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Xoloitzcuintli Dog Breed Introduction
Xoloitzcuintli ( also referred to as Xolo or Mexican Hairless Dog ) is an ancient Aztec dog of the gods that originated in Mexico more than 3000 years ago. It comes in three size varieties; standard, miniature, or toy. The three size varieties may either be hairless or coated which are born in the same litter. The former has a smooth, tough, and close-fitting skin while the latter is covered by a short flat coat. A dominant hairless variety originated in the breed as a spontaneous mutation thousand of years ago.
The original form of the dog was the coated variety. The allele that is responsible for Xolo’s hairless variety also affects the dentition of the dog. Therefore, these dogs have an incomplete set of teeth while the coated varieties have complete dentition. Mature Xolos are popular for the calm demeanor. However, puppies can be energetic, extremely oral, and noisy until the age of 2 years.
Xoloitzcuintli History | Origin
Xolo dogs originated in Mexico more than 3300 years ago. There is an archaeological evidence that suggests that they accompanied the same humans to cross the Bering Strait. These dogs also lived in jungles of Mexico where they were prized by ancient cultures. The mention of hairless dogs is mentioned in the journals of Christopher Columbus as well the journals of other European explorers.
Aztec people considered the Xolo sacred investing them with mystical healing abilities. The full name of the breed, Xoloitzcuintli, was derived from Xolo, the name of the Aztec god of lighting and fire while itzcuintli is the Aztec word for dog. These dogs were often sacrificed and buried alongside their owners to serve as protective guides to the next world. Xolo dogs have been found in the burial sites of both the Toltec and the Maya. These dogs were also served as food. As of now, Xolos make great companions and watchdogs.
Xoloitzcuintli Mythology
One myth about Xolo dogs is that they were created by the Aztec god of death, Xolotl from the Bone of life. The dogs were then given to man to guard them with his life. In return, the dog would guide man through the underworld on the way to the heavens. These dogs were also believed to safeguard the home from evil spirits as well as intruders. Xolos were also considered great delicacies consumed for sacrificial ceremonies such as funerals and marriages.
Xoloitzcuintli Lifespan
According to AKC, Xolo dogs have a lifespan of 13 to 18 years old.
Xoloitzcuintli Grooming
Coated Xolos varieties need a weekly brushing using a rubber curry brush or hound glove to remove dirt, loose hair, and promote new hair growth. The hairless variety are prone to skin issues such as clogged pores, acne, and sunburn. Therefore, their skin needs to be moisturized and protected. The hairless variety needs sunscreen with prolonged exposure to direct sun. Most skin conditions arise from over-bathing, over-lotioning, neglect, and poor breeding resulting to the stripping of natural oils and clogging pores.
Xolos need a bath every 4 weeks to prevent stripping of natural oils from the skin. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner to bath your dog. After a bath, thoroughly rinse off the grooming products from the skin to prevent skin irritation using lukewarm water. Wipe the eye corners on a daily basis using a clean damp washcloth or friendly canine wipes. The Hairless Xolos need sunscreen with prolonged exposure to direct sun.
Trim the nails every 3 to 5 weeks to prevent nail cracking, overgrowth, and splitting. Overly grown nails are painful for a Xolo while walking or running. Clean the bat ears once a week using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls to remove dirt, excess wax, and debris. While cleaning the ears, check out for odor, redness, and a dark discharge that are signs of dog’s ear infection.
Xoloitzcuintli Shedding
The hairless Xolo variety indeed has no fur or hair and consequently does not shed. However, the coated variety sheds at minimal levels all-year round.
Xoloitzcuintli Coated | With Hair | Hair
A Xolo dog may either be hairless or coated. The coated variety has a flat thin coat of fur all over their bodies. The coated variety should neither have a wavy, plush, uneven, or curly coat. The hairless varieties may have some hair on their tail, feet, and hand according to the breed standard.
Xoloitzcuintli Hypoallergenic
AKC describes the hairless Xolo variety as a good choice for people who suffer from dog allergies. This is because they lack a shedding coat that allows spread of dander and fur into the environment aggravating allergies. However, the saliva, urine, and mucus of the dog also contains a protein allergen that may also trigger allergies. Therefore, pet parents are urged to spends lots of time with the particular dog to determine whether the dog aggravates their allergies before adopting.
