Xoloitzcuintle

Other names: Mexican Hairless dog, Xolo

Xoloitzcuintle

The Mexican Hairless Dog is a loyal, alert, affectionate and calm dog which - you guessed it - has no hair! This is an extremely smart and intelligent breed which is also incredibly loyal to its owner. Because of this, they do tend to be a little ‘needy’ and are often prone to separation anxiety.

Their hairless skin certainly makes them a unique dog. However, their lack of coat doesn’t mean grooming’s out of the picture - this fine-looking pooch will need plenty of skincare and may be prone to acne.

Key facts about the Xoloitzcuintle

Life expectancy :

9

21

14

16

Temperament :

Playful Intelligent

Size :

Origins and history

Xolo’s are one of the oldest breeds known to man - they’re thought to have been around for around 3,500 years! These ancient dogs were believed to be a ‘gift from the Aztech Gods’ which helped transport people to the Afterlife - yes, they’re truly mythical creatures! They’d be buried alongside their owners in the belief they’d guide the soul to the underworld. During the 1940s and ’50s, the Xolo’s popularity boomed, leading to high breeding rates - hence why they’re so commonly seen as pets now.

FCI Group

FCI Group

Group 5 - Spitz and primitive types

Section

Section 6 : Primitive type

Physical characteristics of the Xoloitzcuintle

    Adult size

    Female : Between 10 and 24 in

    Male : Between 10 and 24 in

    • Toy
      Female: 14.1 inch - 17.8 inch
      Male: 14.1 inch - 17.8 inch
    • Miniature
      Female: 9.8 inch - 13.8 inch
      Male: 9.8 inch - 13.8 inch

    Weight

    Female : Between 7 and 55 lb

    Male : Between 7 and 55 lb

    Coat colour

    Black

    Type of coat

    Naked
    Very short
    Short

    Eye colour

    Blue
    Brown

    Description

    The Mexican Hairless Dog is a tall and long, lean yet muscular dog who definitely stands out from the crowd. They’re ‘athletic’ looking with strong legs. They possess tough, textured skin with small tufts of hair - though some have none at all. Tails are set low when they’re relaxed or resting and high when excited or alert.

    In terms of the head, the Xolo has a long, thin muzzle with a nose the same colour as the skin and a small stop. The eyes are large, expressive and almond-shaped while the ears are big and mostly erect. The neck is long and elegant.

    Good to know

    The Mexican Hairless Dog is the official dog of Mexico - pretty cool, right?

    Varieties

    Hairless

    Coated

    Toy

    Miniature

    Standard

    Temperament

    • 66%

      Affectionate

      The Mexican Hairless Dog is a very affectionate dog - but only towards those they’ve chosen! This breed tends to have a favourite person and stick to them (quite literally) like glue. If you want this breed to be equally affectionate towards all family members, make sure each and every person spends equal time training, playing with and exercising the dog.

    • 100%

      Playful

      This breed is known to be energetic, fun-loving and playful and for the most part, will be more than happy to play games as a family or take part in sports on the beach or at the park. However, some Xolos are more aloof to others and may not enjoy long periods of playtime.

    • 66%

      Calm

      The Mexican Hairless Dog is known to be particularly relaxed and laid-back around the house. Assuming they’re being kept well, have plenty of company and are getting lots of exercise, this is a super chilled-out breed. However, like most dog breeds, you may find they cause mischief if bored, lonely or stressed.

    • 100%

      Intelligent

      The Xoloitzcuintli is extremely intelligent, inquisitive and smart - they pick things up easily and seem to be emotionally in tune with their family. However, this breed takes longer to mature than many other dog breeds and won’t be fully mentally developed until around 2 years of age.

    • 33%

      Hunter

      He doesn't have any hunting instincts.

    • 66%

      Fearful / wary of strangers

      The Mexican Hairless Dog is naturally protective of their family, making them wary of unfamiliar faces. Consistent socialisation from a young age can help this significantly, leading to a friendly, warm pooch.

    • 33%

      Independent

      In terms of independence, the Xolo is somewhat in the middle. Their intelligence means they’re more than capable of free-thinking and may cause mischief in the right move. However, most dogs of this breed are so eager to please and devoted to their owner that it’s rarely a problem.

      Behaviour of the Xoloitzcuintle

      • 33%

        Tolerates solitude

        The Mexican Hairless Dog loves its owner and wants to be around them all the time. As such, they don’t cope well with being left alone and will become lonely, and possibly destructive, pretty quickly. They’re best suited to families who can provide constant company between them.

      • 100%

        Easy to train / obedience

        The Xolo doesn’t fully mature until 2 years of age, meaning training can be slow to start. However, it’s important to be consistent with both socialization and training from a young age to avoid ending up with an aloof, shy or overly-protective dog. Due to their long puppyhood, make sure training sessions are short, sweet and full of fun games and activities. The Xolo can be rather sensitive, so stick to positive reinforcement and avoid shouting or scolding at all costs.

      • 100%

        Barking

        The Xolo’s bark is more like a howl! Unfortunately, this breed can be prone to excessive barking - it’s just a natural instinct. The best way to relieve this is to ensure enough exercise, play and affection are being given to the dog in question. As soon as they feel unsatisfied, it’s likely to become a problem.

      • 33%