Xoloitzcuintli History: Ancient Origins to Modern Times

The Xoloitzcuintli, also known as the Mexican Hairless Dog, has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years. This ancient breed originated in Mexico and was highly valued by the Aztecs and Mayans.

The Xoloitzcuintli was considered a sacred animal and was often mummified and buried with their owners to provide companionship in the afterlife. This practice was common among the Aztecs and Mayans, who believed that the Xoloitzcuintli's presence in the afterlife would ensure a smooth transition.

The breed was highly prized for its loyalty, intelligence, and unique appearance. The Xoloitzcuintli's lack of fur was seen as a sign of its purity and nobility, and it was often referred to as the "Mexican Sacred Dog".

Explore further: Xoloitzcuintle Meaning

The Xoloitzcuintli's physical characteristics are quite unique. They range in size from about 10 to 55 pounds and 9 to 26 inches in height.

The breed comes in two varieties: hairless and coated. The hairless variety is notable for its complete hairlessness on the body, with some dogs having a few short hairs on the top of the head, toes, and the tip of the tail.

The hairless variety is often black or bluish-gray in color, while both varieties can occur in a range of skin colors, including various shades of black, grey, bronze, yellowish-blonde, blue, and red.

Explore further: Xoloitzcuintli Egyptian Hairless Dog

The Xoloitzcuintle breed comes in a range of sizes, from about 10 to 55 pounds, and stands between 9 to 26 inches tall.

Its height is matched by its sleek body, which is similar in appearance to a Pharaoh Hound. The breed's almond-shaped eyes and large bat-like ears add to its distinctive look.

The Xoloitzcuintle is notable for its dominant trait of hairlessness, which originated as a spontaneous mutation thousands of years ago. This mutation is responsible for the breed's two varieties: hairless and coated.

Most litters contain both hairless and coated puppies, and the hairless variety is completely hairless on the body, with some dogs exhibiting a few short hairs on the top of the head, the toes, and the tip of the tail.

If this caught your attention, see: Coated Xoloitzcuintli

The Mexican Hairless Dog breed size is quite varied, ranging from toy to standard. They can grow to be around 10 to 23 inches tall.

This breed comes in two main sizes, toy and standard. Their height can vary accordingly.

The height range is quite significant, spanning from 10 to 23 inches. This allows for a good range of sizes within the breed.

Their average height is around 25 to 58 centimeters. This is equivalent to their height in inches.

The breed comes in a variety of colors, including black, gray, bronze, and occasionally red.

For more insights, see: Xoloitzcuintli Breed Standard

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) played a crucial role in the recognition of the Xoloitzcuintli breed. They were founded in 1940 but didn't have a standard for the breed at the time.

The FCI didn't officially recognize the Xolo as a purebred until the 1950s. The breed was gaining interest at dog shows in Mexico during the late 1940s, but it wasn't until the FCI took action that the breed's existence was secured.

A team led by Norman Pelham Wright, author of The Enigma of the Xoloitzcuintli, embarked on the Xolo Expedition of 1954 to find purebred Xolos in remote areas of Mexico. This expedition was a turning point for the breed.

The FCI sanctioned the expedition, and Wright's team found 10 structurally strong Xolos that formed the foundation of Mexico's program to revive the breed.

The Xoloitzcuintli's genetic makeup is a fascinating topic.

A 1999 genetic study found that the Xoloitzcuintle's mitochondrial DNA is identical to that of dogs from the Old World.

Their unique genetic signature is almost gone due to their assimilation into the Eurasian dog gene pool after contact with Europeans.

In 2018, DNA analysis revealed that domesticated dogs entered North America from Siberia about 4,500 years ago and were isolated for the next 9,000 years.

The Chihuahua and Xoloitzcuintli breeds derive 4% and 3% of their ancestry from pre-colonial dogs, respectively, with most of their ancestry coming from Eurasian dogs.

Their phenotype is a result of canine ectodermal dysplasia caused by a mutation on the FOXI3 autosomal gene.

In Aztec and Mayan cultures, Xolos were considered spiritual guides, often buried with their owners as protectors in the afterlife realms. They were also featured in artwork of religious significance, suggesting they had a special place in society.

Xolos were closely associated with the underworld, with their name derived from Xolotl, the god of death, and “itzcuintli,” the Aztec word for “dog.” Aztec legend states the Xolo dog was created from the Bone of Life, which was given to humans as a promise that the dogs would safely guide them from life to beyond the veil.

Xolo dogs were widespread wanderers, and their skeletons have been discovered in both Mayan and Toltec burial sites.

For more insights, see: Xoloitzcuintli Aztec Art

In modern times, the Xoloitzcuintle has become a beloved pet and cultural icon in Mexico. The Museo El Carmen in Mexico City exhibited a show featuring over 100 artifacts showcasing the importance of the Xoloitzcuintle in Mexican heritage.

A Xolo named Dante even starred in the 2017 Disney/Pixar film Coco, introducing the breed to a global audience. The Dolores Olmedo Museum keeps a pack of Xolos on their grounds, highlighting the breed's significance in Mexican culture.

The Xoloitzcuintle has also been recognized as a cultural heritage and symbol of Mexico City, with the Mayor designating it as such in 2016.

The Xoloitzcuintli breed was domesticated by the Aztecs, who partially bred them as a food source due to their high protein content.

At the time, dog meat was considered a delicacy, often served at banquets alongside turkey meat.

The Spanish conquistadors were known fans of Xolo meat, which nearly drove the breed to total extinction.

Despite records from the Spanish, there's evidence that the Aztecs mostly ate deer, not dogs.

Related reading: Xoloitzcuintli Pronunciation Spanish

The Xoloitzcuintle's cultural significance is undeniable. In Mexico City, the Xoloitzcuintle is a "cultural heritage and symbol" as designated by the Mayor in 2016.

You can spot Xolos in various artworks and murals in Mexico City's Palacio Nacional, where Diego Rivera's large murals, The History of Mexico, feature numerous Xolos.

The Xoloitzcuintle is also the symbol and mascot of Club Tijuana, a professional soccer club founded in 2007.

Frida Kahlo's paintings often feature Xolos, and one of her works, The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Myself, Diego, and Señor Xolotl (1949), is even commemorated on the 2007 500-peso note.

The Dolores Olmedo Museum keeps a pack of Xolos on their grounds, showcasing the breed's importance in Mexican heritage.

On a similar theme: How Long Have Chihuahuas Been around