Xoloitzcuintli

Origin and History

The Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintli / Xolo) is Mexico's ancient hairless dog, with a history of more than 3,000 years. Considered sacred by the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican civilizations, it comes in three sizes (toy, miniature and standard). A coated variety also exists.

Appearance and Coat

It has an elegant, athletic body. Its most distinctive feature is its warm, smooth, hairless skin, which comes in a variety of dark colors. In some individuals the hairless gene is linked to missing teeth. The skin needs special care.

Temperament and Personality

The Xolo is calm, loyal and people-oriented. It bonds strongly with its family, is wary of strangers and makes a good watchdog. An intelligent, well-balanced dog that seeks warmth, it loves to snuggle up to its owner. It has a dignified, easygoing temperament.

Care, Exercise and Training

The hairless skin needs regular cleansing and moisturizing and must be protected from sun and cold. Moderate exercise is enough. It is intelligent and trainable, responds well to reward-based training, and early socialization is important.

Health

As an ancient, natural breed, it is generally extremely healthy and long-lived. The main things to watch are skin care (sunburn, acne) and missing teeth linked to the hairless gene. Regular skin and dental checks are recommended. The Xolo suits individuals and families looking for a calm, loyal and healthy dog who can give its skin the care it needs.