Xoloitzcuintli in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

The Xoloitzcuintli, also known as the Mexican Hairless Dog, is an ancient breed that's steeped in history and culture.

This breed has been around for over 3,000 years, with evidence of its existence dating back to the time of the Aztecs.

The Xoloitzcuintli is a rare breed, with only a few thousand dogs registered worldwide each year.

They come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard, and can be either hairless or coated.

Their unique appearance, with either a sleek, wrinkled skin or a smooth, short coat, makes them a standout among other breeds.

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In ancient West Mexico, ceramic sculptures of hairless dogs have been discovered in burial sites, suggesting their importance in the lives of the people who lived there. These dogs were believed to act as guides for the soul on its journey to the underworld.

The Xolos were often sacrificed and buried with their owners, a practice shared by both the Maya and the Toltec civilizations. They were considered valuable companions.

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Sixteenth-century Spanish accounts mention large numbers of dogs being served at banquets, with Aztec merchant feasts featuring 80-100 turkeys and 20-40 dogs as food. Dog meat was typically served at the bottom of the dish.

The Aztecs primarily consumed deer, with over 90% of the bones found at archeological sites belonging to this animal.

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The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) played a crucial role in the recognition and preservation of the Xoloitzcuintli breed. Founded in 1940, the FCI was initially not prepared to declare the Xolo an official purebred.

The FCI began to take notice of the Xolo in the late 1940s, but interest in the breed was minimal due to the scarcity of information and lack of a standard to judge them. The breed historian Norman Pelham Wright noted that Xolos started appearing at Mexican dog shows during this time.

A team led by Wright, along with Mexican and British dog authorities, embarked on the widely publicized Xolo Expedition of 1954 to search for purebred Xolos in remote areas of Mexico. The expedition was sanctioned by the FCI and resulted in the discovery of 10 structurally strong Xolos, which formed the foundation of Mexico's program to revive the breed.

The FCI recognized the Xolo in its native land on May 1, 1956, and as Mexico is a member of the FCI, the breed was recognized worldwide.

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The Xoloitzcuintli, or Mexican Hairless Dog, comes in a range of sizes, from 10 to 55 pounds and 9 to 26 inches tall.

The breed has a sleek body and almond-shaped eyes, with large bat-like ears and a long neck. Most litters contain both hairless and coated puppies.

The Xoloitzcuintli is notable for its dominant trait of hairlessness, which originated as a spontaneous mutation thousands of years ago. This mutation is caused by a single allele at the FOXI3 locus.

The hairless variety is completely hairless on the body, with many dogs exhibiting a few short hairs on the top of the head, the toes, and the tip of the tail. Most hairless dogs are black or bluish-gray in color.

The coated variety, on the other hand, has a short, flat, dense coat that represents the original form of the dog. The coated variety is also more likely to have complete dentition.

The Xoloitzcuintli occurs naturally in two varieties: hairless and coated. Breeding coated to coated will only produce coated pups because only the coated allele is present to be passed on.

The breed comes in a range of sizes, which breeders have standardized into three designations: Standard, Miniature, and Toy.

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The Xoloitzcuintli is generally a healthy breed, thanks to its natural development over thousands of years.

They're not prone to the same health and structure problems as other dog breeds that have been heavily modified by human selection efforts.

However, they do have some specific needs to consider. Xolos are not suited for outdoor life in colder climates and should be considered an indoor dog breed.

Regular grooming and skin care are essential to prevent skin problems, such as acne, which can arise from poor breeding, neglect, or over-bathing and over-lotioning.

To keep their skin healthy, you can wipe them down with a clean, damp cloth or pet wipes, but avoid frequent baths with shampoo.

Xolos are sensitive to strong direct sunlight and get sunburned easily, so it's essential to have dog-safe sunscreen handy for long outings.

They're still prone to luxating patellas and joint conditions, like any active breed, but major health conditions aren't as common in Xolos due to their natural development and responsible breeding practices.

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Xoloitzcuintlis are highly intelligent dogs that learn quickly. They thrive on mental stimulation and enjoy learning new tricks.

Their high intelligence can make them challenging to train, especially in the presence of wildlife, due to their strong prey drive. This means they might not take kindly to chasing rabbits or other small animals.

Despite the challenges, xoloitzcuintlis are known to be intelligent and enjoy learning. They can pick up tricks and commands with ease, making them a joy to train with positive reinforcement methods.

Their sensitive personality requires gentle and patient training, which is essential for developing a strong bond between the dog and its owner.

A xoloitzcuintli can be bought for $750 in Mexico, but in the U.S., you'd have to pay $1,500 to $3,000 on average.

Finding a breeder in the U.S. can be challenging, but you can see a list on the AKC's website or reach out to breeders directly to see if they have any puppies available.

Breeders across the U.S. and Mexico offer xoloitzcuintli puppies, but be prepared to travel by plane to pick one up.

You can also try contacting a breeder registry, such as the AKC, for a well-bred xoloitzcuintli.

If you're looking to adopt an adult xolo, there are breed-specific rescues, like the nonprofit Xoloitzcuintli Primitive Breed Rescue, that may have one available.

Keep in mind that finding a rescue xolo is not very common, but it's still worth exploring.

The Xoloitzcuintli, also known as the Mexican Hairless Dog, is an ancient breed that originated in Mexico.

This breed comes in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard.

The Xoloitzcuintli has a unique appearance, with a range of coat types including hairless, short-haired, and long-haired.

They are known for their alert and watchful nature, making them great companions.

Their lifespan is typically between 12 to 18 years, with some living up to 20 years.

Xoloitzcuintlis are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, as they require minimal bathing and no trimming.

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