The Xoloitzcuintli, as known as the Mexican Hairless Dog, is a rare dog breed native to Mexico, where they are known as the national dog.  This weekend the Xoloitzcuintli will be joined into the AKC during the National Dog Show airing after the Macy’s Day parade.   

The Xoloitzcuintli is one of the oldest and rarest dog breeds dating back over 3,000 years.  Many artifcats and clay pots with this breed on them have been found in ancient tombs of the Colima, Mayan and Aztec Indians.  This breed was sacred to the Aztecs and was thought to ward off evil spirits and intruders.  The Aztecs used this breed for food, sacrificial offerings and as bed warmers.  This breed is able to generate a great amount of heat due to their hairless bodies.  Because of this they were placed on people with internal injuries and migraines and their heat soothed the pain, giving this breed and mystical and magical aurora.  In the 19^th century this breed became used as a companion dog, especially to the elderly.  This breed makes a great show dog, agility, obedience, therapy and service dog as well.

The Xoloitzcuintli can be found in three sizes, the toy (9-14 inches and 5-15 pounds), miniature (15-20 inches and 15-30 pounds) and the standard (20-30 inches and anywhere between 25-60 pounds).  The smaller size was used for companionship and as a warmer, while the larger for protection.  The Xoloitzcuintli also comes in two coat varieties the hairless, which has a hairless body (sometimes a poof of hair on the head and tail), and the coated which has a full normal coat.  The hairless variety has soft and smooth skin that can come in varieties of black to slate, gray, bronze, brindle, red, fawn, solid or spotted combinations.  The coated variety has a short and sleek coat that can come in any of the previous colors.  The Xoloitzcuuintli can be recognized by their large bat ears and rat like tail. 

Xoloitzcuintli’s are extremely intelligent, loyal and loving towards their family.  This is a naturally protective breed that can be very aloof with strangers and is always on watch.  Through proper socialization they can get along well with children and other dogs. This breed catches on very quickly and is very easy to train.  It is important to establish you are the leader or this breed will take advantage of you and become dominant.  They are commonly referred to as a “Velcro dog” because they attach themselves to their owners and do not leave their side.  This breed is great for allergy sufferers as they do not shed, do not have dander and therefore cannot get fleas.  Since they are hairless they radiate warmth and are great to cuddle with on cold nights. 

The Xoloitzcuintli is a hardy and healthy breed that does not have any known breed related illnesses.  Be careful when bathing this breed, because over doing baths can strip the skin of its natural protection.  This breed holds up pretty well in different weather conditions, but sunscreen should be used in warmer climates and a sweater in colder weather.  This breed as been known to live anywhere from 15-20 years. 

Xoloitzcuintli’s require a lot of exercise especially as a young pup.  Daily jogs, free runs and even doggy daycare would make this a very happy dog.  This is not the breed to leave in a kennel all day or as an outside only dog, as they love and need human interaction. 

Famous Xoloitzcuintli’s: