Xoloitzcuintle

13-31 lbs
9-21"
Mexico
Mexican Hairless, Tepeizeuintli

Unless you live in Mexico, there’s a good chance you’ve never seen a Xoloitzcuintli in the flesh before. They’re relatively rare in the USA and the rest of the world, although this is changing gradually.

This scarcity isn’t because they’re a new breed — in fact, quite the opposite. There’s historical evidence of Xoloitzcuintli dating back more than three thousand years and throughout this time, they’ve been culturally and spiritually important for Aztecs and other groups living in the historic region of Mesoamerica.



Xoloitzcuintli are a particularly unique dog breed and one with a specific set of needs when it comes to maintenance — a comprehensive pet insurance plan will help parents stay on top of their pet’s requirements. Why not also consider a wellness plan, which is a simple way of covering routine annual vet appointments and treatment?


In our guide to the Xoloitzcuintli, you’ll discover:

  • Yes, the Xoloitzcuintli really is a hairless dog
  • There are three different sizes of the breed — Standard, Miniature and Toy
  • They need sunscreen to help protect their skin at times
  • Xoloitzcuintli love their humans but can sometimes suffer with Separation Anxiety

 

Xoloitzcuintli breed overview

Xoloitzcuintli have long been adored by artists, including Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in the 20th century. It’s easy to see why — they’re striking-looking dogs with strong features and an innate confidence.

And of course, their absence of a coat makes them rather distinctive, too. This might be off-putting to some potential pet parents, but they’re soft and smooth to the touch, as well as surprisingly warm. It’s also a win for those unfortunate enough to suffer from allergies to dog hair.

Over the long course of the breed’s history, Xoloitzcuintli have played many roles in society, from spiritual symbol and sacrifice to healer and watchdog. Today, however, they’re more likely to be a faithful companion, prized for their loyalty and calming presence within the home.


purpose Purpose
food, sacrifice, companionship, hunting
history Date of Origin
ancient, pre-columbian times
ancestry Ancestry
spitz, primitive types

Xoloitzcuintle Health

Sketch of Xoloitzcuintle
Average Size
Male Xoloitzcuintle size stats
Height: 13-22 inches Weight: 19-31 lbs
Female Xoloitzcuintle size stats
Height: 9-21 inches Weight: 13-31 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
Minor Concerns
  • Dry Skin
  • Sunburn
  • Teeth Issues
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Drug Allergy or Sensitivity
Occasional Tests
  • Bordetella (Kennel Cough)

Xoloitzcuintle Breed History

English-speakers, don’t fret if you don’t know how to pronounce Xoloitzcuintli. Just break it down into parts — show-low-eetz-KWEENT-lee. However, you can just as easily shorten it to Xolo (show-low) or call them the Mexican Hairless Dog if you’re feeling a little less adventurous.

The meaning of the breed’s original name reveals a bit about their long and fascinating history. The first part hails from Xolotl, a dog-headed god in Aztec mythology who would lead people to the afterlife in the underworld. The remaining ‘itzcuintli’ comes from the Nahuatl word for dog.

As the earthly embodiment of Xolotl, Xoloitzcuintli were venerated in Aztec society, as seen in their depiction on the Mayan calendar and the mass of small ceramic dogs that have been found buried in ancient graves alongside owners. In some cases, there’s evidence to suggest actual Xoloitzcuintli were sacrificed to ensure owners got to the underworld successfully.

As well as this, historians write that Xoloitzcuintli were frequently eaten in ceremonies, including weddings and funerals. They were also hailed for their ability to heal asthma, toothaches, insomnia, and rheumatism in humans.

Things changed when the Spanish began to colonize what’s today known as Mexico back in the 15th century. Explorers were quite understandably fascinated with this hairless dog but were also quite taken by the taste as well. 

Add to that the introduction of European dog breeds to this part of the world and the intermixing that followed, and both the purity and the population of the breed took a nosedive over the ensuing centuries.

This reached a point in the middle of the 20th century when it looked like Xoloitzcuintli faced extinction. In response to dwindling numbers, a team of dog experts embarked on an exhibition into the deepest Mexican countryside to find purebred Xoloitzcuintli to start a new breeding population.

Thankfully, this mission was a success and today, Xoloitzcuintli are in rude health again. The American Kennel Club (AKC) welcomed the breed back into its books in 2011 (after having dropped them in the middle of the 20th century) and they are thought to be the 116th most popular breed in the USA.

And if you need another sign the breed’s fortunes have well and truly turned around, you only need to watch the 2017 Disney film Coco, in which a Xoloitzcuintli called Dante acts as a spirit guide to the main character who’s transported to the land of the dead.

