihuahuas are brown, red, fawn, and cream. Bi-color and parti-color are likewise common for this breed.

With this, you won’t have a hard time finding a puppy with any of these colors if you plan to get one.

Do Brown Chihuahuas Shed a Lot?

Both the brown Chihuahua short and long hair versions are light to moderate shedders. They constantly shed throughout the year and tend to lose more fur during the spring and fall seasons.

With this, their shedding can be managed with regular brushings. Doing so helps reduce the amount of hair sticking onto your furniture and keeps the coat of your brown Chihuahua shiny and healthy.

Are Brown Chihuahuas Hypoallergenic?

No, brown Chihuahuas are not hypoallergenic. As they are dogs that shed moderately, the dander attached to their hair can trigger allergic reactions in people sensitive to it.

Due to this, brown Chihuahuas are not a good match for people suffering from allergies.

Final Thoughts: Is a Brown Chihuahua the Right Dog for You?

The brown Chihuahua is indeed a beautiful and charming color variant of the Chihuahua breed. As it bears the same sassy and loving personality of the typical Chi, it’s easy to see why it is a popular choice for a family pet.

If you are eyeing a Chihuahua with this particular color, you don’t need to worry about a painstaking puppy hunt.

While finding one will be an easy feat, raising a well-adjusted chocolate Chihuahua will take serious effort on your part.

You have to work on proper training and socialization to keep it well-behaved and even-tempered. With that, your days will surely be filled with warmth and laughter with all the fun antics of the brown Chihuahua.

Do you think the brown Chihuahua is the most attractive color variant of this breed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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