Merle Chihuahua Guide (Blue, Chocolate, Red, Lilac Merle etc.)

Merle Chihuahuas (AKA Dapple Chihuahuas) have beautiful patterned coats that can come in many different colors including blue merle, chocolate merle, red merle, lilac merle and lavender merle. In addition to their pretty coats, they often feature striking blue eyes. That is why it’s no surprise that these dogs are super popular because of their appearance! Nevertheless, prospective owners need to be aware of the health dangers of the merle gene, especially ‘merle-to-merle’ breeding and Double Merle Chihuahuas.

If you are interested in Merle Chihuahuas keep reading this article to find out the all the answers to your questions about the different coat colors!

Table of Contents

What Is A Merle Chihuahua?

Merle Chihuahuas have a rare coat pattern that features mottled patches of various colors depending on whether they are a blue merle, chocolate merle, red merle, lilac merle or lavender merle. The merle gene dilutes random sections of the coat to a lighter color whilst leaving patches of their original coat color remaining. It may also affect eye color and skin pigmentation on the nose and paws. The coat occurs when a Chihuahua carries the “M” Merle allele and a negative “m” copy of the Merle allele.

Despite the captivating look of a Merle Chihuahua, prospective owners should be aware that they are often a result of poor breeding practices and because of this may suffer from ocular and auditory defects. That is not to say that all Merle Chihuahuas are the result of poor breeding practices or that they will have these health issues but there is a higher risk than an ordinary Chihuahua.

Merle Chihuahua Colors

Merle Chihuahuas come in many colors including:

Blue Merle
Chocolate Merle
Red Merle
Lilac Merle
Lavender Merle

There is quite a bit of overlap between each of these colors. The two main merle colors are blue and chocolate which are derived from a black or a liver (chocolate) coat respectively.

Are Merle Chihuahuas Rare?

Merle Chihuahuas are rare in comparison to other coat colors like black, black & tan, blue & tan, chocolate, chocolate & tan, cream, cream & white, fawn, fawn & white as well as red. This is because the merle gene is a recessive.

Another reason why Merle Chihuahuas are rare is because breeders often avoid breeding the merle coat color. This is because it is much more complex breeding Merle Chihuahuas as breeders have to carefully track lineage to ensure healthy litters. Breeders cannot breed two Merle Chihuahuas together otherwise they will be Double Merles and may suffer from severe ocular defeats and auditory issues. Double Merles also are likely to have no coloring in their fur and often appear completely white.

Are Merle Chihuahuas Purebred?

Technically, Merle Chihuahuas are not purebred as the merle gene does not occur naturally for the breed. It was introduced by crossing a Miniature Merle Australian Shepherd, a breed that naturally carries the merle gene, with a Chihuahua. The merle gene was introduced into the breed many years and generations ago so Merle Chihuahuas only have a very small percentage of Miniature Australian Shepherds genes in them and are mainly Chihuahua. Merle coats were first seen in Chihuahuas about 20 years ago.

Blue Merle Chihuahua

What Is A Blue Merle Chihuahua?

A Blue Merle Chihuahua features blue (black), grey, white and tan colors in their coat in a distinct mottled pattern. Usually most of their coat is grey and blue (black) with smaller white and tan patches throughout it. Blue Merle Chihuahuas usually have black or grey noses with pink patches noses and can either have brown or blue eyes. Blue Merle Chihuahuas would have originally had a solid black coat but the merle gene diluted sections of it into lighter colors.

Chocolate Merle Chihuahua

What Is A Chocolate Merle Chihuahua?

Chocolate Merle Chihuahuas feature a chocolate, copper, beige and white coat in a mottled pattern. Most of their coat is a beige-grey and they feature chocolate, white and copper patches throughout it. Chocolate Merle Chihuahuas have light or dark brown noses. In most cases they have light brown eyes however they can sometimes have blue eyes. Chocolate Merle Chihuahuas would have originally had a solid liver (chocolate) coat but the merle gene diluted sections of it into lighter colors.

Chocolate Merle Chihuahuas are sometimes called Red Merle Chihuahuas. Chocolate and Red describe the same liver or brown base coat the Chihuahua would’ve had if the merle gene did not dilute certain sections of it.

Red Merle Chihuahua

What Is A Red Merle Chihuahua?

Red Merle Chihuahuas are the same as Chocolate Merle Chihuahuas. They have a red (brown), copper, beige and white coat in a mottled pattern. Most of their coat is a beige-grey and they feature red (brown), white and copper patches throughout it. Chocolate Merle Chihuahuas have light or dark brown noses. In most cases they have light brown eyes however they can sometimes have blue eyes.

Lilac Merle Chihuahua

What Is A Lilac Merle Chihuahua?

Lilac Merle Chihuahuas feature a lilac, brown, beige and white coat in a mottled pattern. Most of their coat is lilac and they feature brown, beige and white patches throughout it. Lilac Merle Chihuahuas usually have light brown noses that may feature small pink patches. In most cases they have blue eyes. Lilac Merle Chihuahuas look a lot like Chocolate or Red Merle Chihuahuas however they are much lighter and there is less brown in their coats.

Lavender Merle Chihuahua

What Is A Lavender Merle Chihuahua?

Lavender Merle Chihuahuas are the same as Lilac Merle Chihuahuas. “Lavender” and “Lilac” are interchangeable names for the same coat. Lavender Merle Chihuahuas have a a lilac (lavender), brown, beige and white coat in a mottled pattern. Most of their coat is lilac (lavender) and they feature brown, beige and white patches throughout it. They usually have light brown noses that may feature small pink patches. In most cases they have blue eyes.

Long Haired Merle Chihuahua

Long Haired Merle Chihuahuas have silky, long hair that features the merle coat pattern. Their hair is longest on their ears, tail, neck and on their legs. Long Haired Merle Chihuahuas are not as common as short haired or smooth Merle Chihuahuas. They require more attention in terms of grooming as they require weekly brushing to keep their coat in a good condition. Long Haired Merle Chihuahuas are much rarer than Smooth Haired Merle Chihuahuas.

Smooth Haired Merle Chihuahua

When you think of a Merle Chihuahua, most likely you are thinking of a Smooth Haired Merle Chihuahua. Smooth Merle Chihuahuas have short, shiny and dense coats that feature the merle pattern. It is the most common hair type for the merle coat. Smooth Merle Chihuahuas are very popular as their coat doesn’t require as much attention as Long Haired Chihuahua. Smooth Merle Chihuahuas are one of the most common type of Merle Chihuahua.

Double Merle Chihuahua

What Is A Double Merle Chihuahua?

A Double Merle (M/M) Chihuahua has little to no color in their coat as they have inherited two copies of the dominant “M” allele. Unfortunately, Double Merle Chihuahuas are affected by severe ocular defeats and deafness. They may be deaf in one or both ears and may be blind or have totally lost an eye.

Double Merle Chihuahuas are also called ‘lethal whites’ due to their coloring and health issues. They are very controversial if they have been purposefully bred. Most official bodies refuse to register dogs that are a product of merle-to-merle breeding.