What Kind of Dog is Dante in Coco: Uncovering the Truth

Author

Reads 503

Majestic statue of Dante Alighieri silhouetted against a stunning sunset sky in Trento, Italy.
Credit: pexels.com, Majestic statue of Dante Alighieri silhouetted against a stunning sunset sky in Trento, Italy.

Dante, the lovable and loyal dog from the movie Coco, has been a topic of interest for many dog lovers. He's a Xoloitzcuintli, also known as a Mexican Hairless Dog.

This breed is known for its unique appearance, with some varieties having a short, smooth coat and others being completely hairless. In Dante's case, he's a hairless Xoloitzcuintli.

Dante's size is another distinctive feature, as Xoloitzcuintlis are generally a medium-sized breed. He's a bit on the smaller side, but still has a sturdy build that makes him look like a loyal companion.

The Xoloitzcuintli's history dates back to ancient times, with evidence of their existence found in Mesoamerican cultures. They were highly valued for their loyalty and companionship.

Physical Characteristics

Dante is a skinny, almost hairless dog with wrinkled brown skin and long legs.

He has a distinctive appearance, with messy-aligned ears and long whiskers on his muzzle, and his tail is notably bent.

Dante is often seen with his tongue sticking out, due to his missing teeth and his crooked fangs.

In his alternate form as an alebrije guardian, Dante's skin becomes radically multicolored, his tongue turns blue, and his left and right eyes turn pink and yellow respectively.

Personality and Behavior

Credit: youtube.com, COCO | Funniest DANTE "The Loveable Dog" Moments - Disney Pixar Animation

Dante is extremely loyal to Miguel due to the boy's kindness earlier in the movie and the Riveras as a whole.

This loyalty is demonstrated when Dante becomes defensive for Miguel's well-being, trying to stop him from finding Ernesto de la Cruz after the boy tries to avoid his late family members and ditch Héctor.

Dante's loyalty is also shown when he never gives up looking for Miguel, allowing the Riveras to rescue him later in the film.

Dante's weakness is towards food, which leads Miguel to embarrassing situations in the film.

Despite being goofy and simple-minded, Dante is smarter than he looks, as he covertly guides Miguel to Héctor whenever the dog runs off and brings them together.

Dante can sense spirits and was the only living creature to live in the Land of the Dead.

Dante is very sensitive when people close to him hurt his feelings, but his loyalty is proven when he helps the people he identifies as his family.

Dante's adoption by Miguel is a significant event, as he appears coming out of a trashcan after Miguel drums it and an alebrije stall close by.

Cartoon Dogs

Credit: youtube.com, Xolo Tour of Pixar Animation Studios - National Dog Day

The Mexican Hairless Dog from Coco is a breed known as Xoloitzcuintli, but it's often referred to as Mexican Hairless or simply 'Xolo'.

This breed is also known for being quite rare.

The Xoloitzcuintli is an ancient dog breed that originated in Mexico.

Cartoon dogs often take inspiration from real-life breeds, and the Xoloitzcuintli is no exception.

The Xoloitzcuintli comes in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard.

In the movie Coco, Dante is a Xoloitzcuintli, and his breed is often referred to as a Mexican Hairless Dog.

Dante's Inspiration: The Xoloitzcuintle

Dante is based on a real dog breed called the Xoloitzcuintli, or "Xolo" for short.

The Xolo is Mexico's national dog and is known for being hairless with wrinkly skin.

This breed has been part of Mexican culture for thousands of years.

Its deep roots in Mexican history made it a perfect fit for Coco, the movie's setting and storyline.

Edwin Grimes

Senior Assigning Editor

Edwin Grimes is an accomplished Assigning Editor with a passion for curating engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the publishing industry, Edwin has established himself as a trusted expert in his field. Edwin's areas of expertise include canine diet and nutrition, where he has successfully overseen the development of numerous articles and series.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.