Xoloitzcuintle (pronounced: Sho-lo-itz-quint-le) is a relatively unknown and small breed... and that's a shame, because it's an absolutely gorgeous dog, with a lot of good qualities, which fit excellently to the needs and wishes of the modern human being. (Read more about Xolos and allergy further down)
The breed unites the exotic with the elegant. Health, mental clearness and a well-balanced psyche makes the Xolo what it is - a fantastic and exciting experience!!

The Xolo is one of the oldest breeds. Proof of their early existence has been found in the ruins and excavations of the pre-Colombian society in Mexico, South- and Central America and can be dated back to about 1500 BC. Grave finds, statues, clayfigures, pictures and balmed dogs have been restored from the old cultures that were prevalent in the area: Aztec, Maya, Inka, Toltecs and Zapotecindians.

The Xolos were in the different cultures used for a lot of purposes: food, sacrificial animal, petdogs/followers, hunt, guarddogs and for curing almost any illness as they were believed to have healing abilities (a Xolo was simply put in the bed with the sick person...). The Xolos have also been used as "hot-water bottles" in the cold nights. They are perfectly suited for this purpose, as they due to the lacking coat very easily give off bodyheat to their surroundings. It's obvious, that dogs used as "hot-water bottles" to sick, old and children must have a very high tolerance towards humans. And the Xolos are still like that today - they prefer to be as close as possible to their owner... and for as long as possible. Yours truly can confirm that they have a soothing effect on rheumatic pains - for the same reason as a hot compress :-)

The Xolos followed their owner even into the next life. Many Xolos were buried with their owner, when the owner died. The aztecs believed the dogs would help the deceased into the next world.
The word Xoloitzcuintle is composed of "dog" and the name of the mayan god Xoloth.

Due to its hairlessness a Xoloitzcuintle is nice and warm to touch. Many people believe, that Xolos have a constant higher bodytemperature than other "normal" dogs - but this is not true. A Xolo has mostly the same temperature as any other dog.
They manage surprisingly well in cold weather. The problem is not snow or frost, but more rain and wind - in this kind of weather they have to wear a little clothes when they are outdoors. But generally you could say, that during the winter months a Xolo is an "indoor-dog".

The Xolos skin has the same ability to produce pigment as our own skin. This means, that very light-coloured Xolos will need sun-lotion the first times they are exposed to strong sunlight in the spring and beginning of the summer, otherwise they will get sunburnt just like we do. After a period of sunexposure they will produce pigment - become "sun-tanned" - and their skin will be protected against the sun. (Dogs with clear white spots may need sun-lotion on these spots if they fx have to go to the beach for a whole day - even if they have been exposed to sun earlier in the year). Therefore the colour of a Xolo changes through the year depending on how much sun it's exposed to. 

A Xolo is a very devoted dog and does not like to be apart from its owner too long at a time. You can teach a Xolo to be alone at home while you're at work, but you don't leave a Xolo in a boarding kennel or with people it doesn't know while you're on vacation!!

A Xoloitzcuintle binds itself to one person (and mostly it's for life) - but they are very devoted and loving towards everyone who lives under the same roof as their "master" and themselves.
They are very good with children, as they are not easily scared by childrens sudden loud noises and big gestures.

The size of the Xolos varies from very small Chihuahua-sizes to Doberman. 
According to FCI's standard they are divided into 3 sizecategories - an adult Xolo in a show must be between 25 and 60 cm to the shoulder.
In Denmark (+ a few other places) it has been chosen for unclear reasons to divide them in 2 sizes.

More information about sizes - see the standard    

That the breed is rare is not a secret - worldwide there is supposed to be around 4000 xolos. Therefore the breed is not even common in Mexico despite the fact that it's one of Mexicos national symbols and national-breed. 
Members of the Federacion Canofila Mexicana started a thorough breedingprogram and registrationwork the 1st of may 1956. Before this date the Xolo was almost an extinct breed...

Not all Xolos are born without hair. A few puppies are born fully coated. Their coat can have many different colours and lengths. In Denmark unfortunately it's not allowed to show the coated dogs in this breed, but they can be used in the breedingprogram.

The hairless Xolos often lack some of their teeth. This is due to the same gene that causes the hairlessness and is not an illness or defect in the dog. Lack of teeth is not considered a fault in the showring.
Xolos are very strong dogs. They don't suffer from the same weaknesses as the "manipulated" breeds suffer from.

The hairless Xoloitzcuintle is an extremely interesting possibility to the dog-lover who suffers from asthma or allergy.  A Xolo doesn't shed (for obvious reasons), it never gets flees and is extremely cleanly!!
If you have allergy, se this: Tony's page!

If you want more information on Xolos - send us an e-mail.