The Xoloitzcuintles

The hairless Xoloitzcuintles (show-low-ee-SQUINT-lees) have become the audience favorites at the World Dog Show in Mexico City this week.

Native to Mexico and once an almost extinct breed, the dogs date back to the time of the Aztecs. Considered to be sacred by the Aztecs, they were common at the time of the Spanish Conquest.

Nicknamed "Xolos,” these hairless Mexican dogs are becoming more popular around the world, especially among people who have asthma or allergies to dog fur or those who just don’t like to clean up after a shedding dog.

Xolos were becoming extinct in the 1940’s until a group of Mexicans began searching out the dogs in remote mountain villages and desert outposts. Today there are about 5000 of the dogs worldwide.

Like Poodles, Xolos come in three different sizes, mini, intermediate and standard, ranging in weight from 10 to 50 pounds. Having survived thousands of years in Mexico, the breed is said to be extremely hardy.

Although I’m not Mexican I feel a strong connection to this breed.

Mickey, my first dog and companion for 15 years, had parents that were both purebred Chihuahuas, but Mickey was hairless except for her chest and underside of her tail. The runt of the litter, she grew to be larger and sturdier than a Chihuahua. She was the result, I am sure, of some genetic throwback to a long forgotten mating of a Chihuahua and Xoloitzcuintle in Mexico.

Her breeder just thought she was a weird mutant and was glad to give her away.

Strange how life works out sometimes.

More on the Xolos

Comments

[Simply Jenn]

Those are quite interesting dogs. I think it's fascinating that you had a dog that was a genetic throwback. It's one of them many things that make me love genetics.

[schnoodlepooh]

Interesting story about those Mexican hairless dogs. He's kind of cool looking. And I went back and read about Mickey. Is that an actual photo/painting ? Because she does resemble Mickey Mouse. And 12 lbs of chihuahua - yes, definitely some kind of throwback. Cool dog, Mickey.

[Semavi Lady]

Maybe there will be a Xolo in your future!

I think - of the hairless dogs, I'd probably get a Chinese Crested if I decided on a hairless (relatively) small breed. They look sort of like little horses with manes and tails when young, or maybe they look a little like dragons! :)

[AuthorMomWithDogs]

Wow, what a face.

[Laura]

The Xolo and the American Hairless Terrier are the better looking of the hairless dogs. At least from the looks of the dog in the picture above. After having a dog that shed all the time, I think I could deal with having a hairless breed.

[Kahshe Cottager aka Jen]

There was a very interesting TV program about these dogs, last year I think. They are quite the little dogs!

[jackie]

hairless dogs make me nervous...i like dogs with fur...long silky preferably..even though they shed and get all over the house..

[Wayne Hansen]

I live in Puerto Vallarta and do volunteer work for the animal shelter and PeaceMexico, the organization that provides medical care for homeless pets. I can't actually work in the shelter with the animals because of allergies, so the Xolo looks like an ideal choice for me. There is one top breeder that I'm aware of in Cuernavaca, which isn't that close to Puerto Vallarta, but it will be worth the trip if he has one that will adopt me!

[Faith]

Very interesting dog, I like it and I don't like many small dog breeds.

[bunny]

That dog is TALL!