Dog
Xoloitzcuintli Champions
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Pronunciation:
show-low-ee-squint-lee
Breed Description:
The Xoloitzcuintli breed of dog is a breed that can be found in three sizes, although they are never larger than a medium sized breed. The varieties are toy, miniature and standard. All of the varieties are similar in appearance and should have a robust and athletic build that is slightly longer than they are tall. They generally have a level top line and a broad skull that tapers down to the nose. The ears are large and erect and should be bat like in appearance. The tail should be long and taper to a point.
The Xoloitzcuintli can be found in two coat types. The most common is the hairless coat, from which they take the name Mexican Hairless. This should be a completely hairless dog, although hair on the feet, head and tail is allowed. They should never have an abundance of hair in the hairless variety but the skin can have any type of color including gray, brindle, spotted, black, bronze and red. The coated Xoloitzcuintli can be born in litters with the hairless variety and they should have a soft, sleek coat that covers the dog completely. It should be short and should have a slightly hard texture. Like the hairless, they can be found in the same range of color as the skin is.
Temperament:
The Xoloitzcuintli breed of dog is a very affectionate breed that is renowned for its loyalty and devoted nature. A true family dog that thrives when they are with their owners, this is a breed that is often described as a “Velcro” breed. They can suffer from separation anxiety and often bond with the people in their home who are the most active in their upbringing. The breed is usually very good with children; however, they do better in a home with older children who can take an active part in their upbringing. They usually do well with other dogs and animals but like all breeds, proper socialization is important. The Xoloitzcuintli is usually very reserved with strangers and can make a wonderful watchdog since they are naturally protective. This is not a breed for a new or timid owner since the Xoloitzcuintli can be a very strong natured dog that needs firm rules and leadership to avoid them taking over the home. They are usually very intelligent and with proper guidance can learn quickly.
Height:
The Xoloitzcuintli has three size varieties and the average height are Standard: 20 to 30 inches, Miniature: 15 to 20 inches, and Toy 9 to 14 inches.
Weight:
The Xoloitzcuintli has three size varieties and the average weight are Standard: 25 to 40 pounds, Miniature: 15 to 30 pounds, and Toy 5 to 15 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Xoloitzcuintli breed of dog is a very hardy breed and they are not known to have a large number of health problems. The only condition to be aware of is skin cancers, which can be prevented by providing your Xoloitzcuintli with proper sun care.
Living Conditions:
The Xoloitzcuintli breed of dog living arrangements is different depending on the size. The toy and miniature Xoloitzcuintli can do well in apartments, especially if they are exercised properly. The Standard Xoloitzcuintli can do okay in apartments but the ideal is a home with a large yard. They can do okay outdoors but they do better in the home with their owners. In addition, the Xoloitzcuintli is better suited to warmer climates and should be bundled up during cold weather.
Exercise:
The Xoloitzcuintli breed of dog is a very active and energetic breed and they do require about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day to keep them happy.
Life Expectancy:
15 to 18 years
Grooming:
The Xoloitzcuintli breed of dog is actually a very easy breed to groom despite what is said by many. When you look at grooming, it will be slightly different depending on whether you Xoloitzcuintli has a coat or not. For the coated variety, expect to brush your dog on a weekly basis to keep the hair free of tangles and debris. Bathing only needs to be done when it is necessary and they can be bathed once every month or two. For the hairless variety, the Xoloitzcuintli should only be bathed when it is necessary. While some people recommend frequent bathing, the breed actually has natural oils that keep the skin healthy. Wipe them down on a regular basis to remove dirt from their skin and make sure you apply sunscreen when your dog is outside. Although it may seem like a hard breed to groom, they can be fairly easy to upkeep. Ears should be cleaned on a weekly basis for both varieties and nails should also be clipped several times a month.
Origin:
The Xoloitzcuintli breed of dog is a very old breed of dog and can be traced back 3000 years ago. They were revered and prized by the tribes of South America and artifacts depicting the breed have been found in both Mayan and Aztec tombs. The breed, also known as a Mexican hairless, was often kept as bed warmers and was believed to have mystical powers to heal the sick. They were used as both a spiritual dog for sacrifice and also as a food source. Despite the reverence that was held for these dogs, it was not well known and faced extinction many times. In fact, many believed the hairless Xoloitzcuintli was simply a sick street dog that was commonly seen in Mexico and South America. Today, more interest is being generated about the breed and efforts have been made to save the Xoloitzcuintli from extinction and keep it true in type to what it was over 3000 years ago. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
