The brindle pattern is a coat pattern in which a dog’s coat is typically a shade of brown with black or darker brown streaks over the solid color, which makes the coat appear to have stripes. In the Chihuahua, the color pattern is black over a fawn base coat; many compare the pattern to that of tiger striping.
The brindle pattern in chihuahuas is one of the rarest of color and coat patterns, which often makes the coat pattern one of the most desirable for Chihuahua enthusiasts. Most Chihuahuas sport a solid-colored coat, and certain genetics must be present in both parents in order to produce a brindle offspring.
What is a brindle Chihuahua?
The brindle Chihuahua is still a full-blooded Chihuahua. The unique coat and color pattern of the Chihuahua are recognized as a part of this name. This color occurs chiefly when both parents have the genetics for the brindle pattern. Some breeders may attempt to breed one brindle parent with a parent possessing a solid color coat; there is a possibility a brindle puppy may appear in the litter, but most times, this does not occur.
It should be noted that if a brindle parent is mated with a sable coated Chihuahua, there are likely to be brindle puppies. Another color combination that may produce a true brindle Chihuahua is a brindle parent paired with a black and tan (black coat with tan points over the eyes and on the muzzle) parent.
Both long haired and short haired Chihuahuas may exhibit the brindle color pattern. Of course, if a long haired Chihuahua does have the brindle pattern, it may not be as noticeable as it would be on a Chihuahua.
Usually, in chihuahuas, there may be a third splash of color on a brindle coat. The brindle puppy may possess a white spot on its chest. Some breeders refer to this as a “trindle” because the puppy’s coat really has three colors instead of two.
It is important to remember that the description “brindle” is a coat color, and not a different breed of Chihuahua. Unless the Chihuahua is mated with another type of dog, the brindle Chihuahua is 100% Chihuahua with a unique (and rare) coat pattern.
How rare are brindle Chihuahuas?
A brindle Chihuahua is a rare thing! This is because your best chances of getting a litter of brindle puppies occur when two brindle parents are mated together. There are instances where one brindle parent can be mated with a sable or other solid coat Chihuahua and the mating results in a brindle puppy. However, the best chances for a brindle puppy in the litter exist when breeders mate two brindle Chihuahua parents.
Experts say the brindle color pattern is the third rarest of Chihuahua coat patterns. The color pattern has been around for many years, but the necessity of having to have two brindle parents may make the brindle difficult to find (in other words, you may have to travel to find a brindle Chihuahua or have it shipped to you).
One should also note that some Chihuahua colors are associated with different behavior in the affected dog. The brindle Chihuahua will have no quirky behavior, and it acts the same as any “regular” Chihuahua – full of energy, loyal to its human, and somewhat aloof around strangers.
Some brindle Chihuahuas will have black striping over a fawn base coat; some brindle Chihuahuas will have the aforementioned brindle striping on the body with a white chest or even some white on its face and muzzle. The “trindle” coloring isn’t any more rare than the two color brindle pattern.
The “tiger striping” of the Chihuahua will be thin or thick, depending upon the parents’ coat pattern.
What makes a brindle Chihuahua rare?
The rareness of brindle Chihuahuas exists because in order to assure that a breeder gets a brindle puppy in a litter, both parents must be brindle. The rate of success in achieving a brindle puppy exists because both parents carry the gene for the beautiful brindle color pattern.
Yes, breeders CAN achieve a brindle puppy in a litter when they have one brindle parent and a solid colored Chihuahua. Typically, you’ll need to mate a brindle Chihuahua with a sable colored solid coat Chihuahua. However, there is a less than fifty percent chance you’ll succeed in getting a brindle puppy from this match.
Let’s take a look at why breeding a sable coated Chihuahua might work if you’re looking to get a brindle puppy. The sable Chihuahua has a darker topcoat (blue, black or brown, and some chocolate) with a lighter tummy (usually white). The result of this is likely a “trindle” – the tiger stripes on the puppy’s back and head with a white splotch on its chest and muzzle.
How much does a brindle Chihuahua cost?
This will depend upon the breeder! There are breeders who sell brindle puppies for $500 or less; however, there are those who take advantage of the rarity of the brindle Chihuahua and mark the price of their puppies up to $3,000!
However, there are brindle puppies that come up for adoption; a quick internet search may direct you to a puppy or an adult brindle that is in need of a home for a reasonable adoption fee.