Xoloitzcuintle

One of the oldest dog breeds in the world, the Xoloitzcuintle, also known as Xolo, has a history spanning more than 3,000 years. These unusual canines were indigenous to Mexico and held great significance for the Aztecs and other ancient cultures as spiritual guardians and companions. They are available in coated and hairless varieties, but the hairless Xolo is the most well-known due to its remarkably smooth skin.

Xolos are renowned for their composure, wisdom, and loyalty. They are good watchdogs because they develop close relationships with their families and are protective. Even though they have a dignified appearance, they have an active lifestyle and are playful; therefore, they need regular exercise to stay in good health.

Breed characteristics

* Features of the breed Xoloitzcuintle according to owner reviews and expert evaluations from Usatik.ru. Since the data is average, it might not accurately reflect the actions of a specific person. It is regrettable that it is impossible to consider every single unique feature of a specific pet.

Brief description of the breed

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One of the rarest and most unusual dog breeds in the world, the xoloitzcuintle, also known as the short xolo, has been around for a very long period. Often referred to as the "Mexican hairless dog," these (typically) bald, elderly beauties are admired for their peaceful and devoted disposition. You might not have encountered a real-life Xolos despite their illustrious past and well-deserved reputation. Because they don’t have fur, allergy sufferers are very fond of them.

The Mexican Hairless Dog, or Xoloitzcuintle, is a rare and historic breed distinguished by its eye-catching appearance and devoted nature. This dog, which the Aztecs revered, comes in three sizes and can be coated or hairless. Its smooth skin is one of its best qualities. Beyond appearances, the Xoloitzcuintle is a smart, loving, and social animal that makes a wonderful companion for families or individuals looking for a low-maintenance, loving, and protective pet.

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Xoloitzcuintle

• History of the origin of the Xoloitzcuintle
• Xoloitzcuintle – description of the breed
• Popular colors of the Xoloitzcuintle
• Character and habits of the Xoloitzcuintle
• Interesting facts about the Xoloitzcuintle
• Pros and cons of the Xoloitzcuintle
• Breeding the Xoloitzcuintle
• Care for Xoloitzcuintle
• Xoloitzcuintle Diet
• Diseases and health problems
• Xoloitzcuintli – Price and How to Buy

History of the Origin of the Xoloitzcuintli

Archaeological discoveries have been made in the tombs of the native Toltec, Aztec, Zapotec, and Mayan peoples. Their time on Earth was over 3,500 years ago. These pre-European dogs are not likely to bear any resemblance to modern Xoloitzcuintlis. Indigenous peoples have long regarded dogs as protectors and guardians, and they thought that Xolos kept out intruders and evil spirits from entering the home. In the past, xoloitzcuintlis were sacrificed and buried alongside their owners in order to aid the deceased’s soul as it traveled through the underworld.

These dogs were utilized in sacrificial rituals, such as marriages and funerals, and were regarded as extremely delicate. They most likely originated as hairless Native American dog mutts. Xoloitzcuintli dogs, still highly popular today, were pets and hunting companions for the indigenous peoples of Mexico. It is also Mexico’s national dog. Their frequent inclusion in artwork and artifacts is proof of their significance in prehistoric indigenous cultures.

Fascinating fact: The breed was also a source of meat for the Aztecs. Spanish narratives from the sixteenth century describe serving large numbers of dogs at feasts. For Aztec traders, a feast might include 20–40 dogs and 80–100 turkeys. Dog meat was revered or increasingly regarded as a step above cannibalism, so when the two meats were served in the same dish, it was positioned at the bottom.

Xoloitzcuintli, the pre-European people, were revered dogs. Aztec mythology states that the Xolotl god created the Xoloitzcuintli from a fragment of the Bone of Life, which is the source of all humankind. Man received this gift from the Xolotl, who also instructed him to protect it with his life. In exchange, the Xolotl promised to guide man through the perils of Mitlan, the world of Death, and to the evening star in the sky. There are still some in Mexico who think this breed is therapeutic.

Xoloitzcuintle – breed description

The breed of Xoloitzcuintle ranges in size from 4 to 25 kg. resembles the Pharaoh hound in appearance, having a long neck, big ears that resemble bats, and a smooth body that is hairless. This breed developed the dominant hairless trait as a result of a mutation. A coated variety that is genetically inseparable from the hairless variety is created when the trait is expressed recessively because homozygous detections of the hairless mutation are lethal to the fetus.

Fascinating fact: Most litters contain puppies who are coated and those who are hairless.

All aspects of the Xoloitzcuintle’s appearance are moderate, resulting in an impression of strength, grace, and agility. The outline of the body is rectangular in proportion. The body’s overall length is marginally longer than its height. There are two variations of the breed found in nature: coated and hairless. The heterozygous Hh hairless trait is primarily expressed by hairless people.