Xoloitzcuintli | Xolo Training
A Xolo is an intelligent dog that needs loving and consistent obedience training and regular socialization during their growing years. It is important to socialize Xolos since they are naturally cautious around strangers and have a natural desire to protect their owners. Puppy classes and early socialization are vital to ensure that the dog grows into a well-mannered and well-adjusted companion.
This training should be an ongoing process throughout the life of the dog to ensure the dog has a well-rounded temperament throughout its life. Normally, socialization training starts from an early age of 3 weeks while the pup is with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks after the pup has already settled in its new home.
To socialize a Xolo dog, expose it to a wide variety of people, animals, surfaces, situations, smell, experiences, sights, and sounds such as sirens, baby crying sounds, vacuum cleaners, whistles, washing machines, and lawn mowers. Enrolling a Xolo in a puppy class also serve as a form of socialization. These classes enables the canines to interact in a controlled environment. Pet owners also benefit from the puppy classes by being able to identify and correct bad canine behaviors as well as having access to training information and assistance.
Keep the training sessions short for a span of 5 minutes distributed throughout the day. The sessions should be fun and challenging to avoid distraction and boredom. Use positive reinforcement methods such as use of treats, toys, play time, verbal praise, and petting to encourage positive outcomes from the Xolo dog. Avoid use of harsh correction methods such as the use of choke and prong collars, yelling, beating, shoving, or kicking.
Start teaching basic command words such as sit, lie down, stay, leave it, come, heel it, etc. one at a time until the dog the dog is well-acquainted before proceeding to the next command word. Owners are cautioned against issuing command word to Xolo while too frustrated or excited since the command word does not sound the same for your dog.
Effectively housebreak a Xolo by creating a feeding schedule, crate training, and potty training. A crate is an invaluable tool while potty training, it allows the pet parent to closely monitor the dog for signs that it wants to eliminate outside such as circling, whining, restlessness, squatting, sniffing, and trying to lift a leg against the crate wall.
To get positive outcomes while potty training, pet parents should take a Xolo to the designated toilet area immediately the dogs come home from the breeder, the first thing after the dog wakes up, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, every 2 to 3 hours, after naptime, before bed time, and following an exciting activity. The bowel and bladder muscles of a Xolo strengthens as the puppy matures. Therefore, after the age of 8 months, a Xolo should go for potty breaks every 6 hours.
Xoloitzcuintli Temperament | Traits
- Attentive.
- Calm.
- Intelligent.
- Energetic.
- Curious.
- Affectionate.
- Sociable.
- Playful.
- Wary of strangers.
- Agile.
- Active.
- Sensitive.
Xoloitzcuintli Exercise
A Xolo is an active and energetic breed that requires daily exercise in form of daily walks and romping in a secured yard. Inadequate exercise results to behavior problems.
Xoloitzcuintli Barking
From the age of 2 years, Xolos don’t bark much. They are sensible barkers that only speak when they have to convey something. However, below the age of 2 years, Xolos are noisy, extremely oral and energetic.
Xoloitzcuintl Height
There are three varieties of Xolo dogs which have different height ranges as discussed below:
The Standard-sized Xolo has a height of 18 to 23 inches ( approx. 46 to 58 cm ).
Miniature Xolos have a height of 14 to 18 inches ( approx. 36 to 46 cm ).
A Toy-sized Xolo has a height of 10 to 14 inches ( approx. 25 to 36 cm ).
Xoloitzcuintl Weight
A Toy-sized Xolo has a weight of 10 to 15 pounds ( approx. 4.5 to 6.8 kg ).
Miniature Xolos have a weight of 15 to 30 pounds ( approx. 6.8 to 13.6 kg ).
Standard Xolos have a weight of 30 to 55 pounds ( approx. 13.6 to 25 kg ).
Xoloitzcuintl Size
There are three size varieties of Xolo dogs which have varying height and weight range as discussed below:
Standard Xolos have a height of 18 to 23 inches ( approx. 46 to 58 cm ) and a weight of 30 to 55 pounds ( approx. 13.6 to 25 kg ).
Miniature Xolos have a height of 14 to 18 inches ( approx. 36 to 46 cm ) and a weight of 15 to 30 pounds ( approx. 6.8 to 13.6 kg ).
A toy-sized Xolo has a height of 10 to 14 inches ( approx. 25 to 36 cm ) and a weight of 10 to 15 pounds ( approx. 4.5 to 6.8 kg ).
Xoloitzcuintl Health Issues
Over the years, Xolos have developed through natural selection, and hence generally not prone to structure and health problems as compared to other dog breeds more modified by human selection efforts. However, Xolos are affected by certain health issues such as acne, eye disorders, hip dysplasia, patella luxation, dental problems, arthritis, heart murmur, blindness, etc.
Apart from Xolos, other dog breeds include:
Xolo Names
A Xolo owner may decide to get a name for the pup before it joins them home from the breeder or a few days after the puppy stays with them so that they may understand the personality of a particular dog. Parents may get name inspirations from the origin of the dog, personality, heritage of the dog, movies, songs, books, nature, celebrity Xolos, and historical figures.
Regardless of where the parent gets the inspiration, he or she should ensure that the name chosen freely rolls off his or her tongue without making them embarrassed when uttered out loud in the public places. Xolo and other dog breeds better understand a name that has vowels.
Avoid giving your pooch a name that rhymes with the command words to curb confusion. If a parent settles with a long name, he or she should find a cute nickname for the dog. If a Xolo dog shares a name with any household member or guest who frequent the home, it may result to unnecessary confusion. Some of the names that Xolo parents give to their pets include:
- Hannah.
- Reba.
- Max.
- Maximus.
- Cassie.
- Charlie.
- Sasha.
- Empress.
- Lucky.
- Bailey.
- Felix.
- Rufus.
- Mickey.
- Molly, etc.
Xoloitzcuintl Colors | Black
A Xolo can have a solid coat color of gray black, black, liver, bronze, red, or slate. However, white spots and markings are permitted.
Xolo Ears
A Xolo has large, expressive, elegant, and bat shaped ears.
Xolo Teeth
A coated Xolo has a total of 42 teeth. However, a hairless Xolo has an incomplete set of teeth.
Xolo Food
The amount of food that Xolos feed on depend on their age, activity level, metabolism, size, and body build. Puppies tend to have a high metabolism rate as compared to adults and seniors. Therefore, Xolo pups eat small portions of food 3 or 4 times a day from when they start weaning until the age of 6 months. From the age of 6 months, a Xolo feeds on a total of two meals in a day for the rest of their lives.
A Xolo may feed on a raw diet, home made, dry food, or wet food depending on the budget of the owner and the time of preparation needed. Regardless of the food that the dog feeds on, owners should ensure that Xolos feed on the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, fats, amino acids, and fatty acids to maintain a healthy bone structure and weight. Fresh water should be available for your fur baby at all times.
If the dog is feeding on dry or wet commercial food, owners should ensure that the first three listed ingredients are proteins from a well-known source. Commercial food should neither have meat by-products, fillers, preservatives, chemicals, additives, nor generic meat products. Feed a Xolo with formulated dry or wet food for toy, small-sized and medium sized puppies, adults, and seniors depending on its age. Check the physique of your fur baby to tell whether it is underweight or overweight.
The dog is underweight if the ribs are visible. However, if the ribs are not visible but you can feel them without pressing hard, a Xolo has an ideal weight. Although, if you cannot feel the ribs after pressing, the dog is overweight and should be exercised. Owners who want to switch to another pet food should gradually do this over a period of one month by mixing old food with new food. As the week progresses, the amount of old food decreases as the amount of the new food increases until the Xolo is only feeding on the new food.
Are Xoloitzcuintli Hypoallergenic
Yes. Hairless Xolo dogs are regarded hypoallergenic since they have no moulting coat. However, no dog is truly hypoallergenic and pet parents should spend lots of time with a particular dog before adopting to ensure the dog does not aggravate allergies.
Are Xolo Dogs Aggressive
No. However, they are little reserved with strangers. Xolo needs extensive socialization to ensure they have a well-rounded temperament.
Xoloitzcuintli Dogs Quick Facts
- There are three size varieties of Xolos: Toy, miniature, and standard that may either have a hairless or coated coat.
- Xolo dogs look similar in appearance to a Pharaoh Hound.
- These dogs are notable for their hairlessness dorminant trait.
