Xoloitzcuintli / Mexican Hairless Dogs & Puppies
View Adoptable Pets for This BreedNon-Sporting
9-35 lb
10-23"
Primitive
Traits and Characteristics
type
weight
height
family
The Xoloitzcuintli combines grace and strength equally and is moderate in all aspects of their appearance. All three sizes are slightly longer than tall, and they are lean and sturdy with medium build. Their gait is effortless with good reach and drive. Their coated variety has a short, flat coat. The hairless variety has no coat or almost no coat, often with short, coarse hair on the top of their head, their feet, and the last third of their tail. Their skin is tough and protective. Hairless dogs feel warmer to the touch than coated ones, but they have the same body temperature. This warmth may have helped people think they could cure ailments.
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Energy Level
Exercise Requirements
Playfulness
Affection Level
Friendliness to Dogs
Friendliness to Other Pets
Friendliness to Strangers
Watchfulness
Ease of Training
Grooming Requirements
Heat Sensitivity
Vocality
Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet.
Temperament
As a primitive breed, Xoloitzcuintli may be somewhat independent natured. They do like to please, but they’re also independent thinkers. They tend to be calm but inquisitive, devoted but not fawning, self-assured but not overly trusting of strangers. They get along fairly well with other dogs and pets. They are alert watchdogs in the home and will alert their family to visitors or strangers, however they are typically not excessive barkers. Some can be escape artists.
Upkeep
All Xoloitzcuintli need daily exercise. They typically will need a long walk or jog. A coated Xoloitzcuintli needs occasional brushing. A hairless Xoloitzcuintli needs no brushing but does need their skin to be wiped or bathed frequently to prevent acne or blackheads, especially when they're young. They may need a canine sunscreen to protect their skin. Hairless dogs also need a sweater in cool weather. The skin of hairless dogs can be very thick, so it can also be surprisingly tough.
Health
- Major concerns: none
- Minor concerns: acne
- Occasionally seen: patellar luxation (toys)
- Suggested tests: none
- Life span: 11–14 years
History
Clay statues of dogs resembling today’s Xoloitzcuintli were interred in Mayan, Colima, and Aztec burial sites dating back 3,000 years. These dogs were believed to guide souls through the underworld. Aztec mythology asserted that Xolotl, the Aztec god of lightning and death, made the Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-eet-SQUINT-lee) from the “bone of life,” imparting physical and spiritual healing power to the dogs. The name combines Xolotl with “itzcuintli,” Aztec for “dog.”
These dogs were found throughout Mexico and parts of Central and South America safeguarding against spirits and intruders and healing people. The hairless dogs were first described by Columbus in his 1492 journal. After the Spanish Conquest, Xolos (their short name) were almost lost, surviving mostly in remote areas. In 1887, the AKC registered the breed as the Mexican Hairless, but their numbers remained low and they were dropped from the ranks in 1959—the only breed ever dropped from the roster. Meanwhile, in 1953, several British and Mexican dog authorities, realizing the breed’s tenuous existence, searched remote Mexico and returned with ten Xoloitzcuintli. In 1956, the breed was named the official dog of Mexico. From there, this breed started to become more well known.
In 2007, the Xoloitzcuintli was again recognized and they can be found in three different sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. The gene that causes hairlessness in the Xoloitzcuintli is the same as that in Chinese Cresteds, and the Xoloitzcuintli may descend from ancient Asian hairless dogs. It is a single dominant gene, so all hairless Xoloitzcuintli have one hairless gene and one coated gene. The same gene causes some dental anomalies. About one third of Xoloitzcuintli have coats.