Xoloitzcuintle Breed Appearance

There’s very little chance of confusing a Xoloitzcuintli with another breed — their hairless coat is a bit of an oddity in the canine world, as is the tuft of hair they often sport on their head or tail.

However, it’s possible to find Xoloitzcuintli with a short coat — in fact, it’s thought that up to one in five Xolo pups are born with short and sleek fur not dissimilar to that of a Doberman.

When it comes to colors, the AKC has a total of 17 options in its breed standard, including sable, slate, palomino and fawn. In addition, it’s not uncommon to see black, white or tan markings or spots on their body or coat. Sometimes, a Xolo will change color as they age.

On a Xoloitzcuintli’s head, eyes are usually hazel or brown, while the nose is black or the same color as their skin. Their ears are usually both large and upright, a little like a bat’s, but floppy-eared Xolos can be found, too.

Finally, we should also mention the variation in size. A Standard Xolo will typically reach 18 to 23 inches in height and anywhere between 30 and 55 pounds in weight, while the Miniature variety tends to fall between 14 and 18 inches high and somewhere in the 15 to 30 pounds region.

The teensiest Xolo, however, is the Toy type — these little fellas only get to 10 to 14 inches tall and weigh as little as 10 to 15 pounds.

Appearance of Xoloitzcuintle
Eye Color Possibilities
hazel Xoloitzcuintle eyes
Hazel
brown Xoloitzcuintle eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Xoloitzcuintle nose
Black
brown Xoloitzcuintle nose
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
white Xoloitzcuintle coat
White
black Xoloitzcuintle coat
Black
fawn Xoloitzcuintle coat
Fawn
brindle Xoloitzcuintle coat
Brindle
brown Xoloitzcuintle coat
Brown
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Xoloitzcuintle straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Xoloitzcuintle Breed Maintenance

Looking after a Xoloitzcuintli is a little different to caring for other dogs, especially if you have a hairless variety.

Although you don’t need to brush them, there are several things you need to remember. One of the most important is to apply sunscreen to their skin when they’re exposed to direct sunlight, otherwise they risk suffering from sunburn — no less painful for dogs as it is for humans.

You can bathe a Xoloitzcuintli and follow up with a coating of light moisturizer once or twice a month, but many vets warn against over-grooming as it can interfere with the balance of your dog’s natural oils.

There may be occasions when your hairless Xoloitzcuintli suffers from acne, which commonly happens when they’re under a year old. This is perfectly natural — just as with humans — and can sometimes be alleviated by wiping them with a damp cloth to remove dead skin cells and bacteria. In more serious cases, a vet’s assistance might be required.

As well as these special considerations, parents also need to carry out the same routine maintenance as they would for other breeds. This includes trimming nails twice a month, checking ears regularly for signs of infection, and brushing their teeth daily to prevent gum disease and bad breath.

When performing the latter of these tasks, you might notice your Xoloitzcuintli has fewer teeth than you might expect. Oddly enough, there’s a genetic link between hairlessness and missing teeth, but fortunately, these missing molars won’t cause your dog any problems.

When it comes to exercise, around 45 minutes of activity a day will suffice or eight miles of walking a week — a bit of playtime can’t hurt, either.


Xoloitzcuintli Health Risks

Thankfully, Xoloitzcuintli are a healthy breed and largely free of hereditary conditions that plague many other types of dog.

That being said, this doesn’t mean Xoloitzcuintli are completely immune from all health conditions and it’s important to deal with breeders who carry out screening on their dogs for eye, heart and joint issues. That gives you the best chance of avoiding any painful conditions popping up later in life.


Feeding an Xoloitzcuintli - what’s the best diet?

Xoloitzcuintli aren’t known to be fussy eaters, but they’ll thrive best on a diet of top-quality food filled with meat, carbs and vegetables — this is especially important for keeping their skin in a healthy condition. Ever had a breakout after binging on fast food? Exactly.

Fortunately, our partner Dog Food Advisor has a wealth of excellent dog food recommendations for brands that will keep your pet healthy and fuelled up for all the shared adventures you have in store.

The amount you feed your Xolo will depend on two things: their size and the amount of exercise they do. As such, this will need to change throughout their lives to ensure they have enough energy without being at risk of obesity.


Brushes for Xoloitzcuintle
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Xoloitzcuintle requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Xoloitzcuintle Temperament

Xolo aficionados are nothing if not effusive when it comes to praising their dog’s intelligence, loyalty and gentleness. This isn’t just parents’ blind pride, however — the breed loves human company and is remarkably easy to train (perhaps with a little discipline on occasions).

