If you don’t think you can say Xoloitzcuintli (and we don’t blame you), all you have to say is Mexican Hairless Dog. Now that we got that out of the way, there’s much more to learn about this fantastic 3,000-year-old dog from the Ancient Aztecs.
But…
Will this dog be the right one for your family? That’s the question only you’ll be able to answer for yourself. Still, hopefully after reading this article, you’ll have a better idea so that if you’re ever allowed to make one of these unique animals your own, you’ll know if it’s a good idea.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Xoloitzquintli Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Mexico (Aztec)
Original Purpose: Guard Dog / Spiritual Entity
Height: 10 to 15 inches at Shoulder for miniature, 15 to 20 inches for Standard
Weight: 8 to 14 pounds for miniatures, 12 to 24 pounds for standard
Dog Breed Classification: Non-Sporting group
Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
Origin of the Mexican Hairless Dog
This dog is the first in the Americas (North America and South America). There’s some evidence that this dog was around more than 3,000 years ago, so if that’s true, he has a long history. And a pretty interesting history, too, boot! You see, it’s believed that early on in this dog’s history, part of his role was to ward off evil spirits in Aztec Indian culture thousands of years ago.
So…
Even though they might think they look a “bit” scary by today’s standards, back then, these dogs were considered quite handsome in their early development. They are so beautiful they were given a name that coincides with one of the early Aztec gods, Xolotl, the canine brother of the more famous bird god, Quetzalcoatl.
In modern history…
This dog gained popularity around the 1930s. This dog suddenly gained attention because of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, who both often painted the dog. Despite this early popularity during the early 20th century, the Xoloitzquintli dog breed has had difficulty becoming a household name. Even their “official” recognition by the American Kennel Club has come and gone.
Fortunately…
The United Kennel Club decided to “officially” recognize the breed in 1983, which probably led the American Kennel Club to “reconsider” its decision to dismiss this breed and once again decide that the Xoloitzquintli needs to be “recognized” again as it did in 2011.
In either case…
We here at IndulgeYourPet find them highly unique and worthy of their classification and have yet to meet someone who has completed a Xolo who doesn’t feel the same way about them, which is probably why you’ll find that it’s not cheap to get your hands on a Xoloitzcuintli puppy with the average cost of a Xolo puppy running somewhere between $600 to 1000 dollars!
Characteristics of a Xoloitzcuintli
Also known as the Xolo for short, the dog has what can only be described as a Mohawk of hair on its otherwise hairless body. The Mexican Hairless dog comes in various colors, including Black, white, brown, or gray. These guys also have somewhat big ears, giving them features almost like a cat-rabbit mix. His hairless tail is long and curves. Like many hairless animals, his face has wrinkles that become more pronounced with age. He also has a smattering of whiskers around his face. Another noticeable feature is the dog’s almond-shaped eyes.
And…
You can practice similar grooming techniques with a coated dog despite being hairless. By that, brush with a soft-bristled brush, bathe, and maybe even apply some oils to the skin as a vet recommends.
Love the “hairless” look?
Another dog you can look into is the Chinese Crested Mexican Hairless mix for another variety.
Personality and Temperament
If you describe the Xolo in three words, it would be: Smart, loveable, and stubborn. So, two out of three good traits aren’t bad. Plus, persistent also isn’t necessarily a negative trait. Sometimes stubbornness makes pets loyal – and these dogs are also loyal (that’s the fourth descriptor!).
Though for some reason…
It might not be expected for a hairless dog to be a cuddler, but the truth is, this guy is one. He’ll love to sit with you while you watch Netflix or chill out. And while when it comes to strangers, this one is a bit more cautious than other dogs, that’s just a trait of being a guard dog – never fully trust anyone until you know more about them. That’s the Xolo outlook when it comes to people. However, even after the first meeting, he does well with other animals.
We should also note that…
You must let this dog get adequate physical activity and mental stimulation. If you don’t, he’ll be wound up!
Potential Health Concerns
This is a healthy dog – it must be to have stayed around for thousands of years. But you still want to go to a trusted Xoloitzquintli breeder when looking for puppies or older dogs. If you don’t, you won’t know the breeding techniques used and if they have done everything possible to help eliminate genetic diseases from their lineage.
One of the most common…
Health problems are skin problems since it’s exposed. However, as your veterinarian prescribes, creams usually take care of this quickly. Additionally, just like all dogs, your Xolo can get any number of non-genetic sicknesses or diseases. Some could show up when the dog is a puppy, while others could take years. Either way, you should be prepared.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
