Xoloitzcuintli: temperament, size, care and health

About the Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced roughly "show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee", and usually shortened to Xolo) is a lean, graceful Mexican breed that is found in two coat types, hairless and coated, and three sizes: toy, miniature and standard. This profile gives figures for the miniature and standard sizes, which together stand roughly 14 to 23 inches at the shoulder, with the weight shown in the fact sheet matching the standard size. The toy is smaller, at about 10 to 14 inches.

A hairless Xolo has warm, smooth, dark or mottled skin and often a few tufts of hair on the head, feet and tail. The coated variety has a short, close coat. Both come from the same litters, since the hairless gene is dominant, and both are athletic, with a long neck, wedge-shaped head and large upright ears. People keep Xolos for their calm manner, their low odor and their dignified bearing.

Temperament and family life

A Xolo is calm and quiet at home, deeply attached to its family and sometimes reserved with strangers. It is a natural watchdog that tends to announce visitors without barking constantly. Many become one-person or one-family dogs and are happiest close to their people.

The breed is generally good with respectful children and with other dogs of the household. It can be wary of unfamiliar animals and people, so socialization from puppyhood is important. Puppies, however, are far more active and mischievous than adults, often going through a rowdy adolescence that can last into the second or third year.

Exercise and training

A Xolo needs daily exercise, such as brisk walks, a run in a fenced area or active play. It enjoys sports like agility, lure coursing and barn hunt, and it can jump and climb with surprising ease, so fencing should be high and secure. Because it can be quick and curious, it should be leashed in open areas.

Xolos are intelligent and learn fast, though they can be sensitive and may withdraw if training is harsh. Positive methods and consistency suit them. Housebreaking is typically straightforward. A bored young Xolo may chew, dig or bark, so give plenty of activity and attention during the first years.

Grooming and shedding

The coat is simple: the hairless variety sheds essentially nothing, and the coated variety sheds lightly and needs only an occasional brush. The skin is what needs care in the hairless type. It needs sun protection, such as a dog-safe sunscreen or covering, because bare skin burns. In cold weather a jacket or sweater is a necessity.

Hairless dogs may develop blackheads or acne, and an occasional bath with a mild shampoo and light moisturizing helps. Avoid heavy oils that clog pores. Trim the nails and brush the teeth, as the breed has dental issues.

Health

Xolos are generally robust and long-lived. The gene that produces hairlessness is linked to missing or abnormal teeth, particularly premolars, and to skin problems such as sunburn and acne. Hip dysplasia and eye disease occur at low rates, and responsible breeders may test hips, eyes and teeth. Two copies of the hairless gene are fatal before birth, which is why hairless dogs are not bred together.

This is general information about the breed. A veterinarian is the person to ask about any particular dog.

History

The Xolo is generally traced to central and southern Mexico, where dogs of this type are depicted in pre-Columbian pottery and are associated with the Aztec civilization. The name is usually explained as combining the god Xolotl and the word for dog. Xolos appeared at Mexican dog shows in the late 1940s, a 1954 expedition found about ten structurally sound dogs, and Mexico officially recognized the breed in 1956. It is a source of national pride in Mexico today. The American Kennel Club recognized it in 2011.

Is the Xoloitzcuintli right for you?

A Xolo suits an adult or family that wants a calm, athletic and nearly odor-free dog and does not mind skin care and weather precautions. It is a poor choice for harsh winters without indoor living, or for someone who cannot supply exercise and companionship.

Comparable hairless or sleek breeds include the Chinese Crested and the American Hairless Terrier. For another lean, ancient type, look at the Basenji.