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Rescue a
Xolo
Xolo
Puppies for Sale
Xoloitzcuintli
(Mexican Hairless) (Tepeizeuintli)
(Xoloitzcuintle) (Xolo)
Photo Courtesy of Camino Xoloitzcuintle.
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Xoloitzcuintli
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Pronunciation |
Show- low-its-queen-tli |
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Description |
The
Xolo comes in three sizes, Toy, Miniature, Standard, and two varieties: The
coated and the hairless. The Hairless being the more sought after and popular
variety. It is very hairless with or with out a short tuffed of hair on the head
and tail. The hairless Xolo should never be hairy, or possess long hair, wire
hair or wavy hair. It's skin should be soft and smooth, yet hardy to the
elements. The Xolo comes in a variety of colors, from black to slate, gray,
bronze, brindle, red, fawn, solid or spotted. The coated variety should have a
full coat of hair, short, sleek, clean, like that of a Doberman, and with
regular brushing shed very little. The coated Xolo should also not possess long
hair, wire, or wavy hair. It has a loyal following to those who love the breed
but prefer a coat of hair on their dog. In an average litter of five. Four will
be hairless and one will be coated. This is a very robust and hardy breed, with
a broad skull and black or skin colored nose. Almond shaped eyes are dark or in
keeping with the color of the dog. It's most noticeable character is it's large
upright bat like ears, it is very keen and can hear and alert you to danger or
stranger. Xolo do change colors as they mature. |
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Temperament |
The
Xolo is very intelligent, loyal, alert, athletic, and extremely loving to it's
family. It is important that all family members play a role in leadership, rearing,
training, and feeding the Xolo, or it will bond to the one person or people who
do. It is naturally protective and aloof to strangers. With proper socializing it is very good with company and children. It is a myth that Xolo's are
vegetarian's, however they do love veggies. This breed is easy to house train,
and learns very quick. You must be the leader and teach the Xolo, or it will
lead, and run the house for you. This breed is becoming very popular as an
obedience dog, therapy, agility, great pet, and conformation. Many swear they
have learned more from their Xolo than any other breed, because they are so
intelligent and in tune with their family. The
Xolo is often called a velcro dog, staying with it's owner at all times, it very
seldom runs off or away. One owners testament claims she called and called for
her Xolo only to look down and find it sitting right there looking up as if to
say here I am. So she learned quickly to simply look down first and there it
will be. another owner claims her Xolo loves to climb trees with the kids and
ride the horses with the owner. Xolo can
escape anything, climb anything only to get to were you are. However since they
are so smart they can also learn to stay were you want them as long as it is not
forever. Being a primitive breed with
great survival skills, A Xolo will not tolerate abuse, or an unstable
environment. With no shedding, no dander, and no fleas, the hairless variety is
very popular with the clean, neat person, those with allergies and asthma, and
with people who suffer from pain, arthritis type ailments. Being hairless, they
radiate a warm, soothing, healing heat. This is only because they are hairless
and not hotter. This is not a yappy or hyper breed so do listen when your Xolo
alerts you. Do not let the Xolo fall victim to Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog believes he is pack leader to humans. This will cause varying degrees of behavior issues. Do not treat the dog like a human. Learn canine instincts and treat the dog accordingly, not forgetting the ever so important daily pack walk. You will be rewarded many times over with a stable, well balanced dog. |
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Height, Weight |
The
Xolo comes in three sizes, The exact sizes vary from breed club to breed club
however in general The sizes are as follows.
Toy: Height 9-14 inches (23-36 cm.)
tall at the shoulder.
Toy: Weight 5-15 pounds (2.3-6.8 kg.) In the U.S. the small Xolo is called a toy
and in Mexico it is called a miniature, which can be confusing.
Miniature: Height 15-20 inches (38-51 cm.) tall at the shoulder.
Miniature: Weight 15-30 pounds (6.8-14 kg.) In the U.S. the miniature is called
a miniature and in Mexico it is called an intermediate.
Standard: Height 20-30 inches (51-76 cm.) tall at the shoulder.