Puppies of either or both varieties can be produced by breeding hairless to hairless or coated to coated Xoloitzcuintlis, as coated Xoloitzcuintlis are a recessive expression. Because coated dogs are recessive to the hairless trait and do not carry the dominant H gene, breeding coated dogs to coated dogs will only result in coated puppies.

Maintaining a Xoloitzcuintli dog can be challenging. Such an unusual looking dog doesn’t appeal to everyone. However, the Xoloitzcuintli might become your best friend if you like the thought of always carrying around a live hot water bottle that is said to have healing powers and to ward off evil spirits.

Popular Xoloitzcuintli Colors

Breeders have standardized the Xoloitzcuintli breed into three categories: toy, miniature, and standard, as well as two variations: coated and hairless, despite the breed’s wide range of sizes. The skin of the hairless variety is tight-fitting, smooth, and hard. The coated variety has a thin layer of flat paint covering it. Dark hues ranging from slate, black, and gray to red, liver, or bronze characterize both types. When in deep thought, the thoughtful and intelligent face will wrinkle at the forehead.

The Xoloitzcuintle has a powerful, sculptural body. The Xoloitzcuintle might not look appealing to everyone at first. It’s not exactly a universal dog because of its wrinkled forehead, slanted eyes, satellite dish ears, mohawk that splits the top of the head, rat-like elongated tail, and hairless body. Except, that is, for those who value the unique characteristics that distinguish these canines from other canines.

Fascinating fact: The breed of dog with the short, flat, dense coat type is thought to have been the original before mutations leading to spontaneous hairlessness occurred. While many dogs of the hairless variety have a few short hairs on the tips of their tails, toes, and tops of their heads, the hairless variety is completely hairless on the body.

The almond-shaped eyes are colored black or yellow. The ears have a fine, elegant texture and are large and erect. Although a puppy’s body may be wrinkled, it smooths out as it grows into the skin. The tail is long and thin, and the feet are webbed. Both types are frequently spotted, blotchy, or conspicuous, and they exist in every shade of skin or hair. The most popular hues are red, blue, and black in various tones.

Temperature and Habits of the Xoloitzcuintle

The grown-up Xoloitzcuintle is a serene canine. She typically has a single favorite, but she doesn’t hold back when showing her love for the rest of the family. Her needs for exercise can be met with a daily walk or energetic playtime in a fenced yard. She will sometimes prefer to cuddle up with her owner or lie in the sun.

Xoloitzcuintli are great protectors; they’ll alert you to anything that might be of interest. They do not, however, bark all the time, so it is helpful to find out why they are not barking. Xoloitzcuintlis are not the kind of dog that is easy to make friends with and are cautious of strangers. When animals enter their property, they also become territorial. Poorly socialized xoloitzcuintlis may act aggressively toward strangers or unfamiliar dogs.

When you train your sensitive, intelligent dog with gentle, positive methods, they will pick up useful skills fast. A sharp glance is usually sufficient to correct any misbehavior once he has learned it. Nonetheless, the Xoloitzcuintli might not be the greatest breed for a novice since they are easily tricked by a novice dog owner.

Unusual Fact: The Xoloitzcuintlis have exceptional athleticism. Even puppies can climb two-meter fences, so an adult has no use for a six-meter fence.

Puppies are energetic creatures that can cause havoc when they’re not playing or practicing. They eventually turn into the placid canines that are characteristic of the breed as they get older.

Many elements combine to form temperament, including:

• Heredity;
• Training;
• Socialization.

Good-natured puppies are playful and inquisitive, eager to interact with people, and they bond with their owners quickly.

Interesting facts about the Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli, like all dogs, requires early socialization, or exposure to a variety of people, places, and sounds. Socialization experiences are facilitated by socialization. Dogs can develop their social skills by regularly inviting friends into the house, taking them to parks and stores where dogs are welcome, and paying neighbors a visit.

These are a few fascinating facts:

1. Xoloitzcuintli is produced in three different sizes, so the breed adapts to any type of home;
2. A dog native to Mexico and Central America, the Xoloitzcuintli is also called the Mexican Hairless Dog. The breed is believed to date back to pre-Columbian civilization;
3. Although they are known as a hairless breed, Xoloitzcuintlis can also be covered in fur;
4. The body is longer than it is tall;
5. The Xoloitzcuintli"s lack of an insulating coat causes the dog to feel warm to the touch, even though their body temperature is no higher than that of other dogs;
6. Xolos were first brought to Russia from Cuba in 1986. There are about 30,000 individuals in the world;
7. The Xolo (Xolo) is not completely hypoallergenic and, although the hairless body is less likely to cause allergies, their saliva, urine, and odor can cause allergic symptoms in susceptible people.

The first depictions of Xoloitzcuintlis in art dates back to the same period as their appearance in human civilization. Early South American cultures produced paintings and sculptures that featured dogs that resembled the current breed quite a bit.

Dogs are frequently depicted in religious art, including god images and funerary icons, because they were known for their healing abilities and spiritual connections. A significant part of 20th-century art history, xoloitzcuintli can be found in the creations and lives of well-known artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.

Pros and Cons of the Xoloitzcuintli

Because of their intelligence and sensitivity, Xoloitzcuintli dogs learn best when they receive gentle, reward-based training. Strict punishment just makes him more afraid. It is best not to let his barking turn into a regular habit as this could turn into a lifelong bad habit that is very hard to break.

If you desire a canine that:

• Has an exotic, elegant appearance;
• Hairless, does not require brushing;
• Moves with easy grace, runs quickly, jumps and climbs with agility even on vertical surfaces;
• Frisky, intelligent and sensitive;
• An excellent watchdog;
• Usually behaves peacefully with other animals.

The Xoloitzcuintli might be the best option in this situation.

If you’d prefer not to handle:

• A somewhat intense, emotional, dependent personality that requires a lot of attention and will bark or act destructively at times without companionship;
• Timid and suspicious if not socialized enough;
• Emotionally sensitive to stress, loud voices, rough handling, and sudden changes in schedule;
• Tendency to try to climb over obstacles or dig under things to escape confinement;
• Vigilant care for hairless skin that is sensitive to sun, cold, rain and sleet, chemicals, and hard surfaces.

The Xoloitzcuintli might not be the best dog for you in this situation. Compared to physical inheritance, temperamental inheritance is less predictable. The Xoloitzcuintli Dog is considered a "primitive" breed since it hasn’t deviated too much from its wild origins. Generally speaking, it takes a while for primitive breeds to get used to chairs. Dog doors might be necessary. Due to the strong territorial labeling of the breed, it is not uncommon for inexperienced males to raise their leg to urinate inside the home.

Fascinating fact: Dogs with coatings have a complete dentition in stock, whereas naked Ksolittskuyntli typically have an incomplete dental set.

Divorion Ksolittskuintli

In a year, females reach sexual maturity. By the age of six, ovarian activity starts to decrease, and by ten, it stops entirely. After seven to eight years, most bitches aren’t used for breeding. Dogs’ ksolitzkuintli cycle is independent of outside factors like daylight hours, in contrast to other animals.

The stage is separated into four phases, each of which is associated with the primary hormone responsible for regulating this phase. Breeders refer to the period between proestrus and estrus—known as the "heat period"—as lasting an average of 21 days. The heat cycle’s first phase lasts nine days on average (but can last anywhere from three to seventeen days).

The female creates chemicals called pheromones during proestrus. Males are drawn to these substances, though many seasoned men avoid them and instead wait for the female to become fertile. In the initial five to six days of proestrus, the female Xoloitzcuintle exhibits no interest in procreating. She will growl and push the male away if he tries to mate instead of letting him in. When the female is prepared to mate, proestrus ends.

Fascinating fact: A litter of Xoloitzcuintles typically produces three to seven puppies, with an average of five. The breed can be bred similarly to other dog breeds, despite its exotic appearance. But keep in mind that some puppies in a litter may have fur at birth. These dogs are still xoloitzcuintli even though this is a common practice.

The Mexican hairless dog is nearly extinct because so few people now breed them. Every Xoloitzcuintli in Mexico with a pedigree is registered and will be examined by FCM veterinarians for breed integrity. This is being done to encourage the registration of these dogs that are living in Mexican provinces or in villages owned by Indians. The animals’ bloodlines will benefit from this.

Grooming the Xoloitzcuintli

The sensitive skin needs to be cleansed, moisturized, and shielded from the sun and chilly weather. Dogs without hair require cozy bedding to curl up on.

The principal products to use for skin care in Xoloitzcuintli are as follows:

• Vaseline (intensive repair and moisturizer);
• Pure oil (grape, olive oil, vegetable oil);
• Therapeutic skin oil;
• Coconut oil;
• Baby"s Choice baby bath milk;
• Pure aloe vera gel.

Simply look at the ingredients; the less chemicals used, the better for the dog; baby products are best for skin that is sensitive.

Interesting fact: Human skin has a pH of roughly 5.8, whereas human hair normally has a pH of 4.5 to 5.0. The pH of a dog’s skin can range from neutral (approximately 7.0) to slightly alkaline (8.0), contingent upon the breed, conditions, dietary habits, and surrounding factors.

Keeping dirt off the skin and blocking the cold are two benefits of wearing clothing for dogs. The Xoloitzcuintli needs to play hard in a fenced yard or get moderate daily exercise in the form of a 20–30 minute walk. Because the hairless Xoloitzcuintli is susceptible to sunburn, don’t leave it outside for extended periods of time and cover its body with sunscreen before taking it for a walk. Or use it in the early hours of the day or night.

An indoor dog is the Xoloitzcuintli. Consider him your warm bed during the winter, and make sure he has soft bedding to support his sleek body. Due to his sensitivity to temperature changes, he might need access to air conditioning in the summer and a sweater in the winter.

Give your Xoloitzcuintli a weekly bath to maintain clear, healthy skin free from breakouts. particularly when you take him somewhere with sand, dirt, and debris. After washing, lubricate the dog’s skin with coconut oil, removing any excess after five to ten minutes. This will leave the skin feeling smooth and silky as the majority of the product is absorbed into the skin.

Xoloitzcuintli Diet

Skin conditions and food allergies are common in the Mexican breed. As a result, feeding the pet needs special attention. Protein intake should be the main focus of a balanced diet. Feeding artificially colored food to Xoloitzcuintli is not recommended, nor should you give them grain mixtures.

Feeding Xoloitzcuintli superior products is recommended. Don’t be afraid to include fruits and vegetables in your dog’s diet as this breed has a preference for them. Meat that you feed to your dog should be low in fat. Although this breed frequently has fewer teeth than their canine counterparts, which can impair the dog’s chewing ability, commercial dog food is also acceptable.

Fun fact: Xoloitzcuintli are great because they can live in almost any kind of home, no matter how big or small. They can adapt and are content as long as they receive adequate exercise.

Some animals find it difficult to consume large, whole pieces of meat or bones. While most people suffer from missing teeth, dogs that are toothless are not accepted. You should go to a softer premium canned food if teeth start to fall out.

Producers create exclusive product lines tailored to this breed. Table kibble can lead to skin and stomach issues. Give meat chunks as a reward. The lifespan of the Xoloitzcuintli is between 14 and 20 years.

Illnesses and Health Problems

There are no known health issues specific to the Xoloitzcuintli breed; they are a very resilient and healthy breed. Prominent breeders only raise specimens with superior conformation, skin quality, temperament, and overall health. These health traits may not matter to a breeder who only breeds what he has on hand rather than what he has to because he is only concerned with making money and not with the health and welfare of the breed.

Dogs without hair are more likely to experience skin issues, such as acne and clogged hair follicles when their skin becomes excessively damp or dirty. Itching is brought on by persistent allergies, and self-inflicted scratching can result in bacterial infections. Teeth can be affected or absent due to genes that influence how dogs look when their torsos are bare. In this breed, dental disease can be quite serious.

We know that luxating patellas, or loose knees, and hip dysplasia are common in Xoloitzcuintlis, and eye disease is a concern. In extremely cold climates, dogs are advised to wear sweaters.

Fun fact: Too much sun exposure can deplete the skin’s natural defenses, doing more harm than good. Additionally, over-lotioning and using sunscreen can harm the skin by clogging pores and causing conditions like acne.

Thus, use hygiene products only when necessary. Allow nature’s defenses to handle the job. Xoloitzcuintlis with solid, dark colors have the hardest skin. Light and spotted colors demand extra care.

Breed Name	Xoloitzcuintle
Origin	Mexico
Size	Small, Medium, Large (varies by type)
Coat	Hairless or coated
Temperament	Loyal, alert, intelligent
Life Expectancy	12-15 years
Care Level	Low for hairless, moderate for coated
Exercise Needs	Moderate
Good with Kids	Yes, with proper socialization
Unique Feature	Hairless variety is known for warm skin

Often referred to as the "Mexican hairless dog," the Xoloitzcuintle is a rare and ancient breed with a rich history spanning thousands of years. These canines, renowned for their hairless physique and devoted dispositions, have accompanied people since the Aztec era. They are an interesting breed to learn about and a wonderful fit for the right owner because of their striking appearance and serene temperament.

In spite of their peculiar appearance, Xolos are usually simple to maintain. They are renowned for being perceptive, loving, and guardians. They make great companions because they have a tendency to form close bonds with their families. Nonetheless, they also need constant socialization and training to prevent them from developing timid or overly protective behaviors.

Those seeking a dog with a unique background and appearance may find the Xoloitzcuintle to be an excellent option. This breed will brighten any home that is prepared to provide them with the love and care they require, whether you are drawn to them because of their cultural significance or their peaceful demeanor.

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