Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli, commonly known in the United States as the "Mexican Hairless,"� is a breed that can trace its heritage in Mexico back 3,000 years. As such, it is believed to be the first breed in the Americas. It is considered a national treasure in Mexico, and it has been depicted in artwork of the most famous of Mexican artists through the years. The word "Xoloitzcuintli"� comes from the name of the Aztec god, "Xolotl"� and the Aztec word for dog, "itzcuintli."� The Xoloitzcuintli (show-low-eets-KWEENT-lee) is a strong, lean, muscular dog of medium bone. It is often described as looking much like the Pharaoh Hound. It comes in both a hairless and a coated version; the hairless version has by far been the more popular. It comes in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard. The Xolo is a long, sleek animal with a slightly rectangular shape, clean and graceful. It has a long neck and large ears. Its eyes are almond-shaped and dark. The hairless version of this breed often has a single tuft of hair atop its head. The skin is soft and smooth but also thick and very protective. Puppies are born with wrinkles that they eventually grow into. The coated variety has a smooth, sleek coat. It can appear in any solid canine color, or combination including spotted, brindle and palomino. The toy variety of the Xoloitzcuintli averages 10 to 13 inches in height at the shoulder and weighs up to 12 pounds; the miniature variety averages 13 to 18 inches tall and weighs an average 25 pounds; the standard size averages 18 to 24 inches tall and weighs an average 45 pounds. Legend has it that the ancestors of the Aztecs brought the Xoloitzcuintli with them from Asia to the New World. Historians say that the Xolo resulted as a spontaneous hairless mutation in the dogs that were indigenous to the region. Archealogical evidence suggests that these dogs were present more than 3,500 years ago; they are repeatedly depicted in the pottery and ceramic and clay effigies of ancient societies: Aztec, Mayan, Toltec, Zapoteca, Colima. The Aztecs considered the Xolo a sacred dog with mystical capabilities. In Aztec mythology, the god Xolotl made the dogs and told the people that they were to guard the dogs with their lives, and in return the dogs would offer protection in this world and escort to the next. When Columbus came to the new world in the 15th century, he wrote about the strange hairless dogs he found. The Xoloitzcuintli were used as bed warmers. They were companions and guardians. The Xoloitzcuintli were sacrificed with their owners, to serve them in the next world. They were believed to have powers of healing and are still used for this purpose in the more remote villages of Mexico, where the dogs still provide warmth for sufferers of asthma, arthritis and rheumatism, and various other ailments. The Xoloitzcuintli is still believed to guard the home from evil spirits. The Xoloitzcuintli was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1887, as the "Mexican Hairless."� A dog called "Chinito"� won the AKC title in 1940. But as the years went by, fewer purebreds of the breed were seen, no standard was observed, and interest died. The AKC complained that the breeders had no direction from the existing standard, nor any direction from the country of origin the Mexican Kennel Club had also been reluctant to consider the breed as a purebred. Finally, with few breeders remaining, the AKC voted in 1959 to drop the Xoloitzcuintli from its stud book. Meanwhile, the Mexican Kennel Club became concerned that the historical breed would cease to exist. It sponsored a Xoloitzcuintli Expedition in 1954, which was widely publicized and served to educate the dog fancying world about the plight of the breed. With the blessing of the Mexican Club a team of American, British and Mexican breeders set out to search the remote areas of the country for foundation stock. Ten purebred specimens were found, and these became the foundation for the revival of the breed. Fortunately, the last few decades have seen a renewal in interest for the breed, both in its native Mexico and in the U.S. The AKC readmitted the breed in 2009. The Xoloitzcuintli, whether coated or not, needs minimal care. The coated should receive a brushing weekly to remove dead hair and prevent shedding. The hairless variety sometimes suffers from a variety of skin problems that are owner-caused by too much care excessive bathing and lotions. The Xoloitzcuintli has tough skin, but the lighter pigmented individuals should receive protection from the sun to prevent sunburn. The Xoloitzcuintli does not show much evidence so far of inheritable disease. This breed is not suited to outdoor life or extremes of temperature, particular in colder climates. The hairless variety should be provided with a coat in cool weather. This dog is active and needs daily exercise. Without it, the Xoloitzcuintli can be destructive and develop behavioral problems. Fencing should be secure and high, because this breed can jump and is very agile and athletic and is reportedly one of the best of the canine climbers; some owners report that their Xoloitzcuintlis regularly climb trees. The adult Xoloitzcuintli is known for a calm demeanor, but youngsters can be quite exuberant.This breed is very intelligent and learns quickly. It is attuned to the owner's emotions and the goings-on in the household. It is devoted and loyal, and will not want to stray far from the owner. The adult Xoloitzcuintli can often be trained easily to walk off leash and come when called. The Xoloitzcuintli has some primitive characteristics, such as a strong guarding instinct and a strong prey drive. Early training and early and continual socialization is essential to help the dog live successfully in the household. With proper training, the Xoloitzcuintli can live very well with other dogs and with children. Caution should be exercised when introducing this dog to very young children, visitors or other strangers; the dog should be approached slowly until it has time to become acquainted with the new person. The Xoloitzcuintli has excellent hearing, and will alert the owner to anything suspicious, but these dogs are not characteristically obsessive barkers.

Back to iAnimals.com home page Copyright Notice: This website is © . All Rights Reserved.  Click Here to contact us. Link Partners: Animals Go to Heaven | Adopt Me | Salt And Pepper | Singing Animals | Animal Noises