Xoloitzcuintli

Xoloitzcuintli

(Mexican Hairless Dog)

As well as the name Xoloitzcuintli, this strange hairless breed is also known by the almost equally unpronounceable name of Tepeizeuintli, as well as the simpler Mexican Hairless Dog.

History:

The breed or breeds that combined to make up the Xolo are not known. All that we do know is that these breeds were transported to South America by traders from China as far back as the seventeenth century. They were important to the Aztecs and so were very popular in that culture, and were used for a variety of purposes.

They were excellent bed-warmers and foot-warmers, satisfying companions, and unfortunately, served as delicacies and ritual sacrifices. They were also attributed with curative properties for rheumatism. By the early 1950s, the breed was in severe decline, and was nearing extinction. In the mid-1950s the Mexican Kennel Club started a breeding program that saved the breed. They are still quite scarce.

Physical characteristics:

The Xolo comes in three sizes: the Standard, Miniature and Toy. The Standard is the most common. Height: 13 - 22 in (33 - 56 cm) for the Standard and 11 - 12 in (28 - 31 cm) for the Toy, with the Miniature in-between. Weight: 30 - 50 lb (13.5 - 22.5 kg) for the Standard and 9 - 18 lb (4 - 8 kg) for the Toy, with the Miniature in-between.

Each of the three sizes comes in the almost or completely hairless form, as well as a powder-puff form. Although the powder-puff can not be shown, it is needed to maintain a breeding program because the hairless form carries abnormalities. The head of these dogs is rather broad and the ears are large and very expressive. The body is long in relation to the height and the neck is long and graceful. The characteristic hairless skin of the Xolo is usually dark - slate gray, charcoal, dark reddish gray, liver or bronze. It is smooth and soft. The hair on the powder-puff form is shaggy and matches the skin color.

Behavior:

Although this dog is often regarded as a novelty, it behaves like any normal dog. Care should be taken that the smaller of the varieties do not become too bossy with their owners. Owners of the hairless types must ensure that they provide adequate insulation for their dogs during cold weather, and also protect them from the possibility of sunburn.