The term “blue” is often used by Chihuahua breeders to denote this rare color for Chihuahuas. This color comes from a recessive gene, which explains the rarity. There is much speculation about this coloring for this breed. So when someone asks “What is a blue chihuahua?” it’s a bit tricky. First, they aren’t truly blue, they are more of a gray color with a blue tone. A true Blue Chihuahua is really a diluted black. This means that the hue will be a grey or dark grey that, when out in the sunshine, will have a slight bluish tint to it.
What makes a Blue Chihuahua so rare?
A Blue Chihuahua doesn’t necessarily have a blue coat. The coat color is more gray to to silvery gray with hints of blue highlights. Breeding a Blue Chihuahua is not an easy task. It’s all about combining different colored Chihuahuas including fawns and chocolate browns. However, the Blue Chihuahua is the result of a recessive gene, and both the parents must have the blue gene in their ancestries to produce a Blue Chihuahua. And even then, the puppy might not have a full blue coat. It’s common for the coat to be blue and white.
The Blue Chihuahua has all of the other temperaments and traits of a more standard color Chihuahua. As always, only purchase Blue Chihuahuas from a responsible knowledgeable breeder.
Parents of Blues
Looking at the parents doesn’t always assure a Blue Chihuahua in the litter. A Blue chihuahua can be produced from a tan and a black….however both dam AND sire must have the recessive blue gene that is carried down to the puppy.
Reputable breeders will not pair two Blue Chihuahuas together…and there is a very good reason why. Studies have shown that this can cause medical issues in the litter including issues with health of the coat. This is because it is a diluted color and carries hidden defects. Blue chihuahuas are the offspring of two parents who each carry the recessive trait for gray fur. Due to the Blue Chihuahua being the result of this recessive gene trait, the parents of blue chihuahuas don’t necessarily have to have blue coats themselves.
As a warning, if a breeder unethically breeds two blues together, the resulting litter may have only tans, browns and fawn color puppies. There is no guarantee on the color of the litter. Since this is a recessive gene, it can be in the bloodline, but skip many generations.