Standard: Weight 25-40 pounds (11-18 kg.) and up to even 60 + pounds (27 kg.) |
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Health Problems |
The Xolo is
a very hardy and healthy breed possessing no known breed related health concern.
A top breeder will keep it that way by Breeding only those specimens who have
these health qualities, fine skin, temperament and conformation. A breeder who
breeds for money and not the health and welfare of the breed may not be
concerned with these health quality's, breeding only what they have on hand and
not what they should. Breeding is a very big responsibility by the very
dedicated fancier. We all know what has happened to many of our very popular
breeds in the past and so we all know better than to breed for any other purpose
other than the complete health and welfare of this Very rare a magnificent
breed. Skin health is very important to the hairless variety, a sweater in very
cold climates is recommended. Despite what many have read on the internet, the
Xolo's skin is very hardy and requires very little care. In fact Over bathing
can strip the skin of natural protection causing more harm than good. Also over
lotioning and sun screening can clog pores and damage skin, causing acne and
such. So only bath and lotion or sun screen as needed. Let the Xolo's natural
protection do it's job. Dark colored and solid colored Xolos have the hardiest
skin, Spotted and light colors require more care: See Grooming. |
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Living Conditions |
Young Xolo's
require allot of exercise, discipline and attention, lots of toys and things to
do to keep them happy and out of trouble. If you do not have the time required
for the first year, you may consider a trainer, dog walker, or doggy day care,
while at work all day. Or an older Xolo. As they mature they calm down and are
very easy going, quiet and laid back, and are content to stay at home while you
work. However they would prefer to go with you if they can and do very well at
work with you. This does not mean they are not game to go jogging, hiking, Or
any other activity it just means they don't require as much as say: a working
breed or terrier breed. |
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Exercise |
The smaller
Xolo was bred as a companion and larger Xolo for protection. No matter which
Xolo you choose, they need to be taken on a daily walk.
While play can take care of a lot of the smaller Xolo's exercise needs, as with
all breeds, it will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not
get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems.
They are very hardy
and adapt to many life styles as it comes in many sizes for every need. All
hairless breeds must be protected from severe cold, and heat as you would
yourself, were ever humans are Xolos can also be, providing they can live in the
house with you. They make very poor kennel dogs, or permanent out door pets, as
they need to be part of the family. They do crate train very well and even
prefer a nice quiet place to call there own for a few hours in the day, or at
night if they do not sleep with you as most do. Many owners paper train or
litter box train the smaller size Xolo, so it does not need to go out in severe
winter weather. However when the weather is nice, no one loves the outdoor as
much as a Xolo, they do like to sun bathe and bask in warm weather. |
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Life Expectancy |
The Xolo is
a very long lived healthy breed. About 15 and up to 20 years is very common. |
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Grooming |
The
coated and the hairless variety of Xolo are very easy to groom and care for. For
the Hairless: Most skin problems arise from poor breeding, neglect, or over
bathing and over lotioning, stripping natural protection's and clogging pores. A
well bred hairless Xolo will have very fine soft skin, yet hardy. Bathe and
lotion once or twice a month, or only as needed. Sunscreen as needed as you
would yourself in very sunny weather. We do not recommend a ton of products to
keep the skin nice, as you might read on the internet today. Products need not
be expensive. An owner claims she buys her Xolos bath and lotion products at the
dollar store with great success. Top breeders recommend hypo allergenic gentle
human products, a nice bath, exfoliating cream, lotion and sun screen. Keep it
simple. Favorite products are: Johnson's baby bath and lotion. favorite is the
bedtime bath and lotion with chamomile and lavender. Very calming and soothing
to skin and smells great. For the winter dry ear tips and feet,: Bag balm or
udder butter. For the occasional acne or pimples especially in teenage Xolos,
and to keep skin soft and remove dead skin build up: St. Ives exfoliating scrub
or similar product. Exfoliate with a buff puff and bath a needed, then lotion
with a nice hypo allergenic light product. There are some nice lotions with sun
screen in them. Or a favorite is bull frog for baby's. People who show or if you
are planning an outing and want your Xolo to look his best. Almond oil is nice,
also palmers spray on oil is great for shiny skin and smells nice too! Always
bath after a day out at a show or park to remove unwanted germs and or dirt and
oil build up. In between baths at home a warm water rinse is best, wash dirty
face and feet with warm water and wash cloth. For the coated: Bathe the coated
dog as you would any coated breed, brush daily or at least weekly to keep
shedding at bay. For both varieties: Clip toe nails and brush teeth weekly.
