XOLOITZCUINTLI (MEXICAN HAIRLESS DOG)

Apartment Living

Good for 1st Time Owners

Tolerance Levels

Affection for Family

Kid Friendliness

Stranger Friendliness

Ease of Grooming

General Health

Trainability

Prey Drive

Exercise Needs

Energy Level

History

The Xoloitzcuintli is a Purebred Latin American dog and is World's one of the rarest dog breeds. According to some Archaeological surveys, these dogs were part of man's first mission to the Bering Straits. The name comes from the Indian Aztec God with the name of Itzcuintli and Xolotl, the local word for dogs. The Xoloitzcuintlis were on the verge of extinction drastically after the defeat of the Aztecs by the Spanish. It is one of the Mexican dog breeds.

Interesting Facts

Have a reputation for being a healer dog, and the people of Mexico and Central America use these dog’s warm skin to get rid off and heal diseases like Toothache, Insomnia. Rheumatism, and Asthma.
Tribal people also used to believe that these dogs have the power to ward off intruders and evil spirits.
Had a high reputation among the native Toltec and Mayan civilizations.
Name spells as show-low-eats-queen-lee.
Xolos come in three different sizes, and though they are primarily a hairless breed, some Xolos also occur in a coated variety.
Xoloitzcuintli is the national dog of Mexico.

Varieties

Toy Xoloitzcuintli (9-14 inches)
Miniature Xoloitzcuintli (15-20 inches)
Standard Xoloitzcuintli (20-30 inches)

Temperament & Personality

The Xoloitzcuintlis have quite an unusual look, with a quiet but attentive personality. At first, this breed may not appeal to some people mainly because of its wrinkly eyebrows, two satellite-dish ears, a pair of squinty eyes, a ratlike tail, a mohawk bisecting the head, and most importantly their hairless body. But the fact is that some people with an unusual taste do accept this breed. They have an expression of a smart and lively dog, packaged with a primitive and a frequent habit of chasing animals which also includes the neighbor’s cat. If someone likes to live with a dog that the reputation of being a healer dog, then this by far is the best option.

Exercise

All variety of the Xoloitzcuintlis needs a daily walk, while precisely the smaller version of the Xoloitzcuintlis needs small play sessions once in a while. Any exercise will not satiate their primary instinct of walking. The owner can try various usual and unusual games like playing with bubbles, Vary the fetch, the game of frisbee, Canine treasure hunt, etc.

Grooming

The Xoloitzcuintli (the Mexican Hairless dog) as the name in the bracket explains needs relatively minimal grooming and maintenance. Their skin is sensitive and requires the usage of body lotions, sunscreens, and shampoos, but excessive use will harm the skin. Their sensitive skin also needs protection from the harmful sun rays. This indoor dog cannot tolerate the extreme level of heat, but over bathing will cause harm to the dog’s natural distribution of oils.

Health problems

Usually a healthy breed, they are prone to develop several skin issues thanks to their overly sensitive skin. However, some dogs can also generate genetic issues or environmental problems due to the poor breeding.

Training

Early socialization training is critical to get rid of their natural predatory drive that often results in it becoming highly aggressive. The trainer can start with some easy tasks, and afterward go on to the high-intensity training. Frequent praises accompany any kind of training and food rewards will accelerate the training process.

Feeding

Xoloitzcuintli loves veggie food equally to the meat and on an average. An adult Xolo needs one and a half cup of high-quality dry kibble food on a daily basis.