Xoloitzcuintli

The Breed name is spelled Xoloitzcuintle by the FCM/FCI registries. Some breeders spell the name with an "i" on the end. Both spellings are correct. The name comes from the Aztec god, Xolotl. The hairless Aztec dog was considered to be a representative of Xolotl and guided and protected the souls of the dead to their unearthly destinations.

Xoloitzcuintli (Sho-low-eets-queen-tlee) is a very ancient breed of dog. Evidence of their existence has been found in the ruins which remain from the Pre-Columbian societies of Mexico and the countries of Central and South America. Archeologists have collected and identified their remains and done comparative studies between the Xolo and the "common" dogs of Mexico.

The Xoloitzcuintle was used by the ancient people for many things: food, sacrifice, companionship, hunting, protection and also for medicinal and curative purposes. The Xolo was used as a sleeping companion for warmth and was believed to have curative powers for arthritis and other painful ailments. The flesh of the Xolo was consumed for food and also in the hope that it would aid in the cure of various physical problems. The Xolo provided the ancient people with a convenient source of protein and they raised them in large numbers much like we now raise cattle, sheep and goats. The young ones were fattened for market. The Aztec people held great faith in the ability of the Xolo to guide them to their "land of the dead," or "Mictlan", after their death. For this reason, many were buried with a Xolo, which of course was sacrificed for that purpose.

Because of its hairlessness, the Xolo feels very warm to the touch. Some people believe that the body temperature of the Xolo is higher than other dog breeds. This is not true. It's body temperature is within the same range as that of other dog breeds, but with other dogs their temperature is masked by their coat.

They do surprisingly well in cool weather but often need a sweater when the temperature is very cool or cold. In the winter in the northern hemisphere they are a house dog. The lighter colors may sometimes need protection from the sun. The Xolo skin darkens with exposure to the sun and in the winter they may grow very light if they are kept in the house most of the time. White areas or spots on their skin will continually burn from the sun. The Xolo is a very devoted dog and dislikes being apart from its human owner. They tend to bond primarily to one person but are devoted to the entire family. They make excellent watch dogs and do not bark without reason.

The breed was diluted by dogs brought to the New World by Europeans but the hairless gene was strong enough to maintain itself through the centuries of out crossing with other breeds. In the fifties the AKC recognized the Xolo for a short time. It is not an AKC breed at this time.

Those who breed the coated Xolos are only producing many more coated dogs which are difficult, if not impossible, to place. The coated Xolo is the "common dog of Mexico" and can look the same as most any mixed-breed dog. They can be any size, any color and have any marking pattern. For this reason, it is impossible to standardize the coated Xolo. They can be good companions and watch dogs and display the same personality traits as any mixed-breed dog.

The standard Xoloitzcuintli should be 12-22 inches tall, the Toy should be up to 13 inches tall and the Miniature should be 13-18 inches tall. Health concerns with the breed are hypothermia, heatstroke, dental and eye problems.