Although the dark solid colors do not burn, it is wise to sunscreen any hairless
breed as we would ourselves in hot weather. The spotted and white marks can and
do sun burn if not protected. The
hairless variety is ideal for allergy sufferers, because there is no hair to
shed. The coated variety, with regular brushing sheds very little. |
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Origin |
The
Xoloitzcuintli also spelled Xoloitzcuintle, is more commonly known as the
Mexican Hairless, or Xolo. It resembles a robust Manchester Terrier. The Xolo is
one of the worlds oldest and rarest breeds dating back over 3,000 years.
Artifacts and clay pottery of this ancient breed has been found in the tombs of
Colima, Mayan, Aztec Indians. They were highly prized for their loyalty,
intelligence, curative and mystical powers. The Xolo of today remains virtually
unchanged. Ancestors of the Aztec
Indians brought hairless dogs called "Biche" (meaning naked) with them
when they arrived in Mexico from Asia. The Aztecs enjoyed the hairless dogs as
pets, but also found them useful as bed warmers, food, and sacrificial offerings.
The toasty warm body heat of the toy hairless dogs made them in demand as
ancient hot-water bottles, relieving stomach pains and rheumatic joints, or
simply for warming beds during cold nights. Extreme cold made for a "Three Dog
Night." The breed's palliative qualities magnified until its "healing powers"
became a cure-all. Clay figures and remains of these dogs, dating from 300 to
900 AD, have been found in burial sites, where dogs guided the souls to a happy
afterlife and furnished nourishment until it was reached. The Xolo is native to Mexico and is widespread throughout
South America. It is named after the ancient dog Xoloti. At the end of the
nineteenth century, it became completely a companion dog. The warmth from these
dogs is still enjoyed today, particularly by the elderly. The Xolo
is no longer in danger of Extinction and is not in danger do to lack of
interest. The Xolo today is being acknowledged with increased interest, for
there companion ship, loyalty, cleanliness and flexibility to do it all! They
make great companions, show, agility, obedience, therapy and service dogs. |
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Southern |
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Recognition |
Standard: FCI, NKC, CKC,
APRI, DRA, NAPR
Miniature: FCI, NKC, CKC, APRI, DRA, NAPR
Toy: AKC, CKC, NKC, CKC, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR
The Xoloitzcuintle, Standard and Miniature were recognized by the AKC until
1959, when a lack of registrations and show entries caused it to be dropped. As
of 2005 AKC has acknowledged the growing popularity of this ancient breed and
has excepted it back into the AKC foundation stock registries. In January 2007
this breed will be able to compete in AKC obedience, agility, dog trials,
tracking, K-9 good citizen and soon hopefully conformation. |
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FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American
Kennel Club
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc. |
Pupe, a 2 month old Xoloitzcuntli old puppy - Mexico City.
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Blanchos El Diablo Grande, Diablo for
short is a Standard Coated Xolo.
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Madeena, the coated Xolo. Photo Courtesy of Camino Xoloitzcuintle.
Photo Courtesy of Camino Xoloitzcuintle
This is Rico Suave 17 lbs of "nekkid" doggie :)
Hawka and Diego, adult Xolo with
her pup. Courtesy of Rene wheeler, Camino Xoloitzcuintli.
Xoloitzcuintli Pictures 1
Xoloitzcuintli Pictures 2
Hairless Breeds
Small Dogs vs. Medium and Large Dogs
Understanding Dog Behavior
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