Xoloitzcuintle
Other names: Mexican Hairless dog, Xolo

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
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 breed nomenclature
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
The Mexican Hairless Dog doesn’t have a coat, but their skin is most commonly black or blue-black. However, they can also be seen in red, liver and bronze. They sometimes have tufts of hair on their faces, necks, feet and tails, normally in a similar shade to the skin.
Type of coat
Hairless or very short for the coated variety.
For the coated variety, the coat is flat, smooth and without undercoat.
Eye colour
The Xolo’s eyes range from black to brown, red, amber and yellow. More often than not, they’re fairly dark.
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?