Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Other Names

Xolo

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Native Country

Mexico

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Description

The Xoloitzcuintle, also called the Mexican Hairless or Tepeizeuintli, resembles a robust Manchester Terrier. Xoloitzcuintle is pronounced (show-low-its-queen-tlee). There are three varieties: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. It has a broad skull and a long muzzle with a black or flesh-colored nose. The slightly almond-shaped eyes are medium-sized with a color that may vary from black to yellow, and have a lively, intelligent expression. The ears are bat-like but elegant and about 4 inches (10 cm.) long. The neck is graceful, like that of an antelope. The back is straight and flexible. It does not have a coat, only one lone tuft of hair on its head and longer hair on the tip of its long, sleek tail, although there is a variety called the coated Xolo that has hair all over the body...

The haired Xolo's skin, which falls in heavy folds over its body and neck, is reddish gray, black, elephant gray, dark bronze or gray-black; coffee or pink spots sometimes occur. The puppies are born pink, like baby pigs, and only reach the lines demanded by the standard when they are a year old. A Coated Xolo (coats with hair) occur in about one of three.

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Temperament

The Xolo is a very intelligent, affectionate dog. Peaceful, noble and extremely adaptable. Cheerful with the family and reserved with strangers. Xolo dogs get along well with children. They are happy, though calm without fear. They make good alarm dogs - noisy only when necessary. The Xolo can bark, although they are a very quite breed barking only to alarm their owners to company or danger. This breed is not hard to train. Xoloitzcuintle are natural vegetarians, but convert to a meat diet quite easily. Raised as pets, they should be well socialized. If they are going to a family with children, the dog and the children should meet in a calm, unhurried way. They should get accustomed to each other gradually. Children should be taught to be gentle and kind to the Xolo.

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Height, Weight

There are three varieties of Xolo: Standard, Miniature and Toy.
Standard: Height 16-22˝ inches (41-57 cm.)
Standard: Weight 20-31 pounds (9-14 kg.)
Miniature: Height 12-15 inches (30-38 cm.)
Miniature: Weight 13-22 pounds (6-10 kg)
Toy: Height 11-12 inches (28-31 cm.)
Toy: Weight 9-18 pounds (4-8 kg.)

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Health Problems

This is a healthy, hardy breed, but it requires special skin care. The skin is susceptible to dry irritation, sunburn, tears from other dogs, cats, and objects.

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Living Conditions

The Xolo is adaptable to all styles of living, as it comes in a size for everyone. All hairless breeds must be protected from the cold by providing the knit sweater or coat that Nature left off. (Doggie Apparel) They also must be protected from the sun with sunscreens, for they are prone to sunburn. Bred as a pet, the Xolo must be kept as a house dog regardless of the weather in an urban or country environment.

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Exercise

The Xolo does not require much exercise. If you let them romp and play they will be perfectly content. They also enjoy going on walks and will be happy to go anywhere their handler goes.

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Grooming

The fact that this breed does not have hair does not mean that its skin requires no care. The skin must be protected as much as possible from the sun. A good sunscreen should be used if the dog is going to be out in the sun. People who show these dogs scrub them regularly to remove dead skin and to keep the skin soft by using special exfoliating creams intended for use by humans. It is most important to keep the skin supple and smooth and to prevent it from becoming dry. Using a lotion or cream or, sometimes, rubbing it with oil is recommended. Bathe these dogs regularly with a gentle soap. The fragile skin is susceptible to sunburn, drying irritation and tears from other dogs, cats and objects. This is a very clean breed with no doggie odor and no fleas. Xolo's teeth and nails should receive weekly attention. This breed is ideal for allergy sufferers because there is no hair to shed.

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Origin

Ancestors of the Aztec Indians brought hairless dogs called "Biche" (meaning naked) with them when they arrived in Mexico from Asia. The Aztecs enjoyed the hairless dogs as pets, but also found them useful as bedwarmers, food, and sacrificial offerings. The toasty warm body heat of the toy hairless dogs made them in demand as ancient hot-water bottles, relieving stomach pains and rheumatic joints, or simply for warming beds during cold nights. Extreme cold made for a "Three Dog Night." The breed's palliative qualities magnified until its "healing powers" became a cure-all. Clay figures and remains of these dogs, dating from 300 to 900 AD, have been found in burial sites, where dogs guided the souls to a happy afterlife and furnished nourishment until it was reached. The Xolo is native to Mexico and is widespread throughout South America. It is named after the ancient dog Xoloti. At the end of the nineteenth century, it became completely a companion dog. The warmth from these dogs is still enjoyed today, particularly by the elderly. The Xolo is no longer in Danger of Extinction and is not in danger do to lack of interest. The Xolo today is being acknowledged with increased interest, for there companion ship, loyalty, cleanliness and flexibility to do it all! They make great companions, show, agility, obedience, therapy and service dogs.

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Group

Southern

Mexican Hairless Dog xoloitzquintle Recognition

Standard: FCI, NKC, CKC, APRI
Miniature: FCI, NKC, CKC, APRI
Toy: AKC, CKC, NKC, CKC, APRI, ACR
The Xoloitzcuintle, Standard and Miniature were recognized by the AKC until 1959, when a lack of registrations and show entries caused it to be dropped.