About this breed
The smallest breed in the world takes its name from the Mexican state where it became fashionable in the late 19th Century. From there its popularity spread to America, and with the publicity gained through celebrity and film star owners the breed became a canine sensation. Bold and saucy in temperament, the breed comes in two varieties: the smooth coat and the long coat, and share the same physical attributes apart from coat type. Outgoing and confident, the Chihuahua has a huge personality in a tiny frame.
Images for this breed
The Toy breed group
The Toy breeds are small companion or lap dogs. Many of the Toy breeds were bred for this capacity although some have been placed into this category simply due to their size. They should have friendly personalities and love attention. They do not need a large amount of exercise and some can be finicky eaters.
Colour Watch
Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options.
Read more about Colour Watch.
Breed Standard colours
Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.
Breed standard colours in this breed include:
- Black
- Black & Tan
- Black & White
- Black Particolour
- Blue
- Blue & Tan
- Blue & White
- Blue Fawn
- Blue Fawn & White
- Blue Fawn Sable
- Blue Sable
- Blue Sable & White
- Brindle
- Chocolate
- Chocolate & Gold
- Chocolate & Tan
- Chocolate Tan & White
- Cream
- Cream & White
- Cream Sable
- Dark Sable
- Fawn
- Fawn & White
- Fawn Sable
- Gold
- Gold & White
- Gold Sable
- Red
- Red & White
- Red Sable
- Red Sable & White
- Sable
- Sable & White
- Tricolour
- White
- White & Chocolate
- Wolf Sable
Other colour/s
'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.
Non-breed-standard colours
Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.
Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.
Health
Whether you're considering buying a Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) puppy or breeding from your dog, it's important to understand the health issues that may affect the breed and how they can be managed or avoided.
Pre-breeding Health Screening
Best Practice schemes and tests
These tests address conditions that are still significant for the breed, though they might be less common or newly identified, and research is ongoing to determine their full impact
To support the breed’s health, responsible breeders should ensure they complete all tests in best practice.
This breed can be affected by conformational concerns, more information can be found here
Click here to find out more about The Kennel Club's health standard
Find out about a particular dog's results
Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed or Activity Register.
You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.
DNA Testing Services
We don’t currently offer a breed-specific DNA testing package for this breed, but we have a wide selection of individual DNA tests available. To find out more and view our full selection, click here.
The breeding for health framework
Throughout 2025 we ran a major review of our pedigree dog health work, from which we have developed a new model called the breeding for health framework.
This framework covers all aspects of health and welfare that should influence breeding decisions for any breed or type of dog, building on from our previous Breed Health and Conservation Plans, and is broken down into three main areas of health:
- inbreeding/ genetic diversity
- conformation
- breed-related disease/ wellbeing
By applying the breeding for health framework, we can group all the breeds that share a certain issue together, so that we can provide targeted support and breed communities can share relevant experiences and expertise. All previous actions and priorities from the Breed Health and Conservation Plans are being transitioned into the new framework.
You can read more about the breeding for health framework here, and watch this space as we update and progress this framework to apply to your breed
More about health
Have any questions about health in your breed?
If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.
Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.
To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email
Breed watch
Category 2
Particular points of concern for individual breeds may include features not specifically highlighted in the breed standard including current issues. In some breeds, features may be listed which, if exaggerated, might potentially affect the breed in the future.
Breeding restrictions
There are a number of The Kennel Club's rules and regulations that may prevent a litter from being registered, find out about our general and breed specific breeding restrictions below.
More about breeding
With effect 1 March 2007, The Kennel Club will no longer register merle puppies whelped from a mating on or after this date. This is because the merle gene in this breed carries an increased risk of impaired hearing and sight problems.
With effect 1 March 2009, The Kennel Club will no longer register puppies whelped from a merle parent, mated on or after this date. This is because the merle gene in this breed carries an increased risk of impaired hearing and sight problems.
With effect from 1 January 2013, The Kennel Club will not register puppies whelped from a merle to merle mating born on or after this date. This is due to associated health risks of impaired vision and hearing associated with the merle gene in this breed.
Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) parents may produce one or more Chihuahua (Long Coat) puppy in a litter. The option to register online is not available and must be submitted by post on a litter application form. A note should be made next to the relevant puppy or in the form of an accompanying letter.
Looking for a puppy?
Looking for a Chihuahua (Smooth Coat)? Explore our list of puppies and rescue dogs for sale near you.
More information
Need to find out more about a breed?
Use our Find a Club service to locate a breed club who can offer support and advice for the breed you're interested in.
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