With consistent routines and an effective socialization period, Xoloitzcuintli normally grow up to be well-behaved and all-around pleasant company.

In the interest of balance, it should be mentioned that some Xolos can verge on clingy and this can manifest itself as Separation Anxiety. Small Dog Syndrome and the accompanying aggression aren’t unheard of, either. Both of these tendencies might need some tough love to eradicate.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes
activity minutes

Xoloitzcuintle Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.2 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Xoloitzcuintle Height & Weight

6 Months
Sketch of Xoloitzcuintle at six months
Male Xoloitzcuintle size stats at six months
Height: 13.5 inches Weight: 10.5 lbs
Female Xoloitzcuintle size stats at six months
Height: 12.5 inches Weight: 12.0 lbs
12 Months
Sketch of Xoloitzcuintle at 12 months
Male Xoloitzcuintle size stats at 12 months
Height: 17.5 inches Weight: 17.0 lbs
Female Xoloitzcuintle size stats at 12 months
Height: 15.0 inches Weight: 19.0 lbs
18 Months
Sketch of Xoloitzcuintle at 18 months
Male Xoloitzcuintle size stats at 18 months
Height: 17.5 inches Weight: 20.0 lbs
Female Xoloitzcuintle size stats at 18 months
Height: 15.0 inches Weight: 22.0 lbs

Xoloitzcuintle Owner Experiences

What and Huh
What 3yrs Huh 1.5 yrs
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I have had this breed of dogs since 1993 I don't think I would have any other breed now that I found this kind.
6 years, 9 months ago
zola
14 Weeks
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Play
Run
Fetch
Very playful cheeky fun loving natured dog
6 years, 7 months ago
Symba
3 Years
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking, Running
Have a miniature, coated Xolo, hairless at throat area. (Both parents were hairless and toy size.) Very, very, loyal. Protective - will embrace strangers, eventually. Loves to play chase, and hide and seek. Very athletic. Loves to jump high, couple of feet, and catch ball. Extremely fast runner. Initiates play frequently. Highly intelligent. Learnt as a pup, in short period of time, multiple commands and tricks. Has a unique relationship with each member of the family. Has embraced outsiders only who are frequent guests. Needs daily walks, exercise and play time. Definitely velcro dog. Has one person who is favored above all and is constantly seeking them out. Emotionally attached and will cry when seperated. Loves to curl up, and nap, and prefers to be touching human. Has allergies to food and is on a high quality (expensive) brand of food that is as natural as possible, weeding out common food triggers to assist in skin allergies and breakouts. Sheds slightly. Lightning, storms, fireworks cause fear.
6 years, 3 months ago
Maya
4 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Tug-of-war
She is quick to learn commands and tricks. She loves her pack of 2 humans, 3 other dogs, and 2 cats. She is independent but likes to please as well.
3 years, 10 months ago
Yoshi
11 Weeks
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Hiking playing
Have one already. I know a significant amount.
3 years, 9 months ago
Ace
7 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Run
Play keep away
Play
Tug-of-war
Nap
Dog Parks
Playing in the snow
I have a coated Xolo. He’s super smart, catches on very quickly! He barks... at anyone who enters the house - so just an FYI. He’s not super big on cuddling but he does like being near his humans. His favorite thing is RUNNING - he loves being chased - and playing keep-away. Healthy and loyal, an all-around amazing breed.
3 years, 9 months ago
Ricardo (Rico)
6 Weeks
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Great so far! I loved learning about the breed. I look forward to trying new training methods, and teaching him new skills. We have some trips planned this summer. My road buddy!❤️
3 years, 5 months ago
Ruby Nekutik
5 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I got Ruby as a 4 year old from a breeder who had her for her whole life. She is very timid and shy and it has taken her a year to warm up. She is very much emotionally attached to me and my other dog Yoda. She is not fond of other dogs and we are working on that currently. She no longer nips at other dogs who come close to her but she does not like it when they run up and try to play if she does not know them. She is a velcro dog who is sensitive and does not like loud noises, places, or people. She is picky about her food and prefers to have some wet food mixed in. She has mild acne and when it is dry I put shea butter mixed with coco oil on her. She loves to play and run around with her brother Yoda and really loves to take walks/runs. I love her dearly and she is overall a VERY sweet, loving, and loyal dog who needs a lot of love and care on a daily basis.
3 years, 4 months ago
Xica
5 Months
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
We love our xolo. She’s high energy and very needy but she loves her family and loves to cuddle. She’s super sweet and really smart.
3 years, 3 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd